Adding the Final Touch of Elegance to an Epic, High-Rise View

Jan 5

How it all started…

Steve and his wife, Joane, were moving into a new high-rise condo in downtown Portland. When they began decorating their new home, they reached out to talented Portland designer Karen who I’ve worked with for over 20 years. With Karen’s help, they first selected furnishings at Parker Furniture. Then, they came to me for help with custom window treatments. Steve and Joane’s condo features large ceiling-to-floor windows, which provide a stunning view of the city. It is especially important for a ceiling-to-floor installation to achieve a perfect hemline. As far as style, they wanted a more formal look. They desired sheers that would provide privacy and sun control, while still allowing them to see their amazing vistas. Furthermore, the window fashions needed to blend beautifully with the contemporary furnishings.

Main Living Space

In the living room, dining room, and kitchen, we installed a ceiling-mounted track and sheer curtains with a Ripplefold pleating style. The fluidity of the sheer fabric we selected allows for a beautiful drape. We also selected sleek, elegant stationary drapery panels with inverted pleats in a fabric with a small contemporary mosaic pattern to hang in front of the sheers. And, to keep the rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, we added honeycomb shades. The draperies and sheers truly transform the feel of this living space. The rooms become quieter even with just the sheers drawn, as they provide a touch of distance from the outside world while still allowing in plenty of natural light.

Patio and Entryway

For the patio door and the entry window, we created custom Roman shades made from the same fabric as the draperies. Their back-dowelling gives the shades a more tailored look, and when lifted, they appear to be valances with soft folds.

Master Bedroom

As any bedroom should, the master bedroom has a very restful feel to it. We achieved that with the fabrics we selected. The draw draperies have a subtle horizontal texture in gray and soft yellow tones. To finish off the look, we selected stainless steel hardware from one of our contemporary collections.

Results:

Throughout the entire condo, the window treatments provide a layer of privacy and a touch of personality to the space. In the day, the sheers dim harsh sun. At night, they provide warmth, screening the cold glass while still allowing the glimmering lights of the city to filter through.