Window Treatment 101 with Wovn Home
In a room full of pattern and color, Wovn used a neutral solid linen for the drapery to pull the room together without adding noise. Photo by Kirsten Francis, styling by Benjamin Reynaert.
Written by Robert Leleux
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Regardless of the style of window treatment you’re imagining, Davina Ogilvie’s Wovn Home can make it happen. Though the company specializes in Roman shades and pleated draperies, that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.
Founded six years ago with the goal of “bringing custom window treatments to regular people,” Wovn quickly caught the attention of the design community, which today commissions more than half of its creations. “We began with simple window treatments,” says Ogilvie, “but there’s really no limit to what we’re making today. Bed skirts, table skirts, elaborate valances with trims and embellishments. You name it. We love being challenged.” And though Wovn offers a range of lovely linens and blends from which to design window coverings—including textiles from exclusive collaborations with Kelly Ventura and Marika Meyer—it’s always pleased to work with a customer’s own materials. Every project features a short four-week lead time—and on-site measurement and installation upon request.
When speaking to Ogilvie about Wovn, her passion for fabrics is obvious. Though a native Bostonian, she spent much of her childhood in Bangkok, in a sun-dappled house with silk curtains in the dining room and touches of toile throughout. “Fabric is just one of the ultimate ways of personalizing your space, a terrific way of injecting color and texture into your home,” she says. Ogilvie feels fortunate to have founded Wovn at the cusp of what she sees as a resurgence of the love of window treatments. “Whether we’re talking the fabric girls who love heavy draperies, or the grandmillennials who’ve rediscovered the café curtain, we’re living in a moment in which window coverings are being joyfully reinvented.”
Davina’s Advice when Choosing Between
Drapes and Roman Shades
Here’s what you need to know:
“Window treatments can transform a room in ways both subtle and dramatic,” says Ogilvie. “The right drapery, for example, can add richness and depth, elevating an otherwise unadorned space from simple to spectacular. Similarly, well-placed Roman shades can assist in blunting harsh natural light, while infusing a space with a clean, minimalist touch. Yet selecting between the two—drapes and Roman shades—can pose challenges. It requires the honest assessment of your aesthetic goals while also taking into account the various elements of a given room, such as its layout and window sizes.”
When and how to select drapes:
“Drapes are fabric window treatments that occupy the full length of a window; they’re sometimes referred to as curtains, although the term “drapes” is more commonly used to indicate custom-made, fully-lined fabric panels. They come in all iterations: From bold colors to calming neutrals, silks to more casual linens. If you’ve made the decision to use drapery for your space, consider the look you want: Eye-catching or ethereal? Structured or serene? The options are limitless, but mulling over your design goals is a worthy exercise before taking the plunge with these statement-makers.
Given their scale, drapes can often become the focal point of a room. For that reason, rooms with high ceilings or ample space may benefit from drapery versus other window treatments. Furthermore, spaces that have taller or larger windows tend to better support drapes, as small or narrow windows can be easily overwhelmed by fabric.
In the design canon, drapes are often considered a “classic” choice (although that’s not to say they can’t feel contemporary), so spaces that are more formal, such as dining or sitting rooms, are suitable choices. Since drapes provide enhanced coverage, they’re useful for insulating a space; if conserving energy or creating privacy is a priority, seek out drapery over Roman shades.
Once you’ve selected your drapes, consider their length. Having curtains that hit just above the ground or flush with the floor is a good choice if you want to open and close your drapes regularly; if you’re aiming for a more luxurious and dramatic look, opt for longer drapes that “puddle” at the bottom.”
A floral-patterned Roman shade adds depth, color, and light control to a bright home office. Photo by Manuel Rodriguez, styling by Benjamin Reynaert.
Simple, yet vibrant ribbon trim on the drapery’s leading edges adds a pop of color that ties back to other elements in the room, creating a pulled-together and finished look. Photo by Manuel Rodriguez, styling by Benjamin Reynaert.
When and how to choose Roman shades:
“Roman shades—fabric window treatments that stack up at the top of a window—are a go-to choice for smaller windows and spaces because they don’t occupy the same footprint as full-length drapes. Bay windows or windows that have built-in cabinetry, furniture or heating/cooling units below them are great choices for Roman shades, as positioning drapes around these obstacles can look—and feel—awkward.
Minimalist and modern, Roman shades tend to be the favored choice for rooms that can’t support the formality of drapes, such as kitchens, nurseries, and powder rooms. They’re prized for their streamlined aesthetic—flat and ribbed shade styles, in particular—giving a room much-needed texture and character without overwhelming the space. Plus, they offer an easy, unobtrusive way to insulate a home while providing an elegant measure of privacy.
Roman shades can be mounted both inside and outside a window for different results. Outside-mounted shades better assist in blocking light while inside-mounted shades are more of a design-forward choice, especially if you’d like to highlight attractive molding. (Keep in mind, that if you’re mounting inside the window, the frame should be at least 1.75” deep.)”
Earth-toned linen drapery provides the finishing touch while maintaining the room’s casual aesthetic. Photo courtesy of Jenni Kayne.
When faced with floor-to-ceiling windows, mounting a track to the ceiling provides ideal functionality and the most streamlined look. Here, the white track looks seamless and almost disappears. Photo by Kirsten Francis, styling by Benjamin Reynaert
Roman shades mounted inside the casing highlight beautiful window trim details. Photo by Jared Kuzia.
There’s really no limit to what we’re making today. Bed skirts, table skirts, elaborate valances with trims and embellishments. You name it. We love being challenged.
Ask the Experts
The Wovn team is available to assist throughout all stages of the design process to bring your unique vision to life.
