Treating windows to window treatment

DAVID MINK GateHouse Plus

Eyes convey emotion. Tug on a few muscles here and scrunch a few over there and you can make angry eyes, happy eyes, sad eyes, content eyes - you can literally convey any emotion you want without altering any other

facial feature.

In the same way, your house's windows set the mood for your entire living space. Mistreated windows make your house seem drab, unaffecting and somber. And if you leave your windows blank - well, a blank window is about as inviting and emotionfilled as a sleeping eye.

There are many options available to the homeowner who wants to spruce up the "eyes" around the house. Of course, your first step would be choosing a set of Venetian blinds or slat blinds made of wood, plastic or metal. For a more '70s feel, go with tension rod blinds - the kind that spin and flap when you let them go.

Blinds, of course, are just the beginning of a good window treatment. To really flare out your house's emotion, you're going to need some layers. Literally.

Many home improvement stores sell cornice boards and cornice board kits for window treatment. Cornice boards, usually made from Styrofoam, are ornately shaped boards that can be covered in upholstery and set above your windows and curtains. The idea of the cornice board is to set off your window's design by anchoring it from above. Although not as popular throughout previous decades, cornice boards are back in fashion and easier to handle than ever.

After you pick up the kit and assemble your cornice board, you'll need to cover it with batting. Try wood glue or a few staples, but avoid hot glue as it can melt the Styrofoam. Next, pick a material to cover the cornice with that will accentuate your room's design. Take a look at your furniture's upholstery, the carpet and the furniture pillows around the room. What minor color in those designs could you pick up to fill out your room's color scheme?

After you have your cornice board upholstered and hung up, you're going to need to finish off your design. For this, we add layers. Layering a series of panels for your curtains adds depth and "umph" to your window design. First, start out with a heavy, pleated material for the outer curtain. For the middle panel, use a less heavy material - something in a satin would be nice. For the bottom panel, think sheer: something paper thin and nearly transparent. Hang each on a three-rod curtain frame leaving about three inches of each panel exposed below the above curtain.

For extra help with your curtain design, check online. HGTV.com has a great selection of window treatments to peruse while drumming up ideas.