Dans Papers - May 11, 2007

There is no replacement for natural sunlight filtering into your room. It can be jarring to open your eyes to the alarm clock screaming in a dark room and then having to thrust open the heavy curtains, blinded by the light of day. Waking up is much more pleasant when you are gently urged from sleep by amber rays of sunlight kissing your eyelids. That easing into the day, through the gradual brightening of the room, can make waking up feel much more natural. This is not to say, however, that you should do away with curtains and allow night to give way to day naturally.

Unfortunate though it may be, curtains are important installations if you have neighbors nearby. Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and you don't want to share your personal space with whomever passes by. This is when window sheers become an excellent option. They're attractive from the inside, give some degree of privacy from the outside and allow enough light in so your room slowly brightens as the sun rises.

Sheers come in a wide variety of colors and can gently accent any room in a home. They can add a formal flare or a very casual appearance, and the materials that sheers are made with vary greatly. When shopping for sheers, there are basic things to think about are. What is the ambience of the room you are decorating? Are you looking to brighten or darken your room? Are you looking for specific materials?

The first question is perhaps the most important. Because sheers can accent a room so beautifully, you need to think about what kind of accent you want. A simple sheer might accentuate an elegant, minimalist environment. For example, Macy's carries a Bamboo sheer that drops from ceiling to floor like a beautiful ball gown. The texture is soft rayon made from bamboo and the materials allow light to pass through, while obscuring any objects on one side or the other. This particular sheer comes in various colors including ivory, leaf, peacock and copper. Each allows light to pass through, though the ivory and leaf are paler and brighten up the room a bit more, while the peacock and copper are bolder colors.

If you're looking to add a fancier ambience to your room, you may want a sheer that has more detail. Instead of the simple, straightforward design of the Bamboo sheer, look into organza or other fabrics. Macy's also has a line of organza sheers called Lalique. The fabrics are striped with scrolling embroidery and accents. There is a double layer and an embroidered organza overlay on satin. This line of sheers comes in silver, gold and ivory shades, and makes any room seem fit for royalty. Still, even with the layers and the adornment, these sheers allow enough light to pass through so you don't feel you are blocking the daytime from your home.

When deciding whether you are trying to brighten or darken your room, you should think primarily about colors. Sheers allow light to pass through naturally, so any shade will brighten your space more than another type of drape would. However, if you opt for a crimson sheer, the light that passes through will be more mysterious and rich. If you choose an ivory sheer, the light will pass through all bright and sunny. This relates back to what kind of ambiance you are looking to achieve in your room. Darker sheers might make your living room look more formal and grandiose, and lighter sheers might bring the daylight into your bedroom in a welcoming way.

There are a variety of materials used for window sheers. Each has its own unique look. Nylon, acetate, rayon and polyester are common materials for sheers. Silk and cotton are sometimes used as well. One lovely and unique fabric that allows light to pass through is macrame. This delicately woven material adds an elegant look to your room. Macrame can be hung on a window by itself or can be used as an accent to another drape.

You have as many options for dressing windows as you do for dressing yourself. And just as you have carefully crafted your own unique style through your wardrobe, you can craft your own unique style for your home. Sheers will help accent your room while letting the sunlight in and keeping the neighbors out.