While
the rods are needed in order to support the drapes or curtains,
sometimes the finials are (gasp) forgotten! But in recent years,
finials have grown increasingly popular and so more and more are
sold attached to the end of the rod instead of screwing onto it.
First, let's look at how to improve upon an ordinary curtain
rod. If your client is not interested in replacing it, there are
many alternatives. Along with being incredibly inexpensive,
do-it-yourself rods allow for greater personalization of the
space. Though it's easy to get wrapped up in the perfect
aesthetics, in the end (and the beginning) it's the
idiosyncratic taste of the client that the space should mirror.
There are many ways to create an individual style. Use a very
basic rod with simple ball finials and paint the unit a color
that contrasts with the curtains and matches the bedding or
wallpaper. Alternatively, you could cover the rod with the same
fabric as the curtains, which would simplify the window
treatments by creating symmetry. Other ways to dress up curtain
rods are by wrapping a vine of plastic flowers around it or a
feather boa for an over-the-top look.
Now, for those who are not so crafty, there are beautiful
wooden, wrought-iron, and glass finials. Though they come in
many different designs, most of them can be grouped into four
types.
There is the hook, the
onion (or ball), the swirl, and the dagger. Metal or
wrought-iron finials fit perfectly in a mature setting such as a
master bedroom, a den, or a study. (Of course, we strongly
recommend not placing the dagger style in a child's room, but
that goes without saying.) The wooden pieces appeal to clients
with more traditional tastes. Because there are a variety of
finishes, they can be matched with other wood finishes in the
room, whether it is that of a coffee table or entertainment
console.
Glass finials come in wonderful floral, geometric, and painted
designs. Often, they are sold separately from the rods. Though
they generally run more than the others do, they will invariably
last a lifetime. Also, you're never stuck with a certain style,
because you can always take them off and put new ones on. For an
inexpensive alternative, take out the paintbrush and create your
own design on a plain ball. Gloss finishes will help to create a
professional look.
When choosing which finials will work best on a particular
window, there are a few things to take into consideration. Match
the size of the rod to that of the window. Simply, large windows
should be accompanied by large rods. Imagine a small window with
an enormous curtain rod over it that extends far beyond the
window frame. That wouldn't look balanced. Also, the hangers
that hold the rod should be nailed outside of and above the
window frame.
Curtain rods and their finials can do more than add elegance and
style to a drab set of curtains; they can bring harmony into a
room. They can uplift the aesthetics of a bedroom. When that
happens, the design of the entire living space benefits, all
because of the "little things."
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