Great windows with a wonderful view need no decoration. However, most windows need some sort of covering, if only for privacy or to filter sunlight. If you have very big windows, or even a window wall, you'll have heat loss during the winter and heat increase in the summer. There can also be that kind of creepy blank night-time "Black Glass" effect. These problems can be resolved with the appropriate window dressing. Plus, there are the major additional advantages of bringing color, texture, softness, and architectural interest to a room. Great window dressing can take a room from "generic" to "terrific," without further ado.

Too much of everything can leave you with a theatrical effect.

There are a variety of ways to cover a window: blinds, shutters, shades, curtains, drapery, and even paper. How do you choose? Assess what solutions are needed and find resolution in the simplest, most attractive way. Every picture tells a story. You'll want your choices to be in keeping with the style and ambience you wish to create in the room.

You might have windows that let the early morning light in, thus finding yourself awakened by Mr. Sunshine at 5 a.m. Drapery, curtains, and shades can be ordered with black-out lining, which does exactly that. Heavy drapery that has been lined and interlined will help with chronic noise from the street or neighbors, although the most effective solution is double or triple glazing the windows.

Are "curtains" and "drapery" two words for the same thing? No. Drapery refers to loosely hung fabric that can cover an entire window or extend floor to ceiling and/or wall-to-wall. Curtains are placed within the window frame. As such, sash or café type curtains offer limited light and vision control and can be used in addition to drapery for a more complete, dressed look.

You can also correct some types of "unfortunate architecture." For example, extend the curtain rod to add inches to the outside of the window frame. The window will seem larger. Placing the curtain rod at the ceiling line, above the window molding, makes a room look taller, thanks to the increased vertical line. You can hide or modify an unsatisfactory window shape, location or design detail in this way as well. Take a tip from stage designers to bring the appearance of more sunlight into a room where there isn't much. Use a creamy colored fabric for the outer curtain and a yellow fabric as lining. This trick actually makes the incoming light appear more "sunny".

A simple rod and drapery pair looks chic.

What about drapery with swags, valances, cornices, lambrequins and on and on? They have their place, but be careful. On the one hand, valances, for example, are the most helpful to re-proportion awkward windows, disguise weird wall jogs, and even to create a bridge between two widths of fabric when the fabric is a contrasting color to the walls. Overdone, however, your drapery "solution" can easily become the "Drama Queen" of the room. Keep it simple. I know of a few very good designers who create beautiful, elaborate window treatments, in perfect scale, completely appropriate to the overall style and ambience of the room, but it's not easy. Don't try this at home, unless you are very confident.

Always keep proportion in mind. A small room can look overwhelmed by too much at the windows and actually, the same is true for a large room with a lot of windows. The question that always needs to be asked is: "Does this window need to be covered at all?"

My favorite way to dress a window is with a simple woven blind of reed, or bamboo, along with drapery hung with rings on a pole. Another idea is to use sheers on a double rod, with the formal drapery on the outer rod. Blinds and sheers diffuse the light, and add texture, while the drapery adds richness and completes the room design. The drapery can also be stationary to great effect - just a width of fabric with a rod pocket sewn at the top. With curtains, if you need more coverage than a café or sash style provides then flat roman shades are a great solution, and can be used in conjunction with drapery.

Made-to-order window treatments are expensive, but if your budget allows, can be the best solution. With custom fabric selection, you can choose colors and textures to complement the room design with more precision than "off the rack," as well as attend to repairing the various shortcomings of the window and/or wall as discussed above. Some of my clients have tried various online sources for shades and the results have been iffy for one reason or another. However, many companies are offering beautiful ready-made draperies that can be a good solution if your needs are simple.