But that was the time of elaborate drapes, with sheers, valances, cornices, and very formal pinch pleated draperies that would just sit in front of the window, very precisely half an inch from the floor or below the window sill. These days people using draperies simply allow them to fall on the floor to form a heap or puddle. Are they being extravagant!
Present trend is to have simple window treatments and people surely get frugal when it comes to having window treatments. You’ll find very many householders to be using just blinds for the windows. And, getting a ready made pair that fits your window is rather inexpensive. To soften the window, one may drape some fabric across the top, hang slight fabric on the side, or use a valance. Decorators and creative people frequently use branches, twigs, silk greenery, stenciling, etc. as valances, and for rods anything from fishing poles to old iron posts may be used.
But even valances seem to be getting out of fashion, as a majority of householders decide to go for a pair of simple drapes on the side of their windows. Depending on circumstances, if people feel that no body can peep into their house easily, they just let the windows remain bare.
Here’s a tip - if you decide to drape fabric over a pole, see that the fabric is soft and runny for it to drape nicely. It's akin to making a dress. Different fabrics go with different patterns. You would be better off by avoiding using stiff fabric. At the same time, if the fabric is too light, you may be required to sew weights at the ends to make it sit properly on the rod.`
So - rejoice by saving money in a very consumer oriented society. Now you don’t have to spend a fortune on your window treatments, and yet display the kind of furniture in your homes that in the years gone by, you would have avoided having even in your garage.
