Embellishing roller shades is an easy way to dress up your windows. These utilitarian shades have a reputation for being no-nonsense: They’re designed to block out or filter light and provide privacy and insulation. But with simple techniques, you can make them shine.
Each project explained below has its own appeal: Stenciled designs are artful embellishments, drawer pulls make elegant and useful details, fretwork trim lends subtle sophistication and a punched-hole design lets in points of light.
Once you’ve chosen your project, purchase shades at a home-supply store. Durable materials, such as vinyl and polyester, are good for frequently used shades; linen is ideal for sunny rooms because it resists fading.
Stenciled designs
In just a few steps, you can stencil a shade to create a strong and unexpected focal point in a room. Stencils designed for borders or walls work best, and using a paint roller rather than a brush will make the process much easier.
You’ll need the following materials: a fabric roller shade; a ruler; a pencil; a stencil (buy one or make your own); spray adhesive; a paint roller; and acrylic paint.
Begin by laying out a fabric shade on a table. Next, using a ruler and pencil, mark where you would like the stencil to go on the shade. Align the pattern with the bottom of the shade, since you will be painting from the bottom to the top.
Next, mist the back of the stencil with spray adhesive, and affix it to the shade. Paint over the stencil using a paint roller and acrylic paint. Remove the stencil, and let the paint dry.
Continue stenciling up the shade, using the stencil’s registration marks to match the pattern’s repeat, until you’ve decorated the desired area of the shade.
Fretwork trim
For a delicate finish, sew fretwork to the bottom of the shade’s hem.
You’ll need the following materials: a roller shade (any material will do); wooden fretwork (available in 3-foot strips at lumberyards and from woodworking catalogs); a saw; a miter box; acrylic paint (optional); a large sewing needle and monofilament thread or a hot-glue gun.
Start by using a saw and miter box to cut a piece of fretwork to match the width of the shade. (If you like, color the piece with acrylic paint, choosing a hue that complements those in the room.)
To affix the trim, use a large sewing needle and monofilament thread to stitch between the open parts of the embellishment. Alternatively, use a hot-glue gun to attach the fretwork.
Drawer-handle pull
Grace the bottom of a shade with a drawer handle – a functional detail that makes for a stately pull.
You’ll need the following materials: a roller shade in any material with a strip of wood inside the bottom border (most have this); a drawer handle; a drill with a small bit; and nuts and bolts. Purchase the drawer handle at a hardware store, or look for unique ones at flea markets and antique stores.
First, use a drill and a small drill bit to make holes in the strip of wood that is in the bottom of the shade. The holes should line up with those in the drawer handle. Attach the handle to the shade using nuts and bolts.
Punched-hole design
To scatter points of light across a room, punch holes in a pretty pattern.
You’ll need the following materials: a roller shade (fabric works best); a pencil; a piece of paper; a ruler; a craft cutting board; masking tape; a crafter’s hole punch; and a mallet.
Draw a template for your design on paper. Try a simple shape, such as a star or a monogram. Using a pencil (and a ruler for straight lines), draw lines that form the shape, then map out points where you’ll want to make the holes.
Next, lay the shade on top of a craft cutting board. Place the template over the shade where you would like the design to be, and attach it with masking tape. Adjust the crafter’s hole punch for a desired hole size, and use a mallet to gently tap the punch through the template and fabric.
Remove the template, and you’ll have a shade that allows a pattern of sunlight into the room.
Questions should be addressed to Living, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10168. Please include your name and daytime telephone number. E-mail: living@nytimes.com.
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