Drapes vs Curtains - 4 Reasons You Should Never Skimp on Drapery

Drapes Make a Significant Impact on Every Room

When you are redecorating, renovating, or building a new home, by the time the project nears completion, you may have little energy to think about window treatments.

What a shame!

Letting drapery be an afterthought is a disservice to the space you are creating. Drapery is the perfect finishing touch that takes a room from nice to wow.

Let’s unpackage just a few of the reasons drapery is worth your time and attention. Find out why we might suggest drapes vs curtains.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

1. Drapery adds visual height to any room.

Hanging drapery close to the ceiling makes a room’s walls look taller and the space feel larger.

For example, look at the drapery in this office. Because the drapes are hung above the window, your eyes are drawn up to the ceiling that was created by a multidisciplinary artisan who specializes in mineral plasters and bespoke finishes. 

The drapery that Lisa custom designed and had made locally pops against the dramatic, orange dome chair. And don’t miss the Jonathan Adler “Boss Lady” pillow for a fun twist!

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

2. Drapery visually softens a space.

Drapery is one way to make a space feel less cold and more welcoming. 

Look at how the blush window treatments in this primary bedroom soften the black walls and add a cozy feel to the room. Coziness is especially important in spaces that you want to relax in, such as bedrooms or living rooms.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

3. Draperies help reduce noise.

Have you noticed how sound echoes off the walls in an empty room? Draperies, rugs, throws, and pillows all help dampen noise.

This is important to keep in mind when creating a home office space. Draperies absorb noise so your audio on conference calls sounds clear and crisp.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

4. Draperies are a form of art.

If you are trying to create a space that is eye-catching and colorful, selecting solid white or beige drapery probably isn’t the best choice.

Drapery is an opportunity to inject interest and creativity into a room. The patterns and colors are endless, and the trimming options can take your space to the next level.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

This bright, floral print Scalamandre drapery the Lisa Gilmore Design team chose for this Snell Isle vacation condo was the extra pop of color this guest room needed. It perfectly complemented the royal blue bed from Bernhardt.

There are many other reasons drapery is important for a room, including making a space more energy efficient, creating a better environment for sleep (in bedrooms with blackout drapery), controlling the amount of light in a room, and adding privacy.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design 

FAQs

1. Drapes vs Curtains, what is the difference?

The words curtains and draperies are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite different. Curtains typically come in pairs and are sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, lengths, and types by many retailers. Draperies, on the other hand, are often custom-made and more intricate than curtains. They are also usually floor-length or longer and made of heavier fabric.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

2. What curtains will be trendy in 2024?

In 2024, we predict that detailed valances like the green ones in this photo will be popular. The use of trim seems to be becoming more trendy as well, though we have always been a fan!

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

3. Which type of curtain is best for a bedroom?

For bedrooms, the Lisa Gilmore Design team uses a mixture of blackout privacy shades and layer decorative drapery with a blackout liner. Lisa prefers a lot of volume in bedroom drapery, and it creates an ultra-cozy effect!

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

While ready-made options from retailers are a nice option, if you have the budget for custom drapery, it is definitely worth it. If you are trying to decide between drapes vs curtains, we think drapes are the clear winner— they add warmth and style to any space.

This element of luxury cannot be replicated. Think of it like getting your favorite outfit tailored– afterward, it perfectly fits your body. That’s what custom drapery does for a space– perfect scale, volume, and textile!

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service firm, offering our clients a comprehensive design solution including the creative work, the procurement, the execution, and the management of their renovation. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa Bay, and worldwide.

Pink Sofa, Green Sofa, Teal Sofa! Colorful Sofas Everywhere!

Alternatives to Boring White Sofas

One design choice that many people are scared of is a colorful sofa. Everyone wants gray, white, or beige because they think it will go with anything and it will stand the test of time. 

Although that's true, we try to teach our clients a new definition of neutral. 

People commonly associate the term “neutral” with certain colors– shades of white, brown, and black. But when it comes to design, we always urge people to decorate with colors that make them happy. 

So if pink is your favorite color, don’t be scared to make a statement with it in your home. Commit and leave people in awe of your bravery!

5 Colorful Sofas That Make Typical Neutrals Pale in Comparison

If you prefer bold colors to neutral tones, there’s no reason to feel forced to choose a neutral sofa. We love eye-catching sofas, and here are a few pieces that we have selected for our client’s homes. 

RASPBERRY PINK SOFA - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

Striking Raspberry Pink Sofa

Our client’s condo had modern architecture, but they wanted the interior to have a more traditional undertone with vibrant colors. So, we turned this white, boxlike room into a showstopper with custom millwork and raspberry colors from floor to ceiling. 

The raspberry pink high-gloss paint was the perfect canvas for the raspberry sofa and abstract painting by the client’s father.

And bonus– the sofa’s fabric is a very durable performance fabric to guard against the messiest of spills. It’s also a sleeper sofa for when guests want to stay over! Attractive and versatile for a tight condo space.

This bright space made the perfect den to watch movies and entertain friends. Everyone who enters surely feels like they are being wrapped up in a raspberry hug.

HISTORIC HOME WITH GREEN SOFA - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

Lisa’s Historic Home with Green Sofa

This photo gives you a peek into Lisa’s 1920s brick rental home in St. Pete. The open living room and dining room combo was perfect for this green sectional from CR Lane.

A sectional sofa with a high back would have blocked the flow of the room, which is why Lisa chose this sofa with a lower back that offered a sightline. This allowed both the dining and lounging areas to feel connected.

Lisa paired the sofa with grapefruit velvet drapes to create a preppy pink-and-green vibe. It is an ideal combination of color and coziness for Lisa, who entertains frequently. 

GREEN VELVET SOFA - LISA GILMORE DESIGN TAMPA

PINK-ORANGE SOFA - 1920’S BUNGALOW - LISA GILMORE DESIGN TAMPA

1920s Bungalow with Pink-Orange Sofa

The Lisa Gilmore Design team redesigned four spaces in this 1925 home in the Historic Old Northeast district of St. Petersburg, including this living room space.

The homeowner wanted a colorful and happy feminine home to showcase her love of art and antiques. To create that feeling, we selected this Verellen sofa in JAB fabric, which is super special because, while it reads pink, when you are up close it has orange threading in the weave and creates an interesting dimension from different angles of viewing. 

It also adds a pop of whimsy to the room, especially when paired with the area rug from Loom + Co. 

Geometric Black-and-White Sofa in Bold Office

The client for this project was relocating from the Chicago area to a luxury condo in downtown St. Petersburg. 

Our team didn’t even meet the homeowners until the project was complete, and they had relocated to Florida. All of the client interactions occurred virtually, but the client had given us three pieces of art on which to base our design.

This office/guest room was one of the two rooms in which we didn’t use the client’s existing art. While it was intimidating to design without art for direction at first, we found that the blank canvas allowed our team to push the limits. 

This room intentionally throws color in your face.

The black-and-white sofa we chose also boasts performance fabric qualities and is a sleeper sofa. It is the ultimate complement to the violet walls and art by Erin MacIntosh from ARTicles Art Gallery in St. Pete.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

TEAL SOFA VACATION CONDO - LISA GILMORE DESIGN FLORIDA

Teal Sofa in Beach Condo

When we designed this Gulf Coast vacation condo, our goal was to reimagine the typical coastal look with colorful accents and modern touches.

Though the adjacent dining room is high-contrast with orangey-pink drapery and black-and-white patterns, the sofa from CR Lane has a coastal vibe. And, like many of the pieces we selected for this space, the sofa is made of indoor/outdoor fabric to make beachside living a breeze.

FAQs

1. Which sofa color is trending?

Dark blue, mustard yellow, bright green, and bold patterns are popular now and are expected to continue to be in demand in 2024. And deep, jewel-tone greens and bold patterns are at the top of the list of colors we love most!

2. What color sofa is timeless?

Colors like gray, cream, taupe, and some shades of blue are timeless, neutral shades. Many homeowners choose these colors because they match any decor. However, saturated colors can also be timeless and classic, as well as more forgiving of mishaps.

3. What sofa colors make a room look bigger?

Light-colored sofas create a spacious vibe and can make a room feel more open. Choosing a sofa that is the same color as your walls is another way to give the illusion of openness. But the most important thing to keep in mind when selecting a sofa for a space is the size. A sofa that is too large for a room can make the space feel smaller. Scale, size, and profile shape play a big role in determining whether a sofa is the right fit for your space.

Though we love selecting vibrant, bold sofas for the spaces we design, we know that adding so much color can be a big risk for some homeowners. If you aren’t ready to make the commitment, less expensive items like area rugs, drapery, and pillows are also great ways to add color and fun to a room. 

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding pops of color and luxury to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We have been named an Architectural Digest Leading Southwest Florida Designer and a Top 25 Design Florida Firm by Design + Decor. Lisa Gilmore Design has also been featured in top design publications such as Florida Design, Aspire Home, and Rue Magazine. We serve homeowners in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and worldwide.

Is Full-Service Interior Design Right for You?

How to Know Whether Full-Service or Online Interior Design is the Best Choice

TRADITIONAL WHYMSICAL HOME RENO - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN

When deciding where to eat lunch, some people may gravitate toward Panera Bread. Others may prefer The Capital Grille. 

There is nothing wrong with either restaurant, and you are sure to get fresh and delicious food no matter which you choose. But some individuals may find that Panera better satisfies their needs and expectations and others may say the same of The Capital Grille.

The same is true when choosing a furniture showroom stylist, interior decorator, individual interior designer, or interior design firm.

Though many designers can create, or help you create, beautiful finished spaces, the level of service, expertise, and quality they provide can differ greatly. 

5 Primary Types of Interior Design Services

The most common types of interior design services are full-service design, online design, design consultations, interior decorating, and furniture showroom design.

Full-Service Interior Design

Full-service interior design firms offer white-glove service for their clients. This option requires the least work from a homeowner and is the perfect turn-key solution for busy professionals with little spare time or desire to manage their own projects.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

Full-service firms fill many roles, including:

Creators who look at an existing space and envision what it could look like and what elements it needs to become a masterpiece. They create several items, including: 

a detailed vision of the design

fully thought out room boards, floor plans, and elevations

a full scope of work and a spec book for construction teams to follow

procurement and logistics of every single item presented

And, in Lisa Gilmore Design's case, hand-drawn illustrations of key rooms within the design.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

Sourcers work with a highly curated list of vendors, craftsmen, and artisans from around the globe who are carefully sourced, with whom we often have long-standing relationships that ensure an impeccable end product and endless opportunities for customization.

Installers who carefully place every item in the space to create the finished look.

Project managers who work to keep a project on time and budget and coordinate with vendors such as contractors and tradespeople.

It is truly full service in every sense of the word.

drawing Lisa Gilmore Design

Online Interior Design

Online interior design, also sometimes known as virtual design or e-design, has become increasingly popular since the beginning of the pandemic when many interior designers were unable to work with clients in person.

A designer providing services online does not visit a home in person or complete any measuring. They rely on a homeowner’s photos, videos, and measurements to get a feel for the space, and then use that information to create a design plan. This plan typically includes a mood board, floor plan, and links to suggested items.

These items will be retail products rather than the custom pieces often used by full-service firms. Then it is the homeowner’s responsibility to execute the design by ordering items and installing everything as dictated by the design plan.

Online interior design can be ideal for homeowners with a smaller budget who are willing to take on a larger portion of the work.

photo Andrew Neel Unsplash

Design Consultations

Design consultations can also be advertised as “design for a day” services. Though “design for a day” services are often performed at a person’s home, consultations can also be conducted virtually. 

Interior designers who perform design consultations look at a homeowner’s space and identify problems or opportunities to improve the space. They provide the homeowner with a list of recommendations and solutions and sometimes create a general shopping list of things the homeowner should buy. However, consultations typically do not include a list of specific items to purchase.

Those buying choices are the responsibility of the homeowner. Design consultations may be advantageous for design-savvy homeowners who have a knack for putting together rooms but would like a professional opinion.

photo Getty Images Unsplash

Interior Decorating

Interior decorators are the only providers in this list who may not be formally trained or educated. Many content creators on Instagram and Facebook fall into this category.

Decorators beautify an existing space, but unlike, interior designers, their designs do not include construction or remodeling aspects. They typically excel at refreshing spaces with elements like new paint, furnishings, wall treatments, and home decor.

photo Minh Pham Unsplash

Furniture Showroom Design Services

Many furniture retailers offer design services. Their interior designers provide services similar to design consultations. However, all the products included in their design plans are sourced from their brand(s), which can ultimately lead to a less-than-curated look that lacks personality.

photo Marcus Loke Unsplash

Which interior design firm type is best?

Lisa Gilmore Design is a full-service interior design firm, so obviously, we think that type is the best, especially for busy professionals who are looking for a comprehensive and luxurious interior design solution.

And these are the reasons why.

7 Advantages of Working with a Full-Service Interior Design Firm

You can leverage our well-rounded expertise.

Designers at full-service firms are experts at more than just interior design. We are also knowledgeable about floor plans, construction, sourcing, and textiles. We truly believe in enhancing a space and quality of life through well-executed interior design.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You avoid spending hours researching.

We already know the best sources for different pieces and the best price points, so we come to the table with the perfect options for you. This saves you hours scouring the Internet.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design in Paris

You get a unique space.

Unlike online designers, designers who consult, decorators, or furniture designers, full-service interior designer firms fill their clients’ spaces with custom elements that cannot be found anywhere else. The Lisa Gilmore Design team works with our partners to create pieces like custom draperies and linens and locally fabricated furnishings, and we often include antique and vintage pieces that we have purchased over the years.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You don’t have to be a logistics expert.

Imagine the logistics expertise required to manage 500+ pieces per project– everything from sofas to fabrics, trim, rugs, door hardware, hinges, and beyond. Items are coming from different places all over the globe, and their progress has to be carefully monitored and managed so they will arrive at a client’s home at the right time. Full-service means we handle all of the sourcing and procurement that is required.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You don’t have to manage multiple people.

Busy professionals like high-level executives, doctors, and lawyers do not have the spare time to field questions from designers, contractors, tradespeople, and vendors. Full-service interior design firms provide comprehensive and thorough project management and coordination to ensure that the work is true to the design intent and clear communication with all parties is a priority. We handle many of the construction conversations for you, so you are only contacted when absolutely necessary.

You can avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Novices at renovations can easily make mistakes that impact the project timeline or even the end result. But we have been managing these projects for over 10 years, so we have mastered the process of seeing a project from start to finish. We can spot a problem before it happens and help avoid mistakes or roadblocks.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You can rest assured that your investment is being managed well.

Large-scale home improvements like renovations can be costly. It is important to allocate a homeowner’s budget wisely. We ensure that happens by listening to what is most important to our clients, condensing all the options so you can make educated decisions on your purchases for your dream home, and monitoring the budget throughout the process.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs

1. What types of interior design firms are there?

Interior design firms can have many different specialties such as commercial design, sustainable design, home restoration, new construction, renovations, and production design for theatre, television, and movies. 

2. What are some of the most popular interior design styles?

Though there are many interior design styles, some of the most popular styles in 2023 are mid-century modern, Scandinavian, art deco, traditional, and modern farmhouse.

3. What does full-service interior design include?

Full-service interior design is a white-glove service because firms handle everything for their clients. These design companies create the design, handle procurement, execute the design, and manage all aspects of the project, including coordinating with vendors. 

When choosing an interior design professional for your project, it’s important to remember one thing when reviewing a full-service firm’s fees. That investment doesn’t just cover one portion of the project. Unlike other types of interior designers, full-service firms are there throughout the entire life of the project– the creative work, the procurement, the execution, and the management.

If full-service interior design is a good fit for your upcoming project, please fill out our design inquiry form to get started. 

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm located in St-Petersburg, Florida that provides luxury interior designer services to homeowners, luxury building contractors, and architects. We are a full-service design firm that creates tailored spaces through custom furniture, vintage elements, and carefully researched color palette. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in Tampa Bay, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, the Caribbean, and worldwide.

Formal Dining Rooms are Back in Style: 7 Grand Spaces to Inspire You

DESIGNED FOR HOSTING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, PERFECT FOR DINNER PARTIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Black & Gold Dining Room with Wine Wall - Lisa Gilmore Design

Formal Dining Room Sets Have Returned

Open floor plans have been the go-to home layout for decades. However, not all homebuyers like an open concept; an increasing number of people prefer a traditional layout with separate rooms. 

And as traditional layouts have regained popularity in recent years, so have formal dining rooms.

Where open floor plans often combine the kitchen, dining room, and living room into one large space, traditional floor plans have separate rooms for each. 

Formal dining rooms give homeowners a separate space for dinner parties and special occasions– a space specifically designed for hosting family and friends.

We are sharing a few of the formal dining spaces that the Lisa Gilmore Design team has created that illustrate how these rooms can add richness and character to your home.

7 Luxury Formal Dining Rooms

These seven dining rooms display a range of vibes from modern to traditional, colorful to neutral, and maximalist to minimalist.

Transitional Meets Modern Dining Room

Mid-Century Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

This mid-century formal dining room in St. Petersburg is a great example of mixing traditional and modern elements. Traditional pieces include an heirloom cocktail cart and vintage-inspired chandelier. For a modern twist, the Lisa Gilmore Design team included a banana leaf art print for a pop of color, and we collaborated with local artist Meaghan Scalise to create this hand-painted marbled mural.

Traditional Formal Dining Room with Sparkle

Farmhouse Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

At first glance, this space may look like your traditional formal dining room but don’t miss the wow elements throughout. 

Our client didn't want this room to feel too stuffy and over-decorated, but also not super relaxed. The classic farmhouse chairs symbolize togetherness and evenings filled with conversations and memories around the table, paired with the leopard host and hostess chairs for a bit of approachable glam! 

And the crystal chandelier adds elegance to this beautiful Terra Ceia Island dining room in Manatee County.

Formal Dining Room with Bold, Hand-Painted Drapery

The first thing you may notice about this Tierra Verde formal dining room is the hand-painted drapery fabric from Porter Teleo. When Lisa chose this orangey-pink fabric, she knew it would frame the windows beautifully during a warm sunset. She paired the drapery with high-contrast, black-and-white patterns for a bold look.

The other focal point of this room is the brass banana leaf chandelier that Lisa designed and fabricated locally. 

Lisa Gilmore Design photo

Neutral, Earthy Dining Room with a Modern Twist

Our team chose a neutral and earthy color palette for this dining room to balance the colorful adjacent living room. We paired a distressed wood table with acrylic chairs and bench seating covered in woven fabric. We added handmade textile art for texture and an antique, French-style chandelier for a touch of old-world glam. 

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Black and Gold Dining Room with Wine Wall

Wine Wall Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

Luxury Dining Room Details - Lisa Gilmore Design

This Snell Isle formal dining room’s details make it simply unforgettable. Your eye may be initially drawn to the room’s wine wall with lighted glass discovery boxes. 

But don’t miss the custom walls and wainscoting by T2TheS, a local millwork company, and the Currey & Company chandelier. 

Our team upholstered the dining chairs in Kelly Wearstler Graffito for Lee Jofa fabric and commissioned this large round dining table from Stine Custom Woodworks. The finishing touch was a gold corkboard-wallpapered ceiling. 

Colorful Formal Dining Room with Vintage Elements

Colorful Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

This dining room has so many small touches that add character and glamour. The chairs and striking royal blue sideboard were vintage pieces our team had restyled locally. 

Another dazzling piece is the table, which is a beautiful black cheruse. The eye-catching chandelier is from Arteriors, and the majestic side lamps are vintage from the 1940s. The drapery, which is a beautiful chartreuse green silk with a hot pink grosgrain, pops against the room's black walls and white wainscoting.

Maximalist Formal Dining Room

Colorful Formal Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

Maximalist Formal Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design Tampa

This ranch-style home’s dining room is a visual feast for the eyes. The Lisa Gilmore Design team mixed old and new elements to create a space filled with conversation starters. 

Lift your eyes to the leopard-inspired wallpaper on the ceiling, then the blush-hued grasscloth wall coverings and chinoiserie drapery. For wall hangings, we added the client’s vintage plates gifted from her daughter and whimsical watercolor art for a bit more color boldness. The vintage Italian Murano glass chandelier illuminates the chartreuse performance fabric-covered host and hostess chairs and the client’s reupholstered and repainted dining chairs. 

Lisa Gilmore Design Tricks of the Trade

When our team of experts designs a formal dining room, there are a few things we like to keep in mind:

1. Consider the seating.

Different seating styles offer different energy and add personality to a dining room. Mix-and-match seating, matching chairs, and bench seats each add a distinct vibe to the space.

2. Dress the walls.

Interior designers are artists and each space is a canvas for us to create. That includes a room’s walls. We intentionally select a particular wallpaper, hand-painted details, and art to enhance a space’s aesthetic. If you really want to take it to the next level, don’t forget the ceiling!

3. Drapery is art.

Drapery is another way we had an artistic element to a formal dining room. Some homeowners want to save money by avoiding custom drapery, but this is one of those areas that make a significant impact on a space. It is an easy way to add color and visual height to a room.

4. Lighting can take a dining room to the next level.

Formal dining rooms often feel incomplete without a statement light fixture. Beyond its functional uses, the right light can add a unique element to the room, whether through its history, modern or traditional feel, funky shape, or custom design.

FAQs

1. What’s considered a formal dining room?

A formal dining room is often a separate room that is used for special occasions, dinner parties, and other entertaining. It may have doors, like pocket or French doors, that close it off from other rooms in the house. Formal dining rooms usually have a more elevated design than casual dining spaces and include a formal dining room set and high-end linens and dinnerware.

2. Are formal dining rooms still a thing?

Formal dining rooms became less popular when the demand for open floor plans increased, but in 2023, traditional floor plans and formal dining spaces are becoming more popular. In fact, a Rocket Homes survey found that nearly 50% of homebuyers prefer a traditional layout. And as a luxury interior design firm, we have designed many formal dining rooms for clients.

3. What is a good size formal dining room?

According to Spruce, the average size dining room in the U.S. is 14 by 16 feet. It’s important to keep your dining room’s size in mind when selecting a formal dining room table. We recommend a pathway of at least 36 inches from table to wall, although 42 inches is best and most comfortable for walking around when guests are seated.

We are glad to see that formal dining rooms are back in style, but when we work with a client, we place much more emphasis on what layouts and designs work best for their lifestyle and personality rather than what is trendy. Trends come and go, so your spaces should be a reflection of your life and preferences. 

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service design firm that creates one-of-a-kind spaces through the use of artisan-crafted pieces, antique elements, and custom designs. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and worldwide.