When I first began shaping my apartment into a home, I thought of the usual suspects—furniture, paint colors, rugs, and art. But thanks to my interior designer, Danielle, I quickly learned that one of the most transformative elements of any room doesn’t sit on the floor or hang on the wall—it frames the light itself. Window treatments, I discovered, are not just accessories; they’re design anchors.
Because my space is modest in size and because we wanted to achieve a very specific aesthetic, Danielle suggested going the custom route. That’s how I was introduced to The Shade Store, a family-run company with a long-standing reputation for premium, handcrafted window treatments. With over 1,300 fabrics and materials in their collection, they make it nearly impossible not to find something perfectly suited for your space. Even better, every order is handmade in the U.S. and ships in ten days or less—a detail that felt like pure luxury in the world of custom design.
Designing With Intention
During our selection process, Danielle’s vision for my apartment was clear: “I really want your space to have that subtle tropical undertone you love,” she told me. Living in Florida, the idea of weaving in hints of lush, vibrant greenery felt natural. That’s when she introduced me to the Willow pinch-pleat drapes—a mossy green fabric that beautifully mirrors the palm trees just outside my windows. Hung on elegant brass rods, these drapes immediately elevated the atmosphere of the apartment.
But Danielle wasn’t finished. “Why stop at one window treatment when you can layer?” she reminded me. We paired the drapes with woven Roman shades, which introduced a new layer of textural contrast. The natural fibers echoed the other materials we’d incorporated into the room—like the sisal rug, rattan furniture, and bamboo accents. The mix not only brought depth but also captured the airy, vintage-inspired feel I love, while staying far from the dated, heavy look I feared.
A Pop of Color and a Bit of Contrast
Since my walls are painted crisp white, we knew the drapery would need to do the heavy lifting when it came to injecting color. The Willow fabric turned out to be the perfect fit, adding vibrancy without overwhelming the space. It also tied seamlessly to other accents, like my green statement chair, and contrasted beautifully with the soft pink tones sprinkled throughout.
Then came a suggestion I would never have thought of myself: painting the window sills black. Danielle’s eye for detail caught something I couldn’t see. That one design tweak added instant depth and contrast, giving the entire room a richer, more layered look. Sometimes it’s the smallest, most unexpected decisions that make the biggest difference.
The Power of Placement
Here’s where another of Danielle’s genius design tricks came into play: “Mount the treatments as high as possible.” At first, I thought this was just a stylistic preference. But once the drapes were installed just below the crown molding, the effect was undeniable. The higher placement elongated the walls, making the ceilings feel taller and the room more expansive. It also allowed more natural light to flood in—a dream for someone like me, who thrives on bright, sunlit spaces.
Had we mounted them at the standard height, the room would have looked closed-in and much smaller. Instead, the higher installation gave the entire apartment an open, airy, and inviting vibe.
The Lasting Impact
Looking back, choosing custom window treatments early in the design process was one of the smartest decisions we made. They became a focal point of the apartment, proving that you don’t always need bold wall colors or oversized furniture to make a statement. Sometimes it’s the thoughtful layering of textures, tones, and finishes that brings a space to life.
For me, these drapes and shades also served as a reminder of something more meaningful: investing in quality, transitional pieces matters. As a millennial renter who knows this won’t be my forever home, it’s reassuring to know these treatments are both beautiful and built to last—pieces that will grow with me in future spaces.
A Rewarding Collaboration
Working with The Shade Store felt like so much more than checking off a design to-do list. It was a creative collaboration rooted in craftsmanship, intention, and family heritage. Their balance of style, speed, and personalization made the entire process seamless, and the end result speaks for itself.
Now, every time I open the shades in the morning or draw the drapes in the evening, I’m reminded of how much they transformed my home. They didn’t just frame the windows—they framed the life unfolding within them.
