Since I love to throw open the windows to feel fresh spring breezes, I think spring is the perfect time to change out heavy curtains and draperies for simple window toppers. Over the years I've discovered many toppers that, while simple to create, can add color and interest to your decor. Some of the easiest toppers require no sewing at all. A shelf mounted above a window is not only an interesting way to display favorite collectibles, but it is also a unique window dressing. A piece of greenery or floral swag can be used as a stand-alone topper or can be combined with a soft sheer. Do you own a colorful vintage tablecloth? Try folding it on the diagonal and draping it over a curtain rod. A tablecloth can also be used as a swag valance. Install two small cup hooks in the upper corner of your window frame. Fold the tablecloth in half diagonally and place it over the cup hooks to make a graceful swag. After adjusting so that both side pieces are equal in length, you might want to add raffia or ribbon ties to hide the cup hooks.

Fabric napkins can also be used to create a window dressing for the kitchen. First, slide decorative napkin rings onto a curtain rod and mount the rod on the window. Then fold the napkins in half diagonally and slip the ends through the rings. lewis curtains lower huttThis treatment is perfect for seasonal changes because it only takes a few minutes to create.dkny color block shower curtain blue aire Many interesting valances can be made with minimal sewing. eclipse curtains theodoreA window scarf, for instance, is easy enough for even a novice seamstress.wuky curtains at 8 To create a window scarf, first measure the length and width of your window.

Add the measurements of one width and two lengths plus 10 inches. Using this measurement, cut a piece of sheer fabric to length and narrowly hem the raw edges. Simply swag the fabric over the curtain rod. Adjust the sides and center swag until you have achieved the desired effect. Can you sew two rectangular pieces of fabric together? If so, there are several other valances you'll find easy to make. To make a plain valance, first measure the width of your window. Multiply this width by 1-1/2. The length of the valance should be 1/4 the window height plus one inch. Using these measurements, cut a rectangle from your fabric and lining. Place the fabric and lining right sides together. Using a 1/2-inch seam, stitch the fabric and lining together, leaving an opening for turning. Clip the corners and turn the fabrics right side out. Press the seams so they are crisp and slip-stitch the opening closed. To mount the valance, attach decorative clip rings to the top edge of the valance and hang the valance on the rod.

Another interesting spiral valance can be created from two pieces of coordinating fabrics. To determine the cut width of your valance, measure the width of your window and multiply by 2-1/2. Cut two rectangles measuring eight inches by this width. Again, place the right sides together, leaving a two-inch opening for the rod pockets on both short edges and a slightly larger opening for turning on one of the longer edges. After you have clipped the corners and turned the rectangle right side out, slip-stitch the opening closed. To create the rod pocket, measure from the top of the valance down three inches and mark along the width of the valance with a fabric pencil. Pin the fabric pieces along the marked area to keep it from slipping. Sew all along the top marks to create the top ruffle, and then sew the bottom of the rod pocket in. Iron the topper and insert the rod. To create the spiral effect, twist the fabric one-half turn around the rod, which will expose the coordinating lining fabric.

Repeat this at regular intervals until you achieve a look you like and mount the rod on the window. Why not try one of these valances to freshen up your windows for spring? They're fun to make, pretty to look at and, most of all, they're sew simple! (Matt Fox and Shari Hiller alternate writing this column. They also are authors of Real Decorating for Real People and co-hosts of the Home & Garden Television show Room By Room.)Have you ever looked at your coffee table and thought it just didn’t look right, but couldn’t figure out why?  Or maybe you were installing a light fixture above your table and weren’t quite sure how high it should hang.  I’ve asked myself those questions so many times but then came across one of my all-time favorite design books, Design Rules: The Insider’s Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator by Elaine Griffin. In additional to providing design advice in a very approachable manner, so also gives great Rule of Thumb measurements for everything from the correct height of your bedside lamp to where to hang curtains in relation to the window! 

For example, did you know that coffee tables look best when they are 1″-2″ less than the height of the sofa’s seat cushion?  Or that you should leave 1 1/2″ -2″ of spacing between pictures in an art grouping? You need 26”-36” clear as a pathway to walk comfortably through a room or 36″-48″ for an airy feeling If you’re covering the entire room with one area rug, leave 12″-18″ clear all around to the wall.  In smaller rooms, 7″-12″ will work Choose side tables that are about 2” less than the height of the sofa arm Coffee tables should be 1”-2” less than the height of the sofa’s seat cushion In a small grouping, 15″ by 24″ or smaller can be a great size for a coffee table For art groupings with more than one row, spacing between the images should be 1 ½” to 2” If using art above a sofa, fill at least 50%-60% of the 5-foot high space above the sofa Wainscoting should be about 36” – 48” above the finished floor

Chair rails should be 34”-36” above the floor Dining tables should be 30” high Allow 18” of table width per person For rectangular tables, you’ll need a table that is at least 48″ long to seat 6 people, 72″ for 8 and 96″ to seat 12 people Dining seating should be 16”-18” high from the floor to the top of the seat To pick the right size light fixture for above a table, you can either 1) divide the width of your dining table by two to get an approximate chandelier diameter OR 2) add the room’s length and width in feet; the sum equals an approximate chandelier diameter in inches Chandeliers should hang 30”-36” above the table surface In general, center sconces’ back plates between 60”-64” above the floor If you have space for a bench, box, chest or trunk at the end of a bed, it should be slightly lower than the height of the bed and no more than 15”-21” deep For most beds, 24”-27” is the ideal height for a nightstand

For a King-size bed, nightstands should be at least 36” wide Area rugs underneath beds should extend 6”-12” beyond the outer edges of the nightstands and the end of the bed Swing arm lamps above bedside tables should be mounted no farther than 3” out from the edge of the headboard with the bottom of the shade about 20” above the top of the mattress Table lamps should also have the bottom of the shade about 20” above the top of the mattress Use a 47″ tall headboard if you don’t want much headboard to show above your pillows or 52″ and up if you want to show more headboard above the pillows Curtain width should always be at least twice the width of the window for fullness.  For modern rooms, just twice the window’s width or even just 1 ¾ times for a really sleek look (if you’re using multiple panels, purchase an even number of panels that equals at least twice your window’s width for fullness) Extend the curtain rod by at least 6”-8” past the outer edge of the trim on each side of the window