How to Transform Your Space with Intentional Window Treatments

By Ashley Patterson

After 15 years of living in compact NYC apartments, I've finally been able to create a dedicated office in our 1850s barn home in northwest Connecticut. When we purchased this charming but quirky space about a year ago, I was thrilled at the prospect of finally having a separate workspace after years of working from my bedroom. The catch? The office space was a drab brown with absolutely zero character — desperately in need of a makeover!

While my natural design style often leans more modern, this particular space needed to harmonize with the historic architecture of our barn. The office is the first room visitors see when entering our home, so it needed to feel warm and inviting while maintaining functionality as both a workspace and occasional guest room. I decided intentional window treatments would be the star of the show in making this space feel more elevated and impactful.

design/photography: Instillerie

The Before: Challenges of a Multi-Purpose Space

My office presented several specific challenges that needed addressing:

• Variable lighting conditions: With windows facing north and east, the light shifts dramatically throughout the day.

• Temperature fluctuations: Like many historic buildings, our barn gets very cold in winter and quite hot during summer peaks.

• Acoustic concerns: I often work late hours and need to prevent my voice from carrying throughout the house during calls.

• Privacy needs: Facing the front of our property, the office can feel like a fishbowl after dark, even on our quiet country road.

• Dual functionality: The space occasionally serves as a secondary guest room, requiring adaptable light filtering options.

While full wallpaper was my dream, budget constraints led me to Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster for the walls — a warm, inviting color that immediately elevated the space. But the true transformation happened when I installed my first set of TWOPAGES curtains and shades.

design/photography: Instillerie

The Window Treatments: When Form Meets Function

Rather than viewing window treatments as merely decorative, I approached them as problem-solving design elements. For my office, I decided on a layered approach:

• Triple pinch pleated Isabella Drapes in Coral, a tone-on-tone fabric that closely mirrors Setting Plaster, with privacy shading — adding warmth and character while helping with temperature regulation

• Creamy Liz Linen Roman Shades in Ivory White (unlined) to prevent the space from feeling too heavy and dark, while offering additional light control

This combination gives me complete control over light, privacy, temperature, and acoustics — while adding significant visual interest to the previously bland space.

design/photography: Instillerie

The Results: A Multisensory Transformation

The difference these intentional window treatments made was immediately apparent across multiple dimensions:

Light Quality: I can now precisely control the amount and quality of light entering the space, from bright and energizing during creative work to softly filtered during video calls. When the room needs to function as a guest space, the layered treatments provide near-blackout conditions.

Acoustic Improvements: One of the most surprising benefits has been how significantly the fabric treatments have improved sound absorption. My voice no longer echoes during calls, and conversations remain private without disturbing the rest of the house.

Temperature Regulation: The additional insulation layer at the windows has noticeably reduced drafts and heat transfer, making the space more comfortable year-round and likely reducing our energy costs.

Visual Impact: Beyond the functional benefits, the window treatments dramatically elevated the room's aesthetic. The triple pinch pleated curtains add an elegant vertical element that draws the eye up, making the ceiling appear higher, while the textural contrast between the curtains and roman shades adds subtle visual interest.

Mood Enhancement: Perhaps most importantly, the room no longer feels like an afterthought. It's a space that reflects intentionality and care — exactly the feeling I want for myself during workdays, for visiting clients, and for guests when the room serves its secondary function.

design/photography: Instillerie

Quality Considerations: Why Details Matter

Having previously invested in window treatments from other companies, the quality difference with TWOPAGES was immediately apparent:

• The cordless roman shades operate flawlessly — easy to move up and down without fabric catching or rumpling

• The memory-trained curtains came ready to hang with perfect pleats (absolutely worth the extra investment!)

• The included curtain clips meant I only needed to have my curtain rod and rings ready

• The fabric quality is exceptional, with a substantial weight that hangs beautifully

The simple installation process was refreshing after dealing with the glitches and frustrations I've experienced with cords and functionality from other window treatment companies.

design/photography: Instillerie

Practical Insights for Choosing Your Own Window Treatments

If you're considering window treatments for your own space transformation, here are my tried-and-true guidelines:

1. Identify your primary functional needs first. Is light blocking essential for sleep? Do you need sound absorption for a media room? Is temperature regulation a concern in an older home? Let these practical needs guide your initial choices.
   

2. Consider the room's various uses. Multi-purpose spaces like my office/guest room require flexible solutions. Layering different treatment types gives you maximum control over light, privacy, and atmosphere.
   Sample fabrics in your actual space. Light conditions vary dramatically between showrooms and homes. What looks neutral in a store or on your computer might read completely differently under your specific lighting conditions.
   

3. Don't skimp on hardware. Quality rods, brackets, and mechanisms ensure your treatments function properly for years. Nothing undermines beautiful curtains faster than sagging hardware or malfunctioning mechanisms.
   

4. Get measurements right. This is absolutely critical, especially in older homes with irregular windows. When in doubt, consult a professional—proper measurements are worth every penny for ensuring a perfect fit.
   

5. Consider the full sensory experience. Window treatments affect not just how a room looks, but how it sounds, feels temperature-wise, and functions. The best choices enhance all aspects of your experience in the space.
   

6. Invest in memory training for pleated curtains. This seemingly small detail makes an enormous difference in the final appearance. Perfectly trained pleats create a polished, professional look that elevates the entire room.

design/photography: Instillerie

A Space Transformed

My home office is now unrecognizable from the drab brown box we purchased a year ago. It successfully balances the historic charm of our 1850s barn with functionality for modern work life. The layered window treatments serve as both practical solutions and aesthetic focal points, addressing every challenge the space presented.

The transformation reinforces a design principle I've long believed: intentional window treatments aren't just finishing touches — they're foundational elements that can completely reimagine how a space looks, feels, and functions. Whether you're redesigning a single room or an entire home, approaching window treatments with this mindset can elevate your results from merely attractive to truly transformative!

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