Curtain Call! Part IV -- Sheer Genius

For those of us in "the trade," what would we do without sheers?  Not only are they a staple in the design world, but they have gone way beyond the nylon-y things your parents (or grandparents) had.  There are some wonderful variations available --too many to show -- so I thought I'd just give all my dear readers some images that illustrate how ethereal they can be:

Architect Bobby McAlpine uses cotton scrim to great effect in his former Montgomery, Alabama house. (photographed by William Waldron for House & Garden)

I love this half-curtain by Joe D'Urso.  It's a stylish and inventive way to let in light while providing privacy.  The sheer fabric is elevated by an interesting top treatment. (source unknown)

In this dreamy breakfast room, pale chiffon with a gently flounced top is a whisper at the windows.  This is also a natural for a bedroom.  (source unknown)

In this great Donghia ad, there's an interesting interplay of solids and sheers.  

What a pretty bedroom treatment.  The two sets of draperies soften the room and filter light. (source unknown)

In a modern high rise, gossamer Roman shades span the wall.  It's a beautiful way to add interest to a space with little architectural detail.  (source unknown)

This terrific living room by Kathryn Ogawa and Gilles Depardon was part of a ASID showhouse in NYC in the 90s.  When I saw it, I swooned over the remarkable undulating sheers, which were made by the late, great Mary Bright, one of the best window treatment fabricators of all time.  "Suspended from a ceiling track by copper wire, the spectral curtain seems to float horizontally in space." (source unknown)

I was also lucky enough to see this room in a New York designer showhouse in 1988.  The room was by Andrée Putman.  When the photo appeared in Metropolitan Home, I ripped it out and have saved it all these years!

Joe Nahem of Fox/Nahem uses a combination of draperies and Roman shades in a floral sheer that appears embroidered.  This very pretty look shows the versatility of sheers and how fresh and modern florals can be.  The unexpected juxtapostion with wooden paneling and some modern pieces of furniture is a nice touch.  (photographed by Simon Upton for House & Garden)

In a Florida living room, I used a plaid sheer from Schumacher to work with the needle point rug and the mix of antique and new furnishings.

These sheer Roman shades are a great solution for windows on a curved wall in a serene room by Thad Hayes.  (Architectural Digest; photographer unknown)

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz used a gauzy sheer for a beautiful scalloped Roman shade in a Long Island house.  (photography by Antoine Bootz for House Beautiful)

I used a handkerchief-weight cotton with a window pane check by Schumacher in this Long Island bedroom.

I love the inventiveness of San Francisco designer Angela Free.  In this room for the San Francisco Decorator Showhouse, "elegance abounds with a curvy lambrequin of warm white linen edged in green hanging over linen sheers."  (photography by Michael Venera for Traditional Home)

And where's Scarlett, you may (or may not) ask.  I almost left her out, but then remembered this confection of a dress she wore in the opening scene.  Layers and layers of a floaty fabric conspired to create this attention grabber.

We still have more to explore with window treatments.  Tune in next time.

Thanks for reading, everyone!