VISION Design Competition Winner First Place in Outdoor Shading and Design (2022)

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Award-Winning Outdoor Drapery Design

The Project

These clients wanted to enjoy their expansive stone patio more comfortably throughout the year. The outdoor living area was used for watching television, relaxing, and entertaining, but glare, summer heat, and cooler winter temperatures made the space less comfortable than it could be.

They wanted outdoor draperies that would improve the function of the patio while also enhancing the gracious, traditional style of the home.

The Design Challenge

This project required more than simply adding outdoor drapery panels. The patio was large, the stone architecture was substantial, and the clients only wanted coverage near the television area. Covering only that section would have looked awkward and visually unbalanced because half of the patio measured 224 inches.

There were also several technical challenges. The maximum bracket-to-bracket width for a 2-inch iron rod without center support was 160 inches, but the draperies still needed to slide to the side when not in use. Bypass brackets and rings were not recommended for outdoor use, and standard drapery pins created concerns because of weather and wind exposure.

The natural stone installation added another layer of complexity. With outdoor fabric measuring 168 inches wide by 132 inches long, the finished treatment carried significant weight and required careful planning, proper support, and expert fabrication.

The Custom Solution

Amy designed a balanced outdoor drapery solution using two 168-inch-wide draperies to frame the impressive stone arched patio. This created a more gracious, finished appearance while solving the visual imbalance that would have resulted from covering only the television area.

A 6-foot side panel was also added to provide additional protection near the TV area.

The workroom fabricated the ivory outdoor fabric with Velcro tabs to attach the rings and French seams so the draperies would look beautiful from both sides. The brackets were spaced properly for outdoor-approved iron rods, and double rings were used with Velcro tabs attached through the lower rings. Because the rod was wall-mounted on stone, these functional details stayed hidden from view.

To reduce the number of rings and lessen the overall weight, two Velcro tabs were fastened to each ring, creating a tailored pleated appearance while making the draperies easier for the clients to move into the desired position. Tiebacks and iron holdbacks were also provided so the draperies would look polished when not in use.

The Finished Result

The finished outdoor draperies met the clients’ functional needs while enhancing the beauty of the patio. The treatments helped reduce glare on the television, soften summer heat, retain warmth in cooler weather, and create a more comfortable outdoor living area.

The ivory fabric and tailored detailing complemented the stone architecture and traditional style of the home. The finished design also created a polished view from the adjacent indoor Great Room, helping the indoor and outdoor living spaces feel more connected.

The clients were absolutely delighted with the finished result.