From Sheer Curtains to a Sitting Room She Loves Coming Home to

Curtains By Design Interiors is a Houston interior design studio specializing in custom drapery, window treatments, and full room design. For this River Oaks project, a request for sheer curtains turned into a larger sitting room redesign. The project began with an in-home consultation and was completed within six weeks, while staying within the client's budget.

It started with the windows

When Catherine reached out to us in the spring, she knew what she wanted for her sitting room: sheer curtains that would soften the beautiful morning light coming through the garden-facing windows.

During our in-home consultation, though, it became clear that the windows weren't the only opportunity in the room. Catherine had already chosen furniture she loved, and the room had good proportions and a beautiful view. A few changes to the layout and finishes could make the entire space work better.

That's one of the things we enjoy about these consultations. Sometimes a client comes in looking for one specific solution, and once we're in the room together, we see a few other ways to make the space truly come together.

Understanding what the room needed

The first thing we looked at was how Catherine actually used the room. The sofa wasn't taking advantage of the garden view, so we reoriented it toward the windows. We also replaced the coffee table with a piece that better suited the scale of the seating area.

The room's color was another consideration. In the morning light, the walls were reading slightly green, which wasn't the look Catherine had intended. Instead of recommending a repaint, we looked for a way to work with what was already there.

Early in our conversation, Catherine had mentioned that she loved dusty sage. That gave us a direction for the drapery. The color worked beautifully with the morning light and gave us a way to bring some warmth into the room without changing the walls.

The drapery solution

For the garden-facing windows, we designed a layered treatment that would give Catherine the soft light she wanted while adding color and flexibility to the room.

Warm ivory sheer linen panels were installed at ceiling height across the full width of the window wall. During the morning, they allow the natural light to filter into the room without feeling harsh.

Behind the sheers, dusty sage drapery panels add color and depth. The sage color ties back to the other elements in the room without overwhelming the garden view.

We also wanted the seating area to feel more grounded, so we selected a generous low-pile wool rug in warm sand tones. Along with the new coffee table and sofa placement, it helped bring the room together without requiring a complete overhaul.

Because Catherine had a specific budget for the project, we were thoughtful about where to invest and where to save. We sourced high-quality fabrics and materials that gave her the look she wanted without adding unnecessary expense.

The result was a room that felt different without feeling completely new, exactly the right approach for this project.

"I called about curtains. Instead, I ended up with a room I look forward to sitting in every morning. Beyond the lighting, I finally have the room I enjoy."

— Catherine, River Oaks, Houston

More than a window treatment

Window treatments can have a surprisingly big effect on a room. The fabric, color, placement, and amount of light coming through the windows all influence how the rest of the space feels.

That's why we look at the room as a whole when we're helping a client choose drapery. In Catherine's case, the right window treatment led us to a few simple changes that made the entire sitting room more functional and enjoyable.

And that's often how our projects develop. A client may call us because they need curtains for one window, but once we're in the space, we can help identify opportunities to make the room work better as a whole.

For Catherine, that meant changing the sofa orientation, replacing the coffee table, adding a rug, and using layered drapery to work with the morning light she already loved.

Six weeks after our first conversation, she had a sitting room that made better use of the view, the light, and the furniture she already owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Curtains By Design Interiors offer interior design services beyond drapery?

Yes. In addition to custom drapery and window treatments, we offer full interior design services including furniture arrangement, space planning, color guidance, rug selection, and custom upholstery. Many projects begin with a window treatment consultation and grow into a broader room design.

Do you serve River Oaks and central Houston neighborhoods?

Yes. We serve homeowners throughout Houston, including River Oaks, Memorial, the Heights, and surrounding inner-loop neighborhoods, as well as Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Fulshear, and the greater Houston area.

What does a $150 consultation with Curtains By Design Interiors include?

Every project begins with an in-home consultation. Swaha visits your home, gets to know your space and your goals, and brings fabric samples so you can see the options in your actual room. There is no obligation or pressure to move forward. We're here to help you make the right decision for your home.

How long does a custom drapery and interior design project take?

Most projects are completed within four to six weeks from the initial consultation to final installation, depending on the scope of the project and fabric availability.

Ready to see what your home can become?

We'd love to help. Every project at Curtains By Design Interiors begins with an in-home consultation. Swaha brings fabric samples directly to your home and works with your space, your preferences, and your budget.

From custom drapery and window treatments to complete interior design services, we help Houston-area homeowners create rooms that are beautiful and comfortable to live in. We serve River Oaks, Memorial, Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Fulshear, and the greater Houston area.

At Curtains By Design Interiors, we serve homeowners throughout Fulshear, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Memorial, River Oaks, and the greater Houston area. We help Houston-area homeowners create spaces that feel elegant, comfortable, and uniquely their own. From custom curtains and draperies to complete interior design and upholstery services, we guide you through every step — balancing high-end design with practical solutions.

Ready to transform your home? Schedule a consultation today.