A Stylish Window Treatment for Sliding Doors

By Kate Riley June 22, 2015

*This post in partnership with Smith and Noble window treatments.

Remember a year ago when I wrote about our sliding door window treatment dilemma? At last I finally found the perfect solution, and the most attractive I might add! I considered a DIY version but luckily Smith and Noble offered their assistance in the form of a Wave Fold Drapery treatment and I couldn’t be happier with the final result!

I’ve loved their treatments since I first ordered roman shades from Smith and Noble twelve years ago, last year we added their plantation shutters to this home, and today I’m delighted to be featuring another one of their quality custom treatments with you.

wave drapery window treatment

 

Here is a reminder of the yellowed vertical blinds and valance that hung in the same spot when we bought this house… ICK.

vertical blinds before

I’d describe my hatred of these vertical blinds much the same as Mrs. White’s reaction. “Flames… on the side of my face…” One of the first things I did was to tear them down but I was left with nothing in their place for a year, but having nothing was so much better than the before. We did replace the sliding door and windows last fall which helped dramatically with UV protection and temperature control but I was still left with the problem of penetrating morning sunlight and no privacy on this wall for months.

Enter these Wave Fold Drapery panels on a track, a modern stylish window treatment for a sliding door. That fabric you see is the Mod Zebra in the Spa color, I love this pattern and soft colorway. The system acts like a vertical blind in its ability to slide back and forth but has the beauty of fabric window panels, it is such a fresh solution to a decades old dilemma.

wave drapery behind sofa

 

The fabric blocks the light from the adjacent window on the left, but I wanted it that way since we never ever open it and I loved the look of one long panel that would just hang there and look gorgeous even when pulled back.

wave fold drapery side view

 

The fabric drapes were custom made, I measured the wall and then emailed this diagram to Smith and Noble.

slider wall

 

After a few emails back and forth clarifying the details, what arrived in the mail two weeks later were the Lexington rod, mounting brackets, custom drapes in my fabric of choice, and this ingenious little hanging system hidden inside the back of the fabric. 

plastic wrapped drapes

 

Those hooks connect to the sliding tabs (see bottom left) inside the wall mounted track so the drapes slide back and forth easily.

hooks inside

 

The installation wasn’t difficult, Matt located the wall studs and attached the mounting brackets (you could use drywall screws if no stud). The first picture shows the mounting brackets attached to the wall, the second shows the cap that hides the bracket screws, they support the rod that holds the sliding fabric panels.

mounting brackets 1

 

mounting brackets 2

 

This entire system includes three full widths of fabric so there are waves and fullness even when pulled closed. At the right end closest to the door opening, I attached a pull rod that comes with the drapes so that they move back and forth for privacy and light control and also so the edges remain smudge free over the years. 

pull rod for sliding panels

 

This wave fold drapery system is the loveliest backdrop to this corner of the family room, they are lined but not light blocking (that option is available if you want it) so that they appear white from outdoors, and I love how the natural light still filters through them.

wave drapery side view

 

Cents

 

The wave fold drapery panels help to tie all the blues together for a cohesive feel. Here’s a peek from the kitchen peninsula, you’ll see the new sink and countertops are in! I’ll have more to share on that space in July.

view from kitchen sink

 

Find more examples of the custom wave fold drapery system on the Smith and Noble website.

sliding door wave fold drapery

 

Today Smith and Noble is offering one of you a shop credit to apply to any of their window treatments! Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This post is Part 1 of 2 in partnership with Smith and Noble window treatments, a stylish source for custom quality window treatments, all opinions are my own. Next week, I’ll share Part 2, the new sunroom/dining room window treatments, also from Smith and Noble.

31 comments

  1. This is just the sort of window treatment I am looking for. But at over $1000 for one window in the least expensive fabric is too much for me unless I win that gift voucher – I’ve got my fingers crossed!

  2. We have vertical blinds by our basement slider and they make me CRAZY! Your new window treatment looks beautiful.

  3. I have been looking for a window treatment for the sliding doors in our kitchen for months! We have neighbors behind us… do you think these would offer privacy at night or would I need to get the light blocking?

  4. You’ve no doubt posted before about your sofa, but I’m getting my first look, and I gotta say: I LOVE IT. Teals are my absolute favorite, and I love your rug, too. Any sources you would share for similar items would be greatly appreciated.

    For those on a stricter budget, you can probably get a very close approximation of this drapery style by sewing rings on the back of your drapery top edge … but several inches down, several inches apart. I’ve forgotten the name for the technique/style, but a little research is bound to turn it up. It is a very different look from the typical rings installed at the very top edge — I’m considering doing it for my slider panels.

  5. The window treatment is beautiful. I’m interested in shutters and could sure use the $$ help winning that gift voucher would give me. Vikki in VA

  6. Good morning, just wondering where the mounting hardware was purchased. Thanks.

    • The hardware comes with the Wave Fold treatment Mai, the rug was purchased last year from Joss & Main Jenny.
      The curtains came at the length I requested Mary, Matt hung them about an inch lower than planned but I don’t mind the slight puddle of the drapes.
      Vikki, the sofa is from Apt2B, I LOVE it toooooo ! Here’s the link, the color is Chicago Blue.
      http://www.apt2b.com/the-logan-2pc-sectional-sofa-choice-of-fabrics
      Kate

  7. Beautiful! I love your choice of fabric! Including the window next to the sliding door is a great idea… Makes the room appear larger!

  8. Love this idea!!! We just finished our basement. Also installed a new set of hinged French doors. I’ve searched for a window treatment to no avail. This would be a great solution! Thanks.

  9. Wow the combination of colors is FANTASTIC! And this carpet – it’s so fresh and colorful. Any ideas where kind I buy it from?

  10. You found the perfect solution for the window & the door. And I love the fabric you selected. But they seem a little too long. Did you request that length or did S&N decide on it for you?

  11. Where did you find the pull rod? Can you link to it. Please and thank you:)

  12. It comes with the Wave Fold drapes Lena, they send you all the brackets, hardware, pull rod, etc with the system.

  13. They look wonderful. So much better than the slip blinds we currently have.

  14. The curtains are fantastic. Where did you get painting over couch? Must have!

  15. These are beautiful and a perfect solution to two sliding glass doors I have and they both have vertical blinds …

  16. I would love to replace my vertical blind with this gorgeous drapery!

  17. Beautiful. A great solution. I’ve been struggling with this for a few years now. Thank you.

  18. It looks like similar hardware may be found at IKEA? Thanks for a great idea.

  19. Hi – love the room and window treatment! Where did you get that floor lamp? I love it! Thanks!

  20. Just what I’ve been waiting for! Thanks for the update on what you decided to do with your vertical blind dilemma! Those curtains are beautiful.

  21. LOVE your room – wish I could transplant it (or a close approximation!!) into my house! :)

  22. Would like to replicate the drapes. Do you have the pattern name or number from Smith and Noble ?

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