Adrette Reveals Why Window Treatments Must Be Planned Before Custom Home Construction

Adrette Window Coverings, a Portland-based luxury window treatment design firm owned by Jens and Marlys Wiegand, has published an insightful case study titled "How to Conquer the Challenges of Designing Window Treatments for a Custom-Built Home" that reveals a critical oversight in custom home construction. The company argues that homeowners and builders typically treat window treatments—including curtains, drapes, shades, and blinds—as decorative afterthoughts to be addressed after construction is complete, which leads to costly compromises, missed opportunities, and design limitations. According to Adrette, these elements are far more than mere decorations; they function as integrated systems requiring proper structural support within walls, precise electrical wiring for automated motors, and careful coordination with framing, ductwork, and architectural proportions. The firm emphasizes that early planning, ideally starting at the blueprint stage in collaboration with architects and contractors, is essential to avoid retrofits, design sacrifices, and emotional disappointment.

The case study details a specific custom home project with soaring showcase windows, curved walls, and a modern fireplace where Adrette's early involvement proved transformative. By reviewing blueprints and conducting site visits during framing, their Window Fashion Designer, Marlys Wiegand, identified potential conflicts—such as ductwork interfering with an 18-foot drapery installation—and ensured structural reinforcement, proper wiring placement, and material testing before fabrication. This proactive approach allowed the homeowners to achieve their eclectic design vision, with window treatments serving as unifying elements that softened architectural lines, framed views, and created cohesive lighting effects. The process also accommodated pivots, such as adjusting gliding panels for an office space after furniture selections changed, and addressed material issues, like replacing a problematic velvet fabric with one tested in Ripplefold construction for optimal performance.

Adrette's message is clear: as custom homes become more architecturally ambitious, early planning for window treatments is crucial to preserve privacy, automation opportunities, energy efficiency, and visual harmony. Waiting until construction ends often results in limited design options, visible compromises, and increased costs, whereas integrating window treatment design from the outset protects the homeowner's vision and ensures seamless functionality. With over 25 years of experience in the Portland region, Adrette advocates for a phased, collaborative process that allows designs to evolve naturally, ultimately helping homeowners avoid the hidden costs—both financial and emotional—of late planning and achieve a finished home that feels complete in every detail.