What is a Transom window? You probably have seen a transom window many times, perhaps not even recognizing it. Usually transom windows are placed over a door. The transom is the beam that is a divider between the door and the rest of the wall. As a design feature in some homes, builders will install a transom window over the top of another window, usually a much larger window. For a window covering designer this is where the challenge begins.
How do designers treat a transom window when it is located over the top of a larger window?
There are a number of design options to consider when choosing how to use a window treatment when a transom window is involved. These choices depend on factors such as privacy, sun exposure, whether or not to use draperies, and the overall feel of the room, or ambience, that you are trying to create.
First, let's discuss ambience. Let me ask you, "What are you trying to accomplish with the look of the room? Do you desire an open, airy feel, or a cozy, close and intimate feel in the room?" This is important to know so we can drive you in the right direction for your unique window treatment design.
Another factor to consider is privacy. If there are no privacy issues then you may not need to put a shade or blind in the window. If there are, then there are some choices that need to be made: do you want a slatted window covering, such as a blind or shutter? Would a honeycomb shade be better? If so, do you want black out (for viewing television, or a computer) or is light filtering a better option?
Next to think about are draperies. If choosing draperies to complete the look of the room where is the best place to mount them? Should you mount them in between the transom and the larger bottom window, Or might you try mounting them at the the top of the transom? There is no right or wrong method, it all depends on the look you are trying to accomplish.
As the following video shows, Paul Kempler of Kempler Design, chose to mount the drapes at the top of the transom near the ceiling to play on the height of the room and create an open space.
We would love to hear your opinion on which way would be better. Please feel free to leave a comment!
There are a number of design options to consider when choosing how to use a window treatment when a transom window is involved. These choices depend on factors such as privacy, sun exposure, whether or not to use draperies, and the overall feel of the room, or ambience, that you are trying to create.
About Us
Window Fashionista assists many people across the country. We are partnered with Paul Kempler of Kempler Design. Paul Kempler is considered the window coverings expert in our industry. As Kempler Design we have been assisting people with covering their challenging windows for over thirty years, and welcome the opportunity to work with you on your window treatment project. Please contact us to see how best we may serve your window covering needs.
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Did you know where the meaning "over the transom" originated? A transom is the crosspiece, or beam over a door. Back in the day, on older buildings, these transom windows would be open for air flow and ventilation. The term "over the transom" refers to the idea of a writer tossing a manuscript through the open window over the door of the publisher's office. It was a means of getting the unpublished manuscript in front of a publisher without prior arrangement. This is the unsolicited approach, and not a recommended strategy for today's writers.
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