Probably one of the most overlooked features of window are the curtain rods and finials. For a lot of people this is the last thing they think about if theyve chosen a curtain that covers most (if not all) of the curtain rod anyway. Who cares what it looks like? Well, someday you may fall in love with a curtain style, such as a button tabbed curtain, that prominently displays the rod underneath. You dont want a $2 tin stick beside your adorable window treatments, you need something that makes a similar statement as the curtains.

This overlooked feature can really bring pizzazz to your dcor and needs to complement both the window and the curtains you have chosen, as well as be appropriately functional.

Hardware for window treatments is available in a wide variety of styles. Some curtain rods are designed to be covered by the curtains, while others are best displayed prominently due to their highly decorative nature. If the rod is meant to be featured you could hang the curtains from decorative rings sewn into the top panel. Considering both the curtain and the rod at the same time will save you the disappointment of having pieces that dont complement each other.

Todays Lesson: Do you know what finials are? They are the decorative ends on the curtain rod. I didnt know their official name for several years. I just called them ends of the curtain rod. They can be wooden, wrought-iron, glass, or plastic.

The most standard types are:

• hook
• the onion (or ball)
• the swirl
• the dagger

Finials can range widely in price, from the $2 plastic pieces to $100 very heavy fancy pieces. Consider your budget but also know that what you choose will make a certain statement in the room and that statement will last longer than the effects of spending a little extra money. You also have to be sure the finials will fit where you are hanging the curtain. Consider the shape of your window and the molding around it. In some cases there just isnt room for large fancy finials, nor is it always appropriate for the style of curtain youve chosen.