Tuesday 6 March 2012

Choosing Curtains


The fabric and design of a window treatment have significant impact on a scheme
Much of the energy that goes into creating a pair of curtains, is that spent on searching for and deciding upon the fabric and style- both of which will largely determine the overall look of the room.
When selecting fabrics, there is often an overwhelming range to choose from. The type of fabric you choose will be governed by two things- the look you want to create, plus the other elements you want to include in the scheme. For this reason, making a mood board is extremely helpful, allowing you to see clearly how your choice of fabric and curtain style will blend with the rest of the scheme.
Fabrics & Linings
The weight of the fabric you choose will affect the way that the curtains will hang. Generally heavier fabrics are best suited to simple styles and lighter fabrics to more complex window treatments.
Curtains intended for bedrooms should have a blackout lining. Linings that face the window can be in either cream or white cotton, or you may prefer a simple two-colour print. Additionally, traditional curtains often have an internal lining that is used to add bulk and weight.
Poles, Tracks & Pelmets
How you choose to hang your curtains will also have an impact on the style of your scheme. The choice is between a metal or wooden pole in a variety of colours/finishes, or tracks which can be combined with pelmets for a neat, tailored look. The type of heading that you choose is important too- styles range from a simple gather to the more contemporary option of steel eyelets.