design edit issue 10
A room with the right window treatment looks complete. It's a key layer creating texture and mood in a room, a real contributor to the overall look and feel you're trying to create in the space - providing loads of practical benefits too. There's lots to consider - from the aesthetic you're trying to create, the location of the room and how you use it. And then there's fabric, pattern, colour, hardware, pleating and more!
Read on for my take on completing your space perfectly with the right window treatment.
Photo | Polar by James Dunlop
sheers
My favourite style of curtains are linen-look sheers - giving a light, softer look to a room, as well as filtering the light and providing privacy. Partnered with a blackout or thermal curtain on a separate track, you have the flexibility to keep the light out, add insulation and provide ultimate privacy at night.
pattern & colour
There's a myriad of amazing patterned and coloured curtain fabrics available - treat them like a wallpaper to ensure the colour and pattern is balanced with other furnishings in the space. Lighter weight fabrics may need a lining to provide thermal qualities, block the light or to give them more body to drape beautifully. In some rooms you may want to hang a light-filtering sheer behind the primary curtain using a double track system.
| Floor-to-ceiling curtains create the illusion of more height
Photo | Fiona Lynch
Photo | Freemans by We Love Fabric
fabric
The composition of the fabric is super important - especially with our fierce New Zealand sunshine. In rooms with full sun exposure, a polyester fabric or blend is usually best - and these synthetics have come a long way with many having the beautiful soft handle and draping qualities of a linen. And remember to take the same time and care with choosing your curtain fabric as you would a paint colour - hang swatches in your space to see how it looks in the room, hold it to the window and gather it to see how it drapes.
style
Curtains should always fall to the floor, even skimming it slightly. And most often, they will look best hung from the ceiling - creating the illusion of more height and space. It's important to get the style just right to complement the look of the room and to take into account practical considerations. For a minimal, clean look I use an inverted pleat, a French or Dutch pleat for a more formal feel, or a simple wave for something more casual.
| Whatever the style, curtains should always
touch the floor
Photo | Stallion by James Dunlop
blinds & shutters
From simple roller blinds to fabric roman blinds to timber shutters - so many options to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of any space. There are options to provide privacy, control light, take advantage of the breeze and more. Motorised blinds take things to the next level!
Photo | Biasol
hardware
It's all in the details! The tracks or rods, rings and finials should all be matched for a cohesive look. If building or renovating, you can't go past recessed tracks. These tracks are virtually invisible, recessed into the ceiling. It takes a bit more planning than traditional wall mounted tracks, but the seamless, high-end result is so worth it!
I would love to help you create the perfect window treatment for your home. Email me or call me for a consultation.
Kirsten x
