Exploring Windows of Opportunity

Yorkshire Post - 8th August 2007 - Life & Style Section: Homes

Interiors

The way in which you dress your windows is probably one of the most important and costly decisions that you make when designing your room. On the one hand you need practicality and on the other impact. Both can be gained by a clever combination of curtains, blinds and voiles (the modern day, stylish replacement for nets!).

Practicality is your first consideration:

a) who will be using them? A careful adult or perhaps a more mishap child? The former will allow you to choose richer fabrics or more fancy presentations. For child or teenage use you need hard-wearing practicality, with an easy method of closing: blinds make a great option and can be obtained in really funky prints!
b) do you need to totally shut out light? Consider blackout lining in addition to your fabric. As the name implies this ensures that you get maximum light filtering.
c) do you need them to keep warmth in? Interlining ensures a thicker, more insulating curtain with the added bonus of adding a lavish feel to curtains made with light fabrics, especially silks.
d) do you need them to create privacy? If no, you can get away with dress curtains, a cost effective way of giving a sumptuous look to your room at minimal cost. The curtain frames the window, but is not made large enough to draw. You need less material than for working curtains and, therefore, can go the extra mile on your fabric choice.

Once you have settled on the above the fun begins with choosing between blinds, curtains or a combination of both.

Blinds present a practical solution, which can still be stylish, and are particularly useful where you do not have much wall space around the window, such as a bathroom. The most popular types are Roller, Roman and Venetian. In properties that face the street, or neighbours, roller blinds that draw from the bottom up, are an ideal solution allowing light in, but keeping nosey parkers out. Roller blinds can be made in any number of fabrics from sheer voiles (allowing maximum light) – to heavy cottons and prints allowing a multitude of solutions. Roman Blinds are more akin to curtains, providing a similar effect to Roller blinds when closed, but a softer look when drawn. Venetian blinds, made up of a series of slats in either wood or aluminium, are both smart and practical, particularly when you still want to see out! Each slat can be tilted to allow maximum light in and yet keep your privacy intact. They work equally well with a contemporary or traditional theme and the look can be softened with dress curtains.

When it comes to curtains stick with full length, if at all possible, as these frame a window better and add height to a room. Style should be picked according to your environment and look. Swags and tails add opulence to even plain curtains, but should be avoided in rooms with low ceilings as they can look fussy a pelmet with a track underneath can create a similar, but simpler effect in this instance. Visible poles in funky metals and warm woods are always in fashion and now often come with a range of finials (ends to the poles) to allow you to tailor their look. The heading for your curtain will dictate how the curtain will hang, Pencil pleats are classic, but French and Gathered headings can look more interesting when drawn. A contemporary alternative is to have eyelets punched into the curtain and then to thread it directly onto the pole. These work particularly well in urban or modern environments.

As for fabric choice…..well that is another story!

For further guidance visit the Blinds and Drapes section at www.jamiehempsall.com.