9 Ideas for a Beautifully Draped Home
When the light through yonder window breaks, most of us start the
day by opening the curtains and peering out to see what the weather
holds. For me the idea of curtains always conjures up images of mystery —
neighbors peering from behind their shutters, or the dramatic swoosh of
drapes to reveal a surprise. When I was starring in a high school play,
I surprised everyone by mistiming my entrance onstage. I clutched each
end of the curtains, parted them with a dramatic flourish and thrust
myself center stage, realizing too late that I had made my grand
entrance a scene too early. I yanked the curtains closed, cursing my
adolescent self, and sheltered myself from humiliation behind the safety
of the drapes.
Since then I’ve always had an interesting relationship with curtains and a fear of revealing what’s behind them. But for those of us without the ghost of awkward teen years past, curtains are not just a means of blocking or revealing light; they can go far in creating stylish, unique and practical solutions for rooms that need a finishing touch. So let’s tackle the curtain demons head-on with ideas that might challenge your preconceptions.
Since then I’ve always had an interesting relationship with curtains and a fear of revealing what’s behind them. But for those of us without the ghost of awkward teen years past, curtains are not just a means of blocking or revealing light; they can go far in creating stylish, unique and practical solutions for rooms that need a finishing touch. So let’s tackle the curtain demons head-on with ideas that might challenge your preconceptions.
Make the curtains more exciting than the view. I
grew up in a home in a gully, and curtains were always about keeping in
the warmth and creating a cozy environment. Rather than framing the
landscape outside in rooms where what’s outside is not the feature,
think about colors and materials, such as with these custom curtains in a
trellis pattern, that can create rich and vibrant interiors.
Integrate patterns into the room. If
you’re looking to add style to a neutral room, why not consider a
bolder-than-bold curtain pattern? Before you do, consider the size of
the room, competing furnishings and the likelihood of displaying the
full width. In a room where you’re unlikely to close the curtains each
evening, you’ll miss out on seeing the curtains in their full patterned
glory.
Layering blinds behind bold
curtains can give you complete control over light and privacy, and allow
you to make as much — or as little — impact with curtains as you like.
Build a room within a room. Blessed
with a large living space but unsure how to create smaller,
interchangeable spaces within it? Curtains can be a clever and temporary
solution for creating new spaces without building walls. Sheer
curtains, in particular, are ideal and will help to section off lounge
or dining areas within the house without restricting light or fresh air.
For simplicity and elegance, keep the curtain texture and color
subtle.
Frame long windows. Floor-to-ceiling
windows are sometimes difficult to tackle with curtains, particularly
if the windows are narrow. The wrong curtains can obscure this beautiful
feature and close up the room, not to mention create complexities if
you can’t reach the top of the curtains. Simple curtains in a bold color falling from a rod are a great solution, adding extra width and emphasis to the window.
Create outdoor rooms. Convert
your balcony, patio or garden area into an idyllic outdoor retreat
through the use of curtains. Look for a durable, weather-resistant
fabric that will offer shade and protection. Lighter fabrics will let cool breezes through, create a tropical feel and provide privacy.
Enhance your favorite color palette. If
you’re unsure about adding a new color to your room, using fabrics from
the same palette can give it a stunning finish. From azure blues or
turquoise tones to pastel pinks and ruby reds, you don’t have to leave the color family to style your room with warmth, flair and creativity.
Houzz guides to choosing and mixing colors
Houzz guides to choosing and mixing colors
Go high. While some
curtains aren’t quite complete without a pelmet or decorative rod, a lot
can be gained through the simple elegance of a built-in rod or runner
just below the architrave or the picture rail, as seen here.
If your room already has strong features, such as statement furniture or boldly patterned soft furnishings, building the curtain fixture into the wall higher than the top of the windows will make the windows appear larger without competing with the other elements in the room. This look works best with curtains that are a soft, subdued color.
If your room already has strong features, such as statement furniture or boldly patterned soft furnishings, building the curtain fixture into the wall higher than the top of the windows will make the windows appear larger without competing with the other elements in the room. This look works best with curtains that are a soft, subdued color.
Shoot for sheer. For
rooms that are predominantly windowed or have sliding doors, the
sunlight pouring through them may need to be filtered. Perhaps you want
privacy or you’re keen to create a softer light. A complete wall of
sheer curtains is a method of creating a soft and subtle silken
screen without restricting light. Best in lighter colors, a box- or
pinch-pleat curtain fixed to a simple rod can create a relaxing and
breezy space.
A primer of drapery terms
A primer of drapery terms
