Studio III

Window treatments

| Mar 2023 |

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Curtains, blinds, sheers, shutters?

Curtains, blinds, sheers, shutters? Double pleat, triple pleat, pelmet, trims? Velvet, linen, pattern or not? Ahhhh!!! Confusing right? So much choice!! There are so many ways to dress a window. Visualising, measuring and specifying appropriately is an important part of an interior designers job; window dressings can make or break a scheme so careful thought regarding the design is essential. It is a way to incorporate colour, pattern, and texture; making a subtle back-drop or a real focal point. As interior designers we can help you transform your space and create a rich, dynamic and balanced
scheme.

So let’s take a look at our approach by focusing on a few examples in this project:

1. Drawing Room

In this impressive 7,500sqft family home, the drawing room was an important area in setting the tone for the rest of the house. As one of the first impressions on entering, it was a chance to give a real wow factor to this period property. With two windows to dress; a grand, bay window to the front and a smaller window on the side, Studio III opted for two different window treatments, full length curtains and roman blinds.

Curtains are probably the most popular choice of window treatment. They can soften a space, help absorb noise, are excellent draft excluders, provide privacy, darken a room and can add a warm, luxurious feel to the space. With high ceilings, and beautifully restored period features, dressing the large bay window with full length, double pleat, lined curtains reinforced the period style and enhanced the proportions of the space. Instead of a traditional pelmet, we opted for a fabric covered track (a lath and fascia) to give a more modern feel yet still maintaining a classic touch. This window treatment is an excellent choice for a bay window as the curtains will sit flush against the wall and block out the light (especially good for bay windows in bedrooms). We chose a bold and sumptuous geometric fabric to make a stylish design feature and added a luxe touch with a decorative silk trim. Aesthetics are strong in curtains and it’s a great way to introduce texture, colour and pattern to the scheme. And don’t forget lining, and also inter-lining! Lining curtains gives a fuller, more luxurious look.

Material: Delphine Silver Jaquard (Prestigious Textiles) with a Carlyle Silk Satin Border in Cashew (Samuel & Sons) inset braid on the leading edge.

Top Tip: Analyse the space. Consider the style and period of the property, look at the proportions of the room, the architectural details such as cornicing, and understand what the purpose of dressing your windows will be. Is it for privacy, light blocking, insulation? How many windows need dressing? Do they all require the same treatment? How much space do you have for stack back either side of the window? Furthermore, keep in mind the overall look and feel you want to create in the space.

2. Open Plan Living

The owners designed and built an impressive, light filled and open plan ground -floor modern extension to their Victorian home which overlooks a gorgeous landscaped garden. Consisting of kitchen, living and dining area, window treatments were required for three large windows along the side wall. Due to the impressive ceiling height, we once again chose full length, double pleat, lined curtains to accentuate the sense of height, however this time the curtains were not fully working curtains. We opted for dress curtains, a cost-effective solution which still allows for a visual impact within the room.

With a sophisticated and stylish neutral scheme throughout this space, we chose a lightweight, textured fabric with a subtle sheen in a soft shade. Getting the fabric weight right is essential. A lightweight fabric allows daylight to dapple through, and as privacy was not an issue, was the perfect choice. This fabric added an extra style element and elegance to the overall scheme. The style of window treatment also created a softness and warmth in a space that was encompassed by the industrial aesthetic of steel crittal windows and a show-stopping, bespoke vertical wine cellar.

Material: Haze/Platinum Polar Light (Chase Erwin)

3. Attic rooms

Meandering up the central staircase you will eventually arrive at the top floor, a stunning attic space that has been cleverly divided into 3 bedrooms (one with ensuite), a playroom, and a bathroom. A perfect retreat for a family with children. Within each bedroom were beautiful, arched sash windows, restored to their former glory and nestled between the angled pitch of the attic ceiling. A window dressing challenge for Studio III! We needed to consider the wonderful architectural details alongside a solution that would block light to aid sleep, and fit the fresh and fun scheme.

Due to the arch of the window, and the proximity of the architrave to the angle of the wall, one option considered was to create a fabric upholstered plug that would neatly slot into the semi-circle shape. A roman blind would be fixed just below. However, on further reflection, and carefully measuring, we opted for three roman blinds to completely cover the window (all operated by metal chains with a safety mechanism). Although this perhaps compromised the shape of the window, it offered a practical, and functional bedroom window solution which suited the overall scheme. A semi-plain fabric was chosen for each room coupled with a smart and fresh trim to give an extra detail and elevate the overall design. Each blind included blackout lining and interlining and half shutters helped with privacy, light diffusion and darkening the room for sleep.

Material: Elephant Fabrics, Melford (Sanderson) with a Veranda Collection, Golden Rod Border (Samuel & Sons)

There are a plethora of options when it comes to window dressings, and here we have only touched upon a few. As an interior design studio we work closely with fabric suppliers and curtain makers to ensure our projects meet our design requirements and are run smoothly. If you would like assistance with your interior design, please get in touch to see how we can help.

For this project, Sue Whimster Curtains Ltd, made all the curtains, roman blinds and bespoke cushions.