Banner picture: San Marino fabric. Available from villa Nova, www.villanova.co.uk, 01623 756699.

Make your home warm and stylish by dressing the windows with some fabulous new curtains. Here are some tips and trend ideas to get you inspired.

Window dressing trends
Whatever interior style you have in the home, you can find fantastic fabrics on the market that will complement any look you desire. Shirley Nichols, Furnishing Advisor from John Lewis at Bluewater says, “Curtains can really set the mood and tone of a room so it is important that you take time to choose the right design for your home. Think about the different types of curtains that will both complement the style and colour of the room and enhance the furniture and furnishings already in place”.

“One of the latest trends is eyelet curtains. They add the perfect finishing touch to a modern and contemporary room design. One advantage of choosing eyelet curtains is that they stack back very neatly as they are hung by threading the curtain pole through the eyelet heading. This provides a neat and tidy finish which is very popular in minimalist room designs. Eyelet curtains are also available in a range of colours so that the curtain fabrics, patterns and headers are all co-ordinated to give a sleek and sophisticated look,” adds Shirley.

Steve Dobinson, Design Manager at Blendworth Fine Fabrics, comments further on the current trends, “Although Roman Blinds have been a popular option for the home for some time, curtains are now being used as more of a statement piece to dress a window, as well as being an inspiration for styling the rest of the room. Patterned fabrics are becoming bolder and more daring, whilst trims are becoming more innovative. This new trend allows elements of the pattern to be highlighted as accents throughout the room on cushions and throws creating a co-ordinated finish.”



Left picture: Pinnacle curtain fabric, prices start from £22.00 per metre. Available from Blendworth fabrics, www.blendworth.co.uk, 023 9259 4911.
Right picture: Osaka pencil pleat curtains in Pollen from £60. Available from John Lewis, www.johnlewis.co.uk.

Care and cleaning
Curtains can be as extravagant or as simple as you want depending on your budget. Keeping them clean means they will maintain their quality for longer. Shirley Nichols says, “People often think that cleaning your curtains will be a daunting task. But by following a few simple rules the task can be made really easy. Before you clean your curtains it is really important that you loosen the draw-strings and remove hooks, weights and any other metal fittings. You should always hand wash when recommended and make sure that you rinse really thoroughly to ensure that the fabric maintains its colour. If you have lined curtains they should always be dry cleaned to avoid causing unnecessary damage.”



Left picture: Geisha Fabric £20. Available from Digetex, 0161 873 8891, www.digetex.com.
Right picture: Curtain fabrics from £16 a metre, curtains made up from £56 each. Available from Prêt à Vivre, www.pretavivre.com.

Top tips for choosing curtains

1. Assess the structure of your windows first as not all curtains will suit all window frames. If you have straight windows your options are endless but curtain options for bay windows are a little more limited
2. Think about the overall look that you are trying to achieve. Decide whether you want your curtains to make a bold statement in your room or whether you want them to blend into the background. This will reflect the style and design that you choose.
3. Use design, style, texture and colour in your curtains to add depth to your room.
4. Think carefully about what heading to choose for your curtains. For a traditional and classic look opt for triple pinch pleats, whilst a basic and more contemporary look can be achieved by choosing double pinch pleats.
5. Don’t try to colour match curtains with sofas and carpets, always opt for a contrast to add another dimension to your room. If the room is plain and neutral in tone then choose a patterned curtain to add extra texture and detail.
6. Make sure you choose the correct fabric and lining for your curtains as they can really change the way that your curtains look and feel. Silk fabrics for example will definitely need interlining to give the curtains a softer drape and a more delicate appearance at the window.
7. Choose tassles, ties and ropes to decorate your curtains and co-ordinate them to match the curtains and style of the room.
8. For more information or to receive advice from a furnishings advisor contact John Lewis, telephone 08456 049049,
www.johnlewis.co.uk.

See more in Homes issue 92.