Take soft styling seriously …
Floor to ceiling drapes are back, but with new fluidity and substance, and featuring fabrics like velvet, linen and mercerised cotton in earthy neutrals or deeper tones.
Curtains as doors: portières are trending.
Double track flat curtain rails create a deep overlap which is useful for blackout or privacy curtains.
Roman blinds are back too, super sheer or statement making in bold organic patterns that reflect what’s outside the window. And the big news is that most can be ordered online and made to measure. There are a few modernising tweaks that are important to the overall contemporary aesthetic. Firstly, mount the track or pole (ideally slim matte black or brushed brass) as close to the ceiling as possible to maximise a long, tailored silhouette. Then, choose a French pleat or other precise header for a cleaner look – curtain experts like Mary Wrynne fine-tune the details depending on the fabric and the furniture. Consider using a plain affordable fabric but with an elevated trim or fringe to create the impact. Always interline, unless you have a brilliant BER rating or you are deliberately aiming for a simple airy effect. If your windows are large and you need to conserve heat, multiple light layers are effective without the bulk.
Alaia’s curtain dress.
If privacy is your priority and your rooms are small, you can layer sheers to provide privacy while letting in soft, filtered light. Remember to think about blackout options in the bedroom. In kitchens, cordless or motorised blinds offer precise light control and a more minimalist look. Curtains used as room dividers and on front and back doors are transformative, helping trap heat and creating an enveloping, luxurious effect. A single sweeping drape in velvet for winter, ticking for summer, rings the changes.
“One of the most impactful and often underappreciated elements of a room is drapery. Nothing transforms a space quite like the way a window is dressed,” according to interior designer Jake Arnold. At www.everhem.com.
A charming boys’ twin bedroom with classic striped curtains and theatrical bed canopies designed by Suzie McAdam @suziemcadam.
Unlined raw Irish linen curtains by Eoin Lyons; @lyonskellydesign.
This heavy linen scalloped valance acts as a soft frame for curtains, from €240. The woolly blackout bouclé curtain, from €420 and the terracotta sheer linen curtains offer provacy while letting the light in. All www.gotain.com.
Ivory sheer linen soft roman blind, from €360. Ivory sheer linen café curtain (with rod, rings, and brackets for easy installation), from €190. All www.gotain.com.
A room-darkening velvet curtain brings depth and warmth to any space. Tailored for a perfect fit, from €500; www.nordicknots.com.
Irish-owned House Of Hackney’s Compton Magna print velvet made-to measure blind; www.houseofhackney.com.
Create a decorative touch in your curtains with braid. Celadon Kushime embroidered braid, €1.20 for sample length; www.designersguild.com.
Yellow tassel curtain tie-back with beaded fringes, €592; www.etsy.com.
