Choosing the Right Curtains

An expanse of solid-colored fabric will benefit from an interesting texture or a small geometric print to relieve the plainness without distracting from the shape. Neutral colors – sand, oyster, beige, corn, buttermilk, cream, rye – are always possible and often the best choice. Curtains are expensive, so if you want a more dramatic color, it may be better to add it to the walls using inexpensive pots of paint. Whatever the color chosen, select a fabric with a good weave which has movement and interest. Check that the color doesn’t go completely dead on a dull day, and plan evening lighting so that some indirect light washes onto the curtains.

If you want color or are in love with a particular print, go for softer tones in colors which you feel the most comfortable with. Harsh colors can be difficult to add to furnish around. Save fashion colors for accessory items such as cushions, and impact colors for specific areas where the furnishings will inevitably have a relatively short life, such as garden rooms and playrooms.

Most decorating disasters are made from trying too hard, perhaps including too many colours or patterns in too many colors, or in playing too safe with boring, flat colours. Unless you are a designer, an artist or experienced home-maker and know well how to break the rules, choose one fabric at a time and then add others. For a simple elegant result, have the first fabric in one basic color, then add others in the same color but with variations of tone and pattern. Or try using two close plain colors and adding prints or weaves combining tones of both. You will need to introduce splashes of other, opposite colors if the room is to stay alive. These can be added to suit your budget and thoughtfully, as cushions, painting, flowers or trimmings.

Composition

Natural fibres wool, cotton, linen and silk in any combination, weave or print – are well proven to last and clean well. Some synthetic element may be needed if your curtains have to be fire retardant but, as a general rule, the qualities of natural materials will far outweigh any synthetic alternative. Having said that, there are some very good silk look-alikes which don’t rot and fade at the window, that do have a place. Look for some of the more interesting fabrics being developed, e.g. where pure fibre, such as grasses or banana leaves, have been woven into silks and cotton sheets.