This month’s readers’ choice is on what type curtains styles you should use in your home. Curtains are a simple way to transform a room and make a difference in your window treatments. Curtains complete a room, they control the light, add warmth and style and also lend the much needed privacy. Depending on your style, curtains can be simple, glamorous or bold. The best part is that you can add different colours or styles in different rooms by purchasing different curtains and using them in different ways.
1. FABRICS
Consider the theme of your interiors or the mood of your room. Think about the textures that would suit for your formal living space, heavy silk, silky rayon blends and cotton satin, or linen (generally dry-clean only) and crinkly crushed velvet. Cotton and cotton blends work with any type of decor and bring a crisp, neat feel or woollen blends.
2. COLOUR
A bold colour will work only if it’s a good contrast, however, make sure it doesn’t close in on your room and make it look smaller, unless you aim for a cosy look. Decide if you want the curtains to blend with the decor or for them to stand out in contrast. For blending them with your theme the easiest way is to pick curtains that are the same tone as the wall or a few shades darker, or choose a subtle colour in the room (a soft shade from the rug). If in doubt go for white or grey tones they always work. Some of the other natural themes that you can choose from a calming palette of pastels such as peach, lavender, sky blues or blush pink.
3. DESIGN & PATTERNS
For subtle designs I would suggest using small prints or floral patterns (these are in vogue at the moment), neutral print, like dots or paisley, which adds a textural element to your room. Use contrasting colours and designs that will reinvigorate rooms with floral patterns and designs. If you have patterned furniture or bedding or a very elaborate rug, stick with solid colour curtains. If you have solid-colour furniture or bedding, consider patterned curtains. If you are more interested in making a statement with the curtains hanging in a room, you may be inclined to have long and full curtains.
4. ADD DETAILS
Adding small details to your windows and window treatments is something you should invest time while designing. Tassels on curtains will add an elegant decorative touch to any room. Also, you need consider the hardware you use on your windows and around your windows as well (locks or wooden or stone frames). Curtain rods can completely change the way your curtains are draped, choose them again based on your overall theme.
Some ways to add style to your curtains the LVB way -
Perfect Pom-Poms
One of the best ways to make simple curtains look stylish and different is by adding dangling pom-poms! It adds an element of texture and cuteness to plain curtains.
Fabulous Fringe
Inspired by French era theme, you can add soft brown tassels or fringes and grey (almost silver) lining to the sides of neutral curtains to create a vintage look to your drapes.
Cosy Canopy
Now a days you can use curtains to create awesome canopies, an alternative solution to use old curtains in an innovative way!These drapes can easily be transformed into a canopy over a bed or a study nook.
Tiebacks
Tiebacks are my absolute favourite when it comes to adding a style element to curtains and are awesome when you need to pull curtains to the side of your window. A curved metal bracket or a rosette (is like a peg) on the wall. Match them to your curtain rod style and finish for a consistent look. You can also use simple fabric tiebacks or fancy ropes with tassels for a luxurious effect.
An even simpler way is to use a ribbon to tie your curtains up in the center of your window.
LVB Tip
You also need to realise the most important factor, the purpose - If you want the treatments that provide privacy or total darkness, you need lined curtains. I use double set of curtains for my master bedroom. One layer of thin cotton linen curtains in white or grey and then a layer of total block out curtains. If you’re ok with light filtering through or if your curtains are simply for decorative purpose, then you need not worry about the fabric you are using. However, I would suggest using cotton linen ones for a simple yet elegant look.
Image credit - Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Lifestyle, TresElise, Liv Sandvik Jakobsen, Winter daisy, Restoration Hardware, Ogotobuy, Sabon Home, Pottery Barn and Normandeauwc
Hope you enjoy this one, more on curtains later on...
Hope you enjoy this segment every month. Do let me know if you have any other topics that you would like me to discuss.
Coming to the blog soon, winter 2017 décor.
xoxo
Shirin@LVB