Window dressing

INTERIORS:There is a rule when dealing with curtains and blinds – simple is always best. EOIN LYONSoffers some tips to bear in mind regarding window treatments, and the people and suppliers who can help get the look just right

WINDOW TREATMENTS are one of the biggest headaches for people decorating their homes because they assume they’ll have to deal with metres and metres of elaborate fabric and complicated hardware. But consider this: when it comes to windows, simple is always best. Choose a tailored look and you can’t go wrong. Remember the window and the view are just as important as what decorates them.

Curtains should be like putting lipstick on a beautiful face – the purpose is to enhance rather than dominate. This country is too cold to leave windows without curtains, no matter how beautiful your architraves. The fabric, the pole and the architecture of a room are the main components in curtain choices, so consider all three when deciding what to do. Avoid ready-made curtains. They are a false economy.

Bernadette Dalton is a curtain maker in Blackrock who is recommended by Benedict, the fabric supplier. Her prices are as good as her finish and she offers sound advice. She makes curtains and will recommend someone to fit them, but does not supply the poles or fabrics.

Brian S Nolan in Dún Laoghaire is a great source of fabric and has very helpful staff. There are also always good discounts on offer. Others that are worthwhile visiting include Helen Turkington’s discount fabric shop in Clonskeagh and Lucan Fabrics, something of a hidden gem. Other curtain makers with good reputations include Margaret Buggy and Angela Lee.

There are places that act as a one-stop shop for all curtain elements but if you want a perfect finish and a hassle-free process, contact curtain maker Mary Wrynne. She is based in Carrick-on-Shannon but works all over the country and her prices are not high, considering the amazing quality of her work. Think hand-stitched curtains made like a couture gown. Wrynne offers a service that means fabrics, poles and fitting can be organised in one fell swoop. Best of all, you can trust her to know what will work best. She will recommend using €20 per metre cotton if it’s right for the job, just as quickly as a €100 per metre fabric from Zoffany.

Lauretta Hanrahan of Drapes and Designs in Limerick has a good reputation and great knowledge. She also offers poles, fitting and fabrics.

There are some key tips to bear in mind about curtains. Mount the curtain pole as close to the ceiling as possible because it will make the room appear higher. Use dull brass poles on period windows – they won’t look old-fashioned. The height of your room will influence the length of pleats – longer pleats will look appropriate in a big room.

Ask whomever you choose to work with about wave-effect poles. In contemporary homes, they create a slicker affect than pleating. Only pool the end of curtains in period-style homes and, with contemporary windows, leave the curtain just touching the floor. I’m not a fan of tie-backs, although they have their place, and prefer to let curtains fall straight.

If budget is an issue, use an inexpensive fabric but don’t scrimp on linings. Go for the best interlining and then get creative with fabric. Cremins Moiselle, an Irish company, does a range of two-tone woven fabrics called Madison. There are teals, blues, gold and reds that have a kind of raffia look and retail at €24 per metre. These work nicely when well interlined. The same company also does a range for the same price point called Ming Fret. It has a David Hicks-inspired geometric pattern and is good for Roman blinds.

Roman blinds are best used on small windows. Always hang the blind on the window wall, rather than tight against the frame. Think about using upholstery fabrics because they offer better heat retention. But don’t have blinds interlined in the same way as you would curtains. Instead, ask about fleece lining that’s just as effective but less bulky. Because you need very little, it’s possible to use expensive material.

Beacon Hill and Robert Allen do upholstery fabrics that I often use for blinds. I love the latter’s Corn Stripe “Fog” fabric. Also seek out Fadini Borghi, an Italian range that specialises in richly woven designs, for about €50 per metre. Pierre Frey does simple wide-stripe fabric called Celeste Nattier that’s good for kitchens or bathrooms. Roman blinds are often fitted with a plastic device on the window frame that the cord wraps around. These aren’t very attractive, so have a look at Belgian company Emery et Cie for cast-iron hooks in shapes such as gazelle heads. They add special detail to a window.

Curtains over blinds create a layered look that will help regulate light. Titta Jones, a Finnish specialist in Scandinavian fabric, has roller blinds in beautiful colours such as pale blue and with a leather Hermès-like pull. They are made to measure for any size window.

Curtain your front door and the wall that surrounds it to retain heat and provide a shot of colour. Consider using unexpected textures such as wools by Gabriel, available through Titta Jones for €64 per metre, or moleskin by French firm Boussac at €30 per metre. Heavy-grade velvet can work too, because you don’t necessarily need interlining.

Generally speaking, in livingrooms it’s best to have curtains just a tone or two darker than your walls so that what’s in the room is allowed come to the fore. If your walls are pale blue, choose a darker blue curtain.

My favourite fabric at the moment is by the Danish company Kinnasand. It’s lightweight, hangs incredibly well and comes in shades that sit well with the Farrow Ball neutrals. It is not the easiest to work with so you need a very able curtain maker.

In bedrooms, it’s often better to play with pattern or prints and Colefax Fowler are the kings of richly embroidered fabrics. Their Passionflower Old Blue fabric is particularly beautiful, with purple and green flowers raised from a duck egg blue background. I also like the new silk and animal print Sonia Rykiel fabric range for Lelievre.

CURTAIN CONTACTS

Benedict benedict.ie

Brian S Nolan briansnolan.ie

Helen Turkington helenturkington.ie

Lucan Fabrics lucanfabrics.ie

Margaret Buggy 059-9159981

Angela Lee 01-4902307

Mary Wrynne Interiors marywrynne.ie

Drapes Designs drapesanddesigns.ie

Cremins Moiselle creminsmoiselle.com

Fadini Borghi, Boussac and Pierre Frey Contact Kate Thorpe; kate.thorpe@pierrefrey.com

Kinnesand Contact Titta Jones; titta@fabric.ie

Colefax Fowler Available through Kevin Kelly Interiors (kevinkellyinteriors.ie) and other retailers

Emery et Cie emeryetcie.com