Sunday 17 July 2016

Window Treatment Trend - No 5

Mulitiple Layers

Using two or more window treatment together (layering) is an interior design solution to providing style with flexibility.

There are many reasons and benefits to layering window treatments - creating visual depth, interest, and dimension; as well as increased energy efficiency, privacy, and light control.

Any type of blind can be used under curtains or voiles for a layered look. Curtains together with voiles is also popular and synonymous with 'boutique' hotel style for bedrooms.

While layering is  popular, the overall look remains consistent with the general trend for a clean sleek effect.











Tuesday 7 June 2016

Window Treatment Trend - No 4

Sheer Blinds

There has been a significant increase in the desire for sheer blinds. Sleek and simple they offer the privacy benefits of a blind with the softening view of a sheer.

Sheer Roller blinds and the new Sheer Privacy Blinds are fast becoming the stylish modern alternative to traditional net curtains.Sheer Privacy Blinds are a new innovation where two layers of opaque and translucent woven stripes pass each other. 

Adjusting the alignment of the stripes allows you to control the light whilst maintaining the view. 


Sheer and semi-sheer Roman blinds are a more traditional approach to providing privacy whilst allowing light to filter into the room - and always look stylish.











Thursday 28 April 2016

Window Treatment Trend - No 3

Contrast Edging


​Contrast edging (banding) is very popular and adds beautiful detailing and interest to any plain curtain or blind. 

It provides the opportunity to inject a shot of bold colour without it being overwhelming. It's also another way of repeating an accent colour within the general scheme, linking the window area to the rest of the room.

The use of Vertical or horizontal edging can be used to add visual height or width to a space. 

Contrast edging can be created by applying a wide braid or by using a different coloured fabric, which gives the option of a much deep border. A deep darker horizontal border at the base of curtains 'grounds' the paler fabric and adds a touch of the unexpected. 











Thursday 21 April 2016

Window Treatment Trends - No 2

Sheer Curtains


Full length voile curtains have become very popular, particularly with the increase in open plan living with larger windows and doors.

Beautifully designed voile fabrics range from slubby linens to those with luxe iridescence and many are interwoven with natural or metallic threads or have embossed or printed patterns.

Brighter voiles will make a room feel like it’s glowing, while darker, denser voiles help reduce glare.  Like curtains, the "new" voiles have simple and stylish headings.









Sunday 17 April 2016

Window Treatment Trends - No 1


Straight Curtains with Modern Headings


A soft but tailored look has taken centre stage for curtains in recent times.  Curtains are allowed to hang straight without the use of tiebacks and have neat headings rather than gathers.

The use of modern tracks and poles has almost completely replaced valances and swags, even in the most traditional homes.

Ceiling to floor curtains are being used to add height and elegance. Where possible curtains are wider, so when fully open they cover the wall, rather than the window maximising the light.








Friday 18 March 2016

Dressing Windows at Hampshire Lakes Retirement Village



We have recently been making soft furnishings for clients who have purchased apartments at Hampshire Lakes - the new retirement properties on Sandhurst Road in Yateley. 


It is a beautifully designed mini-village that offers a range of stunning homes amid 
beautiful surroundings including lakeside scenery, wooded glades and manicured gardens.

(See some more pictures and the village map at the end below.)


 Living Room Bay Window
In this apartment, on the first floor, our client wanted a cheerful floral fabric at her living room windows. 

This apartment has a square shaped bay window
We deigned and made long pinch pleat curtains for the square bay window. So that the curtains cleared the deep window sill, we shaped and fitted a metal track to the ceiling. The track has roller gliders giving an easy smooth operating.


Square bay windows are a design feature at Hampshire Lakes

We also made a sweet Roman blind at a smaller side window and matching and contrasting cushions for the sofa and arm chairs.

Large Living/Dining Room
In this large apartment we made full length curtains for the windows in the living/dining room.









Our client chose a beautiful cream linen fabric with a taupe embroidered design.

The curtains are lined and interlined, providing a luxury look as well as great insulation. 

The curtains have a double pinch pleat and are hung from a 45mm hand- painted ivory pole.




Delft Blue Bedroom
In this ground floor apartment we made pretty curtains in a delft blue floral print. These curtains are lined and interlined which gives them body so that they hang beautifully. They have a more traditional triple pinch pleat heading. 

The soft white painted wooden pole is from the Acanthus Vintage collection.



Ground Floor Bedroom

In this ground floor bedroom we made interlined curtains in a delicate Toile cotton fabric.  For additional privacy we supplied a wooden Venetian blind in an ivory finish with ladder tapes - a more modern alternative to net curtains. 










The cream Venetian blind was also a fantastic solution for the kitchen and beautifully matched the ivory kitchen units. Venetian blinds give good privacy without blocking light into the room. They also provide the ability to adjust the glare of bright sunlight by tilting the slats and can obscure a less appealing view. 


The pretty Toile pattern on the fabric can be fully appreciated on a Roman blind in the same room. We carefully positioned the pattern so that the main emblem was central and started at the top - giving balance and symmetry.

The blind is mounted on the outside of the recess which softens the edges of the small slim window. 


Some more pictures of the lovely interior in the main village building .....







Hampshire Lakes Retirement Village Map