New light on window dressing

Press, 28 August 1980, Page 12

New light on window dressing

Window treatments contribute to both the exterior and the interior of the house so you .should consider carefully the treatment you are about to give them. You can have curtains, of course, but there are other alternatives these days — Roman or roller blinds, louvres, shutters, or screens are just a few. Whether you like big, bold designs or the uncluttered look, one of these alternatives will surely serve your purpose.

Where privacy is not a problem, and the window is handsome enough, just don’t curtain it r.t all. Warmth, however, is

also an important factor. A heavy curtain will not solve a heat loss problem, although it may cope with minor draughts. Windows are an important part of a room’s decor and. can be used with great effectiveness. But too many of us here in New Zealand are far too bold in our window drapery. So that we cannot accuse ourselves of having a dull interior,.we tend to brighten up a room by incorporating a brilliantly coloured or designed curtain. One must always remember that the draperies should always tone with the rest of the interior design. If you have a room for instance, in beige and brown and feel it’s all getting a bit predictable you can always liven up the decor with an interesting cushion or two.

It’s very difficult to make a curtain choice with so many ' boldpatterned varieties around. If really in doubt, it is a good idea to consult a decorator.-

They are fluent in colour combinations, and the use of pattern-on-pattern, both in curtaining, walls, and upholstery.

Properly advised, you will be sure you are not making a ghastly mistake. Remember you can always get away with a large pattern on a full length curtain, but you must be very careful to match it. In our next column we will expound further on this subject, and examine types of fabrics more closely. Quality of fabric is another aspect you must consider. On the visual side, it is better to choose generous quantities of a cheaper fabric than to skimp on an expensive one.

If you buy a less expansive fabric and want to give it the look of quality, you should line it, or even interline it. Lining will give that nice, generous, bulky look, and provide years of wear. There are a great many cheaper fabrics around today. Many ere imported from European countries. French cotton can be bought at two thirds of the price of Australian counterparts in some cases.

Insulated linings can be a great help in keeping

heat in, and reflecting the harsh sunlight which is prevalent in New Zealand. It is a known fact that New Zealand has the highest ultra violet levels in the world. I am constantly being asked by clients to recommend this or that fabric which will not fade. This is a difficult request to be made of any fabric under our conditions. However with properly lined curtains you can do battle with the sun’s ultraviolet. Consider putting in blinds as a second defence layer behind your drapes. When the. drapes are pulled back say, in summer the blinds can give a summery look to the room. The drapes can be used most often in colder weather, with the blinds rolled up. Here it is important to mention that once you have decided on your fabric you must think about whether you require floor-length or sill-length, curtains, the headings you require, and the fullness of folds. If you want a sill-length curtain, it should be l/4in or smm above the sill so it will not pick up dust. Floor-length drapes should hang within l/2in off the floor. I see so many “silllength drapes” below the sill, and really cannot understand why they are there. If they are to combat some draft problem, it may be better for you to double glaze or to fit a draft strip around your windows.