From bold and contemporary to understated and classically elegant, there is a vast choice of fabrics to choose from for your curtain treatments to complete your luxury interior design. Having made your selection, a good interior designer will be able to help you achieve that all important finish and sophistication that simply says, quality.
But before you start paying for the amount of fabric you think you want, it's worth finding out exactly how much you really do need. First, decide how high above the window you'd like the curtains to begin. Hanging them higher than the window will give a sense of height to the room. Designers often hang curtains about six inches above the window frame, but for an even more dramatic look, some go higher.
At the bottom, add another two or three inches to the length of your curtain panels so that the fabric is slightly puddled for a traditional look. This is a more relaxed style than those that graze the floor, and if you have uneven floors it is also more forgiving. In formal rooms, an exaggerated extension of six inches of fabric can look romantic and gorgeously opulent.
If you want a more modern and crisp look – have the panel fall flush with the floor, or hover half an inch above, and close to the wall. Having grommet rings inserted into the fabric is also a contemporary and clean design solution. This look is tailored and makes sense if you’ll be opening and closing the curtains a lot, as they quickly fall back into place every time you move them.
When measuring the width of your window, add four to eight inches on both sides and double the total number to ensure curtain fullness. This way, you won't block a lot of window glass when the curtains are open, and they won't get in the way. In addition, if you plan to use the curtains to shut out the sun, those extra inches around the perimeter of your window frame will also help block out any creeping light.
Once a high end interior design scheme is decided, the job of making a curtain treatment look stunningly spectacular is down to the details and finishing touches such as poles, finials, fringes and tie backs. Metal curtain poles can give a sleek and modern look to a room or an antique charm, depending on the design you choose. Options include steel, silver, brass, gold and copper rods. Wooden styles on the other hand, can provide a warm natural feel, and can also be painted to match the walls of a room.
When choosing curtain poles, it's crucial to get the correct measurements and make decisions about how far you want the rods to overhang on either side of the window. This will create a space for the curtains to be drawn back, therefore allowing the full amount of light through the window and getting you closer to your luxury interior design.
To finish off the poles with a flourish, go for fabulous finial. If it's a simple, unobtrusive style you’re after, a tapered end can be perfect while intricate, whereas filigree metalwork, or glass and crystal designs will hint at sophistication and artistic flair.
For the details, traditional tiebacks are made from the same or complementary fabric as the curtain, but that isn't the case today. The simple rule of thumb for tie or hold back remains the same, however the weightier the fabric, the stronger they need to be to scoop them effectively and elegantly across a window. A luxury interior designer will be able to advise on exactly which material will suit your treatment best, as well as provide the choice of tassels and fringes. These can add those final, all important touches of luxury and indulgence for your luxury interior design. Look out for further blogs on how a famous designer uses detailing to transform simple soft furnishings into a stunning piece of couture.