window treatment

I don't think there's a single room in my house without curtains.  Sometimes people ask me to help them create a cosier atmosphere in their own homes, and it invariably starts with curtains.  But now and again the view is so stunning through the windows, or the room is so deep that there's a real desire not to block out the view or any light.

This is a picture that I often refer to.  I love the room in itself, the colours, the symmetry of the lamps and mirrors, the comfy look of the armchairs.  But have a look at the windows.  They are enormous, probably to make the most of a great view.  The room is very deep, it needs alot of light.   If curtains had been made for such wide windows they would necessarily have been very full, too full to clear the window when pulled back.

The designer chose an interesting solution by simply draping around three sides of the window frame, rather than creating curtains to be pulled.  This 'drape' dresses up the wall with a touch of colour, making it feel softer,  but looks less rigid than curtains.  There isn't even the need for a rail or hooks.  The material is simply draped and positioned at three points, one in the middle and one at each top corner.  Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best!!


photo david duncan livingstone