February 21, 2017
For custom curtains and drapes that convey luxury, you’ll need to be choosey about the material. The fabric you select is the first in a line of important decisions like color, pattern and overall style. It also determines important aesthetics like how your drapery will hang as well as day-to-day considerations, like cleaning and care.
Explore this starter pack of curtain fabrics to help you choose the best drapery material for your residential or commercial window treatment.
Lace curtains occupy the lighter end of the spectrum. Their sheer look gently diffuses incoming sunlight making them ideal for dining rooms. They’re also a classic accouterment to French doors. Romantic and delicate, lace curtains give you a bit of privacy while letting in loads of natural light. This makes them a popular choice for public spaces like formal living areas and hotel lobbies. Hand wash or dry clean them to preserve their natural beauty.
Linen is a light, bright curtain material that’s ever so slightly weighted, giving it an airy yet constructed quality. It frequently hangs in hotel dining halls and family rooms where sunlight is readily welcomed. The drape on a set of linen curtains is especially lovely.
Cotton has been lovingly coined ‘the fabric of our lives,’ and for good reason! This medium-weight blend is beautiful, adaptable and traditional. Cotton curtains are true classics that often turn up in virtually every room. Lighter color panels provide a fresh ambiance that lets in plenty of sunlight while tight weave cotton drapes increase your privacy. Lined cotton panels allow you to control the amount of light that gets in and protect from fading.
Canvas curtains are as versatile as they are durable. Known for their wide variety of colors and patterns, they easily compliment an array of decor styles. Canvas drapes are especially perfect for spanning wider windows and are a favorite in many contemporary converted warehouse spaces. Whether you use them to line your loft or your hotel reception area, these beauties stand up to sunlight.
Velvet panels dwell on the heavy side of the drapery continuum. A natural insulator, the dense fabric is ideal for keeping wind out. Whether you are dressing your heritage home’s old windows or your hotel’s stately master suites, these thick, luxurious curtains definitely make an impact. They also are dense enough to effectively block light and sound, but delicate enough that they must be spot cleaned or dry cleaned only.
Damask curtains are high-end textiles, which form a unique and distinct pattern. The epitome of elegance and glamour, they boast high thread counts and can be found in the most sumptuous spaces. This old world weave is a favorite among interior decorators looking to create rooms with a regal atmosphere. Hand wash or wash on the delicate cycle to help retain their grandeur.
From billowy linen curtains to classic damask textiles, there’s a wide range of window treatment fabrics. Once you determine the ‘mood’ of your space, work backwards to convey that sentiment through your carefully curated curtains.
Caring for Your Drapes: Cleaning Tip Create an Aura of Elegance with Ombr