PICKING PERFECT WINDOW TREATMENTS: PART ONE

ABOVE: This master bedroom is bought to life with the wonderful s-fold curtains. The dip dyed feel of the curtain fabric really pacts a coastal infused punch into the room. There is no crown moulding on the ceiling as this is a contemporary apartment, so the tracks could be installed directly onto the ceiling. Interior Designer: Adam Scougall Design. Photographer: Yie Sandison.

I’ve been hearing from a few people [friends, new enquiries etc] that now that they are home more, they are noticing their windows. You may know that I run a Facebook live show called ‘Wine & Design’ which is normally Fridays at 4.30pm. Last week I had Elise from More Than Curtains on the show and she was also noticing an uptrend in people wanting to refresh and update their window treatments. It makes such a difference to a room when the window treatments are done superbly.

So, this week I thought I’d show you a few of my favourite window treatments styles and combinations, as well as tell you what type of windows they are best for. This post is for the window treatment lovers out there that want to pick the right style and ideas for their home. Enjoy the eye candy and information on what may be the perfect treatment for you to refresh your home.

Curtains

Gone is the thought that curtains are heavy and dated. That was an idea floating around about 10 years ago when most were putting roller blinds up everywhere as the modern go-to. Curtains now have seen a renaissance back into mainstream culture. Decorators, by the way have never stopped using them. On that note anyway, here are a few of my favourite styles.

The S-Fold

This is the most modern style available today. S-Fold curtains are considered one of the most contemporary looks because there is no pleat involved [the pinching of the fabric folds at the top created by header tape] so they feel more up to date. S-Folds are terrific when there is minimal or no crown moulding on the ceiling and they are mounted by a track and run floor to ceiling [or really ceiling to floor as they start at the top]. If you do have crown moulding and can’t mount these to your ceiling, they can also be used with a traditional rod.

What windows work best with S-Fold?

S-Folds work best when there no crown moulding on the ceiling. If you are living in a contemporary home, it may be likely that crown moulding isn’t adorning the ceilings of the room you would like to install these in. Below is an example of crown moulding so you know what I’m talking about…

You can see in the above image that there is a fair bit of decorative moulding that has ben added around the ceiling. These are also known as cornices. Because of this, there is no way we could hang S-Fold curtains from a track on the ceiling. There is too much in the way. You can incorporate curtain rods and still have the s-fold feel, but I am more inclined to use them when we have clear ceiling space to apply the track directly to the ceiling.

Below is another example of a ceiling in my clients home that had no crown moulding. Easy to install the fabulous grey sheer curtains, on a track attached to the ceiling because there are no interruptions!

ABOVE: S-Fold curtains applied to track on the ceiling. A smart roman blind is used on the window beside the bed. Interior Designer: Adam Scougall Design Photographer: Brigid Arnott

Below is an example of the way you hang curtains if you have crown moulding. Before you ask, I love crown moulding! Especially If it is a traditional home and it is very detailed in its original application. When we do have moulding, I normally use a standard curtain rod, which can be hung in many different ways depending on style and feel. Below is a nice example, from Aussie designer Karen Akers.

ABOVE: Crown moulding [or cornices] have been applied to this ceiling. Curtains have been above the door frame, on a simplified version of the curtain rod. Interior Designer: Karen Akers. Photographer: Thomas Dalhoff.

In the above image, Karen has applied a minimal curtain rod below the crown moulding, and significantly higher than the windows themselves. The reason she has done this is to achieve an elongated feel to the curtain height. Just mounting the curtain rods at the same height [or similar] to the window frame can stunt the look of the curtains/windows. See the image [I found on Pinterest] highlighting how bad it looks when you hang curtains directly at their height, as opposed to above.

Take aways?

• If you wold like a contemporary, clean look and you don’t have crown moulding, go with the S-Fold. Attach it directly to the ceiling if you can. A qualified window treatment installer will tell you if your ceiling is out [meaning it isn’t level] and if there are any issues in doing this. Most of the time though, this is a current and contemporary curtain style to use in 2020.

• If you do have crown moulding, look at using the traditional curtain rod, but hang your curtains higher than the window frame to elongate the feel and create a greater sense of grandeur to your room.

Roman Blinds

These are really current and I try to use them on my Interior projects when I can. Not only are they a little more substantial than a roller blind, they are much more interesting looking and can really provide a sophisticated or eclectic look.

ABOVE: I love this run of colourful roman blinds bringing zest and life to this bay window. Interior Designer: Lisa Burdus Design. Photographer: Maree Homer.

ABOVE: Light filtering, patterened roman blinds add a sensational touch to thsi open plan apartment in New York. Designer: Thom Filicia Inc. Photographer: Douglas Friedman.

What windows work best with roman blinds?

Most roman blinds can be hung inside a windows reveal [the depth between the outer wall and window panel itself] or on the face, which we call a face fit. There is a width restriction to romans, as when they get too big they may heave and bow. The standard maximum width is 3000mm.

If under this width, you can install inside the reveal as mentioned, or do the face fit. A face fit means you are attaching the blind to the front of the window profile, or on the windows architrave [if applicable]. See example below.

Personally I am not big on the face fit option. People do it, because they need the roman to block out the sunlight, and the internal fit is prone to have light leaking through the sides. I aslo don’t like that the chains will sit on the wall and be clearly exposed.

If you ask me, I prefer an internal light filtering roman blind, with a block out curtain layered on the outside. This will all come down to cost in the end, or whether or not you like curtains. A block out roman hung inside the reveal also works if you don’t want to add curtains, but let’s explore the roman and curtain combination together.

Curtains and romans together

A great combination is to use a combination of roman blinds and curtains together. There is normally a need for a light filtering option [gives some privacy but not complete], as well as light filtering with a block out option. Below are a couple of great examples of using a light filtering roman blind, with a block out curtain. In this situation, designer Thom Filicia has installed the roman within the reveal of the window, and installed block out curtains on the outside face of the windows. This is a layered and visually appealing approach and looks sensational!

ABOVE: Two examples of light filtering roman blinds [hung in the reveal of the window] with block out curtains on the face. Interior Designer: Thom Filicia. Photographer: Douglas Friedman.

Sheer curtains with a block out roman blind

This variation also works well. As discussed, an internal fit roman blind may allow more light in than desirable, but unless you are a night worker that needs total block out during the day, this may not be an issue at all. Below is an example from US design powerhouse Chango & Co., who used the curtains as sheers and the romans as the block out.

Take aways?

• Roman blinds are great when installed inside the reveal of a window. The only watch out here is there is the risk of light filtering in the gaps of the side of the blind. This is made less or more noticeable based on how accurate the measure up and install is of the blind.

• Face fit romans will be of greater benefit if not using a curtain as part of the story. The downside to this is the visual appeal as well as the fact that the chain [that pulls the blind up and down] will sit outside of the window frame and may look unattractive.

Note* It is always best to consult a professional interior designer and or window treatment company to determine the best style for your windows. Feel free to book a discovery call with Adam to discuss your window treatments here.

AS