''Curtains have the ability to transform a room. They soften the hard architectural edges of a space, provide warmth, privacy and light filtration for ultimate comfort and aesthetics. It’s an age old saying that a window unfurnished is a window unfinished.''
Curtains
At James Dunlop Textiles, we offer contemporary and traditional curtain fabrics for light, warmth and privacy within your home, office or commercial space.
Curtains have the ability to transform a room. They soften the hard architectural edges of a space, provide warmth, privacy and light filtration for ultimate comfort and aesthetics. It’s an age old saying that a window unfurnished is a window unfinished. However, when designing custom made curtains, there are a lot of decisions to be made throughout the process. The first task, choosing the appropriate fabric, should be based on aesthetic, performance and budget requirements.
Whatever curtain material and design style you choose, curtains will add the finishing touch. They create cohesion within a space, bringing together your décor and additional furnishings.
Curtain Considerations
Window Size for Curtains
Not all windows are the same. Some windows may suit floor to ceiling drapery. Other windows maybe a blind is more appropriate. Whatever the case, you need to think about what style of window you have and the resulting aesthetic you wish to create. Learn more about measuring for curtains here.
Curtain Style
Formal or causal? The interior style of your home will help guide you here. A traditional home with high ceilings and period features may suit heavy velvet drapery that puddle on the floor. While a more contemporary modern home might be more suited to a minimal style that is less fussy. The selection of curtain header (of which there are a range of options), will also achieve a certain look. Take your time to review the different header options, and ensure you select a header to suit your desired aesthetic. Generally, it looks more cohesive if you maintain the header style througout each space. Learn more about choosing the right curtain header here.
Curtain Function
What benefits can a curtain provide? Is it a bedroom that requires blackout for a peaceful sleep? Is it an office where the sunlight needs to be managed? Or, is it a living room that you like to keep cosy at night? Each room in your home will have differing needs. Think about children and pets and how the interact within the house. All of these factors need to be considered when selecting fabric with durability, and easy care attributes often being of utmost importance. Read more about choosing curtains for your home here.
Position
Depending where you live, the damaging rays of the sun can lead to the deterioration of your drapery (and interior furnishings). Edges of curtains can become sun damaged and cause the material to break down. Selecting a fabric that has a solid UV protection rating will help in slowing down this issue, as well as pushing back (stacking) your curtains as much as possible, so they sit off the glass. Or, add a sheer curtain to filter the rays at the same time. See our blog on UV and how it affects our interiors.
Curtain Lining
Lined curtains are vital to creating a thermal insulation barrier at the window. When drapes are professionally fitted it's these lined drapes that help reduce heat loss by 40-60%.
So, it makes sense to have a quality lining behind your curtain fabric. With a variety of products including block out, triple weave, silicone and interlining there is something for every situation, see our blog on lining here.
Curtain Header Styles
There are plenty of curtain header options to choose from. Not only do they provide functional benefits, they help achieve the overall look of a space, i.e. traditional or contemporary and you need to consider which option before the curtain making process begins. What are curtain headers? It's the way in which the fabric is sewn or pleated at the top of the curtain, and it will have a direct impact on the way in which the materiral drapes or hangs, as well functional characteristics such as stack back (the amount of space a curtain will occupy when fully drawn open).
Wave Header or S Fold
An S Fold or Wave curtain heading provides a simplistic look which is suited to most solid, patterned and sheer fabrics. Through the use of a structured bukram tape, adhered to the back of the header, the material is evenly distributed in a symmetrical Wave formation. The use of wide width fabrics is a great way to achieve a continuous line across a window with no joins or seams, leading to production efficiencies and minimal stitching.
Flat Pleat
A simple curtain heading style with very little fullness that achieves a minimal, contemporary look. Perfect for solid and sheers fabrics or patterned fabric as there are no pleats to interrupt the pattern repeat. A flat panel is also an ideal header style for a sheer, behind a fully lined curtain on a double track as it sits neatly underneath, with very little stack-back. Given the relaxed look of this header style, it works well with high quality linens, for casual sophistication.
Pinch Pleat
A pinch pleat offers a classic look. Through folded creases in the stiff buckram the pleats are acheived. Hooks are then inserted and the curtain can be hung on a track or a rod. The three varieties of Pinch Pleat headers are characterised by the number of folds/creases at the top (single, double or triple) as well as the fullness, the stack back and the overall look.
Pencil Pleat
Represented by its small pencil sized pleats, the pencil pleat is a gathered header allowing you to gather the fabric to your desired fullness. The fullness is dependent on the amount you gather with the pull cords and due to the fullness that can be achieved it's advised to avoid heavy or bulky fabrics as these can disrupt the even distribution of the gathering.
Box Pleat
The box pleat is a classic curtain heading style that creates a tailored, elegant look. Deeply inverted pleats run across the top of the drape to create a flat heading style that is designed to sit neatly under a curtain rod or on a track. Creating uniformed folds, a box pleat is suited to most fabrics however thought must be taken when using highly patterned designs, especially geometrics, as the pleating can disrupt the pattern match. A great heading style when using a standard width fabric as joins can be hidden into the fold of the pleat therefore minimising the appearance of unsightly seams.
