San Marino from James Dunlop. Images supplied by James Dunlop Textiles Ltd.

It seems we’re welcoming glamour into our homes by covering our windows with fabrics that are beautiful enough to wear on a special night out. Constructed in the latest man-made fibres, these divine fabrics such as voiles and taffetas can handle the front row positions in our homes. 

Despite hankering for more glam, Kiwis are still a practical bunch who realise looks aren’t everything. Interior designer Wendy Morris of Artemon Ltd says even sheer, shimmering, translucent window treatments need to be robust enough to withstand the intense heat and glare intrinsic to our natural environment.

“In response, fabric houses have created fabrics to suit New Zealand conditions,” says Wendy.

“There’s a fantastic range of beautiful, practical, and affordable textiles on the market now. We have polyesters that look like silks, and textures that look like linen, without the usual issues of fading and shrinkage.

“Drapes are ideal for giving rooms that ‘wow’ factor. In more formal rooms, such as lounges, sumptuous night-time looks make every evening special and by day sophistication reigns. For master bedrooms, there’s nothing like soft, dreamy fabrics to create a special ambience.”      

The return of voiles several years ago, and their staying power, has been a source of surprise to many in the industry. Of course, the voiles of today have changed drastically since our grandmothers’ day. They’ve been transformed with different textures, patterns and every colour imaginable to add sophistication to a room. And interestingly, taffeta is still one of the biggest selling fabrics on the market.

However, according to Wendy, sheer fabrics don’t block out the light, and that, she says, is an important requirement for many people selecting new drapes.

One popular solution for creating a glamorous room, where one can rely on a good night’s sleep, is using coloured, poly-cotton linings on a separate track.

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Total concepts from James Dunlop.

The linings are available in a wide range of colours, with colour on both sides of the fabric giving a sophisticated look to the exterior as well as interior.

Some include a thin layer of block out, sealed between two layers of colour and the fabric is washable too. “At last, no more shabby curtain linings facing the street,” says Wendy. 

Blinds have proved the perfect window treatment for the minimalist look. Voiles over blinds are another attractive combination, with the voile taking the edge off minimalism’s clinical tendency. 

However, shafts of light seeping around the edges of the blind can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Wendy says this can be avoided by using a combination of blinds and drapes.

Once the fabric has been chosen, it’s time to decide how the drapes will be hung. French or twin pleats look superb in traditional-style homes while the inverted pleat uses less fabric and gives a flatter, more contemporary look. 

For those who want an even simpler effect, the wave track is perfect for those seeking luxury presented simply.  Guided invisibly by the track, the drapes fold simply at the top, with no pleating required.     

“For a casual look, eyelet curtains on rods are an attractive option especially if the fabric features a bold pattern – large patterns work best on flatter drops.”

For those wanting something out of the ordinary, there are local companies that will custom-make tracks to client and designer specifications. And, for around 30 per cent more, special finishes such as hand-painted, aged and gilt effects are available. Rings and rods can also be custom-painted to specific colour choices.   

Finally, New Zealanders have enthusiastically taken to motorised window treatments. “Kiwis love automation,” Wendy says.

“Changing mood or controlling light and heat via remote control adds a new dimension to interior lifestyles. It’s not a cheap option, but many homeowners are deciding it’s worth the extra outlay.”  

For the budget-conscious, or those who enjoy the ritual of closing the drapes at night and opening them to the sun in the morning, then the simple ‘wand’ is ideal.

Operated by hand, it comes at just a snip of the price of the more fancy motorised options and think of all the power you’ll save.