Summer is long gone, and the chilly weather and long nights are starting to draw in. Now it’s getting colder and darker, it’s a good time to think about dressing your windows for the season. You’re going to be closing your curtains a lot more, so you’ll want to make sure that they suit your carefully selected décor, and help keep in heat. Thicker, luxury fabrics are a brilliant solution. Attractive and functional, and with a selection of cheaper alternatives so you can get the look for less, luxury fabrics can give your home a little something special. Here are some of our favourite fabrics for style and substance this autumn.
Velvet
Throughout history, the sumptuously smooth texture of velvet has been associated with nobility. Because of its beautiful softness and availability in bold colours, it was seen as a fitting material for royal robes, vestments and wall hangings for only the very wealthiest of society. Today, you can buy many different kinds of velvet, from the finest silk velvet to cheaper synthetic velvets and velveteen. It’s a classic choice for curtain fabric, draping beautifully when tied back or drawn across. Choose scarlet red for a bold, dramatic impact, or delicate neutral tones for a soft, muted feel.
Silk
First produced in ancient China, and with a long history in Asia and the Indian subcontinent, silk has always been a prized exotic luxury. With its beautiful natural lustre, silk has long been used to make stunning clothing and furnishing. Its smooth, shiny texture can reflect light, making the most of the winter sun. Real and faux silks are commonly available, so whatever your budget, you can add a touch of extravagance to your home. Use greens and oranges for a taste of the orient, or keep it classy with duck egg blue or mulberry purple to elevate your interior to the status of a grand manor house.
Wool
It might not sound like a luxury, but real wool is a natural and highly insulating material, making it a great choice for curtains in the colder months. The wool trade was at the heart of England’s economy from the medieval period and well into the Edwardian era, and the UK is still one of the top ten wool producers worldwide. You can source wool responsibly, too: it’s easy to find wool curtains woven in the UK, and organic wool is becoming more and more popular thanks to its lower carbon footprint. Checks and chunky tiebacks are the way to go with wool curtains, giving a room a sophisticated country charm.
If you have a wonderful fabric you’d like made into curtains, talk to us. At Loveless Cook Blinds, we offer a customer’s own material curtain making service, so you can turn whatever fabric you love into something beautiful this autumn.
