W
indowtreatmentscanwork
magicinahome.Inside,
they’ll frame a view; outdoors,
theycanendowaspacewithincreased
useability.Eitherway,they’llkeep
your home’s internal temperature
comfortable, all the while lowering
your energ y bills.
But that’s not all, says interior
designer Greg Natale. “Window
treatments can draw a scheme together
and provide balance or contrast. There’s
something about beautifully draped
curtains or classic blinds that makes
a room look warm and welcoming.”
When it comes to blinds and curtains,
relaxedstylesworkbestwiththelatest
interior trends. “Manufacturers are
playing with textured fabrics, such as
linens and cottons, which have a casual
look that’s perfect for informal living or
dining spaces. Velvets and fine wools in
rich shades and textured naturals add a
luxurious touch in more formal areas,”
says Anna Tudball, interior designer atAtticus & Milo. According to Cameron
Warwick, joint managing director at
Warwick Fabrics, pattern is also making
a comeback. “Australians will always
favour a soft, organic look for window
treatments. We are, however, excited to
see people embracing prints again.”
The choice of styles is vast and
includes curtains, roller blinds, vertical
blinds, roman blinds, venetians and
panel gliders. In addition to natural
fabrics, you’ll also find a range of
high-tech, high-performance fabrics on
offer, including energy-efficient textiles
that minimise heat gain in summer and
heat loss in winter, plus block-outs that
provide light and sound insulation.
There are fabrics that give you privacy
without impeding the view, eco-friendly
products (such as Safescreen fabric
from Silent Gliss, which is made from
recycled plastic bottles), even fabrics
that eliminate odours (Silent Gliss’
Freshtex product). One of the most
exciting new releases is Verosol’s >ABOVE LEFTCurtains in
Vanuatu sheer linen-polyester
fabric in Flint, $83/m, Warwick
Fabrics.ABOVE RIGHTEdge
roller blinds with LiteRise cordless
pulley system in Prismatic polyester
blockout fabric in Quirkee,
Luxaflex Window Fashions.
OPPOSITEBelgian linen roman
blinds, Simple Studio.INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Interior designer Greg Natale
revealshistoptipsforinterior
window treatments:
Is the window treatment purely
fordecoration?Ifso,textureand
tone are key considerations.
If functionality is as important as
aesthetics,optforacombination
of sheers for filtering light and
ah avierfabrictoblockoutsun.
Think about the window
treatment in relationship to the rest
of the room. A soft textile can
balance heavier furniture;
a weightier/more textured fabric
suggests opulence.ADVICE HG
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN| 165