DRAMATIC DRAPES | A&B Interiors

The curtain renaissance looks set to gain new vitality over the next twelve months, with the
decorative potential of the humble drape being maximised to full capacity.
The relatively recent resurgence of interest in traditional curtains is now taking on new vitality,
with forward trends indicating an increasingly expressive approach to the category.
John Turvey, NSW sales manager for okum, indicates that the curtain renaissance is set to
enter full swing over the coming months.
!"urtains are on their way back# full, luscious curtains, not skimpy ones. $ven if the fabric used
is plain linen, the emphasis will be on fullness and drape so that the windows look properly
dressed, moving away from simple blinds.!%etail takes on key importance, with tailored finishes
such as fabric&covered buttons sewn onto pinch&pleats, and contrasting colour or textured
fabrics used subtly down leading edges.
!'or fabrics, contemporary twists on design classics will be popular, such as( classic oire in
cotton silk blends for a crisp luxe look# or linen polyester crush pleat sheers that give interest to
modern interiors without being fussy# as well as wide&width, pre&washed eco&linen for
environmentally conscious homes.)
eanwhile, colours such as silver&grey, cool neutrals, taupe, oyster, pearl, tur*uoise and
spearmint through to charcoal and cement grey will dominate, while cream, beige, gold and
yellow&based colours !will be taking a back&seat for a while), he adds.
!+ining fabrics are also increasingly used as part of the total look , not -ust something .behind
the scenes/ , as the use of coloured taffetas in contrast to, or co&ordinating with, the main
feature fabric are used together for extra emphasis. The result is a layered look# using a
coloured lining with a patterned sheer in front, attached together at the header giving the
appearance of .couture curtains/ , fashion for the window.)
0ome d1cor specialist 2asford 2rands confirms renewed interest in curtaining as a style
statement, with managing director Wayne +eslie capturing the mood of the market.
!3cross all our brands, we are seeing a strong return to decorating. 'abrics and textures are
being used across the market to soften and layer our favourite spaces. Starkness is too hard to
live with# tactile and visual textiles lessen these once hard lines in our homes.)
2asford 2rands/ marketing co&ordinator, "oco 4riffiths, echoes the shift back to linings on
curtains in combination with blinds, adding that the trend/s environmental benefits are a
welcome bonus.
!Thermal and block&out lining can reduce home energy costs by up to 56 per cent, as most
heating and cooling energy is lost through glass. 7sing lining is one way to insulate against
energy waste and energy costs.)
eanwhile, Wayne ullock, sales manager for 2asford 2rands/ 'iligree line, confirms that the
trend for curtain and blind combinations offers a valuable blend of function and style.
!The teaming of blind and co&ordinated curtain ranges is allowing home decorators the
opportunity to add additional insulation to their room that a blind alone cannot provide. This
layering on the window is also on trend, as we move away from the minimalist blind&only
option.)
'rom the perspective of ichelle West, general manager of 2asford 2rands/ aurice 8ain, the
brand/s new releases represent a cross&section of key fabric trends for 96::.
!;ur design team has forecast the hot trends to include 5% or multi&dimensional fabric form,
floral prints, cool colours and sustainable fibres. ulti&dimensional fabrics offer shadow,
reflection and sculptural texture using techni*ues such as crushing, pleating and raised
surfaces. aurice 8ain/s new crushed taffeta .Society/ offers a deconstructed textural aspect,
and .<elocity/ typifies the structured surface. =n terms of prints, intricate botanicals and $nglish
wildflower floral designs will be a strong influence. =n sheers, natural or rustic looks will
dominate in 96::, with aurice 8ain/s new .$vermore/ highlighting these trends.)
=n terms of fabric composition, sustainable and renewable fibres are increasingly popular in mills
throughout the world, West adds, with fibres including cotton, linen, -ute, hemp and wool , all of
which will be represented in aurice 8ain/s .Natural 7nion/ line in late 96::. eanwhile, a
natural colour palette
including taupe and beige remains strong, although the tone of these colours is cooler and
greyer.
!"risp colours are another ma-or colour shift in 96::. There will be lots of beautiful fabrics and
prints in shades of teal, blue and aubergine. +ook out for aurice 8ain/s .>ara/,) West
concludes.
4iven the considerable flair with which traditional drapes are being reinvented, it/s no surprise
that their role in interiors is also changing. 2rianna ?ike, design director at Sixhands, describes
curtains as !the new feature walls). =n other words, they will increasingly be utilised as a
decorative focal point in interiors.
With printed fabrics being used in the same way that painted or wallpapered feature walls have
typically been used in recent times, this new direction will be typified by large&scale printed
motifs with strong accent colours that are lively and saturated and a dramatic step away from
classic curtain fabrics,) Pike confirms, adding that the use of rints and atterns !i"" #e
an$thing #ut under"a$ed%
!Window dressings with contrasting but complementary prints in a variety of scales and styles
are being tied back together with harmonious palettes for a pattern&on&pattern feel. Tribal and
vintage&inspired colour accents are key# for example, earth tones with neon brights.
!?rints in soft, sun&drenched pastels with industrial metallics and weathered timber hues adorn
textured or translucent fabrics to give a fresh and contemporary window treatment.
!8ey directions for drapery are tonal light play using opa*ue patterns on sheer, spectrum ombre,
with important colours including plum and violet shades, sunburst oranges, yellow, watermelon
and a myriad of greens.)
With dramatic new directions in curtaining emerging over the coming months, it/s evident that
the category itself is also being used in new ways# ways that sit particularly well with the need
for flexibility and adaptability in modern homes, ?ike says.
!"urtaining is not only being reserved for window dressings but can also be used as soft and
flexible room divide, with curtain tracks running around a space to create translucent divides
with sheer fabrics.)
"harles ?arsons/ product development manager, ichelle 4reeves, says curtaining trends are
leaning towards natural, earthy colours from pastels to woody colours like terracotta and also
linen, flax and calico fabrications.
!The best way to describe these fabrics is .reclaimed fabrics/# hessian, raw silks, linen, hemp,
cotton, tweed and herringbone wool,) 4reeves says. !;pulent tradition is being turned on its
head and stylised ethnic influences from all over the world meet with novel patterns, prints and
fabrics# 3frican, 3@tec# indigenous craft is the new direction.)
4reeves notes that many key curtaining trends have their roots in recent social and cultural
change.
!The global financial crisis, natural catastrophes, a surfeit of products and information are
causing people to pause, to think about and reflect on their current lifestyle. Nowadays, a
decisive factor in purchasing decisions is the consideration about what is really important.
!=n recent years, consumers have built on an ethical self&image, concrete *uality and service
demands, which they want to maintain, even in difficult financial times.
Jennifer %onnelly, senior marketing coordinator at Wilson 'abrics, agrees, adding that economic
considerations have led many consumers to spruce up their existing home, rather than movg.
!"hanging the window coverings is an essential element in this.)
This could be one reason behind the re&emergence of prints as a key trend over the next :9
months, albeit with a more modern and contemporary feel, she adds.
!There is still a market for the more traditional floral prints and -ac*uards# however, they seem to
be taking a slightly different direction. There is an emerging trend for abstract or oversi@ed
florals, giving items a surreal beauty. There also seems to be a push towards romantic florals,
using more of a vintage touch# very sophisticated colous palettes.)
There is an emerging trend for abstract or o&ersi'ed f"ora"s, giving items a surreal beauty
Wilson is also seeing an increase in stripes in both hori@ontal and vertical varieties, in particular,
two&tone or multi&coloured stripes of varying or uniform stripe widths. %onnelly also notes
increased interest in fabrics that feature fine detail and intricacy on larger scales than
traditionally seen, such as the popular Ja@@ leaf style.
=n terms of colour, natural and earthy tones and textures will continue to be popular due to
demand for natural, eco&friendly products, with the Windsor sheer experiencing an outstanding
response due to its natural linen look and excellent draping properties.
!3t the same time, consumers seem to becoming more daring and confident with the use of
colour in the home, and we are seeing touches of vibrant colours becoming ever more popular,
in particular bold greens, reds, corals and fuchsias
!<elvet also appears to be on the comeback and in large colour palettes covering the full
spectrum, from the basic cream and ivory, through to the warm reds, burnt oranges and fuchsia,
then to the cool blues, greens and purples, all the way to the dark charcoals and blacks. The
sheer softness of the velvets allow for a very luxurious and soft drape
!$mbroideries are also becoming more popular as a more embellished, luxurious option.
$mbroidery offers the extra element of sophistication, elegance and texture that will continue to
be in demand over the next :9 months. The sheer elegance of the embroidered designs lends
imsels to the more floral or botanical designs, which allow for the detail and flowing lines of the
foliage
!We do foresee the curtain trend continuing, particularly as consumers become more
environmentally conscious and where energy saving is at the forefront of people/s minds,)
%onnelly says. !Windows are critical to the overall energy&efficiency of a homeA in regards to
window coverings, drapes and pelmets are the most efficient at reducing heat loss in winter and
heat gain in summer.)
!B"urtainsA also offer much more variety in terms of colour and design than other window
coverings. The sheer flexibility and choice in design, colour and texture of curtain fabric allows
consumers to easily match their d1cor and tastes and also gives the option of further
coordinating their home by using a complementary fabric on accessories such as cushions,
pillows and upholstery.)
'or the foreseeable future at least, drapes/ status as an outlet for design creativity,
environmental awareness and even cultural expression looks assured.
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