Chic shades offer a window of opportunity
Elevate your living space with natural textures, rich tones and programmable coverings
Switching out dated window treatments for on-trend dressings is a great way to freshen and contemporize a space. Here’s a rundown of where window treatments are heading today and into 2016. Ceiling-to-floor flow The biggest trend is a smooth line of drapery from ceiling to floor. To get the look, ceiling-height installation on rods or rails is key.
“We’re doing a lot of ceiling-mounted tracks especially in condos,” says Toronto-based interior designer Jill Greaves. “Inset tracks into the ceiling drywall or hide them behind a valance for a really clean, contemporary finish.” says Greaves.
Rod installations in traditional interiors or for ready-made drapes are also reaching new heights. “Readymades now come in longer lengths,” says Hilary Smyth, spokesperson for HomeSense. “We’re seeing them right at the ceiling and (drapery is) falling fully to the floor.” Natural textures Sheer, semi-sheer and opaque interpretations of linen are everywhere, even in highly textural fabrics such as burlap. “It’s all about natural fabrics,” Smyth says. “We’re seeing 100-percent Belgian linen stone-washed for a softer, looser hand and more casual look.”
Mary Dobson, co-ordinator of interior decorating at Georgian College agrees. “What I see is texture — linens, fabrics with a beautiful, natural feel. If it’s silk it has a more dull, textured hand to it, not those ballroom silks of the past.” Metallics At the other end of the spectrum are metallics — a niche compared to naturals. At HomeSense this fall, velvets have a lustre sheen. At Hunter Douglas, the hot-selling Alustra Silhouette combines a sheer outer layer with inner metallic vanes.
“Consumers want to feel everyday luxury, so we see a trend toward textiles and finishes with a bit more sheen,” says Kim Kiner, Hunter Douglas’s vice-president of textile and material design. Colour and pattern For fall, Earth-influenced ochres, plums, purple-greys and sienna tones are new, Greaves says. Similarly, fall/winter at HomeSense is all about rich, jewel tones.
Playful brights take over in spring/ summer 2016. Dale Sonier, of mac-FAB Fabrics in Toronto, saw beautiful water colour-effect florals that he calls the “new chintz” at the European markets. Technology Programmable (smart) window coverings are extending the trend of motorization.
“Our new Powerview motorization system is completely operable from your smart device and remote control,” says Kiner of Hunter Douglas. A concealed motor lets you operate blinds with a remote or you can preprogram “scenes” suiting the time of day from your tablet or phone. Layers A solitary roller blind or Roman has evolved into a layered look. Sheers under panels, or panels over shutters add versatility and warmth.
“Putting trendier side panels on top of a hard treatment like shutters is a great way to put your stamp on it,” says Dobson. Products with built-in layers at Hunter Douglas have spiked in sales, adds Kiner. Hardware Gold tones have solidly edged out cooler stainless steel. Look for burnished gold and brass. “It has a warmer, welcoming feel and doesn’t feel so machine-made,” Dobson says. Classic black is still a standby.
The unexpected Unusual juxtapositions in materials, finishes and installations are on the rise. “I see a mix of white, wooden or painted shutters on huge, modern windows,” says Greaves. “I’ve seen it commercially and now residential- ly.” Dobson sees similar surprising pairings of “honest” natural materials such as burlap detailed with pintucks or ruffles, edged in velvet, or even done in “loopy, poufy swags” and balloon curtains.
Instant decorating
The abundance of ready-made panels, says Dobson, has made instant decorating achievable.
“If you’re thinking about custom yellow drapes, try them in readymades first and make sure you love it before investing,” says Dobson. You can shop for and install new drapes in an afternoon before guests arrive, she adds.
Welcome to the brave, new world of dinner-party drapery.