Window Dressing: 10 Cool New Treatments for Fashionable Windows
From curtains and blinds to shades and panels, we welcome these on-trend and timeless window coverings
Julia Fairley
29 October 2017
Houzz editorial team. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Houzz editorial team. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated... More
Lift the curtain on the current season of window coverings and you’ll discover new designs and old favourites, all of which are smarter than ever. As well as opening, closing and adjusting the angle of your window dressings, many motorised systems now boast timers and let you program different settings for each room with smart phone apps or a tap of your tablet. And on top of being clever, these contemporary trends in window coverings are proving classy as well.
1. Blind ambition
Luxaflex Window Fashions recently unveiled a new print collection in its 2017 season launch, with stylish roller blinds in both sheer and blockout textiles. This Spring Bloom range in Verona was born from an artistic collaboration between Luxaflex and David Lennie, co-owner of Signature Prints. Lennie was inspired by the seminal fabrics and wallpapers of Arts and Crafts designer, William Morris.
Tip: Roller blinds can be hung in two ways: back-roll, where the roll is visible; and front-roll, where it’s hidden from view.
Luxaflex Window Fashions recently unveiled a new print collection in its 2017 season launch, with stylish roller blinds in both sheer and blockout textiles. This Spring Bloom range in Verona was born from an artistic collaboration between Luxaflex and David Lennie, co-owner of Signature Prints. Lennie was inspired by the seminal fabrics and wallpapers of Arts and Crafts designer, William Morris.
Tip: Roller blinds can be hung in two ways: back-roll, where the roll is visible; and front-roll, where it’s hidden from view.
2. Top down, bottom up
A recent innovation has freed window shades from traditional restrictive mechanisms that only allowed them to be opened from the top. As part of the company’s new collection, Luxaflex Window Fashions launched a range of motorised Duette shades that open from the top down as well as from the bottom up, or glide from side to side on a ceiling-mounted track. Duette designs are available in translucent fabrics and blockout opacities, which help prevent your furnishings from fading and let you control how much direct or filtered light enters your home.
A recent innovation has freed window shades from traditional restrictive mechanisms that only allowed them to be opened from the top. As part of the company’s new collection, Luxaflex Window Fashions launched a range of motorised Duette shades that open from the top down as well as from the bottom up, or glide from side to side on a ceiling-mounted track. Duette designs are available in translucent fabrics and blockout opacities, which help prevent your furnishings from fading and let you control how much direct or filtered light enters your home.
3. Ombré window treatments
Remember the recent two-toned trend that saw curtains sporting different coloured hems? Ombré window coverings follow hot on its heels, though instead of being sewn from different coloured fabrics, these curtains and blinds have a dipped or tie-dyed appearance. This technique gives a more gradual variation in colour than the starker contrast seen in the two-toned trend.
6 Ways to Successfully Mix Window Treatments
Remember the recent two-toned trend that saw curtains sporting different coloured hems? Ombré window coverings follow hot on its heels, though instead of being sewn from different coloured fabrics, these curtains and blinds have a dipped or tie-dyed appearance. This technique gives a more gradual variation in colour than the starker contrast seen in the two-toned trend.
6 Ways to Successfully Mix Window Treatments
4. Two-toned trend
If the bedroom of this Castlecrag home in Sydney is anything to go by, it looks like the two-toned trend has been turned on its side. In the latest manifestation of this window fashion, sheer curtains by No Chintz hang elegantly in contrasting vertical panels instead of horizontal ones.
If the bedroom of this Castlecrag home in Sydney is anything to go by, it looks like the two-toned trend has been turned on its side. In the latest manifestation of this window fashion, sheer curtains by No Chintz hang elegantly in contrasting vertical panels instead of horizontal ones.
5. Natural fibres
Many new season window treatments have turned up the texture – fabrics show off their natural fibres, textiles are more tactile and prints display an added depth. But taking out the top gong in textured window treatments are cane blinds, which seem to be stepping back into the spotlight.
Cane window coverings fell out of favour several decades ago. However, as this rustic cane creation by No Chintz proves, this is a welcome case of history repeating.
Tip: Cane and highly textured natural fibres diffuse sound and improve interior acoustics.
Many new season window treatments have turned up the texture – fabrics show off their natural fibres, textiles are more tactile and prints display an added depth. But taking out the top gong in textured window treatments are cane blinds, which seem to be stepping back into the spotlight.
Cane window coverings fell out of favour several decades ago. However, as this rustic cane creation by No Chintz proves, this is a welcome case of history repeating.
Tip: Cane and highly textured natural fibres diffuse sound and improve interior acoustics.
6. Tropical textiles
If you’re still in love with the bold tropical prints that have been brightening up our interiors and wardrobes these past few years, you’ll be happy to hear this trend seems set to stay for at least another season. Interior designer Tamsin Johnson jumped on board with bright tropical graphics when she and Patrick Johnson renovated their Sydney home.
This Martinique palm leaf print hangs loud and proud, resplendent in all its Beverly Hills glory.
Browse homes with colourful curtains on Houzz
If you’re still in love with the bold tropical prints that have been brightening up our interiors and wardrobes these past few years, you’ll be happy to hear this trend seems set to stay for at least another season. Interior designer Tamsin Johnson jumped on board with bright tropical graphics when she and Patrick Johnson renovated their Sydney home.
This Martinique palm leaf print hangs loud and proud, resplendent in all its Beverly Hills glory.
Browse homes with colourful curtains on Houzz
7. Black is the new… black
White and timber venetian blinds have hogged the limelight for decades, but darker shades are beginning to join them. In this 2017 renovation in Narrabundah, ACT, Chadwick Designs fitted these grand full-height windows with black external venetian blinds. As well as being capable of withstanding the weather, external venetians offer insulating and sun-blocking properties too. Sheer curtains adorn the windows’ interiors and, in keeping with the latest technology, both are motorised.
White and timber venetian blinds have hogged the limelight for decades, but darker shades are beginning to join them. In this 2017 renovation in Narrabundah, ACT, Chadwick Designs fitted these grand full-height windows with black external venetian blinds. As well as being capable of withstanding the weather, external venetians offer insulating and sun-blocking properties too. Sheer curtains adorn the windows’ interiors and, in keeping with the latest technology, both are motorised.
8. Panel perfection
Layered fabric panels stylishly borrow aesthetics from both curtains and blinds, filling the void between the two. Here, alternating panels of the same fabric overlap and bring an added sense of depth to the bedroom of this New York townhouse, while filtering sunlight and providing privacy.
A Complete Guide to Curtain Styles
Layered fabric panels stylishly borrow aesthetics from both curtains and blinds, filling the void between the two. Here, alternating panels of the same fabric overlap and bring an added sense of depth to the bedroom of this New York townhouse, while filtering sunlight and providing privacy.
A Complete Guide to Curtain Styles
9. Matching motifs
There’s nothing new about using the same fabric to upholster different pieces throughout your home, and it’s a trend that seems set to stay, so it deserves a mention. Here, Warwick Fabrics’ matching Euphoria Lagoon and Rapture Lagoon prints adorn the furniture, cushions and curtains.
This new range of textiles continues the current trend of watercolour-inspired fabrics that have swept into homes and wardrobes around the world. Warwick Fabrics uses the same colours in slight pattern variations to create a complementary collection.
Tip: Buy more fabric than you need for your window coverings and use what’s left over to upholster an item of furniture or make some cushion covers.
There’s nothing new about using the same fabric to upholster different pieces throughout your home, and it’s a trend that seems set to stay, so it deserves a mention. Here, Warwick Fabrics’ matching Euphoria Lagoon and Rapture Lagoon prints adorn the furniture, cushions and curtains.
This new range of textiles continues the current trend of watercolour-inspired fabrics that have swept into homes and wardrobes around the world. Warwick Fabrics uses the same colours in slight pattern variations to create a complementary collection.
Tip: Buy more fabric than you need for your window coverings and use what’s left over to upholster an item of furniture or make some cushion covers.
10. Curtain call
Likewise, it will come as no surprise that we still love layered window coverings. By doubling up with sheer curtains or blinds in the background and statement drapes or shades in the foreground, you can alternate between a light, breezy atmosphere or a bold, dramatic ambience. That additional layer of fabric also provides better sound and heat insulation, and lets you control how much light enters a room to reduce fading.
Here, Warwick Fabrics’ striking Tempest drapes in ‘Charcoal’ take centre stage, while a light sheer peeks out from behind. The plush, heavy fabric also gives a nod to the geometric and metallic crazes that are currently in vogue.
Tell us
Which new season window fashions have you embraced, or which old classics continue to endure in your home? Tell us in the Comments below and join the conversation.
More
Find shutter, blind and curtain professionals on Houzz
Likewise, it will come as no surprise that we still love layered window coverings. By doubling up with sheer curtains or blinds in the background and statement drapes or shades in the foreground, you can alternate between a light, breezy atmosphere or a bold, dramatic ambience. That additional layer of fabric also provides better sound and heat insulation, and lets you control how much light enters a room to reduce fading.
Here, Warwick Fabrics’ striking Tempest drapes in ‘Charcoal’ take centre stage, while a light sheer peeks out from behind. The plush, heavy fabric also gives a nod to the geometric and metallic crazes that are currently in vogue.
Tell us
Which new season window fashions have you embraced, or which old classics continue to endure in your home? Tell us in the Comments below and join the conversation.
More
Find shutter, blind and curtain professionals on Houzz
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Thanks for sharing very useful information and good blinds nice post.
window blinds