From Georgian houses and old Oxfordshire cottages to contemporary extensions, no two windows are quite the same. Here are six questions I’m often asked when visiting clients in their homes.
1. What works best for a bay window?
A bay window is a little like someone spreading their arms and saying, “Hello, welcome.” It can be a wonderfully expressive space, wrapping itself around a sofa or framing a lovely view. The type of room and the atmosphere you want to create are always my starting point. Then I consider the shape of the bay, the number of panes and the fabric – its colour, texture, print or weave. Roman blinds can work beautifully, or we can have a pole or track bent to follow the shape of the windows, creating curtains that sit beautifully within the bay and make the most of the view.
2. Can you help with older properties where the walls, windows and floors aren't level?
Happiness is a house with character! From Georgian properties to 17th-century farmhouses, part of the pleasure is finding a fabric, curtain heading or blind treatment that feels right for the age and character of the house, as well as for the people living there today.
Uneven windows, floors and old plaster are all things I consider at the measuring stage. If walls are particularly soft or crumbly, we can use chemical resin fixings or wooden battens, or I may recommend that your builder strengthens the area before we fit.
3. What can I do with an unusually shaped window?
I love a challenge. Large windows, apex shapes, curves and unusually shaped windows all have a place in my heart. It’s about finding the right fabric and type of window dressing that works practically, but equally enhances the room and is in keeping with the style of the house. Sometimes an unusual window is one of the most interesting features of a room, so rather than trying to disguise it, I like to make the most of it.
4. Can curtains or blinds make my bedroom really dark?
Almost! As the evenings draw in, there’s something lovely about closing the curtains and creating a cosy bedroom. If you also like your room really dark for sleeping, there are lots of ways I can help. A blackout Roman or roller blind teamed with blackout curtains can make a huge difference. We can return the curtains to the wall at the sides and use a pelmet to help reduce light from above. It’s about getting the practical details right while still creating a bedroom that feels warm, comfortable and inviting.
5. Can I have privacy without losing natural light?
Sheer curtains are a lovely way to give daytime privacy while still allowing plenty of natural light into the room. Café curtains can work beautifully in the bay window of an Oxford home – giving privacy where you need it while leaving the top of the window open to the light. Full-length sheers, privacy roller blinds and Roman blinds can work beautifully too. It all depends on how overlooked the room is, how you use it and, of course, the look you want to create. For evening privacy, when the lights are on inside, you may want to layer them with another window dressing.
6. What works best for large windows and bi-fold doors?
Large windows often have a real wow factor, and clients are understandably unsure whether they want to cover them at all. There are so many ways to dress them that can enhance both the windows and the space around them. Fabric – its colour, texture, print and drape – can add softness and completely change the atmosphere of the room. From there, we can consider the practical details: sunlight, privacy, stack-back and whether a pole, track, curtains or sheers will work best.
In Summary
Every home, every window is different. I start by listening to what you like, how you want the room to feel and how you need the window dressing to work.
My role is to guide you through the choices and practical considerations, helping to create curtains or blinds that achieve the look you want while being beautifully made and fit for purpose.