Curtains Unlimited

If you have ever attempted to dress a window, you likely found that the options for window treatments are as varied as the shapes and sizes of windows themselves. With advice from our panel of designers, we'll help you troubleshoot your most complicated curtain dilemma.

The Basics: Height, Length, and Fullness

Height: Many designers prefer to hang curtains as high as possible―usually just below the crown molding―to make ceilings feel taller and elongate the profile of the window. But in some cases, with high ceilings or low windows, that can be too high.

• "If you have valances, going all the way to the crown molding may make the valances too deep and heavy." - Cathy Kincaid
• "I like windows to look tall and willowy, but I don't like to take curtains all the way to the crown―it looks too crammed at the top. I try to keep curtains at least a couple inches below the crown―several inches below if the ceilings are very tall―so it's clear you're dressing the window, not the wall."- Jackye Lanham
• "Always drop down two inches from the crown molding so there's breathing room." - David Mitchell

Length: Curtains should generally be floor-length unless they're casual curtains in a kitchen or café curtains. Most designers prefer curtains to just touch the floor, with a small, perhaps half-inch, break.

• "I cannot stand draperies that are too long and puddle on the floor. I like neat." - William Diamond.
• But there are still traditionalists who prefer their lush draperies to puddle. "A puddle of four to six inches changes the way the fabric falls and adds elegance." - Mitchell Brown.

Fullness: Fullness depends somewhat on the fabric and the style of pleats. The rule of thumb for most fabrics (see: Sides Talks Fabric) is that the finished curtains measure two-and-a-half times the width of the window, but for sheers and silk, designers often prefer three times for fullness.

Box pleats generally require fabric three times the length of the curtain rod for the correct fullness, while a flatter style of panel, such as a scalloped top or grommeted panel may need only one-and-a-half times the curtain rod length.

• "To save money, choose stationary side panels rather than operable curtains, which don't require as much fabric." - Michael Tavano

 
Hardware: Rods, Rings, and Finials
Designers often put as much thought and custom detail into the hardware as they do the curtain panels themselves.

• "We might use mahogany or walnut poles or poles that have been ebonized, gilded, or japanned. We use steel or dark iron for more informal settings, and finer wood for more formal or traditional rooms."- Alessandra Branca
• "We might glaze rods the same color as the paneling in a room, so that they almost disappear, or we might pull a color from the wallcovering for the rod and add giltwood finials. However, if the color is too different from the ground color of the draperies, it creates a horizontal line at the top of the window that is distracting and brings the eye down." - William R. Eubanks
• "You want to have rods and rings that are in proportion to the size of the room and windows. In a generous room, that might mean a three-inch-diameter rod. There's nothing worse than skimpy rods and rings that look like they don't support the weight of the curtains." - Mitchell Brown
• "I like brown bronze rods, with just buttons on the end -- very clean, very pretty. No gilded poles or oversize finials." - David Mitchell
• "I find that wood rings and brackets tend to be too big and clunky, so I might use a wood pole with metal rings and metal or gold doré finials."- Jackye Lanham

SPECIAL CASES

Palladian windows: Despite the popularity of this type of window (a large center window topped by an arched window and flanked by two side panels), designers agree that Palladian windows are one of their biggest challenges.

If the window cannot be left uncovered, curtains can be hung above the arch. The consensus is that the rod should not be hung at the bottom of the arch because that bisects the window.

Another option for arched windows is to hang a soft shade or swag that follows the curve, with matching shades on the adjacent windows. Thomas Jayne suggests using a curtain similar in color to the walls so it blends in rather than calls attention to itself.

French doors: Curtains should completely clear the doors so they can open. Or mount Roman shades onto each door. Thomas Jayne once designed flat panels with buttonholes that attached to small brass cleats.

If a wall or room is lined with pairs of French doors, consider running a rod all the way across the wall, or a track all the way around the room, and flanking each set of doors with curtains. "What you don't want to do is have one long valance and one set of curtains for multiple sets of French doors," says Cathy Kincaid.

Bay or bow windows: Bay windows are often best addressed with shutters or soft fabric shades. Another option is to hang floor-length curtains on each side, and possibly run a cornice or valance across the top of the window. Custom curtain tracks can be curved or angled to match a bay or bow window.

Problem Solving With Curtains

Curtains can compensate for architectural shortcomings, such as low ceilings or little detail; windows that are too low, too high, too wide, or too small; and windows that don't match, aren't positioned symmetrically, or are stuck in a corner. Here, designers share their favorite ways to improve a room with curtains.

• "If ceilings are low, shorten the valance to about 10 inches so it doesn't feel too heavy."- Cathy Kincaid
• "Hang draperies from the ceiling or just below the crown molding to lift the eye and make a small space or low ceiling appear larger."- William R. Eubanks
• "When the windows are too low in the room, you can place the valance at the crown molding, and then hang a fabric or woven shade beneath the valance to the top of the window, so the window appears to be the height of the shade. Shades or blinds are a good way to conceal that empty space, rather than having a valance that's too large." - William Diamond
• "When you really need to change a room, put curtains around the perimeter of the room, and then use tiebacks for all the openings-doorways, windows, bookcases. You can use draperies to flank columns or a mirrored wall to create symmetry where it doesn't exist." - William Diamond
• "If ceilings or windows feel too tall, you might choose curtains with a horizontal or railroaded stripe to give them more volume on the sides."- Jackye Lanham

Beyond the Window: More Options for Curtains

Although windows are a natural home for curtains, a room can benefit from the same soft expanse of fabric in other places. Here, designers suggest some of their favorite unexpected uses.

• "We love portieres, which are curtains across doorways. There's a drama to them, and they're stylish because most people don't do them." - William Diamond
• "I use portieres on door openings instead of doors, especially where a door would be in the way, such as walk-in closets, pantries, and entries to kitchens." - Jackye Lanham
• "We will sometimes tent an entire room or put curtains tied back at every opening." - William Diamond
• "You can make a beautiful curtain, with a valance and traverse rod, as a shower curtain to hide the bathtub. We also sometimes hang curtains halfway around a bed instead of a canopy." - Cathy Kincaid
• Many designers use simple curtains of canvas or outdoor fabric in loggias to provide shade. "There's nothing like white canvas curtains blowing in the breeze." - William Diamond

RESOURCES: Cathy Kincaid, Cathy Kincaid Interiors, 214/522-0856; Jackye Lanham, Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, 404/364-0472; David Mitchell, David H. Mitchell Interior Design, 202/797-0780, www.davidmitchellinteriordesign.com; William Diamond, Diamond Baratta Design, 212/966-8892, www.diamondbarattadesign.com; Mitchell Brown and William R. Eubanks, William R. Eubanks Interior Design Inc., 901/452-6975, www.williamreubanks.com; Michael Tavano, Michael Tavano Design, 212/564-0034, www.michaeltavano.com; Alessandra Branca, Atelier Branca, 312/787-6123, www.branca.com; Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jayne Studio, 212/838-9080, www.thomasjaynestudio.com