intrusion. In short, interlining adds a lot to the look but not a massive amount to the cost.


Curtains come with a variety headings. The basic types such as pencil pleat, where a tape is pulled up to achieve a kind of “soldiers in a row” effect, are the entry level. Eyelet headings, where a pole goes through the top of the curtains, can look very smart in a contemporary room – but very preferably a chunky 50mm diameter pole with 70mm eyelets. Wave heading is the relatively new kid on the block, and gives a similar effect to eyelet headings, except that instead of having a pole go through the curtains there is a very discreet track fitted above them. This is a heading that works best in a contemporary setting. My out and out favourite though is hand pinch pleat, sometimes called French pleat. Here the fabric is hand sewn into groups of 3 pleats, which when professionally fitted and dressed gives the most elegant of effects. The curtains can be hung from a track or a pole, or surmounted by a pelmet, and will look equally at home in a contemporary or traditional setting.


Just a few words about poles before we move on. The variety of poles available today is truly staggering, ranging from traditional wood, through all sorts of metal finishes, to clear acrylic and high gloss lacquer in more or less any colour. There are amazing finials (the bits that go on the end) incorporating leather, suede, hand blown glass, Swarovski crystal, and even ones that light up !!!


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One more thing about poles; do please be thoughtful when choosing the diameter. Here, the general rule is the chunkier the better. For most windows we would recommend a minimum of 45mm diameter, however 50mm – 55mm adds impact and balance.


Pelmets are still (and I think always will be) very much in vogue, and can add that extra bit of drama and style that some rooms really need. In a contemporary room the pelmet will probably be a straight band or geometrically shaped, possibly piped along the bottom, whereas in a traditional setting you can really go to town. A sumptuous, scrolled and sweeping pelmet looks amazing, and gives the weight and importance that a large Georgian or Victorian window needs. Once again though, getting the proportion right is


essential. Thin and weedy pelmets do nothing to balance a window, or indeed bring anything much to the party. A successful pelmet will usually be between one eighth and one sixth of the overall drop of the window.


The current (and very welcome) trend towards maximalism – I’ll be writing about that in the coming months – can even lead us back to one of my guilty pleasures – swags and tails. We recently installed 2 sets in a traditional living room, and they looked magnificent !!!


When I started to write this article I had fully intended to talk about blinds as well as curtains – but as usual I got swept up in enthusiasm for the product, so blinds will have to wait for another day. I do love my job !!!


JOHN BIDDELL - JOHN CHARLES INTERIORS 349 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B17 8DL T. 0121 420 3977 www.johncharlesinteriors.co.uk


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