New look for new season

On many other continents it is considered acceptable to pack away the winter drapes and get out the summer ones.

I would love to do this.

My summer drapes would be light and ethereal like James Dunlop's Laconia Air in a cool Linen shade to keep things calm on a hot afternoon.

All of our suppliers have a range of Linen or Linen look wide width fabrics in an array of natural shades and textures from Winter White through the cool stones and greys and into the warm sand and wheat colours. This is a modern look that will be around for many style seasons yet to come. The colour pallet is designed to complement and soften the current trend of minimalist, semi industrial or Scandi look interiors. Think white on white with hints of grey and a splash of black.

The trick to make them work for winter is to have a lining on a separate track to the inside, coloured to match or contrasting to make a statement.

My winter drapes would be a romantic and luscious velvet like Ashley Wilde Alaska in a bold colour, such as Emerald or Teal.

Yes velvets are very much back in fashion and there are different weights and styles on offer from many of the fabric houses. There is a range of wild colours, such as soft buttery creams through to vivid jewel-like hues that only a velvet can hold.

If velvet drapes are a bit more than you can handle, consider a couch, an occasional chair or even a cushion (or 12).

The one item that would stay all year round would be the newest Hardware available; The Patented Perfekt© curtain suspension system from the Rufflette brand. Elegant, streamlined tracks and rods that have powdercoated components so the end caps and brackets are all a perfect colour match and will stay that way over time. So handsome they will take pride of place over every window all year round and for many years to come.