Easy way to create Drama with Curtains

I subscribe to Style at Home Magazine because I do so much decorating and styling in my business, I always get at least one (usually more) idea that I can actually use with one of my clients. When I saw these little attic rooms Sarah Richardson designed, I had to show you the curtains. Here these small windows are totally transformed by hanging the drapery so much higher than the window.

By the way, the white drapery above, probably came from IKEA, these panels are a heavy cotton so as long as you don’t use a skinny rod from IKEA (that’s what makes them look cheap) you can create a really great custom look inexpensively. I used them in a media room to cover up some really ugly metal closet doors.

I would have painted this room Pink Pearl (Benjamin Moore) it’s my favourite pink, it goes with all the pink furniture you buy off the shelf, it’s just the perfect girly colour, I spec it all the time. With pink you have to be careful because the colour you think looks good on the chip, can look like bubblegum on the walls. Not good unless that’s the look you’re going for!

Anyways, back to the drapery I was talking about, look how high they are installed! So great. Two little panels and the whole room appears taller.



See the drapes below? They are also from IKEA. Since drapery can get expensive custom made, the smart way to do it for a song (especially for children’s rooms) is to buy the drapes first and then decorate around them. Notice how the drapes have been hung from a rod with clips or rings instead of sliding them through the pocket (which is how they are designed) for a custom look once again. I used them last year in a condo I staged for a client.



Sarah generally chooses very pale colours for the walls but I truly believe interior designers that haven’t spent 10 years and close to 1,500 consultations specifying colour, [like me] looking at it, and analyzing it, should actually hire a colour professional when finalizing wall colour for their clients because it’s not easy – as you all know!

If you would like to schedule a Colour and Design consultation with Maria in person or via email, please call 604.318.9725 or email me at info@mariakillam.com.