A regular ‘pinched pleat’ is usually 4” (below), pinching it at the top (see the one on the right between the bracket and the finial? That’s exactly what it looks like) makes it look more contemporary. These drapes come with hooks from the work-room and they are hung on rings similar to this one:
By the way if you have ‘off the shelf’ curtains hung up, make sure you have one ring in between the finial and the bracket like in the above image. When you hang them yourself it’s not as obvious that you should have one on the outside of the bracket.
Interior by Samantha PynnHere is the traditional 4” pinched pleat. It’s the most common pleat and you’re usually guaranteed to find it underneath a valance. If you have tall windows and a large room, a 6” pinched pleat works well. Also silk looks best in this traditional header, I would not use a top pinched pleat with it.
You can start to see why so much fabric is required. If you measure your window (don’t forget to add length for stacking so you don’t cover up the window with fabric) you then multiply that figure by 2 1/2 or 3 divided by 54 inches (fabric width) and that is how you figure out how many panels you need for any given window. One is usually too skimpy and that’s when the curtains really scream IKEA.
Fullness is very important. Custom drapery is not inexpensive, however it really transforms the look and feel of a room.
I have always loved this treatment with the sheers covering the window on top of what appears to be a window seat. Notice the hem is 6” instead of 4”. Since the hem is at eye level it’s more visually appealing.
This is an inverted pleat. Notice the effect is quite flat at the top, not suitable for just any window but here it looks terrific with the sheer roman shades. Also these drapes are stationary and used strictly for decoration.
This photo I’ve had for a long time as well, I love the soft effect of this simple roman shade with the 4” band sewn all the way around it. Notice it’s hanging on a slim rod as well.
This is a grommet curtain. Here is the same look with grommet curtains from IKEA. I love this treatment, it’s contemporary and doesn’t require as much fullness as regular pinched pleats although the labour costs a little more because each grommet needs to be attached to the panel.
Make sure you specify the right colour so that they match the rod you choose.
These drapes are clearly custom made with 2” banding framing each panel however they are sewn flat and hung on the rod with rings and clips (below).
This is an easier look to achieve when sewing your own curtains because you can simply clip them on but keep in mind they are better as decorative, stationary side panels as they are hard to draw back and forth if you need them for privacy and light control.
This is one style of a goblet pleat, there are a few but I like this one because it’s more contemporary and different from the 4” pinched pleat.
Here is a closer look. I specified this header with these drapes in this loft that I designed. See how the panel on the left side is wider than the other two? You can see if you look above the drapery that its actually covering the wall next to the window, but because the wall is covered with drapery it gives the illusion of a bigger window. So if you have a small window, dressing it with panels on both sides makes it look larger in addition to adding scale and balancing other items in the room.
I also specified them for this client (below) in their dining room and library. I love horizontal stripes, you can see the colour better and it’s more European.
Interior by Maria KillamIn this living room (below) I specified mock roman shades because we covered the windows with motorized sheer weave roller shades for light control which are underneath each one.
Interior by Maria Killam
You can see the roller shades here (below). A mock roman valance is also a great, clean, contemporary look and a less expensive alternative to a full roman shade.
Another valance treatment I really like is this one (below). It’s called a boxed pleat valance and its also great over top of kitchen windows, without panels of drapery.
Here it’s shown with full drapery panels and it’s curved, which is unusual.
This is the home of Larry King, decorated by his wife’s sister. I took this image from an Architectural Digest years ago. This is a simple treatment (okay I know this image doesn’t look simple) because you can just take a panel of fabric even if it’s unfinished and staple it up on the wall if you really wanted to. Here they are hung on tie backs, a very traditional look.
I have always wanted to do this for a clients space. Such a great idea to simply dress the wall with curtain fabric to achieve the effect of a window.
This is Sarah Richardson’s home (from a few years ago). It’s kind of hard to see but look at this simple pooling sheer which runs all the way along a track attached to the ceiling across the large windows in this living room.
Here’s a closer view, sorry about the writing. . . 
How about this floor to ceiling rough linen shower curtain? Is this fabulous or what?
This is the closest to tab top drapery that I would consider for any window and these are still probably custom made. It’s a great, beachy, casual look.
The reason I don’t like tab tops (above) is because they are sold everywhere ‘off-the-shelf’ and scream IKEA in my opinion. They are better than nothing though, so if they are the right colour for you and they are a price you can afford, snap them up quick! Just be sure you hang the rod high enough above the window so you don’t see the casing or heaven forbid the window through the tabs. Not a great look :)
Romantic Bedroom Curtains
The one good thing about the 80’s was that we just wrapped drapery fabric over top of rods and tracks to achieve this kind of look:
When I was married, many moons ago, we had a large bedroom with lots of windows, so I had my mom sew up some sheers to hang in front of the windows and then draped fabric over the rod just like this image above that I had found in a magazine. Very old, but I loved it at the time!
Here is a ruched, rod pocket, also a lovely romantic effect and probably not so hard to achieve on your own.
Another kind of ruching it looks like. This one I’ve never had made, but it’s pretty.
When you first start out designing curtains for clients, a good workroom is an absolute necessity as well as a great installer. I have worked with the same installer for 7 years and he has saved my butt so many times because there are so many different ways to hang curtains and window treatments, it takes a lot of experience to get it right because there is always a certain about of tweaking that goes on in the clients home.
When I was at High Point last year I was having a conversation with another designer about the difference between drapery in the East vs. the West. We are way more casual here in the Westcoast, my blogger friend Kimberley Grigg from Knotting Hill Interiors in Myrtle Beach frequently designs elaborate treatments like this one in this fabulous dining room below. It’s no wonder her blog is called It’s so Fabulous. It really is.
Which look is your favourite?
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.
Related posts:
Easy way to Create Drama with Drapery
How to Measure for a Curtain Rod
Managing Client Expectations
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