We recently completed a beautiful project in Beaconsfield where we designed and fitted bespoke window treatments, lovingly tailored to enhance the style and practical needs of the spaces. From luxurious curtains with considered detailing, to thoughtfully constructed pelmets, every element was created to complement the elegant room whilst creating a warm and welcoming environment.
Clever Design with Contrast Panelling
A highlight of this project was finding a way to add contrast and detail to a bedroom wallpapered in Sanderson’s Aperigon Parade. We designed a striking pair of curtains featuring a textured neutral fabric, GP & J Baker’s Baker House Plain in Parchment, for the body of the curtains and then added a border in a more detailed fabric, Fermoie’s Wicker in Yellow. Instead of using this fabric across the entire curtain, we focused it on the leading edges to create visual impact as well as contrast.
This detailing not only added sophistication and structure to the curtains, but it also highlighted the luxurious texture and pattern of the featured fabric. In addition, the Fermoie fabric detailing highlighted the moulded picture rail in the room. To bring the whole look together, we echoed the colour from the contrast panel on the coordinating pelmet by using a matching trim, Samuel & Son’s Julienne in Oro. It’s a small detail with a big design payoff, showing how thoughtful material use can result in a refined and elevated finish. This use of contrasting fabrics can also be a good solution for incorporating patterns in a more subtle way, and can also be a way to make very expensive fabrics go a bit further.
The Unsung Hero: Why We Love Pelmets
Pelmets often go unnoticed in the grand scheme of window dressings, but they are one of the most versatile and impactful elements in a room. In this project, pelmets played a key role in achieving a cohesive and polished look across a traditional and contemporary space.
One of the main advantages of using a pelmet is that it offers a neat and tailored finish by concealing the curtain tracks or hardware. They also allow for a degree of design flexibility, especially in homes with quirks like uneven window heights, large radiators, or oversized curtain poles. By designing the pelmet to align with features such as coving or picture rails, the window treatments feel intentional and seamlessly integrated into the architecture of the room.
In this project in a second bedroom, we created a striking blind in James Hare’s Paxton fabric in Red/Gold and added a pelmet to add presence and height to the overall look of the window. Warner House’s Onion Fringe in Spice was the finishing touch to the blind, giving the overall result a truly bespoke treatment, and a contemporary feel to this blackout and interlined roman blind.
Aesthetically, pelmets are chameleons. Whether your space is ultra-modern or classically styled, they can be designed to complement your look. With endless options in fabric, shape, and trimming, they elevate the entire window, making it feel more substantial and thoughtfully curated.
Delicate Voile for Soft Privacy and Light
In the first bedroom, a unique voile panel was fitted inside the window which overlooked the road to offer full privacy without impacting the light. Andrew Martin’s Holland fabric in Ivory featured delicate paper hand-appliqued onto a fine transparent voile to create a gentle floral effect. The fabric was particularly delicate and beautifully chosen not only for its graceful appearance but also for its ability to softly filter light while maintaining a sense of openness.
What made this voile especially unique was that it was a handmade sheer, with a fine layer of printed paper appliquéd directly onto the fabric. This artisanal technique created a barely-there pattern that added visual interest without detracting from the light, airy quality of the fabric. The result was a softly diffused glow that bathed the room in natural daylight, offering a calm and refined atmosphere. This delicate pattern was best made up as a flat panel and is a perfect example of how functionality and beauty can coexist when working with carefully selected, thoughtfully crafted materials.
Summary
This Beaconsfield project showcases how bespoke window treatments can blend beauty and function. From the handmade voile offering light-filtering privacy to the clever use of contrast panelling and coordinating trims, each detail was carefully considered. The addition of tailored pelmets brought cohesion and a polished, made-to-measure look. It’s a clear example of how thoughtful design can make every element count.
