From the Resene decorating blog › curtains
Adding or updating curtains in your home can serve many purposes, the most obvious being a quick and easy visual transformation. But there's lot more to curtains than meets the eye!
Curtains in Resene Pause Voile
Before you update your drapes, take a look at these pro tips to ensure your curtains look their best all year round.
Probably the most important part of the entire process is selecting the perfect curtains for your room. You have both fabric and design to consider, so don't rush this decision!
When it comes to the weight and material of your curtains, different fabrics serve different functional purposes. Thick, thermal curtains (or any with a blockout backing) keep rooms much darker as they don't allow light to permeate through. This makes them ideal for bedrooms where a dark room is essential to a good night's sleep.
Thermal curtains also keep rooms warmer in summer and cooler during winter due to their ability to create a seal between the window and your room. Homes affected by changeable weather conditions may benefit from these thicker curtains for an eco-friendly way to stay cool.
Light, gauzy curtains such as Resene Pause Voile don't completely block out the sun, making them perfect for rooms where you want to create a light, airy atmosphere. They help protect furniture from the sun's harmful rays in summer, while still letting light into the room.
Once you've decided on the weight and fabric of your desired curtain, it's time to select the colour and pattern. Check out the Resene Curtain Collection for an extensive range of neutral, bright, patterned and metallic options bound to suit any interior design palate.
Once you've made your curtain purchase, it's time to get them home and hang them up. Installing pencil pleat curtains is fairly straightforward, but there are some tips and tricks to follow in order to make the job easier.
Firstly, draw three cords on the curtain tape. These should be drawn on one side of the curtain, and tied together in a knot. Then do the same on the other side, gathering the curtain to the desired width and spacing pleats evenly along the length of the drape. Once it looks correctly spaced, tie the three cords on this side.
Place plastic hooks into the tape's top woven pocket at every four pleats or so. Once these are all in the curtain, attach the hooks to the tracks on the rail.
Washing and caring for your new curtains depends on the type of fabric used. Many varieties can be vacuumed regularly to eliminate dust, but for more specific care tips, follow these guidelines.
Polyester and polyester blend fabrics can be washed in warm water by hand. They are dry cleanable on a low temperature and on a short cycle, but shouldn't be bleached or wrung out.
Velvets and other specialty fabrics require a bit of TLC, but it's well worth it to maintain their lustrous finish. They're usually dry-clean only, and shouldn't be washed or ironed. Steam velvets and raised woven fabrics rather than pressing them.
Viscose, acetate, silk and wool blend fabrics are also dry-clean only, but can be ironed on a warm temperature. Don't wash them, though.
Finally, printed cotton, linen and hemp blends can be washed in warm water with a mild detergent, but avoid rubbing the fabric. Don't dry clean, bleach or tumble try these curtains – instead, let them drip dry in the shade, hanging by their hooks.
February 10, 2014
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