As winter settles in and the days grow shorter, the quality of natural light changes dramatically. We instinctively seek warmth, comfort and a sense of cocooning within our homes, layering textures and tones to counter the season’s crisp and cool stillness. This is the perfect time to consider how we dress our windows, the eyes of the room, not only to welcome precious daylight but also to soften its edges and create a gentler and more inviting glow.
Curtains have a remarkable way of achieving this. Hung from a fabric wrapped lathe and fascia, our curtains frame the room with effortless grace. A beautiful fabric can completely transform the ambience of a space, whether through a delicate print that glows in the winter sun, embroidery that catches the light like snowflakes, or a soft linen that adds a sense of weight and serenity.
For an added sense of theatre, Italian strung curtains sing like an opera, serenading your space with drama and romance. The generous drapes and folds fall with an old world reverie that elevates the room.
Even in small nooks, we love to dress windows with curtains. What may seem tricky with a fitted pole can be solved with a pivoted rod, which allows the curtains to swing outward and let in maximum daylight. The result is a beautifully textured window dressing that does not compromise the winter light. It truly is the best of both worlds.
Timeless and understated Roman blinds offer neat lines and gentle texture. Their structured folds create a horizon that guides the eye and grounds the space with calm simplicity. Both decorative and practical, they can introduce a vibrant pop of colour or a playful pattern, something especially valuable against the muted light of winter. Roman blinds frame the light beautifully while offering privacy and softness, a tailored finish that feels effortless yet considered.
We love using colour blocked blinds for an unexpected sense of arrival and delight, proof that beauty and balance do not always rely on symmetry. They also offer that much needed touch of sunshine we all crave during the colder months.
Layer Roman blinds with full length curtains to add depth, warmth and texture, a pairing that balances modern sophistication with timeless elegance. In winter, this combination not only helps insulate against chilly drafts but also transforms rooms into cosy and inviting retreats, creating a cocoon like atmosphere.
Sheer blinds act as a subtle veil that softens daylight rather than blocking it. Their translucent weave filters the winter sun into a gentle glow, creating privacy without losing a sense of connection to the outside world. Light, graceful and wonderfully versatile, sheer blinds introduce calm into any space.
This festive season, consider draping your spaces to bring layered comfort and to soften your windows, or even larger openings. In the lobby at Covent Garden Hotel, for example, we have used sumptuous needlepoint fabric for curtains at the entrance, creating an inviting and luxurious welcome that feels both festive and effortlessly warm.
Window treatments do far more than frame a window. They introduce warmth, texture and a sense of rhythm that elevates light, space and architectural features. During the festive season, they take on an added role by enhancing the cosy and celebratory atmosphere with layered fabrics and soft folds. As the perfect finishing touch, they make a room feel thoughtfully curated, elegantly composed and wonderfully complete.