There is something about fabric that can completely change the feeling of a room. Curtains are often thought of as the finishing touch, but fabric can take many forms, from canopies and walling to bed valances and cushions. Each brings softness, warmth and texture to an interior. Here, we take a moment to look at the different ways we use fabric within our schemes.
Firstly, curtains can do much more than frame a window. They can soften architectural details and edges, helping to shape a space while adding warmth and texture to a room.
Curtains need not only belong at windows. In the Drawing Room at Warren Street Hotel, we added curtains to an internal window and wall, using them to divide the space when needed. Rather than introducing another hard architectural boundary, the fabric creates a softer way to separate the room.
Drapery can be architectural too. There is something quite magical about being surrounded by fabric, particularly when sleeping. A canopy bed creates a strong presence within a room, while layers of drapery make the space feel inviting and cocooning.
Fabric also brings a warmth and texture that paint or wallpaper cannot quite achieve. Fabric-covered walls add a tailored quality while creating a cosy atmosphere. They can also soften sound and bring a sense of intimacy, which is particularly lovely in smaller spaces where you want to feel cocooned.
Even the smaller details can make a difference. A bed valance can give a room a tailored and finished feel, as well as providing another opportunity to introduce colour or pattern. Picking up a fabric from elsewhere in the room can also help to connect the different elements of a scheme.
And never underestimate the power of a cushion. These smaller pieces of fabric are an easy way to bring personality into a room, whether through texture, colour, pattern or an unexpected combination of all three.
Ultimately, it is about layering, bringing together colour, pattern, texture and comfort to create rooms that feel warm and inviting. The best interiors should welcome you in. They should feel comfortable and above all, lived in.