Beyond Drapery

I have always loved fabric. I love the way it feels, the way it looks and the way it can be transformed perpetually into infinite creations for the same window and for different windows. And in home décor, fabric can be used in so many ways beyond drapery to dramatically transform a space.

Upholstered Walls are more popular where walls are made of wood or wood based products. In Trinidad and Tobago, with or mainly concrete walls, this practice is very rare. So when done it is unexpected and rather dramatic. Consider covering a wall in silk for a super luxury or in burlap for a more natural and elemental look and feel. Walls can be soft, textured and touchable. Our humidity can pose a problem so I do not advise upholstering the walls of bathrooms or any room with moisture. Natural silk will disintegrate over time if exposed to direct sunlight, so prefer faux silks. Other decorator fabrics, denim, upholstery fabrics, leather or faux leather are just some of the fabrics that can be suitable for this treatment. A classic treatment is to upholster the wall behind your bed – just like a large scale upholstered headboard.

from My Notting Hill

Portieres. I remember my mom using fabric in the living room entry to the passageway that led to our bedrooms. At that time we called it the ‘passage curtain’. Fabric can be used anywhere a door might be used or between 2 rooms. They do not necessarily need to totally cover the openings. They can merely soften up the hard lines. Portieres, the proper name for these ‘curtains’ must look finished on both sides. They can be as simple, as stylish or as elegant as you need it to be. Mom’s portieres were always well coordinated with her living room drapery on the living room side and simple on the passage side.

Tenting. Yes, this is exactly what you think it is.  Imagine being inside a fabulous circus “bigtop” and looking up at all of that great tenting – well, you can do that on your high ceilings too!  This technique is used quite successfully in event decorating and can be beautiful in a bedroom, and works well in an outside space as well.  You can also “tent” the walls, covering up a lot of wall issues and sins.

Bed Drapings. Beyond the regular pillows shams and bed linen, bed canopies, testers and half testers can frame your bed luxuriously. Bed drapings can be used quite successfully in very modern and contemporary settings. Simple, tailored treatments can update this treatment that is normally seen as traditional and frou-frou. Use beautiful hardware and fabric and frame your headboard and ‘envelope’ your bed without the feeling of being overwhelmed. I am also in love with simple bed scarves. You can inject colour and texture very creatively and inexpensively.

Slipcovers. A room can be quickly and easily ‘made over’ with slipcovers for your upholstered furniture, and even for furniture that is not upholstered. It is so easy to change the look and feel of your room – and it doesn’t have to be permanent.  You can use slipcovers on your traditional pieces such as your sofa and chairs, but don’t forget your “hard” pieces.  Side chairs or benches, or even tables can be slip covered, giving your pieces a completely new and updated look, completely making over your rooms.

So when you are looking around your home, wondering where you can add that gorgeous new piece of fabric you just found, do something different and look beyond drapery.