
Full Length Curtains
There is nothing quite like a full-length pair of curtains. They look elegant, give visual height and even bring warmth to a room.
In their most basic form, curtains are gathered or made of pleated panels of fabric hanging from tracks or poles for privacy as well as insulation against noise and draught.
Give it a little more thought and what you will have is an opportunity to bring texture and pattern into a room. At night, curtains will make the room feel cosier and inviting.
We tend to think of curtains in pairs, but in the case of bay windows, you can make the most of its shape by hanging 4 curtains to create a sophisticated focal point and dress this otherwise awkward space.
Lots of factors need to be considered to make sure you get the best looking curtains for your bay. If the windows are large and sunny, choose a ‘Light Resistant’ lining as it will help your fabric last better and retain the colour for longer. Cooler rooms might benefit from a substantial interlining, as this will act as an insulating barrier.
To add a little ‘wow’ factor and drama try using either vertical or horizontal borders. For a softer approach you can use a leading edge in a suitable trimming – there are some great trimmings on the market i.e. bobbles, beadings even feathers!
For a more formal look you can hang the tie backs high up, of course, allowing the curtains to be drawn in a more swag like style.
The most important thing, however, is to embrace the shape of your bay window, celebrate its beauty and love the home you live in.

Create a Custom-Built Seating Area and dress it with Roman Blinds
I like working with bay windows. They vary so much in size and shape that no 2 bay windows are ever the same and this is precisely what makes dressing a bay window so challenging.
What ever window treatment you choose it is important to work with your windows and not against it. Don’t disguise or hide them in any way. Make the bay area a focal point, bring it into the heart of your scheme and make sure that, as well as looking good, the bay provides comfort and extra storage space.

This type of project requires skill so I suggest you call in a professional! A good carpenter or joiner should be able to build a good window seat for you that is both stylish and functional. You can finish dressing the area with Roman Blinds for a tailored, smart look. Add a few cushions to the seat, a small side table and all you will be missing is a good book and/or a glass of wine!
A window seat can work very well with most bay windows including Square Bays, Bend Bays or Semi-Circular Bays. Go ahead, celebrate your bay window!

How have you decorated your bay windows? Let us know!

Bay Window Solutions
At first glance Bay Windows are a tricky space to dress. The angles can be challenging to work with, not all poles can be bent, the radiator might be in the way of curtains, etc. The list of obstacles is rather long. However, there are a number of very practical, functional and rather stylish solutions to choose from.
Combine Roman Blinds with Curtains:
The Roman Blinds are a contemporary and simple solution for bay windows while the curtains can add extra privacy and warmth in the cooler months or simply be the decorative finishing touch, framing the window and adding a smart finish.
A tamed, toning colour will be the perfect match for a larger pattern with more impact. The curtains can be either left ‘standing’ or can be arranged on a pair of holdbacks for a more dressed look.
Coming up in Part 2 – Roman Blinds and a Made-to-Measure seating area for Bay Windows
Image Credit: House to Home

Five Great Reasons To Choose Roman Blinds
1. Price: Buying a bespoke, high quality Roman Blind will cost much less than a high quality pair of curtains. With Roman Blinds there is no need for curtain poles and it uses much less fabric thus keeping the overall cost down.
2. Easy to install: Measuring for Roman blinds is much simpler than measuring up for curtains (no stack back, overlap or overhung to consider). The process of hanging Roman blinds is also easier than it seems. There are even tutorials online! Whether using a traditional fabric covered baton or an aluminum head rail hanging a Roman Blind is very straight forward and due to its size Roman Blinds are also easier to handle.
3. Selection: Roman Blinds can be made in a wide range of colours, materials and styles. Every combination gives a different vibe to your room. The correct lining is also paramount as it will affect the overall colour of your fabric and the amount of light in the room. There is plenty of lining and interlining to choose from like blackout, fade resistant lining, and coloured lining.
4. Maintenance: Roman blinds can be cleaned using the soft furnishing attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Moreover, they fold up neatly and can be pulled out of reach of children and pets, meaning they’re less likely to be broken.
5. Style: Roman Blinds offer a neat, stylish and understated alternative to curtains working well in both traditional as well as a more modern setting. In a more traditional setting it can be coupled with a coordinating pelmet or traditional full length curtains as below.

Parkertex at its best
I finally got to photograph a job I finished earlier on in the year. The project was simple, just a pair of full-length, blackout lined, double pleated curtains.


The result was, as always, stunning! The curtains totally finished the room and made it cosy, enriched but still full of simplicity. I loved the fabric so much that I couldn’t resist and made a door stopper to match…








