How to Design and Enjoy Country Curtains

How to Design and Enjoy Country Curtains

Not every home is designed to benefit from country style curtains. But the ones that are can certainly be beautifully enhanced once the right curtains are chosen for each of the rooms.

Country style curtains provide a welcome relief from the modern and dynamic designs available at some retailers. For those people looking for something different and a touch more relaxed, country curtains could prove to be just the solution. Roman blinds may not fit the bill but there are lots of possibilities to create stunning country style curtains that would suit any relaxed and laid back room in the home.

A wonderful example of country style patterns and curtains comes from Vanessa Arbuthnott and her Cotswold collection of patterns. Meadow, Earth and Woodland are just three of Vanessa's modern range of stunning country style fabrics. Inspired by the Cotswold countryside she is lucky enough to live in, there is no doubt that her patterns reflect much of what the word 'country' means to many of us.

Regardless of which room in your home you want to style in the country fashion, you will be able to find something that will suit your needs.

Colour can be a good place to begin as you may already have a rough colour scheme in mind. Sometimes you may decide on a colour before you start looking for fabric and other items to use; on other occasions it may be the purchase of something simple like a bedspread or some cushions that kicks everything else off.

Country curtains have a soft theme that can really enhance certain rooms. They can also be quite lively on some occasions. A good example is the Plain Dotty collection of fabrics from Vanessa's range. These are purely country in nature and would make the perfect set of country curtains for rooms as diverse as kitchens and bedrooms. They are also available in a wide variety of colourways, giving you plenty of versatility to choose from.

Of course the fabric you choose is only one half of the equation. The style and design of the finished product is the other. The styles of country curtains can fall into lots of different areas. You could opt for cafe style tiered curtains if you wish; these look particularly suitable in kitchens. Simple but elegant designs that fall straight to the floor are luxurious enough in any bedroom. This is especially the case if you take the opportunity to create a beautiful matching bedspread to blend in with them as well.

You may decide to opt for something more complex in some rooms, and yet still retain that look and feel of the countryside. A beautifully natural fabric can work well when turned into curtains with a matching valance and tie backs, for example. But it is the natural look of country style fabrics that really makes this work.

There are so many delightful and simple patterns and designs that can be used for country style curtains that it is important to explore the range fully before making your decision. Strong colours won't make an appearance but there are still lots of beautiful pastels and colours that are a touch stronger that can be used in many different ways. A good example is the cranberry fabric in Vanessa Arbuthnott's Stripe and Dash range. It retains the warmth and relaxed feel of the countryside while still offering an eye catching punch that is hard to resist!

Imagine how each potential choice of fabric would blend and work in any room you are decorating or dressing. You may find you can add complementary cushions to bring the whole look together. Don't be afraid of mixing fabrics together either if you see two that seem to work well together. There are no firm rules when it comes to interior design. While certain styles of curtains lend themselves perfectly to the country interior, only you will know if you have found the ideal combination to use in your own country inspired home.