Drapery Masterclass
London Design Week 2023 at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour was a wonderful week for us all at Chase Erwin. Not only did we unveil our highly anticipated new drapery collection ‘Foret’, but we also hosted our first drapery masterclass in collaboration with Material Concepts, which saw the showroom bustling with industry professionals eager to learn some top tips from the experts.
Drapery Masterclass x Material Concepts
With the launch of Foret, it seemed only fitting for us to host a drapery masterclass showcasing our gorgeous new fabrics in action. The informative and ‘hands-on’ masterclass was presented by luxury residential interior specialists, Material Concepts. Company Director, Craig Smith led the insightful session, which attracted an enthusiastic group of over 50 interior designers to our showroom, all eager to learn from his invaluable drapery expertise. With so many takeaways from the talk, we have summarised some of Craig’s expert advice.
Selecting the right fabric: Just because you like a specific fabric doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for the job. Instead, a collection like Foret which has been expertly crafted with drapery in mind is the perfect place to start.
Lining and inter lining: The lining of your curtains are just as important as the fabric itself and Craig encourages designers to look past the misconception that blackout linings can be unattractive. Instead, Craig praises its flexibility, useful concealment, and essential ability to obstruct daylight permeating a room, which makes it the ultimate curtain liner.
Fittings: Consider whether you want a manual or electrical system and more importantly whether your window will permit your chosen fitting. Craig stresses the importance of having your windows examined by professionals like Material Concepts to first assess what fitting is most appropriate for your window space. Often windows won’t have the space, nor foundations to house an electrical system.
Measure: Getting your measurements right is essential and is a process that should not be rushed. You must first start by measuring the reveal, then the architrave, followed by the wall and ceiling space. We should all be measuring in centimetres for curtain measurements to avoid any possible confusion across European markets.
Deadlight space: The area between the architrave and ceiling, as it’s commonly overlooked by designers. Creating a deadlight feature can help fill empty space, add height to a room and allows you to show off your fabrics even when the curtains/blinds are drawn.
Curtain poles: Craig suggests that designers should look to employ a professional curtain fitter like Material Concepts to both design and fit the poles, curtain returns, tracks and the curtains themselves. This then ensures that all elements of the fitting are correct for the weight and use of the curtain.
Post assembly: Most fabric will require a good steam after they’re fitted, when dealing with silks Craig recommends a treatment called ‘Crease Away’, which gently eradicates wrinkles for an overall crisp finish. For the picture-perfect curtain and level hanging, you must look after your curtains long after they’re fitted.
For more information about Material Concepts visit materialconcepts.co.uk.
Foret: Luxurious New Drapery Collection
Foret is our sophisticated new drapery collection, comprised of single and double-width fabrics. The sumptuous new range features a rainbow of hues that draw inspiration from the forest, verdant plants, blossoming flowers and the textures of nature. The textured linens and patterned jacquards have been beautifully made in a range of rich, earthy hues. The collection’s varied colour palette incorporates seasonal, organic tones and reflects the trend towards botanical-inspired design schemes. The luxurious collection is perfect for window dressings, accessories and light upholstery and is available from Chase Erwin now.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us during London Design Week 2023, we hope you found our masterclass both insightful and inspiring. We’re looking forward to seeing the new Foret collection specified in your projects in the coming months. To view Foret or to request samples, please contact the team at our showroom at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.