By Ed O’Donnell
Floor-to-ceiling windows can be a wonderful asset, connecting a home with nature and letting in plenty of light. But when large windows are dressed badly, or not at all, it can drain the warmth and cosiness out of a space. The trick is to frame the glass panes and celebrate them with texture, colour and pattern — without compromising the views.
This two-bedroom apartment, currently on the market with Savills for £4.199mn, occupies the south-east corner of the Garden Building at Hollandgreen Place, with generous, mood-boosting windows. Here I’ll share my ideas for how I’d approach such a property, to maximise their benefits.
Embellish with trims
To keep the focus on the views, I’d recommend a plain textured curtain, such as a soft, nubbly linen or a gently ridged tweed. Then, to add visual interest, I’d elevate it with a brightly patterned trim. I love the Saisons faux bois border by Samuel & Sons. The fresh vibrancy of the citrus green coupled with the pronounced wood grain pattern would add a zesty complement to the tall trees and hedgerows outside.
Pick the right curtain heading
It’s a small but vital detail — and one you must get right to avoid the baggy gathering of fabric. For a crisp, contemporary look I’d opt for a wave heading. Unlike the more traditional pencil pleat or gathered pleat, which creates a loose, informal bunching of material, a wave pleat is neatly regimented and softly rippling. It stacks efficiently to ensure the windows remain as open and uncluttered as possible. I recommend SilentGliss for tracks and curtain headings.
Layer up with double treatments
With textures, trims and headings sorted, turn your attention to sheers. Sheers, which are made from a lightweight, semi-transparent wool, silk or cotton, will add a layer of ethereal delicacy to traditional curtains. They’re lovely additions as they provide privacy without blocking the light. Sakai by Larsen gets my vote. It’s a delicate linen embroidered with a simple, grid-like pattern that faintly echoes the straight lines of the buildings outside.
Plant up
The bigger the plants, the better. Generous indoor foliage will reinforce a connection to nature while adding lots of stress-busting shapes and colours to your home. An Australian Umbrella Bush from Plant Drop would work beautifully in this space. It’s tall and sylph-like, with long, glossy, air-purifying leaves — and it doesn’t require much looking after.
Add art
For more warmth, colour, pattern and texture, I’d gravitate towards British mixed-media artist Will Cruickshank and his bookmatched slabs of plaster and thread. These bright and playful sculptures evoke long meadows and decorative butterfly wings. There’s a whimsy and buoyancy to these pieces, qualities that work well alongside the cheerful hues and shapes in our design.
Photography: Taran Wilkhu; Savills; Will Cruickshank/Bo Lee and Workman Gallery
