Decorating Guides
22 Divine Draperies That Indulge and Delight
Yards of luscious fabrics, luxuriously swagged and layered, create drapes that gratify the senses
If you crave truly beautiful draperies, get some ideas from these eye-popping, luxurious examples fit for palaces and design icons like Coco Chanel. Oh, yes, these are all custom draperies — nary a tab-top panel from a big-box store in sight. As you go through these photos, notice how two common denominators set these designs apart:
1. Volume and yardage. Even if you use purely decorative panels, which you'll never pull closed, you'll need a minimum width of 1 1/2 times the standard panel on each side of the window to keep the look from feeling scrawny. Notice that there is a lot of fabric in each of these. Instead of going with the minimum amount of fabric, custom draperies have enough width to create a feeling of luxury and opulence. They tend to go floor to ceiling. And they fit the window perfectly. Nothing here is dangling 5 inches above the floor.
2. Beautiful fabric. You will see silk, velvet and linen. Polyester, not so much. Beautiful fabrics have a higher price tag, but they are worth it. They feel better, hang better and elevate your entire space.
1. Volume and yardage. Even if you use purely decorative panels, which you'll never pull closed, you'll need a minimum width of 1 1/2 times the standard panel on each side of the window to keep the look from feeling scrawny. Notice that there is a lot of fabric in each of these. Instead of going with the minimum amount of fabric, custom draperies have enough width to create a feeling of luxury and opulence. They tend to go floor to ceiling. And they fit the window perfectly. Nothing here is dangling 5 inches above the floor.
2. Beautiful fabric. You will see silk, velvet and linen. Polyester, not so much. Beautiful fabrics have a higher price tag, but they are worth it. They feel better, hang better and elevate your entire space.
Countless yards of luscious peachy-gold fabric swept dramatically to the side create a luxurious statement. This fabric has such a lovely drape. Look how compactly it all folds together below the tieback.
Drapes aren't just for windows. These opulent embroidered drapes frame a grand entrance. I love how the sheer is fanned out on the other side of the entrance. My friends who know my contemporary and minimalist tendencies would be surprised to know that I secretly covet luscious draperies that puddle out on the floor like this.
Unfortunately, I have cats who would curl up on the bottom of these, thinking I had at last provided them with a suitably glamorous spot to sleep.
Unfortunately, I have cats who would curl up on the bottom of these, thinking I had at last provided them with a suitably glamorous spot to sleep.
This is one of my all-time-favorite inspiration photos for drapes. I love the pattern in the sheer fabric and the way the evening light comes through. They cover part of the window, yet they seem to add to the view rather than cover it. These are a great style solution for those giant arched windows that have no room on either side for draperies to be pulled back away from the glass.
I shudder to think how many yards of fabric it took to create this triple-layered window treatment. But it was worth every inch. Soft pink in the center is overlaid with dusky violet to either side and then the final, top layer is deep, muted plum. Simply stunning.
Velvet is a richly textured fabric that shimmers in low light. If you are looking for a sexy and romantic fabric for bedroom drapery, you might want to think about velvet.
If Coco Chanel had draperies, I bet they looked something like this. The button at the top of each pleat is a subtle and sophisticated touch. Do you like the break in the fabric at the bottom? It adds just a little bit of visual movement and is best for a drape that will remain stationary so you don't have to arrange it when panels are opened and closed.
Hardware is like jewelry for drapes. These diamond-shaped holders (click photo to see full view) are showstoppers above this lush drapery panel.
This heavy double set of drapes is fit for a palace. Notice how beautifully scaled the tiebacks and tassels are to the volume of the drapes. Those fabrics are to die for. I just want to touch them.
Drapes don't have to be ornate and heavy to be sensational. These minimalist, ripple-fold drapes are just right for the feeling of floating above the city. Though they are minimalist in style, there is still a lot of volume in the amount of yardage, and they go floor to ceiling. I love the silver detail at the hem.
This unique, asymmetrical drapery arrangement is a great solution for a window that follows a vaulted ceiling shape. The addition of the white helps create definition on the line of drape.
These draperies, along with this ottoman, make me think of a wedding cake — very light and frothy in feel. Instead of using tiebacks to swag drapes to the side, the designer used them to add volume by lifting the drapes partway down. Are you designing a bridal showroom? Take notes!
You don't have to match your drapes in the same room, but they should coordinate. In other photos of this room, there is another window to the right that matches the one on the left. In such an enormous room, I think different window treatments are more interesting than having three in a row exactly the same. The fabrics and triple layering are just stunning.
Metallic fabrics always add glamour. These silk draperies in metallic gold are so Hollywood! The sheers have been coordinated with a touch of gold trim on the edge.
After some of the ornate draperies in previous photos, these light drapes are like a breath of fresh air. Sheer fabric on the top portion allows light to stream in even if you choose to close the panels for more privacy.
Even teenagers have dream drapes. This eye-popping color is so much fun and is perfectly matched to the art and the ceiling treatment.
This is another great example of metallic fabric for drapes. The volume and length combine to give this bedroom a soft, romantic feel.
Aren't these drapes perfect for being next to this exquisite secretary desk? The ripples in the drapery and the gold fabric echo the desk's shapes and colors.
Sometimes just the smallest thing, like this delicate trim on the edge, creates that look that says "custom."
Lightweight drapes over sheers keep this window treatment feeling airy in a room with a light, neutral palette.
In this grand rotunda (how often do you get to use the word "rotunda"?) the drapery panels on the lower level spread their wings like angels or butterflies. They add much-needed color and warmth to the white space.
These drapes may not be huge, but check out the sensuous, asymmetrical swag of the sheer and the drapery. Silver metallic gives shine, and the sheer underneath has a little silver too. Beautiful.
These bright green drapes in this sunny sitting room make me think of spring. They are cheerful, and they hold their own next to fabulous leaded-glass windows.