Curtains are widely used as the first defender against dust, light and for privacy; this is the practical usage, but the decorative function should also play its role. Everything has its neutral side, so, in order to make it easy for newcomers in the decoration world, they must select the model and colour of curtain that appeals to them and suits their new home. "Between 2002 and 2007, most people were choosing modern styles. Nowadays, the main choice is between both classic and modern styles," says Engineer Ahmed el-Nemr, a décor expert in an interview to the Egyptian Mail. "One of the big mistakes is to blindly imitate what's fashionable. Most of us get bored with the modern because it's a fashion that won't continue forever; anyone who likes the modern wants change." According to el-Nemr, people should go for simple curtains without strange colours, which make it harder for the designer of the home to find colours that match the other rooms. "The most recommended colours are beige, oxide degrees, off white," el-Nemr said. He added that such colours harmonised with the colours of the furniture in reception, together with the floor and the walls. "The reception is an open area where you have to attract the eyes of the visitors with that classy, chic or trendy look," he stressed. Choosing the right curtain is not enough, as you also have to give attention to tablecloths, towels and bed linen in the room. Colours and textures of all these fabrics should blend well to enhance the ambience of a room, he said. Curtain dimensions must fit the curtain rail very precisely, with a 1.2cm gap between the bottom of the curtains and the floor. In doing heavy curtains, a housewife should provide sufficient length for a good-looking set, which is 1.5 to 2 times the length of the window itself or the finished curtain length. There are many different types of fabrics for curtains, which can be thick, full dimming (blackout), or transparent and translucent (veils). El-Nemr explained that the blackout is the first layer, which is made of artificial material and helps keep out dust and light, adding that the material of the blackout should be carefully selected, because low-quality blackout can produce an unwanted smell later on. "The blackout should also be flexible, while the second layer of the curtain is the very fine layer which should be a darker shade of the same colour as the blackout and embroidered with the same thread. Then comes the main fabrics, which function as a decorative element, creating a harmony with the whole room. "Before proceeding with the selection of curtains and drapes, the housewife should determine the requirements for the room. Will it be a bedroom requiring greater occultation or a living room where the curtains are something more decorative?" When purchasing your curtains and draperies, think of ways to make sure that the resulting effect for your home will be pleasant to the eye. Fabrics shouldn't just be chosen for decoration and style, but also for safety. According to el-Nemr, floppy and linen fabrics are very chic, adding that the type and colour should match the other rooms. As for the bedroom (the master), he said that the curtains should match the bed covers and rugs, while in the children's rooms, the curtains should be friendly and cheerful.
