The tall sash window in our living room has no curtain. We like the way it frames the view, but some decoration is needed; our furniture is antique.
VB, BURNHAM MARKET, NORFOLK.

Architecturally handsome windows can stand alone but if yours looks underfurnished, add a decorative pelmet - carved, gilded, painted or fabric-covered. An antique pelmet is a statement piece and dealers in antique textiles are likely to have these. Elizabeth Baer, 01225 866136, has fabric pelmets, often, in silk or toile de Jouy, from £100. Catherine Shinn offers antique fabric pelmets and valances, some embroidered, from £100 to £250. All would need to be attached to a pelmet board.

Carved wooden pelmets in a range of styles and finishes are made by Edward Harpley, including the fluted pelmet (pictured). You could also commission a fabric-covered pelmet from an upholsterer or curtain-maker. Without encroaching on the glass, consider making the pelmet slightly longer down each side of the window, to create a lambrequin. Whatever option you choose, I would suggest you add plain cream roller blinds that disappear behind the pelmet, except when pulled down to protect furnishings from the sun or to reduce the chill factor when the room is not in use.

WORDS BY CELIA RUFEY
MAY 2009

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