Gwyneth Paltrow found a stylish alternative to the traditional cafe curtain in her Montecito kitchen

French cafe curtains may have spent seasons in the sun (because who can resist their Parisian-inspired charm?) – but there's still room for their new alternative. And who better to introduce us to this emerging trend than Gwyneth Paltrow? 

It's no secret that we're already admirers of Gwyneth's chic Montecito home, created by design force Brigette Romanek, no less. However, the lifestyle guru has just given us another reason to take note as she experiments with the new 'dresser curtain' trend.

Much like cafe curtains, dresser curtains are designed with both practicability and functionality in mind. Increasingly, designers are using them to conceal open shelves and doors for instant interest and privacy. While cafe curtains are often used as a window treatment (most probably in the kitchen), dresser curtains accommodate smaller areas –  just as Gwyneth demonstrates on her curtained door.

Gwyneth has used dresser curtains in (what appears to be) her pantry, but we can bring this idea into any space –starting, most obviously with the kitchen, but also our bedrooms and dressing rooms. Their quaint aesthetic is hard to deny, but what makes them so practical? 

Designer Tori Murphy, a pioneer in dresser curtains, experimented with the technique in response to a compact kitchen, noting that fabric is a beautiful alternative to bulkier doors. 

'Dresser curtains are a direct result of our family's needs. We restored an antique dresser but didn't have space for doors to open around it, so a fabric curtain was the perfect solution to disguise pots, pans, and the general chaos of family life,' she says.

Tori Murphy

Tori Murphy is the founder of her eponymous textile brand, dedicated to creating thoughtful, timeless, and sustainable products for the modern family home. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Tori worked in Milan designing prints for clients including DKNY, Fendi, and Christian Dior. She now creates textiles for an international clientele from her studio in the UK. 

The versatility of this design trend means its growing appeal is unsurprising, but it's hard not to note its charming style, which is reminiscent of its French cafe counterpart. 

'Curtains take up far less space than doors and add a tactile, nostalgic feel,' Tori says.' And it's refreshingly simple to set up. If you want to replace cupboard or wardrobe panels with fabric, choose a double rod pocket curtain, which simply slides and gathers onto your pole or cord.' 

For a Gwyneth-inspired starting point, we're tempted to start in the pantry, where we can conceal the jars and packets with a more beautiful printed fabric. Gwyneth has opted for a yellow colorway, but we also love these three options below.