Like most New Yorkers, I’ve learned to live with my apartment’s quirks – namely, that two out of three of my closets have no doors. In a studio, this means my entire wardrobe is essentially part of my living room’s decor, and keeping it presentable is… a challenge.
Since installing real doors isn’t feasible (my couch quite literally blocks the swing radius), I’ve relied on extra-long window treatment ideas to conceal the chaos. It’s not ideal – but with the right curtains, it can actually work.
I’d been ogling Anthropologie’s Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains for months. Online, the fanciful French chateau florals held my attention through the full emotional arc of a restock: arriving, selling out, teasing hope, vanishing again. So when the day finally came that they were in stock and my old curtain closet ideas had officially given up (more on that unconventional setup in a moment), I took it as a sign.
Anthropologie's Harlowe curtains already had phenomenal reviews, but as an editor, it’s my job to be both skeptical and inordinately picky. The 100% cotton velvet panels come in three colorways (Ivory, Mauve, and Duck Egg) and four lengths – I went with 84” x 50” in Ivory (see: how to measure for curtains).
Which brings me to my two curtain non-negotiables. First, they have to be durable. These aren't some accents I open once a day for kicks. I’m pulling these panels open and closed constantly – every outfit change, every laundry day, every frenzied last-minute closet reshuffle. Second, they have to look good. This is my living room, after all. These curtain ideas need to soften the space, add richness, and make a statement without competing for attention.
So, after living with the Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains for over a month – seeing them in every kind of light, brushing past them every morning and night – are they worth their premium price tag?
Here’s what I really think.
First impressions
Even with a mostly functional role, the Harlowe panels add enough romance, texture and polish to elevate my entire ‘living room.’
It was a tough call between the Ivory, Mauve, and Duck Egg – but the moment I unboxed the Ivory, I knew I’d made the right choice. ‘Ivory’ reads as a barely-there beige – just enough warmth to cozy up the space without skewing too yellow. Up close, the embroidery was even better than expected – so good, in fact, I briefly considered turning the panels into a fabulous coat. (I didn’t. I kept my eyes on the price.)
Anthropologie didn’t skimp on the details. The panels are dual-tab constructed, which means you can hang them one of two ways – either sliding the rod through the tunnel pocket for a soft, gathered effect, or through the hidden back tabs for something more tailored and pleated. I opted for the former, but it’s nice to know I can switch things up down the line.
Once the curtains were up, I realized they needed a good steam. In hindsight, that may have been a little risky – the care tag does say spot or dry clean only, so moisture isn’t exactly encouraged. Still, I held the steamer at a distance, took my chances, and it worked out. (Your mileage may vary.)
With the wrinkles gone, the panels looked exactly how I hoped they would – airy, thanks to the Ivory color and light-filtering fabric, but still rich and dimensional. They felt right at home in my pre-war apartment, which is to say: soft, sophisticated, and a little bit storied.
How did the Harlowe curtains wear over time?
I’ve used other curtains as closet doors before – all of which, without fail, showed wear early: snagging, dulling, collecting dust in the most unforgiving ways. Not so with the Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains. Despite heavy daily use, they still look just as they did the day I hung them up. No fading, no grime, no pilling.
Visually, they’ve held onto that barely-there brilliance I wanted. The embroidery, in particular, gives them the gravitas of a tonal wall tapestry – minimal, but with just enough intricacy to catch the eye. They’ve earned me quite a few compliments, including one from the unlikeliest of sources: my father, who rarely comments on decorating ideas, paused during a visit to run his fingers over the panels and declared, with quiet sincerity, ‘Now these are some nice curtains.’
Not that I needed the validation – but if he noticed, I think that says everything.
In Mauve and Duck Egg (pictured), the Harlowe panels take on a more dramatic effect.
Final thoughts
Anthropologie’s Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains retail between $128 and $158, depending on the length and colorway – not quite a high-end splurge, but definitely on the upper tier for a decorative panel from a major retailer. Honestly, I think they're worth every penny.
Before interiors, I worked in fashion – so when it comes to fabric and construction, I’m not easily impressed. But the Harlowe’s drape has a weight and movement that reads more expensive than it is. The dual-tab hanging option also deserves a moment, an added design detail that feels rare in this price bracket.
I’ll admit, my humble studio may not be the backdrop they deserve. But if they look this good in a living room that doubles as a closet, sitting next to a rack of heels, I can only imagine what they’d do in a proper dressing room, walk-in closet, or even just… on actual windows.
I’ve got a second closet that needs covering, and I’m already eyeing another Harlowe set. Maybe in a new color. Or maybe – one of three additional Anthropologie curtain options I’ve pulled below.
Additional Anthropologie curtains
Positively dreamy. If you’re after embroidered florals with a bit more presence, the Fiori panels deliver. The botanical motifs trail gracefully down the center of each curtain – bolder than Harlowe, but just as elegant. Available in Teal or Ochre (pictured), both are crafted from light-filtering cotton velvet and, like their Harlowe cousins, have earned near-unanimous praise from reviewers.
They’re not advertised as such, but unofficially, the Manette panels are essentially the Harlowe – just reimagined in a breezier linen–cotton blend. So if you’re drawn to the look of embroidered botanicals but prefer something airier and sheer, this is a fabulous alternative.
Anthropologie’s Jurdarn print is something of a house icon. The Italianate tapestry motif – cool-toned and lush – has graced everything from accent chairs to statement dressers. But did you know it comes in curtain form, too? Consider this your sign to take up the pattern drenching trend and fully inhabit the garden scene.
Whether you’re pairing curtains with blinds, layering multiple drapery panels, or introducing shutters into the mix, the more the merrier applies to window treatments too. Here’s how to layer window treatments, according to experts.
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