We’re  having a clear out of fabrics because we often get left with a few metres on a roll of fabric which is not enough for us to use for a pair of curtains or Roman blinds.  It’s a shame to have these gorgeous fabrics hanging around in our workrooms, so we’re  offering them all for sale at huge discounts of 50% off or more.  It’s good for us to clear our workrooms and it’s great for you to be able to snap up a bargain.  You can visit our showroom and browse the fabric rolls (avalailable to buy on the spot) and we have a list on our website ( here )showing all the fabrics , sale prices and the  amounts left on each roll.  It’s a great way to pick up some gorgeous curtain materials at a cheap bargain price.  Call us on 0845 5000 400 for more information or email (contact@naturalcurtaincompany.com ) us if you would like the price list sent to you.   We plan to keep this list live at all times so there will always be bargains to be had.  Happy hunting!

You can get free samples here.

Please call us if you have any questions or pop in to see us in our showroom (details here).  We’re open until 8pm on November thursdays this year.  Happy Hunting!

Cold is coming! Warm up with thermal curtains...

There’s no getting away from the cold now.  The heating sputters into life every morning as I leap out of bed ready to forge through the day.  As you draw back your curtains or lift up your blinds in the morning to cast your bleary eyes over the new dawn, you need to ask yourself a question;

‘Sure, my curtains are keeping the light out (not that there’s much about at this ungodly hour) but are they keeping me as toasty as they could be?’

If you’re not sure about it, then the answer is most likely ‘no’.  Curtains or Blinds can be thermally lined or interlined to keep a lot more heat in your room than a standard lined pair of curtains.  A new pair of curtains may seem like a big investment but it’s a simple and beautiful way to combat the increasing cost of energy bills and get some extra toastiness in your life.  To back up the obvious, a 2008 study at the Caledonian Glasgow University showed in a very scientific way that a heavy pair of curtains reduces heat loss through your windows by 14% and a double glazing/curtains combination reduces heat loss by a whopping 66% when compared to a single pane window.  Whether you’re worried about global warming, the cost of your energy bills or both (or even if you just want a new pair of curtains and need to give yourself good reason..), these are big numbers that translate into proper savings and energy efficiency improvements.  So, although it might seem like an extravagance in these gloomy times, a good pair of curtains is a sensible investment and a very attractive way of staying warm, cutting down your heating bills, saving the planet and snazzing up your home – all at the same time.  Compelling eh?  You can read more and get free fabric samples here.

Designer curtain fabric books in our showroom

Hurray!

Now we’ve moved into our smart new curtain showroom, we can show you even more fabrics than the 500 curtain fabrics displayed on our website at www.naturalcurtaincompany.co.uk .  Book by book, we’re building a library of curtain fabric books from our favourite designers.  As well as many of the household names like Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill,  Ian Mankin and others we have a few less well known and interesting designers as well.  If you’re in the area (Lots Road in Chelsea , right by the Design Centre), then pop in for a browse, some advice and a coffee.  We’re right next to sofa.com so you can browse for a new sofa, bed or chair at the same time!

Thick curtain fabric (velvet for example) and interlining will keep your room warm

My central heating kicked in automatically yesterday morning.   I’d set it so low that it would only kick in when it was really cold.  Guess what?  It was really cold.  It was an unwelcome reminder that the summer is over and autumn is upon us.  Beautiful though it is,  Autumn is the beginning of the chilly long dark nights and it’s when most of us start thinking about being warm and toasty in the evenings and not playing frisbee in the park or organising an BBQ.

At The Natural Curtain Company, this is the time of year where we get 2 types of phone calls which tell us Autumn is here.  We get calls from people wanting us to come and fix their boilers (British Gas’ helpline is one digit different from ours!)  and we have customers asking about thermal curtains, thermal linings, interlined curtains, blackout curtains and any other way to make curtains or blinds as insulating and warm as possible.  Well the good news is that are plenty of ways your curtains and blinds can keep your house warm AND cut down on your heating bills.  A thick curtain fabric (velvet for example) , thermal lining , blackout lining or interlining are all ways to insulate your home.

You can read more at Natural Curtain Company website here

Gorgeous Silk lampshades. Lampshades avaiable in all our fabrics.

New – lampshades in any curtain fabric.

We’re excited.  It’s been a long time coming but now we can offer lampshades in almost any curtain fabric and almost any size.  We know that this has been top of many of our customers’ wants list for some time so we’re very pleased to get this service up and running.

You might want to match your curtains or blinds or you might want to design your own lampshade.  You can do this by using your own fabric or even some vintage fabric.  We can do it for you and advise you how much fabric you will need.  Call us for details or for a price.

Fabrics Galore!

We’ve been busy bees this year searching high and low for new fabrics.  We’ve finally got the new collection together and ready for your delectation.  With well over two hundred new fabrics added, we’ve nearly double our online collection so we hope there’s something for everybody.  Come and take a look around here . Happy hunting!

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Choose Your Fabric

Be sure to choose a fabric that works well with your lifestyle. Rich fabrics like silk and velvet suit an elegant dining area or formal living room. Embroidered fabrics like Kashmir crewel add depth and texture. Lightweight cotton creates a cozy feel with solid, floral, and various stripe patterns. Linen dresses up casual areas, yet still blends nicely with stylish décor.

Add a Liner

Did you know that there are at least seven different linings for Roman blinds? Well, actually, there are six linings, but there is also the option to leave the fabric unlined as well. Each lining creates a different effect when combined with fabric. Thermal linings, blackout linings, and interlining are all available. Take time to explore the various combinations of fabrics and lining.

Let there Be Light

Keep in mind where and how natural light enters each window. Also consider the amount of external light that many come into the window at night. Outdoor lighting can become distracting in the evenings. Roman blinds with thermal and blackout linings will take away almost all outside light when they are closed. For more natural light, choose lighter fabrics and leave them unlined.

Keep your Privacy

Privacy is one of the best aspects of using Roman Blinds. Roman blinds can give privacy will still allowing light into a room. They can also block a window completely, creating a room that is fully shaded day or night. Again, the choices of fabrics and liners control the level of privacy.

Choose the Best Placement

Roman blinds mounted on the inside recess of a window will show off attractive trim and make the blinds appear to be framed. Mounting blinds on the outside recess covers the entire window frame. This makes the blinds more noticeable. Fastening the blinds to the window frame itself means that both blinds and frame will balance one another. Of course, the color choices for walls and fabric should be harmonious.

Fabrics, liners, light, privacy, and placement of roman blinds all work together to enhance the beauty of any home’s décor. Consider all of these things to create the perfect look and feel for your home.

White can also help your home feel lighter and brighter and can give the impression of space, airiness, clarity and purity.

It can be a difficult colour to live with as it is obviously unpractical if you have children, pets or live in a muddy area.

White can also sometimes make a room look sparse or cold.

However, if used in the correct way, white can be a highly successful theme.
Here are a few tips for using white:

1. Add interest in ways other than colour. Choose unusual pieces of furniture and mix different styles.
2. Look at different variations of the colour white. There is obviously bright white, but you can also go for a more muted white or even branch into creams and greys. These can take the edge of the starkness which can sometimes result from an all white theme.
3. Add some neutral colours to the floor or window treatments. Wicker and wood are good at warming up your white design scheme.
4. Go for floaty voiles for your curtains and match with light furniture to give an airy impression.
5. Texture is very important. Mix smooth and glossy furniture with fluffy rugs and cushions.
6. It can also be a good idea to add some colour, while keeping the overall theme white. An accent of red, purple or even black can make a bold statement.

The combination of black and white together can leave you with a dramatic look. Using black to accentuate certain accessories, light fixtures or furniture can sharpen any decorating scheme and add elegance.

If you think a completely black and white theme is a bit too dramatic, then try adding touches of another colour such as pink, yellow or purple, while still keeping black and white the prominent colours.

A further advantage of having a white theme is it’s an extremely good base for any future decorating ideas. It can be simple to subtly alter the overall look by ading a colourful rug, changing the window treatments, or adding throws and cushions. A white theme is one which can be continually updated without having a complete overhaul of your house.

Choosing a style for your home can be about making a statement regarding yourself or personality. As such, make sure you choose something which not only represents you, but a style which you truly love and something you will be able to live with for a while.

Also, you have to decide whether you want an overall theme for your home or is it just one or two rooms in need of re-decorating?

It can work quite nicely to use more than one style throughout your home, but it is important to try and keep some consistency – don’t try and mix too many looks at once!

Key areas to think about when choosing a theme are:

1. Do you want your home contemporary or old-fashioned?
2. Is it a country retreat or a modern townhouse?
3. Are you inspired by your travels?
4. Do you want something quirky or unique?
5. Do you want the overall look to remain neutral or do you want statement colours?

If you can’t decide on an overall theme, it can be quite a successful look to go for eclectic interior design. This, in essence, is a mishmash of different looks, but is probably the best way to express your own personal taste.

However, make sure you don’t go too over-the-top with this look, you want to achieve a harmonious balance of different designs and not end up with a junk yard theme!

Try and use different furnishings and accessories from different times, countries and styles. Including all things that are personal to you – but don’t over clutter. Each object in the room should have the feel that it’s on display. Also, having a focal statement piece in your room works well i.e an antique table, an exotic rug or a unique piece of furniture which immediately captures your attention.

Also, you can still have an overall colour scheme. Consider the flooring, walls and furniture and try and keep some consistency here. If your furniture is bright and bold go for something similar in the curtains and keep the floors and walls more neutral, so the room is not overloaded with too much colour. Having a neutral background will also emphasise the antiques and treasures you have on display.

This is also a style that can evolve and be constantly updated. Especially if you keep the walls, carpet and curtains neutral, you won’t need a major overhaul every time you want to change your home’s look.

Happy decorating!