Give Your Windows Some Ethnic Love

This festive season, try blinds that combine function with frills

The festive season is here and you want to give your home that quick, decorative makeover that is unavoidable. Once you are done dusting your brass lamps and ethnic, decorative knick- knacks, you may want to turn your attention to your windows. Dressing up your windows can make a huge difference to the visual appeal of your home. Not only that, it changes the ambience as well, considering the various interesting colour combinations you can come up with. If you plan to go ethnic with your drapes this festive season, here are some tips that will help you make a smart choice:

•      Choose materials strongly associated with the Indian essence - tissue and silk are quite  popular.
•     Choose earthy colours of brown, rust, turmeric yellow, brick red and the like.
•     Opt for prints that put on display Indian motifs.
•     Select drapes that have small adornments such as mirrors, applique work or tassels.
•     Use gold thread ropes with Indian-styled baubles on the ends to tie your curtains up.

This festive time of the year is also perfect to break out all those saris that sit idly on your hangers and create some brilliant drapes with them.  In fact, with these three tips, you can look at giving your windows a new look for every one of the festivals coming up shortly.

Choose the right material: Your choice of material will depend on the final look you want for your windows. If the aim is a luxurious, high-end traditional look, then a heavy silk sari is the way to go. A more informal, yet ethnic look can be achieved with a cotton sari. If you  are looking at letting more natural light in, then consider creating sheer curtains out of chiffon  or georgette saris. These are easy to drape and manage as well.

Narrow down patterns:The patterns you choose will also have a bearing on the final look.  Sheer fabrics with a universal motif across the sari create a calm ambience, especially when viewed in the daytime. Subtle looks can be achieved with saris that have a heavy border of  design or colour running across them. Those with embellishments such as small beads or tassels  can easily complete the ethnic look you have in mind.

Style your curtain: There are many ways to showcase your sari as a drape. Take the heavy border off an old sari and sew it on to a monochrome one to bring out the beauty of the vintage design.

Depending on the length of your windows, choose the best part of the sari to showcase. This may be the body or the pallu. You may also consider adding embellishments to the edges of the sari to complete its look.

Choose to have a tailor sew up your saris to make them suitable for use on a curtain rod. This ensures you have uniformity when draping it on your window. Small windows, especially can do with longer curtains which help increase the perception of size. So this festive season, go ethnic with your blinds and allow your home to be the center of attention

— Chotti Barua, Founder, Blind Love