Window-dressing

Opening my blog Sunday morning. Still drowsy. My friend Maria’s blog image seems familiar. Déjà vue! It is, isn’t it…? Yes, it must be… My attic window. Seen through Maria’s lens.

Maria is a “window dresser” and an unparallel expert, senza paragone. Designer, inspirer, innovator… Her blog, Gardiner & Draperier, is an endless source of inspiration. Colouring, light effects, arrangements … for us to enjoy and reinterpret. Here are some of my amateur solutions… The curtain-rods were designed by Maria.

Every setting is unique. Mine is monastic, and I wanted to accentuate windows and niches – not hide them - when we first entered our new Umbrian home. My minimalist nature said no textiles, only to leave me with echoing rooms. My better self said… search your trunks. See if you can find textiles in tune with your new (old) casa and where needed.

One window, facing a dull back yard, cortile, called for a cover.

I like “disrespectful” and surprising arrangements. For my French window I have chosen to combine off-white linen with patterened wool. The patterened wool draperies here replace the scuri, shutters – to keep us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. For those, who want to know… the patterend wool drapers are Swedish turn of century, woven in Sundborn, Dalecarlia, following the design of the textile designer, Karin Larsson.

A combination of off-white linen and antique mattress covers from Abruzzo. The drapers, covering a niche in our bedroom, serves as a wardrobe.


Many windows and niches remain curtainless in order to better expose the light.

Maria has opened my eyes to window- dressing. This curtain decor, from an Umbrian restaurant, serves as a veil. Behind is an ugly back yard.

The Tuscany summer collection. I like the way Italians keep the sun and the flies out. Textiles leave a nice and soft light.

A window with just one curtain. Much more interesting this way, don't you think?

A confessional curtain in a countryside church. The kind of simplicity I just love. Enjoy! Ingrid