It used to be the case in the late 1980s that curtain fabrics took centre stage, with matching valances and fabric tiebacks either made from the same fabric, or a complementary fabric creating a co-ordinating look
The fabrics would be all frills and pleats and would be supported on a collection of tracks in plastic or metal.
Even blinds were popular in the same way, with Festoon blinds, which were a complex collection of fabric ruches, and Austrian blinds, a milder form of the Festoon blind with most of the ruching taking place at the bottom of the blind, the favourites of the time.
Poles were nowhere to be seen
Now the window furnishings landscape is completely different. Poles in metal or wood make a fashion statement of their own in a more contemporary manner, and new finishes are being invented all the time.
We could scarcely have believed 20 years ago that the market would be dominated by metal poles in stainless steel, antique brass, chrome and gun metal. Pole distributors are constantly on the lookout for ways to re-invent their product with new colours of the moment such as black chrome, dark nickel and dark steel. There are even metal poles with antique white finishes. Meanwhile black poles are making a comeback with modern finials.
They are also experimenting with new finial materials to go with metal poles, such as marble, glass, acrylic, resin, ceramic, wood, mother-of-pearl, wire with beads and granite. The ultimate contemporary pole statement at the moment must be the Acrylic pole, available with modern finials and colours such as chrome and dark nickel, and in up to 50mm diameters
Metal pole diameters are also edging larger, with 35mm being quite common now, relatively speaking. However it is still rare to see a metal corded pole, with the exception of Swish Polaris, which is showing the way for other pole suppliers.
Derek Brown
17 Montserrat Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire,
UK - RG24 9PF
Tel: 0800 011 4322
Email: d.c.brown@ntlworld.com
URL: http://www.curtainpolesunlimited.co.uk/
About Author
Curtain Poles Unlimited has over 20 years experience working with curtain poles and curtain tracks, and can help you with general or technical advice. Just call our customer service number 0800 011 4322 any time of the day or night with your curtain pole or related product query, or e-mail us from the Contact Us link, and one of our experts will respond back to you.
