While the right choice of coverings can brighten up windows, and indeed rooms, many people rush into making a decision, according to John Keegan, director of The Natural Interior.

"Take your time and if you see a photograph of a window dressing that you like, tear it out and give it to your curtain maker. Having an image to work from will make it so much easier to get the look right."

Those with heavily patterned sofas should opt for something quiet on their windows, says Paula Campbell, general manager of KA International. However, in other cases, window dressings can become focal points, as long as your seating or fireplace are not in competition with them.

Keegan also advises allowing a realistic lead-in time.

"We normally recommend leaving about eight weeks from the time you select your fabrics to having them on your window."

While some householders have opted . . . where privacy is not an issue . . . to dispense with a lot of their window dressings, Keegan believes there is still a place for coverings in Irish homes.

Dressed to impress Sheer fabrics such as Japanese silks, fine linens and cottons designed into simple tab top fixings . . . sometimes with leading edges in contrasting fabrics such as leather or wool . . . fixed without tiebacks to lett the fabric 'puddle' on the floor, are popular, according to Trish Fitzpatrick of Fitzmawn Interiors.

Headed curtains, whether in French or pinched pleats, without pelmets or valences, where the drapes are hung on a metal or timber pole are another strong favourite.

The advantage of silk, apart from its seductive glamour, is that it reflects a lot of light.

"We find it works very well with interlining which gives it some extra padding and sense of luxury, " says Keegan.

While interlining is a must for silks, regular lining or even no lining is fine for linens, depending on the look you want to achieve. Made-up samples in store will help customers in the decision.

Samantha Dockrell, interior designer at Brian S Nolan, believes opulent window dressings will continue to grow as we become more lavish with layering of rich textures and decoration.

Brocades and embroidered silks will be accompanied by lots of trimming and detail.

"Key tassels are big, " she says.

"Oversized pooled curtains are complemented by lots of cushions, throws and trimmings. In more contemporary interiors, plainer fabrics are featuring unusual weaves and attention to detail, mixed with rich, dark woods."

'Wave' headings are suitable for voiles and linens and are perfect for apartments with a lot of glass, says Campbell. Sliding panels . . . blinds that slide horizontally . . . are a solution for slim-framed windows in apartments and other dwellings. "Using a silk organza fabric will allow the light in but provide privacy without taking up much room, " says Keegan.

Also on a roll are Plesse cellular blinds. "These are very neat blind structures that fold up tightly like a fan into the top of the window frame or reveal. Available in single or double cellular layers, sheer or blackout, and in a myriad of colours and sizes, they are flexible and modular, allowing them to adapt to modern window shapes such as acute-angled windows each side of an apex-pitched ceiling, conservatories, atriums and tall windows, " says Fitzpatrick.

Emerging trends are variations in Roman and cellular blinds using special fabrics that ensure complete privacy, curbing glare from sunlight without reducing the light in the room.

Shutter up Shutters can be the answer to unusually configured windows such as triangular shapes built up into the ceiling of a house as well as arched, circular and hexagonal designs, according to Bennie Wrafter of Benedict Ltd. They work well on small and tall windows and French doors and can also function as a room divider.

Anyone who has struggled with very tall windows will be glad to hear that Benedict's will shortly be introducing electrically controlled louvers so shutters can be opened and closed by remote control.

"Another innovation is a bypass tracking system that allows shutters to 'disappear' once a safe haven has been provided for them out of view.

You can have two or three tracks running parallel, " says Wrafter.

MDF shutters are available at entry-level prices but for those who want flexibility in shapes, solid timber is a must.

Awkward windows French doors can lead to a certain amount of head scratching, depending on whether they slide or open on a hinge, Fitzpatrick says.

"If they slide, the space allotted for the windows to pass each other unimpeded is paramount. I have resolved the issue with roller blinds or cellular blinds on a pulley system mounted on the outer frame of the window, either at the top, pulling the blind down or mounted on the bottom, where the blind is pulled up the window.

"Hinged French windows can look very smart when dressed with Venetian or timber slatted blinds. The blinds are set within the frame of the windows, so that when the blinds are let down, they don't impede the mechanism of the door, " says Fitzpatrick.

With curved-topped windows there are a few different approaches. "These can include using a fabric solution, concealing a track and constructing a cornice whereby the fabric, when pulled together, outlines the curve.

"On the other hand, the curved top can be ignored and the fabric can be hung from the window frame below. However, this would only be suitable if using a sheer flowing fabric. Specially designed blinds can also be used to dress a curved window top and be mixed successfully with a sheer or flowing fabric at the point where the glazed doors or windows begin."

A typical pitfall, according to Fitzpatrick, is to go for overly decorative treatments of standard-sized windows, which can drown out light and smother the structure.

Window dressing, she stresses, should not only be practical but also aesthetically enhance the window structure and the design of the entire space.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Benedict Ltd Avondale Hall, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 01-288 1693.
Brian S Nolan 102 Upper Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 01-280 0564
Fitzmawn Interiors & Tiles Block 1, Deansgrange Business Park, Kill Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 01-289 8822.
KA International Upper First Floor, Jervis Street Shopping Centre, Dublin 1, 01-878 1052
The Natural Interior The Mill, Mill Street, Dublin 8, 01-473 7444