Horizontal fabric shades fit British designer's use of texture in home decorating

For British interior designer Robert Kime, who has decorated homes for members of the Royal family and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, lending texture to a room is as important as using color wisely.


According to the London Telegraph, Kime's method is to layer textiles using both heavy and light fabrics in a variety of textures. A print in heavyweight linen can be balanced by sheer voiles for window treatments. A simple cotton paired with silk makes an interesting combination.


"I use textiles to add a dash, they can lift a room from being thunderingly English and middle class, and get some life into it," Kime told the newspaper. "Start with a carpet or wall color - nothing too strong, a tertiary colour works well - that allows you to be stronger with the colors of the textiles. Then it's not about running around with swatches and matching - you have to keep coming back and correcting and balancing."


Horizontal fabric shades fit well with Kime's design approach. They have the softer look of a window shade, but the function and versatility of a venetian blind. The range of fabrics, colors and print designs in horizontal fabric shades work well with any décor.