The Knowledge Library · 7 min read
Why Design Matters More Than Fabric
Pleat style, fullness, length, and stack width dictate whether a room reads tailored or tired — regardless of how exquisite the textile.
Most homeowners choose drapery the way they choose upholstery: fabric first. It is a forgivable instinct and a costly mistake.
Drapery is an architectural element before it is a textile. A French pleat in a builder-grade fabric will outperform a ripple fold in a $300-per-yard Belgian linen if the room is asking for a French pleat. Pleat style, fullness, mounting height, stack width, and lining weight do more for the appearance of a room than the cloth itself.
This is why every project we accept begins with the room, not the swatch book. Fabric is the last decision we make, not the first.
Written by Olga Rechdouni, ASID · House of Drapery