Shear Curtains Paired with Drapery Medallions Create Airy Feel

Sheer curtains have dressed windows for decades or even centuries, but pretty much in the same fashion year after year. Sheers reduce sunlight and provide privacy, and chances are they’ll be a design staple forevermore. Spice up your home with a jazzy sheer-curtain look to show off your inner-designer’s adventurous, creative, contemporary side.

The typical layered looks of sheer curtains under drapes are fine, but if you’re looking for something with more design pizzazz, step beyond the stereotypical “box” confines. Layer white sheers over colored drapes for a subtle effect; the drapery color still comes through, but as a visual “whisper.” Alternatively, infuse a bland space with a touch of color by layering bright or dark-colored sheers over white drapes. You can still use sheers underneath to filter light and provide some privacy when the drapes are open.

To make sheers less see-through, layer them. But rather than layering same-length panels, start with floor-length sheers topped by sheers that are one-third shorter, and then sheers that are two-thirds shorter for a gradient look. You don’t have to use the same colored layers, but if you mix your sheers’ hues, keep the darker colors at the bottom as a visual anchor. If you layer the same colored sheers, create an interesting twist by using one with a swirly-patterned stitch on the bottom, then one made from plain netting, and then top them with a full, gathered eyelet-patterned sheer panel, for example. Layer works best when hung with drapery medallions. The full line of Metropolis Iron drapery medallions come in many styles and finishes complimenting any design scenario.