Pretty country-style windows

Try panels of sheer, floaty organdie, their tops folded into wide pleats and stitched between two borders of checked ribbon: the more fabric you fold into the pleats, the more fully the curtains will billow at the bottom. Hem the sides with the same ribbon and cut shorter lengths into ties. Pink the ends so they won't fray. An antique monogrammed sheet makes a perfect half-curtain for the lower part of a window, as the embroidered decoration, designed to be a focal point when the sheet is turned back on the bed, becomes a ready-made pelmet. Stitch split rings along the top to hang the curtain and tie satin ribbon bows in pastel pinks and lilacs to add delicate colour against the pure white. For a little casement window, make double-sided curtains in crisp cotton, mixing tiny flowers with candy stripes. Hang on neat portière rods so the fabric panels fold back almost like shutters.

For more decorative detail, back the ribbon trim with a slightly wider picot edging so that the overlapping edges create a lace-like effect.

Sheer organdie and antique bedlinen will diffuse the light beautifully and preserve privacy at both bedroom and bathroom windows.

If you are recycling an embroidered sheet into a curtain, remember to keep the decoration as your focal point when cutting the fabric to fit.

Don't obscure small windows with fabric. Use thin gauzy material that gathers aside easily or stiff panels that can be folded back on portière rods.