a beautiful made to measure pelmet displayed in a country styled living room
The beauty of pelmets stems from their design versatility, their practical applications and their dramatic flair. There’s so much to say about our friend the pelmet but let’s start at the very beginning…
What is a pelmet?
The standard definition of a pelmet is a ‘decorative, structured framework or border installed above a window with the primary purpose of concealing curtain tracks, rods, and mounting hardware’. Well that’s all very present and correct but we at Jali believe these quirky, architectural window huggers have a surprising amount of personality to their name.
And it can’t go unsaid that a sexier version of the word ‘pelmet’ is sometimes used to describe a micro-mini skirt. The overlap with the architectural hugger can only be the visual length involved but it’s a seductive comparison, (Hiding unsightly parts need not be discussed here)
What can a pelmet do for me?
- The concealing pelmet
Back in the Renaissance period in the 15th -century, the pelmet was used by the wealthy to hide and to camouflage unattractive walls. Botched construction, wall imperfections and messy curtain hooks were grandly covered up to ensure elegance prevailed at any cost. The original ‘Home Hack’.
Nowadays you could say the pelmet is the home-decor equivalent of sweeping clutter under a rug—except this “clutter” is beautifully boxed away.
- The decorative pelmet
Let’s not forget interior design and all things beautiful.
After a brief stint being considered stuffy and dated, pelmets have made a massive comeback in modern room planning, shedding excess fabric in favour of straight lines and minimalist looks.
But remember those amusing 80s-maximalist aesthetics? The ‘Dynasty’ era with the over-the-top, palatial looks involving heavy fabrics, fringes, and tassels? Today they are making a successful return where designers are intentionally playing with scale and detail. Colour-drenching the pelmets into the wall for a stealthy look or adding contrasting trims is a chance to introduce some cheeky whimsy – you could call it a theatrical ‘hairpiece’. Minimal or maximal, the pelmet is and always will be, decoratively and delightfully engaging.
modern country meets timeless elegance. Featuring a Jali made to measure pelmet.
- The alternative pelmet
Not just employed to crown a window, the accomplished pelmet can be placed all over the shop – doorways, children’s castles and grand canopy beds to name a few. All manner of articles can be crowned to add gravity and drama resulting in fine and glorious highlights. And this doesn’t have to be just the domain of grand and historical estates – we did mention present day whimsy earlier.
- The miraculous pelmet
We all know that interior design involves much visual trickery and it could be said that pelmets are specifically the master of all illusions. There’s a playful juggling of space at play when it comes to the placement of these features. Fitting a pelmet high above a window frame deceives the eye into thinking ceilings are higher and windows are larger. It’s essentially a manipulation of perspective – a fabulous and magical ploy to make a room look more expansive.
And who doesn’t want that?
- The functional pelmet
Aside from their dramatic and decorative look, pelmets can be surprisingly practical. Eliminating the wearisome sneaky sliver of dawn light that leaks from the top of curtains, they enable the perfect blackout slumber. And if you’re a draft adverse individual, you can forget those cold breezy gusts dropping into your room. You’ll be needing a physical barrier to keep you cosy – it’s called a pelmet.
Not only will a well placed pelmet help to prevent cold air from chilling you, in older homes especially, pelmets will excel at blocking your hot air from escaping. A correctly fitted pelmet can prevent warm air from rising out of a window, making them an unexpected and cozy energy-saver. It’s a win-win design scenario.
Do I want a pelmet?
It’s looking like we all need a pelmet or three. It is clear that whether your room is classic, quirky, or somewhere in between, a bespoke pelmet brings charm, personality and a little bit of drama with added advantages to boot.
The miniskirt pelmet version may not be your cup of tea but even curtains have to dress up occasionally and it’s time to give them the attention they deserve. And why not indulge in a little happy design time yourself? We think you do want a pelmet in your home — your windows just don’t know it yet!
Design yours here and create the best friend your windows can have!
