North farm walkthrough: the four-poster room

North Farm Walkthrough Part 1: The Four-Poster Room

Design Notes

• Curtains: Emilie by Nicole Fabre
• Wallpaper: Totty Lowther's 'Pomegranate' wallpaper in alabaster
• Bed linen: Angela Wickstead
• Cushions: D. Porthault Paris
• Vintage quilt: Katharine Pole
• Four-poster bed: 'Moris' by William Yeoward
• The Regency bench is in a check from Claremont
• Curtains: Nicole Fabre Designs in Laure
• Scarf on table: Bonton
• Carpet: Coir Matting from Alternative Flooring
• Feather Mattress Toppers: Soak and Sleep
• Pillows: Hungarian or Siberian from John Lewis

How to Hang Sheers Behind a Canopy Bed

What Are Sheers?

Sheers are curtains made of a very thin and light fabric (usually polyester) that allows air to flow through them easily. As compared to typical curtains, sheers have a greater degree of translucency, which allows more light to penetrate, they are lightweight and delicate but need to be handled with care.

Hanging Sheers

Firstly, measure your bed posts to determine their size and select sheers suitable for the canopy bed. Determine how the sheers will be hung on your canopy bed and make sure they are symmetrical.

When selecting sheer curtains, there are numerous aspects to consider. You should select sheers in a colour that complements the general aesthetic of your bedroom. Once you've determined the proper size for your sheers, you need to consider how you'll drape them over your canopy bed.

Creating a Headboard Effect

A simple method for using sheer curtains is to use them as a headboard. Simply mount the curtains behind your bed in a similar fashion to how you mount window treatments. A good framing effect can be achieved by setting the curtains well beyond the width of the bed, and while they can be hung at any height, hanging them near the ceiling helps create a strong visual impact. You can create a focal point by using a decorative curtain rod.

Cleaning an Antique Quilt

Cleaning antique textiles can be challenging. The cleaning or washing of textiles can be harmful.

Tumble drying and washing machines are excessively harsh for antique fabrics; their beating motion damages and breaks fibres, while the spinning cycles crush them.

If you want to keep your textiles in good condition, you should prevent or minimise the need to clean them. It is critical to avoid collecting dirt rather than inflicting needless damage through frequent cleaning operations. Not all fabrics were designed to be washable.

To begin, allow the quilt to air dry on a sunny day. Second, fill the bathtub halfway with cold water and wash with a gentle, odourless, colourless liquid detergent. You can soften fabrics with distilled white vinegar in water. Just add 1/2 cup to the water. Submerge the quilt thoroughly in the water, shake it gently in the water, and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Fill the bathtub with new water after emptying the washing water. Empty and refill the container as required until the water and quilt are soap-free. Allow the quilt to air dry.