We have a confession. We’re guilty of making bad decisions about our home curtains and blinds. After following “Tips with Farah” every Wednesday on the Mastara IG account, we realized just how wrong we were. The collaboration couldn’t have come at a better time, with the beginning of summer, we are thinking of giving our homes, chalets and even offices a much needed facelift.
Kuwaiti designer, interior design influencer and entrepreneur Farah AlHumaidhi needs no introduction. She has taken the design world by storm with her keen eye for detail and impeccable taste. Her YouTube channel offers in-depth information and advice on designing your spaces while her social media platform offers insights, tips and the know-how you need to create rooms you love and thrive in. With several decor courses under her belt, she’s the perfect person to guide us through the process.
And who better to collaborate with than Mastara, Kuwait’s first and only bilingual platform (app and website) that offers customized curtains and blinds services online. The company has completely disrupted the industry by making it simple and easy to make the right decisions for your home with an exacting sense of accuracy that is unparalleled in the market. They even send you fabric samples and specialists to measure and offer advice for the best window dressings for your space.
This season, Farah is sharing her tips on the Mastara platform and advice about buying and styling your window coverings and introducing you to the world of curtains and blinds. Here’s a breakdown of what we learned so far:
Before you begin
Farah’s first tip is to think about curtains and blinds in the early design stages. Many of us choose our window coverings as an afterthought which is a mistake. We need to consider things like size, placement of the railings, if they will be visible or hidden, lighting options and whether the curtain will be controlled manually or using a remote control. All these different options which are fully customizable by Mastara can change the design and look of window treatment and thinking about them earlier in the process makes it easier to make the right choice.
Create your own mood board
Mood boards are a fun way to find your own style and aesthetic. They are a flexible tool that can help you imagine different colors and textures coming together. You can create your own by adding photos, fabric samples for your carpet, sofa and even other elements like accessories and plants. Once you have recreated the room you can start adding the curtain samples. If you are using roman blinds then you need the correct fabric type. Our friends at Mastara can show you the samples that have the correct amount of structure needed. Farah also offers tips on choosing a contrasting which can make the color pop or a complementary color which blends in.
Size matters
The right size curtain can make or break the look you are going for. If your curtain is too narrow or doesn’t look full enough it can end up looking sad. Farah explains that you need the full length from ceiling to floor multiplied by the width. Measure the width of your window then add about 50 cm on each side to fully cover the window, that number then needs to be multiplied by two to account for the pleating and gathering that gives a curtain that beautiful rich look and feel. Don’t worry if this feels too complicated, the experts at Mastara are masters at measuring and doing all the calculations for you. This is especially useful if you have corner windows or irregularly shaped balconies that you want to style.
Enjoying the view is part of the experience!
While we use curtains to ensure that we have privacy, we also don’t want to lose out on pretty views, especially at the chalet or if your window overlooks a garden. Farah suggests choosing a sheer fabric that doesn’t obstruct the view. In a situation that a nice view isn’t present, then perhaps the design of your window dressing needs to be elevated.
Meeting the experts
You’ve created your mood boards, measured and double checked your numbers, you’ve decided what you want and you’re ready to invite the Mastara team to visit for a consultation. Farah suggests that preparing for that meeting can really help with the process. Sharing your vision with the team can help them understand what you are going for and that helps them offer you the best options for your space.
Chilling in the chalet
While all of the above tips work for any space, chalets can benefit from the smart solutions that Mastara offers like the Sunscreen blinds, UV blinds, linens, shutters and sheers. They will keep your chalet feeling cool and stop harmful rays from entering without interfering with your enjoyment of the view.
Motorized solutions
Motorized curtains and blinds are very useful. They give your home a futuristic and practical feel while also being accessible. You can even connect the motors to a smart home app for extra usefulness. However, Farah reminds us that you need to make sure that you’ve added electrical points in the right places and that the motor you select works with the curtain’s size, weight and fabric. Don’t worry too much about it though because the Mastara team will help you find the right one for you.
Bonus tip: the best sellers
Farah shared Mastara’s best-sellers with us and explains why they are a great option for most people. Customers love the linen-blend curtains in neutrals (white, beige and gray) and she explains that these can work with almost any room decor and the fabric can handle the climate in Kuwait really well. The fabric is easy to wash and press and doesn’t hold dust. It is also available in several widths which are great for whatever size you need.
Now that you’re armed with all the information you need, you can give your home a new look and feel for the summer without a worry on your mind.
Follow @mastarakw on Instagram to view all the videos in full. Mastara is the first and only bilingual app and website in the region to offer customized curtains and blinds online. Book a free consultation today at www.mastara.me/appointment or Whatsapp 9092 5757.
