When most people think about decorating, they automatically look at walls and large surface areas first, but curtains and soft furnishings are important design details in our homes and interiors, bringing warmth, comfort and a sense of luxury that can’t be matched by anything else. While this is wonderful in many ways, unlimited options make it easier for the novice designer to make a mistake, and with the high cost of fabrics and labour this is an expensive lesson that few people can afford to bear. The good news is that knowledge is power, and with a sound understanding of soft-furnishing construction and the many ways in which fabrics can be combined, it’s easy to design for any style and budget. This course will show you how to combine practicality with creativity so you can design with confidence.

Maximum Completion Time:

6 months.   In the event that you are unable to complete your home study course within the specified timescale, you can request a time extension of 3 months (Terms & Conditions & Fees Apply)

1) Designing Window Treatments - When we think about looking for a window treatment, most people naturally think of curtains first, but this is just the beginning and there are many options available. Successful curtain design is about getting the balance right between the details of the window treatment itself, and how they interact with other decorative elements of the room… On this unique course, you will be taught the fundamentals of curtain construction and how the various components can be mixed and matched to design stunning window treatments suitable for any style or budget. Whether you prefer elaborate draperies or simple shades, this course will help you to design window treatments with flair. The following topics are among those covered:

• Curtain Headings, Edges & Bodies – how you can vary a single element to create individual & elegant designs.
• Readymade Curtains – the essential differences and when and how to use them successfully.
• Fabric Flair – combining fabrics creatively to create individuality and give a fresh new look to existing curtains.
• Pelmets & Valances – the difference between the two and a look at the options available.
• Swags & Tails – the key to success with elaborate draperies and how & when it’s appropriate to cheat!
• Blinds, Shades & Sheers – look at how to use them alone or combine them with curtains.
• Finishing Touches & Details – using accessories to create perfect finishing touches & novel designs.

2) Soft Furnishings & Accessories - Fabric can be used as a great “cover-up” to transform rooms instantly and easily, and carefully placed soft-furnishings and accessories can help to pull a scheme together and achieve continuity. Fabric can be used in so many different ways, that it provides the designer with unlimited scope, flexibility and something to suit every budget, but using fabric in the most obvious ways can result in a look that is calculated and contrived. Creating an individual and elegant interior requires sensitivity and careful consideration. This can be developed by simply “training your eye” and becoming familiar with all of the options available, which is what this course is designed to achieve...This new knowledge will help you to use fabrics to add instant style and to update a tired scheme instantly. It’s also a great way to adapt an interior to suit the seasons or mood. The following are just some of the topics that will be covered.

• Choosing Fabrics – practical considerations and pitfalls to avoid
• Doing it Differently – simple, yet imaginative ways to design unique soft furnishings.
• Bedding & Upholstery – how to design a bedroom that you won’t want to leave.
• Kitchens, Dining Rooms & Lounges – the details that can tie a room together without overkill.
• Alternative Details & Accessories – a close look at how a thoughtful approach can accomplish style and elegance.

3) Professional Presentation - The design industry is built on the premise that designers will help clients to get it right first time. Clients want to avoid the heartache and stress of an expensive mistake, and they hire designers because they want assurances of success first time around - but this doesn’t mean that they will trust you implicitly. So how can you convince them that your designs will work? Successful designers respond to this challenge by using a series of simple tools, to present their ideas in a way that is clear, persuasive and above all professional.  By the time you have mastered the new knowledge and skills taught throughout this course, you will undoubtedly develop your ability to design fabulous window treatments and soft-furnishings to transform any interior. Yet like all good ideas, your designs won’t have real value while they simply remain inside your head. Knowledge and skill is imperative, but so too is your ability to communicate your designs to clients in a clear, visual way, so that clients can see the direction you are taking them and you can both proceed with confidence and enthusiasm. This course will show you how to use words and images successfully so that you can present your ideas to clients in a way that is professional and persuasive. Topics covered include:

• Visualisation – how to envision the end result and make the right colour & fabric choices
• Mood & Concept Boards – adapting traditional designer’s tools to communicate visually with your clients
• Client Presentations – how to create presentations that sell your design ideas and concepts
• Client Briefs – giving substance to your suggestions and selling your ability and your professionalism!

4) Measuring, Estimating & Fitting - Estimating the costs of curtains & soft-furnishings can be a double edged sword; first the amount of fabric required must be accurately calculated, and then these totals must be added to labour costs to produce the total price. Allowances must be made so that patterns can be properly matched and sufficient fabric must also be allowed for hems and pattern “drifting”. While over-estimating the fabric quantity results in waste and prohibitive prices, under-estimating may leave insufficient fabric to complete the work properly, so it’s understandable that many designers are anxious about this aspect of curtain design. This was just one of the reasons why this course was developed. Curtains and soft furnishings are one of the largest expenses in interior decoration, and many new designers lack the confidence to calculate costs accurately. This can be a stumbling block for clients, and if you want to offer professional design services then you can’t afford to fall short in this regard. Understanding how various details impact the total cost can help you to prepare estimates accurately and juggle the different components to get maximum impact for your money. On this course you will be provided with a set of templates, to guide you through the process of preparing accurate estimates with a proven formula that will ensure your success. In addition to these tools, guidance is provided in the following areas:

• Measuring-Up – a checklist of the details to record and common pitfalls to avoid
• Calculating Fabric Requirements – our step-by-step template can be used to estimate accurately and without fuss
• Curtain Tracks & Poles – choosing and positioning them correctly
• Preparing Estimates – a professional template that you can adapt for your own use
• Hanging & Dressing - Off Curtains – the important steps to a professional finish

5) Soft Furnishings & Accessories - Fabric can be used as a great “cover-up” to transform rooms instantly and easily, and carefully placed soft-furnishings and accessories can help to pull a scheme together and achieve continuity. Fabric can be used in so many different ways, that it provides the designer with unlimited scope, flexibility and something to suit every budget, but using fabric in the most obvious ways can result in a look that is calculated and contrived. Creating an individual and elegant interior requires sensitivity and careful consideration. This can be developed by simply “training your eye” and becoming familiar with all of the options available, which is what this course is designed to achieve… Fabric is a great way to co-ordinate interior details, by successfully linking colour and pattern throughout a room. In this course you will be shown some of the many ways that fabric can be used in interior decoration, and you will discover some of the more unusual ways of using fabric to add softness and warmth, without excess frills. This new knowledge will help you to use fabrics to add instant style and to update a tired scheme instantly. It’s also a great way to adapt an interior to suit the seasons or mood. The following are just some of the topics that will be covered.

• Choosing Fabrics – practical considerations and pitfalls to avoid
• Doing it Differently – simple, yet imaginative ways to design unique soft furnishings.
• Bedding & Upholstery – how to design a bedroom that you won’t want to leave.
• Kitchens, Dining Rooms & Lounges – the details that can tie a room together without overkill.

Assignments:

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading. One final project.