As interiors have moved away from the spare and the minimal toward something warmer and more layered, the portiere has made an unexpected return to the modern decorator's toolkit.
A portiere is a curtain hung across a doorway, suspended from a rod above the frame and falling in full, heavy folds to the floor. They are either used in addition to a door or in lieu of one.
A well-made portiere – lined, interlined and falling the full height from rod to floor – creates an effective buffer zone for draughts and dampens the echoes of footsteps and conversation between rooms. They were used in Europe as early as the fourth century, where they helped insulate chilly stone buildings.
The Victorian enthusiasm for portieres belonged to the Aesthetic Movement, with its appetite for richness, romance and elaborate decoration. They were made from velvet, brocade, or heavy linen, embroidered at the borders and hung on brass rods with rings.
Today, the return of the portiere is part of a broader trend for folding layers of softness and pattern into a home – more stripy upholstery, more floral fabrics and so on.
A full sweep of cloth in a doorway feels dramatic and nostalgic in equal measure. They are cheap to buy and easy to install and swap out. "A simple curtain panel can be changed through the year, from a lightweight nautical-print cotton in summer to a warm lined wool in winter," says Alaina Binks, Country Living's style and interiors editor.
They also make for a simple space-saving fix in small rooms, saving you the clearance needed for a door to swing open, and can address wide openings connecting kitchens and dining rooms, or sitting rooms and halls, without the need for bespoke double doors.
What makes a good portiere
- Fabric weight: Heavy wools, velvets, linens and damasks all work well. The fabric needs to be substantial enough to hang without shifting in a draught.
- Lining and interlining: Interlining is where the thermal and acoustic benefits come from. A curtain without any lining will be lighter with more movement.
- Length: A portiere that hangs short loses most of its practical function and looks unfinished. Something that pools on the floor usually looks most stylish.
- Rod or track: A purpose-made portiere rod – hinged so it can pivot with the door – is the traditional solution. In empty doorways, a simple curtain rod is plenty.
- Heading: Pinch pleat or goblet pleat headings give the most disciplined silhouette, while eyelet or tab tops tend to look casual.
- Trimmings: Fringing, rope or tassel tiebacks are optional, but add strong decorative character.
Getting it right in a country home
The best portieres share certain qualities – the fabric is generous, pooling by a few inches at the base, which gives it its characteristic ease, the colours and patterns relate to but do not match any curtains in the adjoining room; and there is usually a unique flourish, for instance in the choice of tie backs or a fun pelmet.
"Choose fabrics wisely," adds Alaina, "cotton and linen have a relaxed quality and suit most rooms. Heavyweight velvets have an opulent appearance and suit period homes and certain rooms, such as bedrooms or living areas."
The whole thing needn't be expensive. A patterned pre-made curtain can cost as little as £50 – we love the hand-blocked selection at Graham & Green – and for something bespoke, a metre of good quality linen fabric can cost much the same.
Alaina also suggests some clever repurposing. "A large monogrammed vintage linen sheet creates an original curtain. Decorative antique lace and embroidered tablecloths also work well. You could use simple pincer clips attached to rings to hang these unlined panels without the need for any sewing."
Our favourite fabrics for a modern portiere
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
