Home truths: Material matters when choosing fabric for rooms

We consult Cork soft furnishings specialist Elmarie Kilbride on stirring our interiors from hibernation and tackling new projects 

Choosing plain curtain fabric means you’ll get longevity, unlike patterns which might date quickly.

There’s nothing like fabric to finish off a room, whether it’s in the form of new upholstery, curtains or simple cushions, and as we approach spring the fabric design houses are getting ready to launch their new designs and colourways to lead us into temptation.

So, if you’re planning to invest in some new curtains or blinds, or have a sofa ready to oblige a visitation of cushions, new themes and hues have everything from the drama of geometric patterns to the calm, cocooning warmth of new neutrals which have moved away from chilly whites.