The Underdog Curtain Style About to Get Its Due

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OK but can we talk about curtains for a sec? DesignerJake Arnoldfeels the exact same way about them as he doeswallpaper and rugs—they should NEVER be an afterthought. With clients likeKaty Perry, he's the go-to for major collabs spanning everything from furniture (including apool umbrellathat doubles as a table) to wallpaper. Now? He's turning his eye to the windows. His new curation withEverhem just dropped and I'm here for it.

Arnold's mission? Bringing that effortless, quiet confidence to window treatments. "So much of what's available feels either overly traditional or overly minimal in a way that lacks warmth," says the designer. "This collection is all about balance. Softness with structure. Restraint with richness. Pieces that support the room rather than perform in it." The lineup includes drapery, Roman shades, café curtains, and fixed panels (a first for Everhem!) in 11 different fabrications and materials. And Arnold was so specific about every single piece that he even named one of the curtain styles, theJake Pleat Drapery, after himself. Love that energy.

Ahead, in his own words, the pro spills all his window treatment wisdom—from where to use fixed drapery to what's catching his eye for 2026. Trust me on this one.

Treating them as an afterthought—huge no! Window treatments are honestly one of the most powerful tools for creating atmosphere, softness, and that "the room is done" feeling. Another common mistake? Overcomplicating things. Too many layers, trims, or decorative details can quickly overwhelm a space. Simplicity, when it's done thoughtfully, almost always feels more elevated and more enduring.

Fixed curtainsare honestly ideal when you want that softness and presence of drapery without needing to open and close them every day. I often recommend them for rooms where privacy or light control is already handled by another layer, like a shade, or where the curtains are meant to frame architecture rather than be functional. They're especially stunning in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms where the goal is mood, balance, and visual calm.

Proportion—I immediately notice where they start, where they stop, and how they relate to the room's architecture. Curtains should elongate and soften a space. When they're hung too low, too narrow, or too short, they visually compress the whole room. But when they're done right? You don't even consciously notice them. You just feel that the room works. It's that effortless vibe.

The Jake Pleat is tailored but relaxed—it has structure without stiffness. It's less about a rigid, decorative pleat and more about a soft architectural fold that holds its shape naturally over time. I wanted something that felt modern but not trendy, refined but not fussy. It works just as beautifully in a formal space as it does in a lived-in home, which honestly reflects how I approach design overall.