Colours and patterns happily commingle in a richly layered library.

Vibrant linen curtains play off cerulean blue millwork, as does a red wing chair that interior designer Theresa Casey picked up in New York.

Use a leaf-printed textile to bring the outdoors in.

A navy ribbon tie provides a smart contrast to the lime green fabric, and creates a soft swag effect.

Peony-pink curtains evoke a feminine air.

Designer Anne Hepfer favours brass rosettes to hold drapes back: "they're like jewelry for the room."

A calm and serene setting for a young family.

Floor-to-ceiling watery blue drapes hung on a brass rod add opulence to comfortable pieces, such as a caramel leather ottoman.

Combine a daring colour with elegant fabric for an unexpected look.

Designer Anne Hepfer created these drapes with a slight scoop at the bottom to add “a ballgown-like feeling.” She also opted for medium-weight interlining to prevent the shades from looking heavy or lumpy, and to allow natural light to glow through the silk. Black tapered legs on the chairs and upholstered bench unify this seating area.

For more chic interiors by Anne, see our photo gallery, plus see more orange rooms in this photo gallery.

Ceiling-height curtains inject grandeur and drama.

In the principal bedroom of designer James McIntyre's Calgary showhome, the palette is decidedly feminine: an abundance of chenille, velvet and linen in creamy white. The glass-based lamps help create a dreamlike atmosphere.

Update window coverings.

In this living room, a classically patterned blind is updated with a modern twist — a bold ribbon, sewn around the perimeter for a graphic punch.

Update a room with trendy window treatments.

This spacious office in an old Victorian home was in desperate need of an update. HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe added chevron drapes — an on-trend pattern for 2012 — which pop against the neutral grasscloth wallpaper.

Don't be afraid to mix and match prints.

A crisp brown and white roman shade on the guest room window creates a striking sight line from the hallway, and contrasts beautifully with the floral bed linen.

Flowing sheer curtains contrast with rough brick walls.

Designer Julie Charbonneau's principal bedroom feels luxurious with its floor-to-ceiling drapes, cosy chaise and soft upholstered bed with a wall-to-wall headboard.

Use curtains to frame a room's focal point.

Pairing floor-length drapes with a freestanding oval tub establishes the ensuite bathroom in the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome as both elegant and tranquil. An overhead chandelier and acrylic side table add the perfect amount of sparkle to the space.

See more of the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome in our photo gallery. Also, watch Lynda Reeves tour the space.

A clean-lined valence strikingly contrast a traditional, ornate fabric.

“Upholstery and drapery details are back but in a looser way than before,” says deputy editor Hilary Smyth. “Even drapery valances have returned but with stronger silhouettes.” Here, ribbon trim echoes the shape of the valance, creating the effect of millwork and bringing an architectural element to the room. Modern lighting, a neutral chair and a bold ikat pillow look fresh.

Find more new traditional decorating ideas in our photo gallery.

Sheer grey blinds add a sense of calm to a pattern-heavy room.

In Christine Woolner’s guest bedroom, designer James McIntyre used a fun and friendly striped wallpaper, which is grounded by the plush dark grey wool carpet (used throughout the second floor). The vibrant damask-clad wing chairs were a lucky find when McIntyre and Christine were on a trip to Los Angeles, and add the perfect pop of colour to the graphic colour scheme.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

A luxurious combination of colours and patterns.

The traditional print on the roman shade contrasts beautifully with the more contemporary, striped drapes nearby.

Deep blue curtains give a regal air to French doors.

The dining table in the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome was chosen for its oval ends and the extra leaf. Burlap pendants hung low create a relaxed intimacy.

Inexpensive oxford-cloth drapes liven up a traditional space.

The room's original, orangey wainscotting and trim are balanced with white-painted furniture, slipcovers and light drapes.

In her Collingwood country house, Sarah Richardson painted a salvaged clawfoot tub yellow to coordinate with the country-chic drapes. The vanity is also a reclaimed find that blends well with the feel of the old home.

Install wood shutters in a dining room to keep the room relaxed.

Wood shutters are a staple for casual, seaside style. When open, they invite plenty of sunshine; closed, they keep interiors cool. Shiny terracotta floor tiles add Mediterranean warmth, while a raw-wood pedestal table and X-back chairs slip-covered in linen add to the cottage theme.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.