Gabriel Interiors recently completed a large-scale curtain project for a local secondary school hall. The brief required fire-retardant (FR) fabrics that were both durable and visually refreshing. After extensive consultation and fabric sampling, the school selected Accolade Bilbury by Edmund Bell - a woven dim-out fabric, for a complete style refresh.

We crafted 11 pairs of long-drop hall curtains (310cm), lined in ivory sateen with double hems and pencil pleat headings. For the stage, matching curtains were made using the same fabric, but lined in black sateen. Each curtain side used 6 widths of fabric (approx. 65 metres including lining), with a jack chain hem inserted for proper weight and stage presence. A box pleat heading was used for structure and visual impact, reinforced with deep webbing and anchored with machined snap hooks. This provided a crisp, professional finish-resolving the issue of the previous curtains tipping forward at the top.

A brand new stage backdrop was also installed, requiring a suspended plinth and a 9-metre black track with foot pulley operation. The backdrop curtains, also in Accolade (Black), featured a pencil pleat heading and matt finish, providing a clean, professional look. We also updated the static side curtains, giving them better gather and continuity by matching the main fabric.

The project took nine months from planning to installation, involving detailed design, site visits, and close collaboration with the school. The result? A cohesive, functional, and impactful stage area that the school was thrilled with.

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