Sometimes drapery hardware is meant to be a visible design element. Other times, it needs to take a backseat so that other elements like fabric, wallpaper, or architecture can stand out in a design. French return curtain rods are a great option when other features should star, and Brimar offers two collections that approach that idea differently. Choosing the right French return for your project depends on factors like technical requirements, fabric weight, and the aesthetic of the room.
Choosing the Right French Return
When a window treatment is custom, the hardware has to work with the rest of the room. A French return affects the way the drapery meets the wall and how much the hardware stands out. All French returns can provide useful features like light control, a tailored appearance, and a clean wall return. French returns have a minimalist appearance, so it’s important that they function properly. If the window treatment is visually simple, a rod that bows, catches, or doesn’t slide properly becomes much more noticeable. Not the case with Brimar’s continuous rod lengths. The seamless design creates an effortless drapery draw, and when properly bracketed, rods will not bow.
The material matters, too, especially when the project has specific functional or aesthetic requirements.
Metal French Returns
Brimar’s metal French return rods help when strength matters. They’re heavy duty and stronger than the acrylic material, so they work for longer window spans and heavier drapery. “Unlike thinner, flimsy alternatives or generic off-the-shelf products, we focus on delivering a solid, commercial-grade solution with the durability, customization, and longevity the job requires,” Marc Thiergart, president of Brimar, says.
That technical difference can also affect the finished look of the treatment. A less heavy duty rod that bows over time can change the way the window treatment hangs and operates, so strength is part of the design decision, as well.
Acrylic French Returns
Acrylic French returns offer a different look. They’re also part of Cube, one of Brimar’s best-selling drapery hardware collections. They can be a subtle choice for a room where the fabric or another design element should take the lead. “The Cube collection, being clear acrylic, creates a floating effect that disappears into the room,” Thiergart says.
Why Customization Changes the Specification
For a designer working on a custom interior, the drapery hardware has to work with the window dimensions, the drapery, the room’s aesthetic, the functional requirements, and more. A project-specific bend gives the designer more control over the final treatment, especially when a standard rod isn’t quite right for the window. Designers can also choose from multiple finishes, so the hardware can work with the room’s decor rather than feeling like a separate element.
A custom element to a design can sound complicated at first, but custom doesn’t have to mean complicated. Custom French returns can be very simple. The customization happens behind the scenes, and the finished hardware can still have a very clean, simple appearance.
Because these rods are bent to order, accurate measurements matter. Brimar recommends measuring each window individually and accounting for anything that could interfere with the installation, like crown molding, doors, cabinetry, or built-ins.
Choose the Return Around the Project
A French return can provide a clean finish and help close the sides of the drapery, but the right material and configuration depend on the project. Because Brimar bends each rod to the project’s specifications, designers can approach drapery hardware as part of the custom treatment rather than an off-the-shelf afterthought.
