Expert Picks: Our Sales Team's Favourite Drapery & Lining Fabrics Across Australia and New Zealand
When it comes to selecting the perfect drapery and lining fabrics, local expertise matters. For decades, Charles Parsons Interiors has proudly supplied premium interior fabrics to wholesale customers throughout Australia and New Zealand. From the coastal homes of Western Australia to the cooler climates of New Zealand's South Island, every region presents unique challenges and design preferences. Finding the right fabric solution requires a combination of quality products, industry knowledge, and practical experience.
That's where our expert sales team comes in. Working closely with curtain makers, interior designers, decorators, and retailers every day, our sales representatives understand what performs best in their local markets. We asked them to share their favourite sheers, solids, and linings from the Charles Parsons Interiors collection, along with their expert recommendations for creating beautiful, functional interiors.
New South Wales Picks with Martin
Best Solid: Beaumonde V2
Beaumonde V2 continues to be one of Martin's most recommended fabrics.
Its refined linen-look texture, soft handle, wide-width construction, and extensive colour palette make it a highly versatile choice for a broad range of projects.
"It's the ideal go-to solid fabric, with the perfect balance of texture, weight, and colour selection."
Best Sheer: Carter
With its soft handle, contemporary linen appearance, and distinctive vertical slub texture, Carter offers something different from many sheers currently available in the market. Its fresh colour palette and premium presentation make it a must-have product for designers and decorators.
Best Lining: Guardian Enviro
Martin also highlights Guardian Enviro for its sustainability credentials.
Produced predominantly from recycled polyester yarn, it provides an environmentally responsible solution while maintaining exceptional softness and performance. Its Off White colourway remains one of the most sought-after lining shades in the market.
Victorian Picks with Bruno
Best Linen Sheer: Parisi V2
For designers seeking a genuine linen sheer, Parisi V2 remains a standout choice.
With a generous 300cm width, 100% linen composition, on-trend colours, and premium Turkish craftsmanship, it offers outstanding quality and value within the luxury sheer category.
Best Sheer: Carter
For Bruno, Carter continues to be his clear winner.
Its superior drape, premium Turkish quality, and contemporary colour palette consistently help customers achieve exceptional outcomes and secure future projects.
Best Lining: Thermaback
Designed to perform in Australia's harsh climate, Thermaback offers outstanding durability and value.
Its advanced coating technology helps deliver long-term performance, making it a trusted choice for Australian window furnishing applications.
Best Solid: Beaumonde V2
While simple in appearance, Beaumonde V2 delivers exceptional drape and sophistication.
It offers a premium finish that justifies its position as a step above many competing products.
Western Australian Picks with Tracey
Best Sheer: Drake and Hargrave
For homes with stunning ocean, river, or coastal views, Drake and Hargrave are standout choices. These elegant sheers provide privacy whilst maintaining natural light and preserving the view beyond the window.
"It's perfect for customers who want privacy without losing sight of their beautiful surroundings."
Best Blockout: Elite & Kendrick
Western Australia's warm climate demands practical window furnishing solutions. Elite and Kendrick offer reliable blockout performance, helping to reduce heat and improve comfort throughout summer.
These versatile designs are an economical choice for a wide range of residential and commercial projects.
Best Lining: Guardian Enviro
As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers, Guardian Enviro Lining continues to grow in popularity.
Manufactured using recycled polyester yarn, it delivers excellent value while supporting environmentally conscious design choices.
South Australian Picks with Mike & Matt
Best Sheers
South Australian customers continue to gravitate towards sheers that combine beautiful drape, natural texture, and versatile colour palettes.
Carter V2 remains one of our standout performers. Its exceptional drape and ability to maintain its shape throughout the drop make it particularly well suited to S-Fold curtains. The extensive colour range offers broad appeal, with favourites including Chalk, Gardenia, Pearl, Mushroom, Moon, and Tusk.
Drake is another highly recommended sheer, offering the sought-after look of linen without the challenges often associated with high linen-content fabrics. Like Carter, it performs beautifully in S-Fold applications and is available in popular shades such as Eggshell, Feather, Arctic, Ash, Pebble, and Vanilla.
A longstanding favourite, Hargrave continues to be a proven seller thanks to its timeless appeal and versatile neutral palette, particularly Snow, Oyster, and Pearl.
For customers seeking exceptional value, Omni delivers a luxurious look and beautiful drape at an accessible price point. Bestselling colours include Snow, Stone, and Vanilla.
Cooper is valued for its generous 350cm width and outstanding colour offering, making it a practical and versatile choice for a wide range of projects. Popular shades include Macadamia, Ivory, Biscuit, White, Stone, Oyster, and Flax.
Another hidden gem is Boyd, which consistently exceeds expectations once made up. Its elegant finish and impressive drape give it a premium appearance, with Dove, Ivory, Pearl, and Oyster proving especially popular.
Valencia is often overlooked amongst some of our newer introductions, but it remains a reliable performer that makes up beautifully and delivers a refined finish. Key colours include Cashmere, Milk, Ivory, Silver, and Alabaster.
For customers looking for a point of difference, Nakuru continues to attract attention from high-end retailers and interior designers. Its tactile open weave construction and contemporary aesthetic align perfectly with current design trends, with Beech, Elm, and Limestone leading the way.
Best Solids
Beaumonde V2 remains one of our most highly regarded solid drapery fabrics. Its sophisticated texture, exceptional handle, and beautiful drape create a premium finish that consistently impresses once installed. Popular colourways include Bone, Eggshell, Dew, Oat, Flax, Sand, and Silver.
The Federation Collection also continues to be a popular choice for customers seeking coordinated designs and timeless styling. Standout shades include Lake, Mocha, Shell, Limestone, Celadon, Macadamia, and Mirage.
Best Lining: Thermaback
When it comes to linings, Thermaback remains the clear favourite. Its soft handle, extensive colour palette, and reliable performance make it a go-to solution for both residential and commercial projects.
Featuring a premium 4-pass coating, PFAS-free construction, and trusted Dow technology, Thermaback combines functionality with a luxurious feel. The comprehensive sampling resources also make it easy for retailers and showroom teams to confidently present the range to customers.
"Thermaback simply delivers. It performs exceptionally well, offers great colour choices, and provides everything our customers need in a premium curtain lining."
New Zealand
Auckland & Greater North Island Picks with Joel
I’ve been fortunate through my national sales role with Charles Parsons to see firsthand how textile trends and finished looks can vary across different regions of New Zealand.
While I’m based in metropolitan Auckland, my role takes me across regions including Central Otago, the Waikato, the Central Plateau and Bay of Plenty. Each area has its own unique landscape and lifestyle influence. From stunning coastal environments and beautiful rustic farmland to dramatic, snow-capped mountain ranges.
Sheers and Solids: Texture, texture & more texture
One thing that consistently stands out across these regions is the pull towards texture. Slubby cross dyed textured polyester, linen-look sheers and solid fabrics, combined with warm, natural toned colourways, continue to be a go to choice. Collections such as Lima, Lamu, Cosmo and Carter, along with our recent releases of Nakuru and Karumba, all sit beautifully within this aesthetic.
The finished look is equally important. Full-length drapes running from ceiling to floor, whether on a single or double track, create a sophisticated yet relaxed feel and complement the architectural and natural environments of these regions.
Lining
Pairing these fabrics with the right lining is where the look really comes together. Charles Parsons Guardian Enviro, made from recycled polyester, and our hugely popular Thermaback both provide excellent lining solutions, with colour options that complement the warm, natural palettes seen across these diverse regions.
For me, it’s about understanding what my customers are looking to achieve in their clients’ homes and helping bring that vision to life through Charles Parsons. It’s about combining texture, colour, functionality and quality to create window furnishings that complement the environment while delivering the finished look their clients are seeking.
Auckland & Northland Picks with Judith
Best Sheers: Carter & Cosmo
Carter continues to be one of my most recommended sheers, particularly with the introduction of its fresh new colour palette. The range works beautifully with our coloured Thermaback linings, creating a sophisticated layered look when used on a double track.
I'm also seeing great interest in Cosmo, thanks to its modern open-weave appearance and stylish colour selection. It offers a relaxed yet refined aesthetic that works particularly well in today's light-filled interiors.
Best Solids: Vintage, Elite, Karumba & Nakuru
For solid drapery fabrics, Vintage stands out for its beautiful weight, soft handle, and subtle lustre. Combined with its impressive colour palette, it's a go-to choice for creating elegant and timeless interiors.
Elite continues to resonate with customers looking for exceptional value. Its 300cm width, double-sided construction, triple-weave technology, and blockout performance make it an ideal solution for budget-conscious projects without compromising on quality or appearance.
Customers are also embracing the textural appeal of Karumba and Nakuru. Both collections bring something fresh and distinctive to the Charles Parsons Interiors range, with their tactile finishes and on-trend aesthetic. Nakuru in particular has been well received for its designer look and natural texture, making it a popular choice for customers seeking a contemporary yet relaxed interior style.
Best Lining: Thermaback Colour
Thermaback Colour remains a firm favourite in the Auckland market. While traditionally chosen as a lining, many customers are now using it as a standalone drapery fabric due to its clean finish, practicality, and extensive colour range.
South Island Picks with Alex
Best Lining: Guardian Enviro
For environmentally conscious clients, Guardian Enviro Lining remains a standout performer. Made from recycled materials, it provides a sustainable solution without compromising on quality, handle, or appearance.
Its carefully curated colour palette coordinates effortlessly with many Charles Parsons Interiors sheer collections, making it simple to create a cohesive window furnishing scheme.
Favourite Sheer Pairing: Paddington
Alex's preferred combination is Paddington Sheer paired with Guardian Enviro lining. Paddington offers the sought-after look of natural linen while avoiding many of the maintenance concerns associated with pure linen fabrics.
Together, they create a timeless and understated window treatment that balances practicality with sophistication.
Upholstery & Solid Drapery Favourite: Balmoral by Porter & Stone (Indent brand)
As temperatures drop, Balmoral
by Porter & Stone becomes a favourite across New Zealand's South Island.
This versatile fabric is suitable for both upholstery and drapery applications, offering durability, warmth, and visual texture. Its multi-coloured plaid design has strong appeal among South Island customers, complementing styles ranging from modern farmhouse to traditional country homes. Balmoral brings character, comfort, and enduring style to any interior setting.
Wellington Picks with Richard
New Zealand interiors often embrace organic textures, earthy colour palettes, and a strong connection to nature.
Best Sheers: Verdure, Nakuru & Carter
Printed sheers remain a favourite choice for adding visual interest and softness to interior spaces. Verdure's delicate leaf-inspired design brings a sophisticated botanical element to contemporary interiors.
Open-weave fabrics continue to trend across both residential and commercial interiors. Nakuru delivers a tactile, designer-inspired look while remaining highly accessible. Its natural appearance and on-trend colour selection create a relaxed yet elevated finish that customers love.
The latest colours in Carter have been exceptionally well received throughout Wellington.
"New Zealanders love natural, earthy interiors, and the Carter palette perfectly reflects that style. The new turmeric tone and three beautiful green colourways have been particularly popular."
These shades pair beautifully with the coordinating colours available in the Guardian Enviro and Thermaback Colour lining ranges.
Best Solids: Elite, Karumba & Coordinate Jacquards
With integrated blackout performance and the flexibility of optional lining, Elite has quickly become a popular solution. Its affordability makes it particularly attractive for commercial projects, rental properties, and large-scale installations.
Coordinated jacquard collections like Regents Park, Federation and Miramar remain trusted favourites for designers looking to create cohesive and timeless interiors.
For customers seeking something distinctive, Karumba stands out from the crowd. Featuring an abstract textured design and contemporary earthy tones, Karumba has become a favourite throughout Wellington's interiors market. The rich Mango colourway has been especially successful for display installations and pairs beautifully with Nakuru when showcased together.
Best Linings
Coloured linings are becoming increasingly popular for adding depth and design intent to window furnishings.
Some of Richard's favourite combinations include:
- Thermaback Colour Olive paired with Carter and botanical printed sheers.
- Guardian Enviro Macadamia paired with neutral linen-look sheers for a warm, sophisticated finish.
Whether you're sourcing wholesale curtain fabrics, sheer drapery fabrics, blockout curtain materials, or sustainable curtain linings, Charles Parsons Interiors offers one of the most comprehensive collections available across Australia and New Zealand. Our carefully curated ranges combine exceptional quality, contemporary design, and proven performance, helping curtain makers, interior designers, decorators, retailers, and workrooms create beautiful, functional spaces for their clients.
Our sales team lives and breathes interiors, with hands-on knowledge of the trends, challenges, and customer preferences unique to their region. Whether you're selecting sheers, drapery fabrics, or lining solutions, reach out to your local Charles Parsons Interiors representative for expert advice and tailored recommendations to help bring your next project to life.


