Bespoke FF&E curtains brief: the 12 data points a designer must provide

7-min read — Updated January 2026

An incomplete FF&E textile brief means 3 to 5 back-and-forth exchanges with the supplier, 2 weeks lost in pricing, and a high risk of dimensional error noticed on installation day. For a designer or FF&E project manager, knowing how to transmit the 12 key data points of a textile brief in a single send is a major productivity and reliability lever.

This article lists these 12 data points — those that a serious hospitality textile maker expects in order to issue a firm priced quote on receipt, without coming back to the designer with basic questions.

Data point 1 — Exact opening dimensions

Width and height of the glazing, in mm. Not "around 2 m by 2.5 m"; not "the width of the bay"; the net width of the glazing or French window, measured on site, with ±10 mm precision.

Tip: always plan an on-site survey by a measurer before final validation. 1/50 architect drawings often contain gaps of 2 to 6 cm vs. as-built reality.

Data point 2 — Desired drop height

Three options to choose explicitly:

• Full floor-to-ceiling: the curtain runs from a ceiling-fixed rail down to the floor (–10 mm clearance).
• Window-only height: curtain 20 cm above the glazing down to 20 cm below the sill.
• Mid-height drop: curtain stopping at the sill or 2 cm below the sill — rare in high-end hospitality.

Also specify the floor tolerance: "touches floor", "10 mm above the floor", or "15 mm above the skirting". These 15 mm of difference change the perception of the drape.

Data point 3 — Number of panels and opening direction

A curtain comes in 1 panel (single side opening), 2 symmetrical panels (central opening), or 2 asymmetrical panels (offset opening). Specify direction: opening left, right, or central; stack to the left or right when open.

For large glazing > 3 m, 2 panels are almost mandatory to avoid an overly heavy curtain to handle. Beyond 6 m, consider 4 panels or motorisation.

Data point 4 — Type of pleating

The choice of pleating radically determines the image of the curtain:

• Flat pleats: sober, contemporary, office and public-body standard. Pleating ratio 1.5 to 1.8.
• French (or pinch) pleats: high-end classic, generous volume. Ratio 2.0-2.4.
• Wave pleats: modern, supple, natural undulation. Requires a specific carriage rail. Ratio 2.2-2.5.
• Round (or balloon) pleats: very voluminous, for great heights and classic spaces. Ratio 2.5-3.0.
• French smock pleating: very sophisticated draped effect, often in 5★ suites.

The pleating ratio determines fabric consumption: 2.5 m finished width with a 2.2 ratio = 5.5 m of sewn fabric. For accurate pricing, specify the desired ratio.

Data point 5 — Installation mode (rail, rod, bar, tension)

The installation mode determines the aesthetics and the technique:

• Aluminium ceiling rail: discreet, hidden supports; 4★/5★ standard.
• Concealed rail: dropped ceiling integrating the rail; complete masking of the system.
• Visible rod brass, bronze, matt black: decorative statement, often in classic universes or boutique hospitality.
• Railway-style bar: large volume, industrial style, restaurants and lofts.
• Curved rail: for rounded glazing (bay windows, corners); slows making-up by 15-20%.

Data point 6 — Fabric: precise reference or functional criteria

Two possible routes:

• Editor reference: "Kvadrat Coda 2 colour 132, weight 385 g/m², intrinsic M1". Enables immediate pricing.
• Functional criteria: "contemporary warm beige fabric, weight 300-400 g/m², draped fall, in-mass M1, Martindale > 30,000, fabric budget max €45/lm". Allows the supplier to propose 2-3 options.

If functional criteria, specify the fabric budget per linear metre to frame the proposal. Without a budget, the supplier often proposes the middle range by default.

Data point 7 — Lining: yes / no / which performance

Lining is a major decision:

• Without lining: simple, light, economical fabric. Low opacity and insulation.
• Standard cotton/polyester lining: protects the main fabric from light, extends its lifespan by +30-50%. 3★ to 5★ standard.
• Blackout lining: essential in hotel rooms (total darkness). €60-90/lm extra.
• Thermal lining: improves thermal insulation by 15-20% vs. simple curtain. Useful on cold or very glazed façades.

Data point 8 — Finishes: hem, weighting, piping

Finishes distinguish a premium curtain from a standard one:

• Bottom hem: 80-120 mm folded, blind-stitched; never visible.
• Weighting: lead chain or weighting tape in the hem; gives a straight drape. Mandatory for a high-end finish.
• Piping: contrasting trim on front and bottom edges; decorative accent.
• Cantonnière or pelmet: textile band masking the rail; very traditional, returning to trend in classic hospitality.

Specify each desired finish and its dimensions.

Data point 9 — Motorisation and home automation

If motorisation, specify:

• Wired or radio motor?
• Brand imposed by the building (Somfy, Forest, Simu, Geiger…)?
• KNX, DALI, Wi-Fi home-automation integration?
• Control: wall switch, remote, in-room tablet, automatic scenario?
• Maximum permitted noise (in dB)?

These details change the compatible suppliers and the motorised rail price from €180 to €680 excl. VAT/lm.

Data point 10 — Quantities and project breakdown

Total number of units:

• Number of rooms per typology
• Number of common areas
• Total curtains, sheers, blinds per type
• Possible colour breakdown by zone (per floor, per façade…)

A serious supplier applies volume discounts: quantities structure unit prices. Pricing for 20 rooms can be 10-15% more expensive per unit than pricing 120 rooms of the same fabric.

Data point 11 — Target schedule

Specify:

• Expected quote submission date
• Desired aesthetic validation date
• Planned firm order date
• Installation start delivery date
• Installation completion delivery date
• Establishment opening date (or end of works)

Without a schedule, the supplier estimates a "standard" lead time (10-12 weeks) that may not match the project. With a schedule, they commit or decline — but no longer make empty promises.

Data point 12 — Total budget or range

Giving the estimated project textile budget allows the supplier to:

• Propose the right fabrics (not an out-of-budget one that wastes 2 weeks of pricing).
• Frame the aesthetic ambition (motorisation possible or not, simple or complex pleating).
• Propose intelligent trade-offs (saving on one item to fund another).

The argument "I don't want to disclose my budget so as not to bias the offer" is counterproductive: it generates off-target quotes that have to be redone, so time lost for everyone.

Synthetic brief template — copy/paste

Project: 4★ Hotel, 80 rooms, full renovation, Paris 9th. Textile scope: 80 rooms (2 typologies: 60 standard + 20 superior), 90 m² lobby, 140 m² restaurant. Total ≈ 210 curtains. Desired fabric: contemporary, beige/sand tone, 300-380 g/m², in-mass M1. Target fabric budget €35-55/lm. Lining: blackout in rooms, standard in common areas. Pleating: wave pleats in rooms, French pleats in common areas. Installation: aluminium ceiling rail, Somfy Sonesse ULTRA 50 radio motorisation mandatory in rooms. Finishes: 100 mm weighted hem, no piping. Schedule: quote expected 15/02, validation 28/02, order 15/03, installation 15-30/06. Opening planned 15/07. Total textile target budget: €240,000 excl. VAT. Expected deliverables: line-by-line priced quote + M1 fabric test reports + 3 similar project references + detailed schedule.

With this level of detail, a professional maker issues a complete priced quote within 48-72h.

FAQ — FF&E textile brief

Can the brief be sent without precise dimensions?

For an "indicative pre-pricing" phase, yes — a supplier can give a price range per m² based on architect drawings. For a binding firm pricing, real on-site dimensions are essential.

Who takes the dimensions: the architect or the supplier?

In 80% of projects, the supplier sends a measurer to take the final dimensions just before making-up. This step engages their responsibility on the final dimensions.

Should site photos be attached?

Always. Wide-angle photos of each typology, detail of sills, detail of ceiling / suspended ceiling, glazing photos from outside. A serious supplier appreciates them.

What if the client changes their mind midway?

Formalise each modification in writing (email or amendment) with planning and budget impact. Untracked modifications are the leading cause of end-of-project disputes.

How many validation rounds should be planned?

Ideally 2-3: (1) priced quote on the initial brief, (2) adjustment after aesthetic validation with 1×1 m samples, (3) final signed quote. Beyond 4 rounds, the project loses momentum.

In summary

A complete FF&E textile brief fits on 1 well-structured page and addresses 12 technical data points: dimensions, height, panels, pleating, installation, fabric, lining, finishes, motorisation, quantities, schedule, budget. Sent in a single message with plans and photos attached, it allows a serious maker to issue a firm quote within 48-72h.

Brief discipline is the first step of a controlled project. Designers who invest 2 hours in rigorous brief writing save 10 hours later — and deliver projects faithful to their initial vision.