What good-value curtains work with sash windows?

I've got high ceilings and beautiful sash windows - but a tight budget. How should I dress them?

An elegant Roman blind will give a clean and simple finish to your room. Or, if you prefer curtains, don't think that having high ceilings means you can't get away with ready-mades. Sash windows look great with floor-length curtains, so choose the longest pair you can find. If they come up short, add a contrasting 'hem' to the bottom of the curtains for an elegant look. You don't even need to be a dab hand with a sewing machine as you can simply iron on some Vilene Extra Strong Wundaweb (£1.99 for 3m, www.amazon.co.uk) for a quick fix.