Driftwood House is a beautiful modern home in Shropshire’s English countryside. It was built by Butler Smith Developments and completed in early 2025.
This newly completed property blends natural materials with cutting-edge automation. One of its most striking features? A network of fully automated curtain tracks, expertly installed by Umbra Select dealers Butterley Barn Interiors.
A Bold Design Choice: Flow™ Curtain Tracks in Focus
The property features seven custom motorised Flow™ curtain tracks, powder-coated in black and surface-mounted for a bold contrast against the home’s warm, natural wood tones.
Each curtain track is precision-engineered with 90-degree bends to match the reveal surface.
Umbra’s upgraded cord and glider system, featuring the tangle-free runner system, keeps things running quietly and smoothly with compact bunching and a design that looks as good as it performs.
Smooth Integration
The Somfy Glydea Zigbee motors power the curtain systems, providing quiet operation and compatibility with smart home technologies. The Zigbee protocol allows for a more straightforward setup, more precise data feedback and a reliable wireless mesh with the other Zigbee motors in the network. The curtains connect with Control4 home automation and can be operated via custom wall switches, the TaHoma app, or voice commands.
Driftwood House was recently featured on the Luxury Home Show YouTube channel, attracting more than 135,000 views. And guess what the most rewatched moments are… The automated Flow™ curtain tracks in action, which is clear proof that this level of integration and design captures attention!
Why Flow™ Curtain Tracks Stand Out
Flow™ is Umbra’s curtain track system designed to combine great looks with practical performance. It’s quiet, flexible, and ideal for residential and commercial applications.
Flow™’s characteristics:
Robust Construction
The system features an extruded aluminium track, a high-quality drive belt, and superior roller runners, ensuring effortless and whisper-quiet operation, even for heavy curtains up to 60kg.
Flexible Design
Choose straight tracks, curved designs, or angle bends. Tracks can be configured to draw one way or split from the centre, with options for standard or ripple curtain headings.
Battery-Powered Innovation
Unlike many traditional electric curtain tracks, Flow™ offers a hassle-free, battery-operated motor. This innovation eliminates the need for complex wiring, allowing easy installation on virtually any wall.
Smart Controls
Motors are compatible with hardwired systems, dry contact switching, radio remote control, or smart home devices. The optional RS485 digital module enables seamless integration with advanced home automation systems.
This installation shows how smart shading can be practical and beautiful. Umbra’s Flow™ curtain tracks bring functionality and flair to Driftwood House, turning simple window treatments into a standout feature.
See the case study or get in touch for shading advice.