When I see the words curtain, I think something that someone with average skills might be able to create. I think this book should have been called The Drapery Book because the majority of the window styles are much more elaborate than what I consider to be curtains. I am not a decorator so I might have the wrong connotations of the words, but this is what comes to my mind when I see curtains vs drapes.
Most of the styles depicted are beautiful but VERY elaborate and more focused on mansions. The majority of drapes are similar to ones you would see in very wealthy homes, i.e. Hearst Castle and some of the old railroad barons mansions in Florida. Unfortunately, the majority of the book would require some major sewing skills or a custom draperier to create.
This book has only limited info for someone on a stricter budget. Some of the treatments and information could be adapted and implemented in a less ornate setting (pg 29). There are 4 pages devoted to "Keeping it Simple". My favorite part of the book were pages 134-35 where there are illustrations for decorating and throwing fabrics over Poles.
If you are looking for more contemporary, relaxed, simpler "curtains", I would recommend a different book. If you are looking for elaborate, classic-traditional "drapes", this would be the book for you.