Uses of Curtains
by Robert Carlton
Description: Tips for decorating with curtains.
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The roles of curtains have changed. At one
time they were used to retain heat, block cold air, control sunlight
and provide privacy. They still perform these roles, but with the many
advancements in window glass and window design technology, they are often
much more decorative than functional. Decorators can be much more
creative in their window treatments with this shift to the decorative usage.
For many people, there is a distinction between the terms curtains
and drapes. Drapes are usually floor length, lined and suspended from a
traverse rod with hooks that will allow them to be opened and closed by
pulling a cord. Draperies are usually very formal looking. Curtains are
less formal. They are usually those fabric window treatments that are
suspended by hooks or rings from a rod and opened and closed by grasping
the edge and pulling the fabric panel into position. Often they are
tied back to the window casing and are not opened or closed at all. In
these situations, they are frequently used in conjunction with shades, or
blinds
which can be closed to block sunlight or provide privacy.
Types of Curtains
There are three basic types of curtains. These are the panel, the
cafe and tiered. Panel are simply plain panels of fabric that are hemmed
at the top and at the bottom. They are suspended from the top of the
window by rings or hooks and hang in natural folds, giving the window a
less formal appearance. These are often used in bedrooms and dining
rooms and maybe used in combination with shades, blinds or sheers. Cafe
curtains are generally hung from the center of the window, leaving the
upper part of the window bare or exposed. Sometimes the cafe styles will
be hung one fourth or one third of the way down from the top of the
window, giving the window a much different look. Either way, they are tied
back. Cafe curtains are often used in kitchens and in informal dining
areas. The third kind is the tiered. These are multiple panels with one
or two panels hanging over the top of the two base panels. The base
panels usually cover the bottom half of the window and the outer pan!
els cover the top half of the window and hang down to overlap the base
panels.
There are three basic lengths as well. The sill length is either
suspended from either the halfway point or the top of the window. The
bottom hem is not quite touching the windowsill. The below the sill style
is cut so the bottom hem hangs just below the apron or trim board
running across the bottom of the window. The floor length style is cut so the
bottom hem is just above the floor.
There are also be lined or unlined styles, depending upon the amount
of natural light that is to be admitted to the room. Similarly, there
are interlined styles, with a third layer sandwiched between the panel
and the lining. They are designed to provide protection from cold air
that is conducted from the outside to the inside through the glass, or
air seeping through cracks in the windowsill or between the sash and the
window frame.
Tie Back Styles
The appearance of a window can be dramatically altered by the
colour and fabric used. It can also be altered in the manner the curtains
are hung. One popular and attractive arrangement is the tie back. Tie
back options offer decorators tremendous choices in creating unique and
very attractive windows.
The most popular tie back positions are the high tie, the middle
tie, the low tie, the centre tie, the crisscrossed tie and the angled
double tie.
1. The high tie is when one or two panels are hung in the window.
The tie pulls the panel back above the centreline of the window.
2.
The middle tie pulls the panel back at a point near the middle of the
curtain. It looks best if it is not done at the exact centre, but either
slightly above or slightly below the centre.
3. The low tie pulls
the curtain back about three-fourths of the distance from the top to
the floor.
4. The centre tie gathers one or two curtains and pulls
them together in the vertical centre of the window, about two thirds or
three fourths of the distance from the top to the bottom.
5. The
crisscrossed tie starts with two overlapping panels hanging the full
width of the window. The outer panel is pulled back to one side and the
inner curtain is pulled back to the opposite side.
6. The angled tie
uses either one or two curtains. The panel is pulled partially back in
the high tie position and pulled back more closely to the windo!
w casing in the bottom tie position. The panel is tied back twice in
such a way that it is hung in a pleasing, billowing angle from one top
corner of the window to a point below the opposite side of the
window.
Formal and Informal Styles
Curtains can be as varied as the individuals in whose homes they
hang. Even with all of the variety in fabrics, colours, lengths and
methods of hanging, all curtain styles can be classified as either formal or
informal.
Formal window treatments are usually called draperies and hang in
layers. They are most often found in formal parlors or sitting rooms,
living rooms and formal dining rooms. The window treatment is usually done
in two or three layers. The first layer is the sheer, which is often a
single panel of sheer linen or lace that admits diffused light into the
room. Sheers also tend to obscure visibility from the outside,
especially if the lighting in the room is subdued. The second layer is usually
the pleated floor length drapes. The drapes are suspended from
traverse curtain rods if they are intended to be opened and closed. Drapes
are hung from above the window and cover the side casing and trim of the
window as they fall toward the floor. The third layer is the curtain
running across the window top and covers the top of the window casing,
trim and the heading of the draperies. Draperies and valances are!
often lined. Draperies may be below sill length although they are
often floor length.
Everything else is informal curtains, usually hung in one or two
layers. They are seldom lined, and are used to diffuse light, not to block
it out.
Curtains are decorative, but have other uses as well, aside from
providing privacy. They are useful in room darkening to protect room
contents from the adverse effects of the sun’s UV rays. Sunlight can
fade the colors in furniture and carpet fabrics. Lined curtains are
especially good for protecting furniture and carpeting near windows facing
either to the south or to the west.
There are many window covering options to the home decorator. The
variety of styles, colours and fabrics give homeowners greater
versatility in decorating than ever before.
As a writer Bob Carlton publishes home decorating tips from
wallpaper to window coverings up to drapery
fabric for various publications and online magazines including his
own website at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com
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