Types of Window Curtains & Window Coverings

Types of Window Curtains & Window Coverings

To every woman, curtains, however much of a problem, are at the same time a joy. She visualizes soft taffeta with graceful, shaped lambrequins and crisp cretonne with pert little box-plaited valances. The matter of walls and floors are negligible to her. It is the curtain that makes or mars.

The first problem is to find the right curtain for the right window. Be warned that curtains with ample hems, turn-downs and valances require more material than is guessed at at random, and the expense incurred mounts up quickly.

A city house requires formality in curtaining, as the appearance from the street has to be taken into account. This formality is generally produced by hanging net or scrim curtains throughout the front of the house. The quality may be cheaper in the upper rooms. While a ruffled dotted Swiss curtain gives a charming, informal "homey" look to a country cottage, the same thing in a brownstone front would be inappropriate. Under-curtains should be kept clean. One often will see a city street bordered by handsome houses in which there are curtains of hopelessly begrimed lace and net.

There are generally two sets of curtains - under-curtains next to the glass, and over-curtains or draperies. In some instances only one set is required, as in a bedroom where a sun-fast or thin silk is used, but, as a rule, a glass curtain is advisable since it protects the over-drapes and also softens the light in the room.

Shaped valance with taffeta ruffle. The curtains are plain but looped back with taffeta rosettes.

In under curtains there is not much variety. For the city house ecru net with lace insertions or borders is generally in good taste. Fine quality scrim curtains with hand hemstitched borders give the best effect for the expenditure. This curtaining may be used throughout the house, as it is not too dressy for the bedrooms and is sufficiently formal for the living-room and library. Moreover, since they are all the same, they are interchangeable and therefore economical; when one wants new ones for the drawing-room, the old ones go upstairs in a less conspicuous place. Muslin curtains are mainly used in an informal way, such as in bedrooms and country houses. The main objection to them is that they are too white and will not harmonize with the background of most linens and cretonnes used as over-drapes with them. Besides, there is a look of lingerie about them that makes scrim come to the front as the preeminent glass curtain.

Next Page: Window Curtain Colors.