If you want to create pompous decoration for the window, French curtains will be the best choice.
Lush folds along the entire curtain fabric form a magnificent view of the window dress.
These chic draperies have long been decorating palace apartments, the interiors of elite estates, banquet halls of restaurants, halls and theater stages. The wide scope of great looking textiles is the main reason for the great popularity of awning curtains. So they were called in France several centuries ago.
Surprisingly, over the centuries, the interest of interior designers has not faded to them. Decorators actively use prototypes of theatrical curtains to decorate rooms for various purposes. Due to the multi-tiered scallops, French curtains instantly create a solemn atmosphere in any representative area, be it a living room, a home library, a cafe, an office reception or an executive's office.
French curtains: the history of window decoration
King Louis XIV gravitated towards everything outrageous and luxurious. The decorators for decorating his apartments were in every way sophisticated, trying to please the exacting aesthetic taste of the ruler of France. The phenomenal idea of forming neatly wrinkled folds from the fabric and fixing their position with a decorative band for assembly became the basis for creating unsurpassed French curtains. Elegant curtains with a wave-like decor perfectly complemented furniture ensembles with figured rounded outlines, openwork forging, stucco molding used in interiors with the aesthetics of classicism, baroque, rococo, empire, Victorian style.
Awning window dresses from the 18th century to this day are a decorative delicacy of interior fashion.
Only their modifications have changed due to the use of a wide variety of fabrics, lifting mechanisms with manual and automatic control systems.
If earlier only elite types of fabric were used for their tailoring: damask silk, muslin, moire, velvet, brocade, jacquard, now budget polyester fabrics are used. Thanks to this, elegant draperies are available to everyone who wants to create a festive atmosphere in the interior of the house.
Due to the decor in the form of cascading folds, trimming with ruffles, fringe, lace braid, French curtains have a unique look. They have deservedly become a symbol of aristocracy, elitism and pomposity in the interior. To this day, lush airy draperies adorn the halls of the Palace of Versailles in France, the images of which have become a fashionable interior trend.
Types of French curtains
Awning curtains have a typical tailoring technology: they are made up of separate sections with scallops that adorn the canvas from top to bottom and visually resemble a waterfall cascade.
Depending on the number of folds on the fabric, their aesthetic appearance is formed: the more layered the fabric, the more elegant the draperies look. This textile product can have an unlimited number of arcuate sections. When sewing, it is necessary to focus on the width of the window opening.
French curtains have a different design and control mechanism:
- Static models hang on a cornice in one fixed position.These are practical options for curtains, as they remain spotlessly clean for a long time due to the lack of contact with hands. To clean them from dust that collects in folds, it is recommended to use a steam generator or use dry cleaning services. Even a delicate washing cycle can adversely affect the delicately laid folds of the fabric. Due to the inability to open the window opening for maximum natural light, it is reasonable to use transparent fabrics for sewing French curtains with your own hands: veil, lace, organza, tulle. Curtains with a weightless base will perform the dual function of tulle and curtains.
- Cascade-lifting modifications easily move along the perimeter of the window opening due to the cords sewn between the sections and the rotary-chain mechanism. They can be fixed in any desired position manually or due to the electric drive built into the cornice, which instantly responds to the remote control signal. The higher the canvas with numerous wavy drapery elements is raised, the more magnificent the French curtain looks at the level of the cornice. In this position, due to the latch, the curtains turn into a massive lambrequin with tightly gathered arcuate folds of fabric.
Volumetric draperies look flawless on large-format windows of panoramic and bay windows. In spacious rooms, they perfectly fulfill the role of an independent expressive part of the interior picture, the image of which can be admired endlessly. In narrow and cramped rooms, Austrian curtains similar to awnings are welcome with a short length and scallops only along the bottom edge. Curtains that fall to the floor can create an uncomfortable feeling due to visual pressure on others who are next to the window opening.
Variable design of French curtains
The appearance of functional and decorative window curtains largely depends on the choice of fabric with a certain color, pattern, texture. A discreet window decoration can be sewn from lightweight fabrics with a neutral color in bed tones: taffeta, linen, silk, synthetic materials. It is appropriate to use them for draping kitchens, bedrooms or private areas where the bohemian look of light-colored window decoration will not disturb the harmonious atmosphere.
French curtains made of dense fabrics in expressive colors will add depth to the interior, create an artistic and memorable image. Draperies made of satin, velvet, cambric, fabrics interspersed with shiny threads will perfectly serve as a visual center in the interior.
To perform the effect of an illusory breakthrough of space, it is enough to add volume to the window dressing due to frills, flounces, elegant braid, placing lush brushes between sections with scallops.
The length of French-style curtains has no restrictions. It can correspond to the height of the wall or end at the level of the window sill. For rooms with high traffic, it is important to use shortened French curtains. For the kitchen, photos of graceful-looking curtains will help you choose the best option that creates a restaurant environment. It is reasonable to hang long curtains in a spacious living room, where lush window decorations will maximize the full potential of chic and originality.
The aesthetic appearance of French-style textiles largely depends on decorative elements:
- If the curtains will always be in a raised position at eye level, then it is important to trim the lower edge with lace braid, lush fringe, frill trimmed with beads, glass beads, sequins, tassels hanging down with colored or transparent decorative stones.
- If the calm color of the curtain base lacks expressiveness, then it is optimal to embroider the joints of the wavy sections with openwork braid or bright satin ribbons.
- If the French curtain plays the role of a tulle with a neutral color, then it is advisable to limit them to straight curtains with tiebacks.
When choosing the design of awning curtains, it is worth combining them organically with the surrounding furnishings and textiles. Lush draperies should not be supplemented with sewing accessories for decoration if the interior is full of accent details in the form of furniture with an unusual shape, graphic compositions, multi-colored carpets and cushions.
How to sew French curtains: a master class in cutting and sewing
If you want to create original decoration for a window with a unique design with your own hands, it is enough to follow the step-by-step algorithm step by step:
- Measure the length and width of the window opening.
- Prepare the fabric, taking into account the large consumption of material. The product corresponds to twice the length of the window and the width multiplied by 1.5.
- A piece of fabric must first be washed and ironed. This is the basis of decating, necessary for the shrinkage of the web. Otherwise, frequent washing will significantly reduce the size of the curtains and the appearance of the folds on the curtains.
- The edges of the textile product must be carefully hemmed with a sewing machine so that the cords can be easily threaded through.
- On the wrong side of the fabric, you need to make markings corresponding to the distance between the scallops. The larger the gap between the cascades, the simpler the window outfit looks. Excessively thick frills give elegance to the product, which acts as a dominant decoration of the interior. The width of the sections of the folds of the fabric should match each other, following the principles of symmetry. Therefore, the total width of the canvas must be divided by a multiple.
- In the area of vertical marks, it is necessary to sew fabric strips with a width of 2-3 cm or a specialized braid with cords for screeding.
- Cords should be fixed at the top of the textile product. Then pass them under the fabric strips and side seams. The edges of the cords must be in a free position. After completing the screed, they must be tied in such a way that it is not visible from the front side.
- To the upper edge of the canvas you need to sew a ribbon tape for fastening to the eaves.
Incredibly simple sewing technology is able to turn an unremarkable piece of fabric into a magnificent window decoration due to a braid tie with cords that form pleated scallops falling down.
Any needlewoman will be able to create an exclusive window drapery according to this master class, which demonstrates how to sew French curtains. It is appropriate to complement the curtains with all sorts of decorative sewing accessories: fringe, tassels, pendants, brooches and clips.
Decorative abilities of French curtains in the interior
Awning curtains focus on themselves the views of others due to a non-trivial design that embodies royal splendor. They are the aesthetic reference of historical stylistic concepts that promote luxury in every detail of the interior. It is reasonable to combine lush draperies with non-trivial wall decoration:
- wallpaper with a fabric base in discreet colors;
- Venetian plaster;
- painting with textured paint with discreet decorative inclusions;
- gypsum wall panels with a perfectly smooth surface.
In order not to distract attention from French curtains, symbolizing bohemian pomposity, you should not place carpeting next to the window opening. The focus on its outrageous decoration can be formed with any design of a textile product that stands out against a contrasting background (walls, ceiling and floor finishes that dynamically differ in color).
A distinctive feature of awning curtains is the versatility of use.
Draperies look equally extravagant in the interior of the hall, bedroom, living room and, if you hang curtains in the kitchen.Photos of French window decorations never cease to amaze with the soft lines of wavy scallops, the airiness of lush draperies made of exquisite fabrics. An unusual design solution would be their use in the interior of a children's room or a bathroom combined with a bedroom in the Baroque style. For the room where the child lives, it is important to embellish them with decorative butterflies or flowers on clothespins.
If curtains with a French type of tailoring should emphasize the aristocratic atmosphere of a hall or living room, then to create them, you should choose colors that symbolize luxury and wealth: fabrics of gold, emerald, pearl tones. If they are the basis of a harmonious atmosphere, then it is best to choose curtains in discreet tones: snow-white, light pink, blue.
The splendor of textiles does not go well with the multi-colored colors of fabrics. A uniform color of the canvas with an expressive texture is welcomed: impeccable smoothness and a brilliant satin effect, glossy in the light and pleasant to the touch velvet.
French curtains from Versailles can give a palatial look to any home.
From the moment they appear in the interior, great-looking window decoration will emphasize the theatricality of the situation. In a static position, they create a dynamic stage image, and when assembled, they hover imperceptibly above the window, illuminating the rooms with the radiant rays of the sun.
