ADDING EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE TO THE INTERIOR WITH AUSTRIAN SHADES

Distinct to the theaters of Austria are the heavy-set, shirred curtains which are lowered or pulled up accordingly to indicate the start and end of every performance. Favored for its unique and sophisticated look in the Viennese theaters, this same curtain idea was transformed and modified to fit the home and has come to be known as Austrian shades.        

Luxury is almost always attached to this type of window treatment. This is primarily because of the formal and elegant texture that Austrian blinds can bring into any window type. The following sections discuss some of the basics about this type of window treatment and some of the attributes which homemakers like most about Austrian blinds.

General Characteristics of Austrian Shades

Austrian window treatments became popular for the shirred, cascading fabric gathers divided into vertical columns. The curves in this type of shading structure somewhat resemble the festoons in balloon curtains. The only difference lies on how the festoons are distributed on the surface of the curtain: in balloon curtains, the fabric drapes are formed only at the bottom of the structure while in Austrian window shades, the curves run along the fabric surface from top to bottom of the structure.

Aside from the general appearance of Austrian curtains, the following are some of the distinct attributes of this type of shading structure:

·         Lightweight and Soft Materials – to effectively create a cascading column of curves, materials used for Austrian curtains should be lightweight as possible. The most common fabric type for this type of curtain include sheer, transparent fabrics, silk, jacquard, faux silk, and even cotton.

·         Dimensions – because of the scallops along the surface of the fabric, Austrian curtains are made up of relatively greater amount of fabric materials. In terms of dimensions, Austrian curtains can measure up to 108 inches in length and 103 inches in width. Austrian curtains consist of at least two columns of shirred curtain surface with just an ample width per column to prevent the excessive sagging or drooping of the fabric gathers.

·         Mechanisms – Austrian curtains can either be stationary or pulled-up in terms of the mechanism of the structure. Austrian string shades are attached with lift cords which can be used to modify the curtain’s level of shading. Fixed Austrian curtains on the other hand, remain at a specific window height or level and are not equipped with cording or lift mechanisms.

What homemakers like about Austrian shades is the natural formal and sophisticated look that the structure can bring to the interior.  Most appropriate for homes with a vintage or baroque look, Austrian curtains add a relaxing and a soft effect on the formal and symmetric arrangement of upholsterers. As for simple and modern homes, Austrian window treatments effectively enhance the appearance of the interior and bring a top-notch taste of sophisticated appeal to the home. The rich beginnings of Austrian window treatments and the versatility of these structures to be modified according to different tastes make them one of the most favored curtain types that have endured the changing times in the home interior market.