Elegant and noble Italian curtains will be an excellent decor element for any room. Sophistication combined with practicality are the qualities thanks to which the curtains have earned their popularity. Italian design has long been famous for its originality and aristocratic notes. With the help of these curtains, the window in the room, and the whole room will look stylish and unusual.
Character traits
Back in the days of the Roman Empire, thousands of years ago, the original design of curtains first appeared. Curtains reached their peak in the 18th century. During this period, luxurious and pompous curtains adorned the windows of the castles. Then they were characterized by rich decor - tassels, fringes and frills.
Today, curtains in this style look somewhat simpler and more modern. More emphasis is placed on their practicality, which allows them to complement different design directions.
The characteristic features of Italian curtains are the neat folds on the top edge. To form them, a special tape is used during sewing - a curtain tape. It is she who allows the folds to become more expressive and emphasize the unusual shape of the curtains. Folds can be of various shapes - from cylindrical to semicircular, but the lines must certainly be clear. The symmetry of the folds is achieved with a special lifting mechanism with slats.
Another distinctive feature of Italian curtains is their lifting mechanism. The curtains are lifted up thanks to ribbons and cords on the seamy side. The curtains themselves are located diagonally. With the help of a system of cords, the window opening can be beautifully draped. At the same time, the folds will gracefully fall down and scatter sunlight.
The curtains in the center are attached using a rosette or a brush. Curtain decor can be used abundantly, but options without it are also popular.
Design
A significant difference between the design of Italian curtains from other curtains is the fact that they do not rise or move apart to the end. Two vertical canvases are connected at the top, and the bottom lies neatly on the floor. Just below the windowsill, they are fixed with grabs.
There are two models of Italian curtains - stationary and movable:
- In the first model the fabric at a close distance from the cornice is fixed diagonally with the help of catches, cords or hooks located on the cornice itself or on the wall. However, the review remains partially open. To regulate the illumination of the room, curtains are additionally used.
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Sliding models have a rack and pinion mechanism or cords… They run inside the rings along the edges of the cornice. To operate this type of curtain, you need to loosen or pull the cords to the desired position, and then fix them. But in this case, the curtains will still partially cover the window and will not move apart to the end.
The upper edge of the curtains can be stitched with a special tape. The method of attaching the canvases to a tubular cornice with loops looks original. In this case, buttons or fasteners act as decorative elements.
Italian curtains are attached both to the wall and to the ceiling. There is a possibility of attachment to the frame. But the most suitable option is a standard profile cornice. These curtains can also be used with a rigid lambrequin.
Types of materials
It is believed that long Italian curtains look more impressive, even lying a little on the floor.Therefore, a lot of fabrics are required for sewing such curtains.
Since this type of curtain involves a lot of folds, it is best to choose a heavy fabric that is easier to drape. If the choice fell on an easier option, it is better to additionally purchase special decorative weights or a lining for the lower edge of the curtains. This will make the folds stand out and sharper.
Sewing material can be cotton, linen, silk or blended fabric… Today there are options in voile and chiffon. The main thing is that expressive folds can be created on the fabric.
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As for the colors, originally Italian curtains were sewn from textiles of a deep, saturated color. Blue, burgundy, brown and green were the most popular colors. It is now allowed to choose the fabric according to personal preference. The main thing is that the curtains in color are in harmony with the interior of the whole room.
The presence of an ornament on the fabric is also possible… The pattern can be vegetable, small cells or stripes. A rich dark color can be diluted with additional curtains of an identical, but more diluted shade. You can decorate a plain fabric with tassels, bows, bugles, fringes and other accessories.
Place in the interior
These curtains look most impressive when decorating a large window opening. This allows them to fully reveal their beauty and splendor. Due to the existence of various finishes, they are suitable for any room. Restaurants and cafes, theaters and museums, as well as any living space can be decorated with them.
There are other ideas for using in the interior:
For kitchen interior it is better to choose curtains in the Italian style from wear-resistant fabrics. They will not be afraid of repeated washing. The colors should match the overall interior. It is better to make the length shorter, and to overlap the canvases and use asymmetrical hooks
In the hall, on the contrary, long curtains falling to the floor will look good. Depending on the degree of darkening of the room, curtains are chosen from lighter or denser fabrics. Elite curtains in the Italian style will add charm and solemnity to the living room
Bedroom window decorated in the style of Italy, will make the room cozy and warm. You can add a little romance with curtains with a pattern of flowers. It is better to choose curtains of calm pastel shades for this room. To adjust the degree of illumination of the room, they are combined with roller blinds
To the office it is recommended to choose a more strict version of the curtains. They are also selected in accordance with the color palette of the room. The office should look neat, but without frills, so that nothing distracts from work
DIY sewing instructions
To make such curtains yourself, you need to calculate the required amount of material. For sewing curtains with a lining, you should purchase a lining fabric that matches the color of the main one. The length should be equal to the distance from the eaves to the floor with the addition of 25 cm and multiplied by half. The width of the fabric is taken in accordance with the width of the window. Add about 4 cm to the pattern to process the seams on the side.
With a narrow window opening, the width is cut in the middle. Then, in addition, it is necessary to leave a few centimeters for processing the seams in the middle.
The required number of rings is determined as follows: you need to pin safety pins to the top of the curtains and pass the cord through them. It is then pulled together to see what the drape curtain will look like. If the result is beautiful, rings are sewn instead of pins. This must be done carefully so that the stitches are not visible from the front side. After that, the cord must be fixed at the desired height, thread it through the rings in the upward direction, pull it off and fasten it with a hook-holder to the wall.
Dignity
Since the Italian curtains can be of two models, the merits of each of them are slightly different. Stationary curtains mainly serve as a decorative function: they are a key element of the interior style, make the room cozier and, if necessary, hide possible drawbacks of the window opening. The movable model, in addition to the decorative function, also protects the room from drafts and excess light.
The advantages of Italian curtains in general include the following:
- they are easy to use: stationary curtains, in principle, do not require additional movements, and sliding "Italians" easily close the window when they open the hooks;
- the canvas of these curtains serves for a long time and practically does not wear out, since the curtains rarely need to be moved;
- due to their versatility, they can decorate window openings of any shape - from rectangular to arched;
- Italian curtains look like designer ones, they visually allow you to expand the window or make it taller;
- their drapery allows you to hide possible errors in the window opening or hide a not very beautiful cornice.
Italian curtains will help create a festive atmosphere in any room and add a little charm to the interior. They are rightfully considered symbols of elegance and romance.
You can see even more options for Italian curtains in the next video.
