When there is a desire not only to darken the windows from daylight, but also to add the spirit of aristocratic romanticism to the atmosphere of the room, the option with London curtains is perfect.
Coming from foggy Albion, these exquisite products are a canvas made of fabric, which, when raised in the center, forms a free fold-wave, on the sides there are deep bow folds.
In the interior, fabrics are self-sufficient, but they will also look advantageous with classic curtains or lambrequins.
The choice of English curtains is the right decision when decorating large, spacious rooms. Chunky linen curtains or short organza garlands are equally gorgeous in almost any style.
A special highlight in the interior will be the addition of openwork lace, fringe, beads, fabric buttons, ruffles, tassels.
What do they look like?
Externally, the design of English curtains is determined by some criteria:
- The number of folds is more than two.
- The characteristic depth of the waves.
- Freely hanging vertical edges form fans and are fixed along the side cut.
The curtain is a fabric rectangle of even parameters. From the seamy side, rings are sewn vertically and cords are threaded, attached to the cornice using a lifting mechanism. When the cords are tightened, the canvas rises, forming folds on the front of the product. The folds in the center are gathered in lush waves, and on the sides - in voluminous bows or puffs. In the unfolded state, the length of the product reaches the window sill.
London curtains have a number of advantages:
- They help to protect the room from drafts due to the density of the fabric.
- Perfectly protect from bright sunlight.
- Due to the flexibility of the material from which the canvas is made, they do not interfere with the opening of the window sashes.
- Easy to care for and clean.
- There is a possibility of remote control.
Installation and management
Installation of graceful English curtains can be carried out on a window sash or on a whole window opening. Also, fabrics can be hung in a niche or in front of a window. There are designs that are matched to wide window openings or narrow windows.
For heavy structures, ceiling or wall profile cornices with an open or closed lifting mechanism are used. Thanks to the self-locking lift mechanism, the curtains can be easily adjusted to any window level.
Often, products are fastened with adhesive tape, where one part of it is embedded in the profile, and the other is sewn to the fabric. The practical installation method allows you to easily remove the curtains for washing.
English curtains are installed not only on ordinary windows, they can also be selected for arched window openings. For such a non-standard fastening, an appropriate cornice is simply necessary. On such windows, the role of fabric products is more decorative than practical.
When decorating rooms, curtains with a constant length of matter are often chosen, which are initially fixed at a given level.
Lifting of the web is performed manually using a side cord or remotely using an electric drive.
the cloth
The products were called London not because they were used to decorate the rich halls in London. These luxurious curtains have been predominantly used from impeccable English fabrics.
In the 18th century in England, when the concept of traditional London curtains was born, textiles were mainly used in the manufacture of pieces of furniture and accessories. Literally everything was decorated with fabric: from windows to walls.
Modern products are made from natural fabrics of medium softness. Perfectly draped fabrics include satin, linen, satin, silk, wool, jacquard.
The amount of folds will depend on the texture of the fabric. It is important that the texture is dense and able to keep the given shape. Otherwise, there is a risk of seeing on your windows not London curtains, but banal curtains.
In classic-style kitchens and living rooms, curtains made of dense fabrics - jacquard or wool - will look spectacular. Cotton and chintz curtains are the choice for interiors in retro and country styles.
Window products made of linen, dense cotton, as well as curtains framed with these fabrics look advantageous.
A veil or tulle will create a shimmer in daylight.
Color
When choosing the color of the curtains, you should remember that the color scheme is general. A huge selection of color palette allows you to boldly fantasize for a harmonious infusion of curtains into the overall interior of the room. Colors have properties to affect the overall perception of a room in different ways:
- Warm tones in shades of red create a cozy and relaxing environment.
- Brown and cream shades will bring a sense of comfort and security.
- White, blue, green - austerity, coolness, unobtrusiveness.
- Classic vertical stripes, plaid and plaid prints are versatile color options. The fashion for English classics never diminishes.
- Geometric patterns, floral prints and animal motifs are combined with contrasting inserts in the drop-down folds.
Floral and monogram ornaments are popular in textile design today; they look elegant and fresh in the interior.
Care
The ease of use of the structures allows you to use London curtains not only in the classic home interior, but also in the interior design of restaurants and office cabinets.
Structures that are attached to the cornice with adhesive tape can be easily removed and cleaned. After wet cleaning, the product is ironed and the old drapery is recreated with the help of lifting cords.
Practically, dust does not linger on the folds of curtains cascading downwards.
Selection Tips
Choosing English curtains, it is preferable to pay attention to textiles. Considering window decoration as a priority in the English style, the choice focuses on high-quality and, accordingly, expensive fabrics.
In order to save money, you can use a budget option for fabrics in beige and gray shades with the inclusion of floral patterns.
Calm tones of matter are also chosen for a room with many windows. A catchy accent in such rooms will look intrusive.
Curtains decorated with lambrequins, cords with tassels look advantageous. The color scheme should be complemented, for example, by a lampshade, decorative pillows, a pouf.
Alternatively, this type of curtain can be shaded with a curtain made of light fabrics, or pick up wooden blinds in the same tone with furniture. Short pieces cannot protect the room from the sun, so horizontal blinds will help solve this problem.
London curtains are an unfortunate option for grunge and hi-tech styles.
In rooms with high ceilings and large windows, they will look harmoniously in tandem with roller blinds and roman blinds, curtains and tulle. To give additional volume, a lining is used, sewn from the inside of the canvas. The right decision is to use the services of a designer who will make a structure according to an individual sketch.
Place in the interior
Austere, but at the same time warm and cozy English style has always been considered a model of quality and taste. Unique products are chosen by connoisseurs of elegant decor and high-quality textiles. It is known that most of the atmosphere in a room is set precisely by window decorations, which is why eminent designers invariably return London curtains to fashion.
Window masterpieces give the interior a special chic. The variety of fabric and model options for products does not interfere with the inclusion of British curtains in almost any interior:
Style provence recreates the spirit of the English countryside. A country house is represented, in the interior of which there are decorative pillows, bedding, harmoniously combined with wallpaper. Elegant curtains made of linen, cotton with small prints will emphasize the lightness of the atmosphere
In the interior in style fusion the possibility of mixing fabrics and textures is provided. More precisely, it is allowed to combine, at first glance, incompatible colors and styles. In the kitchen, the curtains are rather decorative, which often does not require a complete darkening of the room. In places for cooking and tea drinking, it is better to install designs with short curtains of light colors or classic colors, which include a tartan cage or a small flower. Wavy deep folds on the curtains made of organza, tulle and veil will add nobility and airiness to this area of housing
Lush flounces and voluminous folds - not for newfangled kitchens. Decorated with fringes and bows, designs take up a lot of floor space. Decor for curtains is more appropriate to apply in rooms with high ceilings and large windows. Contrasting fabrics of massive curtains with lace bows, unobtrusive embroidery, neat beads will perfectly decorate the living room
For the nursery and bedroom curtains are made of thick fabric. Their function is not only room decor, but also darkening from daylight. Window curtains made of natural materials in rich colors will add a special charm to the interior of the bedroom
A positive mood in the nursery can be created with the inclusion of light transparent products for windows in yellow, pink, blue shades.
Curtains are more relevant in the design of a sleeping place for girls. It is appropriate to use bows, ruffles, beads.
Curtains in the English style will undoubtedly decorate any window and the whole room, they will serve as a wonderful alternative to traditional curtains.
You can see how these products look in the interior in the next video.
