Art of drapery

   Art of drapery

    It is difficult to imagine an interior without fabrics. They create comfort, soften severity of architectural lines, protect from cold, noise, dust, heat and sunlight and besides divide space into different functional zones. But the aesthetic role of fabrics is not less important: they are capable to emphasize historical and cultural owners’ preferences, become a key element in interior decoration. Fabrics are the easiest way to make your home individual and charming.

    There is a great variety of ways how the fabric can be used. The different times used to dictate their own fashion, but today practically everything is allowed. Before decorating your interior in style of Lui XVI, rococo or empire, consider whether you have an idea about how windows and beds were decorated then and what fabric colours correspond to the epoch?

   The Middle Ages. Art of window decoration in Europe began to develop after the Middle Ages, as it is no wonder - in medieval locks had small and narrow windows. And very rarely windows were covered with pieces of fabric to avoid sunlight. But at the same time beds were draped richly and strikingly.

   XVII century. Tapestries, velveteen, damask, thin wool yarn had been of great popularity in those times. The popular colors were bright yellow, blue, red, the ones that reminded of the signing precious stones. Main pattern was flowered symbols - roses, irises or the embroidered crowns. But in XVII century fabrics were still used basically for wall and doorway drapery.

   Barocco. The severity of Renaissance was replaced by luxury of Barocco. This is where the most expensive fabrics came from: Genoese velvet with large-scale pattern, brocade with a gold string, smoky and ribbed silk, atlas, moire and taffeta. If earlier armchairs and sofas were covered with very few fabrics and pillows, then furniture upholstery becomes permanent, as a rule it was soft velvet or plush. During this period for the first time printed calico, silver threads and light golden lace have appeared. Heavy mannered window and bed draperies were then the last word of fashion. During the period finally lifting curtains and fabric finished ledges have appeared.

   Rococo is a style of luxury, prosperity and comfort. Blinds and curtains became more fetching and frivolous, thus not losing its magnificence. Elegance and exility came into fashion, the main window decoration then was lambrequin. Draperies skillfully trimmed with a silver or gold cord were ingenious.

   Neoclassicism. Owing to the well-known decorator Robert Adam in the end 1700 motives of destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum began to be used in interior decoration. The range of fabrics has extremely extended: silk and damask were completed by moire, brocade, velvet, veil and muslin. The colour palette did not concede to the variety of materials – dull turquoise, lilac, light crimson, daffodil became fashionable.

   An empire style. Interiors of that time are imbued with heroic spirit of military campaigns. Decorative ledges became arrow-headed, have decorative ending with eagles, swans, animal heads, laurel wreaths. Windows are decorated with twin blinds made of muslin. Different finishings, refined ornaments and heavy fringe are generously used. The most popular colors are cherry, dark pink, safron yellow, sky blue and pink.

   Modern style. Smooth lines that imitate plant stalks were in the lead in 1890-s -1990-s. The most popular colours are pale pink, green, lilac, blue, yellow.

   Ardeco (1930th years). This epoch has introduced into fashion portieres from a velvet, tapestry, relief or smooth velour, rep. Curtains in most cases were straight and were finished with piping.

   DETAILS. we Shall try to understand now, of what elements consists a decor of a window . It first of all a drapery or a portiere , then ламбрекен and various accessories - подхваты, frills, laces, edgings. Such elements, in turn, enter into concept "drapery" , as сваш , жаботы , блинды and cascades.

Балдахин - a defining element a decor of a bedroom . It полог from fabrics , settling down usually above a bed . It can be executed in "moorish" style (the round top located on the center of a bed or at a headboard) to have square "roof" or in general to turn in long отрез fabrics , thrown through a metal eaves

Блинды - them still name " the Roman curtains " - are made by a principle of a sail. Except for strict "ship", Assembly in "American" блиндах borrow approximately 50 sm from the bottom edge curtains . In modern interiors often meet sliding the Japanese panels - direct отрезы fabrics , strengthened on mobile eaves

Блинды - them still name " the Roman curtains " - are made by a principle of a sail. Except for strict "ship" which can be sewed from heavy and a dense fabric , exist "air" блинды , gathering in magnificent scallops