Lace curtains can be a wonderful addition to any home, making a
window look elegant and fancy. The origin of lace curtains can go back
hundreds of years. Hand woven lace had its origin in the Middle Ages,
but for windows, the origin is much sooner. The mechanical loom first
introduced the idea of lace curtains to the world. In 1804, the
Frenchman Jacquard invented the mechanical loom.
This is a weaving machine that can be programmed to create intricate
patterns. Soon came the Nottingham Loom, which was a variation of the
Jacquard, and this was used mainly to create lace curtains. In the
middle of the 19th century, these looms became popular and widespread in
the city of Nottingham.
Lace curtains can make any type of window look elegant and beautiful.
Since lace curtains are so intricately designed, the look will be
subtle, yet amazing, and will not distract from the beauty of the rest
of the room as a heavy, cotton curtain might. Lace curtains will allow
sunlight to flow into a room in a softer manner than a different type of
curtain. Different types of curtains will allow for more privacy and
less light, depending on the density of the weave and the more material
that is used.
When hanging a lace curtain, the preferred method is using tension rods.
You may use a single paneled lace curtain for a narrow window, while
two panels will probably be needed for a wider, more standard window.
With lace curtains, you can achieve a beautiful look by either letting
the curtains hang down, or by pulling them back. Adding a lace valence
to the window will also enhance the look of your window coverings, and
more often than not, complete it.
You may also use lace curtains together with more traditional types of
curtains. This idea works well for windows in a more formal setting, or
when less light and more privacy is needed. Since lace curtains
typically come in colors such as white, off-white and beige, determining
the color needed will depend on the window frame and the room. Matching
samples to your windows before you settle on a color is a good idea to
determine what will look the best.