This is only meant to be a rough educational guide on wallpapers. There are several aspects of wallpapers that I didn’t cover. I recommend talking to a professional at a wallpaper store, when it comes time to re-decorate your house. Make sure to ask lots of questions as wallpapers will last time if chosen wisely.

--

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

The most popular tie back positions are high tie, middle tie, low tie, centre tie, crisscrossed tie and angled double tie.

1. The high tie is when one or two panels are hung in window. The tie pulls panel back above centreline of window. 2. The middle tie pulls panel back at a point near middle of curtain. It looks best if it is not done at exact centre, but either slightly above or slightly below centre. 3. The low tie pulls curtain back about three-fourths of distance from top to floor. 4. The centre tie gathers one or two curtains and pulls them together in vertical centre of window, about two thirds or three fourths of distance from top to bottom. 5. The crisscrossed tie starts with two overlapping panels hanging full width of window. The outer panel is pulled back to one side and inner curtain is pulled back to opposite side. 6. The angled tie uses either one or two curtains. The panel is pulled partially back in high tie position and pulled back more closely to window casing in bottom tie position. The panel is tied back twice in such a way that it is hung in a pleasing, billowing angle from one top corner of window to a point below opposite side of window.

Formal and informal styles

Curtains can be as varied as individuals in whose homes they hang. Even with all of variety in fabrics, colours, lengths and methods of hanging, all curtain styles can be classified as either formal or informal.

Formal window treatments are usually called draperies and hang in layers. They are most often found in formal parlors or sitting rooms, living rooms and formal dining rooms. The window treatment is usually done in two or three layers. The first layer is sheer, which is often a single panel of sheer linen or lace that admits diffused light into room. Sheers also tend to obscure visibility from outside, especially if lighting in room is subdued. The second layer is usually pleated floor length drapes. The drapes are suspended from traverse curtain rods if they are intended to be opened and closed. Drapes are hung from above window and cover side casing and trim of window as they fall toward floor. The third layer is curtain running across window top and covers top of window casing, trim and heading of draperies. Draperies and valances are often lined. Draperies may be below sill length although they are often floor length.

Everything else is informal curtains, usually hung in one or two layers. They are seldom lined, and are used to diffuse light, not to block it out.

Curtains are decorative, but have other uses as well, aside from providing privacy. They are useful in room darkening to protect room contents from adverse effects of sun’s UV rays. Sunlight can fade colors in furniture and carpet fabrics. Lined curtains are especially good for protecting furniture and carpeting near windows facing either to south or to west.

There are many window covering options to home decorator. The variety of styles, colours and fabrics give homeowners greater versatility in decorating than ever before.