One of the fastest and less expensive ways to insulate a room is to place insulated curtains on the windows. They can be very beautiful, perfect for any home and there are so many different styles to choose from. Insulated curtains are a 100% cotton face fabric that is very heavy and insulated on the back lining with strong foam. There are many sizes available in the curtains, including 80 x 84”, 40 x 15”, tiebacks of 24 x 3” and 50 x 2” for wider windows. These curtains are available in many colours, prints and styles. Some of the colours include moss, gold, sage, sienna, navy and linen. There are many reasons why insulated curtains are chosen for window treatments. They provide privacy, keep out cold or hot air and shade a room.

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When an insulated curtain is closed, it will not only keep out bright sunlight but also prevent anyone that is outside from being able to see in. The fabric of the curtains is so thick that a lot of light is not able to get through it. They will not keep out the sunlight completely, but will block most of it. Insulated curtains are made with a 100% acrylic thermal lining; therefore, they block light and noise. The sunlight will be blocked by the insulated curtains when needed to but will also absorb the light and heat on colder days. They will reflect the sunlight, send a warm tint into the room and also provide coolness in a room on a hot day.

With the high costs of heating and cooling homes today, insulated curtains can help to minimize costs. Heat that is lost through windows can be quite costly. The heat that a home looses through windows and doors adds up to 50 percent of the home’s energy costs. With older windows, it is a good idea to place insulated curtains on them to save money on your heating bill.

There are many stores today that carry insulated window curtains. You can shop local stores, retail outlets and online stores. Furnishing stores are also a good place to find a large variety. Stores that are found online have great selections as well as prices that are affordable.

Roman blinds have become an increasingly popular choice for windows in recent years.  They have a softer and more homely feel than roller or Venetian blinds, while at the same time offer an understated, contemporary look that is hard to achieve with curtains.  They are also a more affordable option and therefore perfect for first time buyers or those who want to update their home on a budget.  The Natural Curtain Company offers made to measure roman blinds as well as curtains in a wide choice of fabrics, all of which are made from 100% natural materials.

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, roman blinds are also highly practical.  They are perfect for kitchens and bathrooms as they offer a cleaner finish and are less likely to get splashed, and are also a good choice for small rooms as they take up less  space.

Offering style, quality and value for money, The Natural Curtain Company is the online destination for window treatments. For more information, or to view The Natural Curtain Company’s full range of fabrics visit www.naturalcurtaincompany.co.uk or call 0845 5000 400 to speak to someone for help and advice.

Curtains are usually the casual window dressing of the country home, cabin or farmhouse, while drapes are hung in a home with a formal living room, dining room or bedroom.

The creative pioneer woman hung hand sewn curtains that were made from flour sacks. In the mid 19th century, curtains that were made of lightweight fabrics, such as chintz, cotton, lace and the popular blue checked linen, hung in the kitchen and bedroom windows. Fabric was often hung on the bedposts to form a decorative or privacy curtain.

In the late 18th century, originating from France, elegantly layered and swagged drapes were popular in New England. The formal look of drapes graced the parlor windows of the southern plantations and the uptown apartments, in heavy fabrics of velvet, brocade or wool.

In the late 19th century, a fashionable trend was to hang fabric in a doorway. Pulled to the side with tie-backs or allowed to hang loose, the curtain served as a decorative feature as well as a functional door.

These window hangings, whether they are curtains or drapes, served not only as decorative, but a functional source of insulation against the heat or cold. The curtains or drapes were lined with flannel to manage the room’s temperature, control the light, as well as to aid with privacy.

No matter if it’s the muslin curtain in the kitchen window of the log cabin, the silk drapes in the 1825 Boston drawing room, or the window covering in the family room of the 21st century home in the suburbs, curtains and drapes are synonymous.

The “curtain maker” of the Old World, purchased his curtain fabric from the “draper”. So, which came first, the curtains or the drapes?

Rome, Italy, enjoys a warm, dry Mediterranean climate . Before roads were paved, people traveled on dirt roads or cobblestones. Horses and carts would kick up plenty of dust and dirt particles that made their way into homes, public meeting spaces and other important structures.

This was only one problem the Ancient Roman’s faced. During Emperor Vespasian’s rule, the Roman Colosseum’s construction began. Stone carvers carved and installed stones into this great structure that would open in 80 A.D. The amount of dust created by this project would have been tremendous. People needed a way to keep their food free of the dust and stone particles. They also needed clean air to breath.

Historians believe this is the reason why roman blinds were invented. Innovative men and women began to hang damp sheets across their windows to prevent dust from coming into their homes. Not only did these sheets create a protective barrier from dust, but they also blocked the intense sunlight. With average summer highs in the mid- to upper-90s , keeping a home cool was equally important. Romans used stone or tile flooring and light outdoor wall colors in an attempt to cool a home, and roman blinds helped keep out the sun.

Roman buildings, particularly those of the upper class, tended to be designed in rich colors, purples, bronzes, golds and reds, and quality fabrics. Romans enjoy pottery, tapestries and glasswork. With this knowledge, it is easy to imagine how the basic blinds may have become more decorative from home to home and as time progressed.

Over time, the design of Roman Blinds has vastly improved. Roman blinds now incorporate a drawstring that draws up the blinds thanks to fabric tiers that make them easier to raise and lower as needed. Some include insulation layers to block cold drafts in the winter.

Today’s Roman blinds are crafted from a varied assortment of fabrics, wood and other materials. Cloth blinds can be hard to keep clean; so many people are looking at materials such as bamboo as a pleasing alternative. Regardless, the basic principle remains the same. These clothes are placed over windows to be decorative, to reduce glaring sunlight and to keep dust from entering the home.

Curtains are obviously one of the most important components in a theatre. We’ve decided to have a look at some of the best theatres (and their curtains!) around the world-

Joliet’s Rialto Square Theatre - Chicago, IL USA

There’s nothing like a haunting tale to inspire mystery and even magic. Chicago’s Joliet Rialto Square Theatre is said to have a ghost, a woman who supposedly committed suicide at the turn of the century by leaping from the theatre’s sixth floor onto the sidewalk. The curtains are said to represent the veil between life and death as her spirit encourages other actresses to follow suit and end their lives as well. This, of course, is what she does when she’s not in seat 113 watching all of the goings-on.

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Parsi Theatre - India

Ravi Varma, an incredibly gifted painter, brought the theatre curtains of the Parsi alive with his creative designs for the magnificent cycloramas that beautifully framed the stage. These creations on fabric gave a sense of perspective to the audience as they watched actors work their graceful magic. It’s been said they become a part of the stories told within the plays. As a witness to masterful theatre, one was never quite sure if the curtains were falling in front of or behind the actors due to the seemingly translucent fabrics.

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Slowacki City Theatre - Krakow

Built in 1893, the Slowacki City Theatre is a more scaled down version of the spectacular Paris Opera House. It’s known for unique dressing rooms, spectacular chandeliers and of course, the hand painted curtains - courtesy of Hanryk Siemiradzki. Its architecture brings spectators from around the world.

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The Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA USA

Perhaps one of the left coast’s most beloved landmarks, The Moore Theatre, built in 1907, and named after its eccentric owner, James Moore, many of Seattle’s oldest architectural designs can be credited to this structure. With Italian terracotta adorning the outside and mosaic floors and stained glass on the inside, nothing short of a spectacular curtain design could do it justice.

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The Influential Italian Theatre

For centuries, Italian theatre has shaped the way the world views art as a whole. Larger than life stages, oversized ornaments and fixtures - both on and off the stage combine with breathtaking stories of tragedy and redemption. The curtain in the Italian theatre plays as much a role as those on the stage. Customarily deep reds and gold accents, the Italian curtains, as their drawn each night, are indeed a classical dance in and of themselves.

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Choosing the best curtain material for window coverings can make an interior space feel coordinated and cohesive. If the curtains or draperies hang properly and match the design scheme, the effect will be a pleasant look that blends with the rest of the room. There are hundreds of fabric choices for creating curtains and the varieties of textures, colors and prices are enormous. Both natural and manmade materials can be fashioned into beautiful curtains but before deciding on a particular material, there are several things to consider: function, style and cost.

Function

The first consideration is to determine the curtain’s function, will they be used for privacy and blocking light, or are they merely used to soften the lines of the window. Heavy fabrics such as tapestries, faux leathers and micro-fiber suede and jacquards may be opaque where lighter cottons, linens and sheer organza are not. Darker colored fabrics also serve the purpose of darkening a room and provide privacy.

Next evaluate the window size and shape and the style of the room. Dressy fabrics such as velvets, taffetas and tapestries are heavy and formal. Soft fabrics such as silks, cotton blends, linens and faux leathers or suede will work in a semi-formal to casual environment. Consider whether a floor length drape or shorter curtain is desired.

Style

Evaluate the overall design effect. Is the window in a prominent place in the room and are the curtains intended to make a statement? An expensive silk or jacquard or a fun faux animal print will draw the eye to the draperies. Cotton blends and upholstery fabrics can be used to match or coordinate with furniture.

If a valance is used, choose a fabric that suits the style. Polyester silk, chenille and light cottons adapt well to swag styles while heavier cottons or canvas can be used for gathered valances. Also consider any trim, beading or tassels when choosing the material. Self tie backs can be made from the same fabric or embellished with contrasting materials. Curtain rods and pull back hardware may make a difference on the texture, weight and stretchiness of the fabric.

Cost

The most expensive materials include rich fabrics like taffeta, jacquard, mohair and pure silks. Mid-range prices include velvet, faux leather and fur, linens and micro fiber suede. Polyester silk blends, and cotton blends are the least expensive. The fabric nap, weave and pattern details can make a difference in the cost.

Finding just the right fabric that works for the room at an affordable price is essential. Order your curtain fabrics from The Natural Curtain Company today.