One of the most rewarding aspects of home ownership is having the ability to decorate the spaces in one’s home with a personal touch. The choice of window coverings used in a room is one way to help generate a particular feeling in that area, whether it is formal, whimsical or the myriad of choices in between. Many fabrics are available to choose from when planning such a project, with a popular choice being net or sheer fabrics. Net curtains have been used for quite some time, and they are again resurging as one of the more popular choices today.
This type of window dressing originally came from England, and was used in homes as far back as the 1700’s. The net curtains at that time were woven from cotton, wool or silk. In addition to being used for window dressings, this material was also used to surround beds, or to cover doorways in order to give a bit of privacy, as well as keep insects out of the area.
Today this sheer, mesh-like fabric is usually made from polyester and is often created with various patterns within it. Because it is such a lightweight fabric, it allows for the passage of muted light into a room from the outside. In addition, window coverings made of this type of material help to give the homeowner a level of privacy because while one can easily look outside through the sheer curtains, it is more difficult for someone outside the home to look in.
After one makes the decision to use net curtains as part of their décor, the next step is to decide what drapery style to use. There are many from which to choose, including voile, jardinière, and café. The voile window covering is a delicate material that incorporates a pattern in its design. This type usually runs the length of the window when installed. Café curtains are another style that makes good use of this type of material. When hung correctly, these will cover the bottom half of a window. One may also decide to make use of a valance of the same material on the top of the window. This style works especially well in a kitchen or bathroom. Another style available to the homeowner is known as jardinière. Net curtains cut in this style cover the full length of the window, and incorporate an arch in the design for added flair. Thus, although they cover the entire window, the arch section of the covering gives one the ability to look out of the window without having to look through the net material. Of course, if one is making their own net curtains, they can create their own personal style and design.
With the use of net curtains again becoming popular in today’s decorating world, some designers are coming up with unique ways to make use of this versatile material. One idea is to use layers of the lacy fabric for the window dressing. One or two of the layers can incorporate colors present in the room being decorated. Another original idea is to hang two layers of fine lacy material with a patterned layer in between. For those who enjoy a metallic look, as the sheer material is being manufactured in the usual manner, metallic threads are woven throughout the fabric of the lace curtains. Thus, during the day, the window dressing looks like ordinary lace, but once it is dark, and the homeowner turns on the lights, the window covering shimmers in lacey patterns with the reflected light.
Sheer netting is a beautiful, versatile material that can be used in many situations when decorating one’s home. With a little imagination, the homeowner can change the look of a room by simply changing the material used for their window coverings. Incorporating sheer materials in one’s decorating scheme is a simple process, but can make a dramatic change in the entire look and feel of a room, giving it the personal touch desired by the owner.
