Austrian interior. Austrian curtains: timeless classics for modern interiors

Austrian curtains in the interior are considered window décor, which first appeared in elite Austrian houses back in the 18th century and until now has not lost its popularity not only in Austria, but also in other parts of the world. But if once such luxury was allowed to have exclusively wealthy titled people, now Austrian curtains can be found in almost every home. Moreover, sewing this type of curtain is not difficult, so everyone can cope with it.

Distinctive features

Austrian curtains are a rectangular canvas, to the seamy side of which rings are sewn. They are fastened to the material vertically, the distance is determined according to the size of the window opening.

Thin, but at the same time the most durable cords are threaded into the rings, the purpose of which will be to raise the curtains. During lifting, these cords tighten the fabric as much as possible, forcing the fabric to gather in certain folds. Straightened curtains turn into flat material.

If we are concerned with the question of fastening, then a curtain rod for curtains of the Austrian type can be a conventional curtain rod, or with a chain-rotor mechanism. In the second version, the curtain can be moved exclusively vertically, in the first - also in a horizontal position.

How to fit into the interior

Before you make Austrian curtains with your own hands, ask yourself whether they will become an appropriate addition directly to your home, since, despite their attractive appearance, they are not suitable for every style.

So, curtains look better than this type in the frame of the classic style: empire, rocco, and also baroque. In addition, these curtains look original in a house decorated in a vintage style.

If you use natural fabrics such as linen, then the print of such a window decor will be an excellent addition to country interiors.

Austrian curtains in specific rooms

An indisputable plus of such a decoration for windows is a successful fit into almost any living space, including the bathroom. To make sure of this, open the photo below, where Austrian curtains are presented in a variety of assortment.

This type of curtain is especially in demand in the kitchen space. Since this room is exposed to pollution more than other living quarters, not every owner decides to decorate it with a pompous window decoration. For this reason, short, beautiful and original Austrian curtains turn out to be one of the suitable options for the kitchen.

As for the living room or study, such a window decoration will also be quite appropriate. In the first version, they can be created both from simple fabrics and from more expensive materials.

If we talk about a rest room, then Austrian curtains give it maximum originality. Due to the absence of right angles, as well as straight lines, the presence of rounded edges, the curtains will look great, both in the bedroom for the spouses, and in the girl's rest room, nursery.

Austrian women also look good in toilet rooms, especially spacious ones, where window openings require exclusive decorative design.

Material selection

Sewing curtains of the Austrian woman is possible from any fabric. We suggest using simple guidelines for choosing the right material.

Tulle and organza will make the curtain airy, light. These materials are easy to drape, and if desired, the curtain is complemented with a dense curtain.
Window decor made of synthetic shiny materials looks good. The version of brocade, silk looks quite smart and elegant.
Chintz, as well as linen, will also serve as an excellent fabric for Austrian-style curtains.
If it is necessary to use heavy fabrics, it is recommended to opt for fabrics of a soft monochromatic look to ensure an even, attractive outwardly drapery. Basically, wool or velvet is suitable for such purposes.

What you need to create your own curtains

Once you have decided on the right material, you need to calculate the Austrian curtain and purchase the necessary items, namely:

sewing machine;
threads with a needle, special scissors;
braid, cords;
clamps.

Instructions

To create Austrian curtains, use the step-by-step instructions below. With its help, it will not be difficult to sew original modern-type curtains for arranging any room in your home.

Iron the prepared fabric.
Cut the Austrian curtains according to the previously prepared pattern and draw along the line with chalk.
According to the markings, baste the ribbon for assembly, while stepping back from the edge a few centimeters. If there is no special tape, sew on a regular tape, on top - plastic rings.
Determine the parallelism of the lines, then stitch the tape using a sewing machine.
Fold the lower part of the curtains.

The curtain tape is sewn on at the very end. The upper part of the canvas is tucked several times, and then the braid is applied to it. The fabric is well ironed so that the braid does not squeeze the canvas, but lies as flat as possible. Then it should be sewn using a sewing machine.

The curtain is fixed to the cornice. In this case, the cords should be threaded into the rings on the tape and cornice. It is good to buy decor in the form of clips, as well as brushes.

To eliminate the weighting of the curtain assembly, there is a lifting type mechanism, which is fastened to the top of the cords, after which it is removed from the side of the material. In this case, the curtain is lifted with a light movement.

To make the curtains attractive, original frills, fringes, or braid are sewn to their bottom. If you used a master class to sew Austrian curtains with your own hands, using a light material, then it is good to sew small weights into the lower part of the fabric.

In Austrians, practicality is combined with visual appeal. They are able to give the home a chic mood, leaving maximum light in the room, especially if they are sewn with love with their own hands.

Photo of Austrian curtains

The homeland of these cute and romantic curtains is one of the most beautiful and prosperous European countries - Austria, or rather its capital Vienna. Perhaps that is why Austrian curtains are often called Viennese. Initially, judging by the description, they were static, sewn from dense satin and velvet, richly decorated with fringes and tassels, and served as a kind of lambrequins, performing only a decorative function. Over time, the assortment of fabrics for sewing them became more democratic, and the design was enriched with a lifting mechanism, which made them a full-fledged and independent window decor.

What are Austrian curtains

Austrian roller blinds are a symbiosis of French and Roman curtains. From the first, they took festoons - semicircular, lush folds, but passing only along the bottom, and from the second - a lifting mechanism in the form of a cord pulled through rings and loops. When assembled, the Venetian curtains resemble lambrequins with a wavy edge. When lowered, their upper part falls freely, while the lower edge remains gathered in puffs.

Eaves for Austrian curtains use the same lifting ones as for Roman and French curtains. They can be either manual or automatic. The Viennese curtain is attached to the rail itself with Velcro tape. One part of the tape is sewn to its upper edge, and the other is attached to the profile. There are also curtain rods designed for bay windows, arched and beveled windows.

The number of scallops (puffs) varies from two or more. Austrian roller blinds also differ in length. Basically, when the canvases are straightened, it does not fall below the windowsill, but floor-length models are also found. The Viennese models in the form of an arch look original and expressive, the length of which gradually increases from the center to the sides.
The design of the side edges also varies. They may be:

with fixed edges along which the curtain lifting cord runs;
with edges hanging freely in the form of "ears".

If desired, Austrian curtains are trimmed with lace, frills, tassels, fringes or cords. Models decorated with silk roses made of contrasting fabrics of a similar color or with bows look very elegant and romantic.

Austrian curtains are self-sufficient in any interiors and do not need partners, but exceptions are possible. For example, when a curtain is made of transparent curtain textiles, it can function as a tulle, and will be complemented by thick curtains.

Viennese curtains look most organically on large windows and in rooms with high ceilings, since lush scallops visually reduce the space.

Benefits of Austrian curtains

The main advantage of these models is their high decorative properties. It is also noteworthy that their somewhat old-fashioned beauty fits perfectly into most modern styles. The undoubted advantages of such designs are also:

Ease of use: to open and close them, you just need to pull one of the cords. There are also automatic lifting mechanisms - in this case, to raise the canvases, just press a button.
Space-saving: when raised, they allow you to use the window sill and do not interfere with free passage to the window.
The ability to make them yourself: for this you just need to choose the right material and assemble it into scallops using braid. Moreover, if you tie it on a bow, you can open the curtains when washing.

What fabrics are suitable for Austrian curtains

Another valuable advantage of Austrian curtains in the interior is that they can be sewn from a wide variety of materials in texture and density. The main condition is that textiles should be well draped:

Thick curtains made of smooth and shiny materials: taffeta, satin, silk, polyester, moire will look very impressive and festive and are suitable for the living room
Curtains made of thin and transparent fabrics: curtains made of tulle, cambric, chiffon, veil, organza - will bring notes of lightness and freshness to the atmosphere and will be appropriate in any room.
For the kitchen, practical and elegant festoon curtains made of cotton, linen or chintz are ideal.
For the bedroom, you can sew curtains from soft velvet with a short nap or jacquard: they will perfectly shade the room while you sleep.

The softer the fabric, the more voluminous and ordered (freely and smoothly falling) the scallops will look. A light translucent material will form a light air "cloud" above the window. Harder fabrics, such as chintz and cotton, are easily gathered into textured wide folds, most often used for sewing Austrian curtains for the kitchen.

To fully emphasize the play of light and shadows, it is better to choose solid pastel shades. A small drawing can also set off the beauty of scallops, but too large prints should not be used - after draping, they will break with folds and lose their integrity.

What interior styles are Austrian curtains used in?

Scallop curtains are designed to emphasize the beauty, grace and softness of the environment. Therefore, when creating a minimalist design (hi-tech, techno, loft), Austrian curtains in the interior will look out of place. But they will be ideal for rooms decorated in a classic, Victorian, Gregorian style, as well as Baroque and Rococo, Renaissance or Empire styles. And due to the fact that these curtains, unlike their French counterparts, are not so pompous, they are ideal for such democratic designs as country, Provence and Mediterranean.

In rooms with large windows, it is better to use "Austrians" in the classic design, with the maximum number of scallops collected at the bottom of the canvases. Translucent Austrian curtains in the interior will emphasize lightness and elegance, heavier ones will make it more luxurious.

For Mediterranean-style decor, as well as country and Provence style, it is better to take light cotton, chintz, satin or their mixed versions with floral prints. In this case, fluffy lambrequins and other pretentious elements are not used - only light and delicate laces are allowed.

For the kitchen, it is worth choosing light textiles that only partially shade the light. And it will be easier to care for such curtains. For reasons of convenience, it is better to adjust their length to the level of the middle of the window or sill.

Curtains made of thick fabrics - silk, velvet or jacquard, which do not let in sunlight, will add a cozy and intimate atmosphere to the bedroom. Excessive solemnity and pomp will be superfluous here, so the number of scallops and their depth can be reduced. In girls' rooms, medium-density scalloped curtains decorated with bows and frills also look good.

Decorate with Viennese curtains and office space. Calm colors are selected for them, harmoniously combined with furniture upholstery and wall decoration. Such curtains are used with a minimum of decor - the main emphasis is on the richness and beauty of the material.

Austrian curtains care

To remove the canvas from the cornice, the lifting cords are first removed from the rings, and then the Velcro is unfastened. Washing is done by hand or in a delicate mode. Before washing, the curtains are placed in special bags.

It is convenient to clean heavy textiles from time to time, removing dust from the folds, using a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment. Fabrics that require special "dry" processing, such as velvet, are best taken to dry cleaning. They do not tolerate moisture well, and products made of wool and natural silk. Fringe, bugles, soutache and other types of finishes that can be damaged during washing are pre-stripped.

Veil and organza are washed in lukewarm water up to 30 ° C without spinning. The recommended mode is hand wash. It is not necessary to iron a high-quality organza.

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Austrian curtains, being a combination of elements of French and Roman curtains, will be the ideal solution for decorating any room, be it a city mansion or a country house. Their emphasized luxury, combined with the laconicism of the functional mechanism, makes Austrian curtains one of the most prestigious ways to decorate a window opening. According to many design tutorials, Austrian curtains are a versatile decor element that will be appropriate in all stylistic directions. Despite this, many designers adhere to a different point of view, claiming that Austrian curtains will only look harmonious in classic interiors, or in interiors. In this article we will try to figure out whose point of view is the most correct, and also tell you how to create Austrian curtains with your own hands.

The history of the emergence of Austrian curtains

Looking back, you can see that the fashion for Austrian curtains originated in the middle of the 18th century, which is associated with the dominant aristocratic culture, which determined the preferences of consumers.

Combining the splendor of the classics and the pragmatism of modern times, they became the most successful synthesis of two opposite styles, which contributed to their popularization in the most prestigious houses in Europe.

Austrian curtain design

The design of Austrian curtains incorporates the structural elements of Roman and French curtains.

The classic splendor of the folds and the curves formed by them allow you to create a femininely harmonious balance, and the functional system of their regulation, represented by the lifting mechanism, dilutes the soft lines of the draperies with respectability and solidity.

A balanced combination of French splendor and Roman severity allows Austrian curtains to be used to decorate both luxurious mansions and small-sized rooms, giving them an old-fashioned classic charm.

Austrian curtains - a universal element of decor

As mentioned above, most designers consider Austrian curtains in the interior to be a universal decorative element. This point of view has become widespread in the design world in connection with the constructive solution of curtains.

Austrian curtains are attached to a cornice, in which there are devices for cords, while the upper edge of the canvas is gathered with a curtain tape, and the fabric falls freely, forming soft horizontal folds. These folds are like an accordion due to the slats attached to the back of the curtains. In the lowered state, the Austrian curtains are several canvases, forming folds in the lower part. It should also be remembered that weights are sewn into the lower part of the curtains, which give them shape. Thus, Austrian curtains are essentially double compression curtains that are lifted with cords.

curtain rods for Austrian curtains

The fixing of Austrian curtains is carried out using a profile curtain rod for lifting curtains, on which one half of the Velcro is provided. Its second half is sewn to the upper edge of the canvas. Curtain rods for Austrian curtains are classified according to length, weight, and the number of lifting blocks. Depending on the installation system, the curtain rods are installed directly in the window opening, on the ceiling or on the wall.

All of the above design features allow Austrian curtains to transform from decorative to functional, which makes them a versatile decorative element.

choice of fabric

The fabric used for sewing Austrian curtains also has its own characteristics.

Fabrics that are elastic and wrinkle-free should be preferred. Such materials can be dense silk, satin fabrics, moire or cambric, which have shiny surfaces and are able to form clear folds. Quite often, the choice can fall on a veil, the transparency of which gives the interior an exquisite lightness. The décor is uniquely decorated with braid or cords, decorated with tassels, which allow you to emphasize the well-defined folds.

austrian thread curtains

Austrian thread curtains are gaining more and more popularity. They are the same Austrian curtains made of threads that will surprise you with a cascade of falling waves, in which the play of light can be traced. The airiness and weightlessness of these rope curtains can impress any, even the most demanding designer, and if your task is to search for new shapes and textures, then Austrian thread curtains will be the perfect choice for you.

Austrian curtains for the kitchen

If you decide to use Austrian curtains for the kitchen, then you should opt for soft and transparent fabrics in order to make the interior of the kitchen more elegant and not create obstacles for the penetration of light into the room.

They can also be supplemented with curtains or stools of a suitable color.

How to sew an Austrian curtain?

Having dealt with all the features of the curtains, it's time to answer the question: "How to sew an Austrian curtain?" As practice shows, this does not present any particular difficulties. If you have stocked up on material for making curtains (main fabric and lining), then you can safely start sewing them.

cutting out linen and sewing

The length of the cord should be equal to the sum of the two lengths and widths. Having cut out two canvases from lining and curtain fabrics, they must be sewn with the right sides to each other along the longitudinal and lower cuts. Do not forget about the fringe, which must be sewn along the bottom edge.

preparation of braid

The next step is to prepare the braid on which the rings are sewn at a distance of at least 50 cm and no more than 80 cm.

The distance between the ribbons is chosen arbitrarily. If the braid is ready, or you preferred a ready-made curtain braid, then it must be hemmed to the upper edge of the fabric, having previously folded it by 2 cm. After following these recommendations, pull the finished fabric to fit the curtain rod.

final stages

Then we thread the cord into the rings, tying a knot at both ends. The final step in creating an Austrian curtain will be to fix it on a wooden plank just below the curtain tape. It is necessary to hang the curtain on the cornice using the braid. The curtain is ready! Now you can start adjusting the curtain in height, and use the cords as a decorative addition. If you want your curtain to have more regular shapes, sew a weight into the bottom of the curtain that will align it according to your requirements.

Since the Austrian curtains first appeared in the mansions and palaces of the elite of Austria in the 18th century, and up to our time, interest in them does not fade away. And if earlier only dukes and earls could afford to have such a luxury at home, then over time the situation has changed, and today they can be found in almost any room. Moreover, sewing Austrian curtains is not so difficult, and you can even cope with this task on your own.

A bit of history

This type of window decoration appeared as a result of the merger of two types of curtains that were popular at that time - French and Roman... From the first "Austrians" inherited the lush folds in the lower part of the canvas, from the second - the lifting mechanism. Thus, the Austrian curtains did not look as pompous as the marquises fashionable in the 18th century, but at the same time they were noticeable and representative enough that they could decorate the windows in the houses of Viennese aristocrats. Initially, this type of curtain was called scalloped because of the scalloped folds formed when lifting.

Character traits

The Austrian curtain is a rectangular fabric with special rings sewn to the seamy side. They are attached to the fabric along vertical lines, the distance between which is selected in accordance with the size of the window. Then special strong and thin cords are passed into the rings, which will lift the curtain.

When lifted, the cords pull together the fabric, causing the fabric to gather in folds. Usually, when unfolded, the curtain becomes completely flat.

Before ordering the tailoring of Austrian curtains, you need to think about how they will fit into the interior. Festoon curtains fit into almost any interior, but do not forget that they were originally conceived as decoration for the quarters of the representatives of the Austrian court. Most likely, they will not be entirely appropriate in rooms made in new styles - hi-tech, constructivism, and so on. Scallop curtains look best in a classic setting.

Austrian curtains made of almost any material will chicly complement Victorian, Baroque and Rococo styles. In rooms with the spirit of Provence and vintage, these curtains will look elegant and gentle. And, immediately looking ahead and talking about materials, Austrian curtains made from natural materials - for example, homespun cotton - with a "rural" print, are well suited in country interiors.

Festoon curtains can be hung anywhere in the house - from the bathroom to the bedroom. They, although lush, but compact and fit windows with limited space around. Such curtains look good in the kitchen - in a place where there is a high risk of getting them dirty, it is convenient to be able to easily adjust the height of the curtains.

Lush scallops will look quite elegant, and there will be no problems with frequent washing. In offices and living rooms, these curtains will also not be superfluous - they will emphasize the solemnity of the halls, add exclusivity and chic to the interior. Austrian curtains in the bedroom give it a warm touch with their flowing lines and soft edges. You can hang such decoration on the windows and in the nursery, embellishing the edges with bows and ribbons. In addition, festoon curtains are an interesting and new solution for arranging a large bathroom.

It is very responsible to approach the choice of fabric for sewing Austrian curtains. Their appearance directly depends on the rigidity of the fabric chosen for sewing.

Curtains made of light and moderately transparent textures of warm pastel shades create graceful, airy folds, and with it a romantic atmosphere.

If your goal is spectacular curtains, use fabrics that have a shiny surface - rayon, voile, organza, polyester, cambric and others. Such curtains look unexpected and mysterious, straying into unusual folds, thereby playing with the texture of fabrics.

For deeper and more distinct folds, satin, moire or heavy silk fabrics are used. Sweeping wide folds are created in the curtains of hard chintz.

Scallop curtains made from natural fabrics should be used only in halls made in a particular style. So, for example, a Scandinavian interior will only benefit from linen, chintz, wool and cotton curtains, while in a luxurious old-fashioned interior they can only impoverish the impression of a room.

In our Rosie Blues salon you can order the design and sewing of Austrian curtains from various materials that are suitable for any interiors - from a house in the country to a luxurious mansion. You can order Austrian curtains directly on the website. Our designers will be happy to advise you on the choice of fabrics and styles of Austrian curtains.

Festoon curtains will be a charming addition to your interior and will emphasize the great taste of the owner!