How to Select Curtains Color and Design

It is well to choose a vary-colored pattern, as we may select one color from it and form our color scheme for the room around that. The next season, select another. For instance, with a chintz having rose and green, blue and mauve, we may make our room rose to blend with the curtains, repeating in the upholstery and small accessories the rose tones. Another year we may have tired of the rose room, or the plain rose may not have worn well; we still have our perfectly good chintz draperies and from them can select the green shades and repeat in our furniture the green tones, thus transforming the entire room. Even the curtains themselves will seem changed, since by the use of the plain colors we accent or bring out the same color in the chintz or linen. If the curtains have been rather costly of imported chintz or linen we may be glad to make use of this transforming color scheme.

Plain, broad-striped curtains have come into vogue. They are restful and dignified, but they miss the engagingness of flowers and birds and lattice and boughs. They serve to make the window openings appear high and narrow, whereas the effect usually desired is breadth. Also one gets the effect, if there are many doors and window openings, of a picket fence, a continuous succession of lines marching round and around the room.

This may be somewhat counteracted by using a valance with the stripes going across. If the valance is plain fitted, the effect is that of too sharp a cutting off. If gathered, the lines serve to further the upright appearance. Broken stripes cut by geometrical or floral designs are preferable. Particularly charming are the stripes combined with vines and trellis, which give the appearance of lightness and avoid the messiness of an all-over design.

The objection often held against linen curtains is that they crush. However, curtains are not so placed that they have much opportunity to be crushed. The texture is richer than cretonne and linen always outwears cotton. They are more expensive per yard, but the colors and designs are superior. As the better linens come 50 inches wide they permit of a more striking design with the repeat farther apart. If the repeat, for instance, is a yard apart, you can get a most stunning effect when the curtains are hung. This is conspicuously true when the design has large birds, branches and foliage, and also with the matchless Chinese designs where the community life of an entire village is so enchantingly depicted. In dyeing linen the plain background surface is always unevenly dyed, adding much to the depth and the texture of the cloth. Were it a perfectly flat, even color, the surface would lack interest. This rough texture renders the outlines uneven and thus softens and enriches the design. A hard unbroken line is always trying.

There come several 50-inch cotton materials which permit the same design as the linen. The weight of the goods is heavier and they give excellent service.

There is an endless variety of plain materials for window hangings. One excellent, inexpensive material is cotton Jaspe, which has a smooth, agreeable texture and comes in various colors broken by tiny uneven lines. It can be had guaranteed sunfast. Rep, cotton or woolen, give good service and the plain color may be relieved by a colored guimpe or cord at the edge.

Rep hangs well, and for an inexpensive material is the best on the market for plain curtains. It is apt to show spots readily, so it is better for hangings than upholstery. It is remarkable what richness is immediately given by the use of velvet or velour. The texture has a glow and depth of richness. For the city house, velour curtains are a wise choice. Used with deep cream under-draperies, the windows have an effect of elegance that woolen or linen curtains fail to give. They require careful making and lining and they crease and mark easily, but by careful brushing they may be kept in perfect condition. Velvet curtains also need brushing, as they gather lint. The latest striped velvets are a revived fashion. They are both inexpensive and striking, especially when used with deep toned paint.

Velvets suitable for curtains come in all grades and prices. Some are cut, some brocaded. When we reach the point of this initial expense we should turn over the making of our hangings to a professional curtain maker. The same is true of damasks and brocades. Taffeta curtains, while the material is costly, may be made by the amateur. The quality of the trimming must be of the best, as well as the workmanship. The stripes are as varied as they are enchanting. Taffeta curtains are appropriate for bedrooms as well as dining and drawing rooms.

With this gamut of curtain materials before us we have only to choose that one "which will give us the best service and make our rooms most attractive.

The problem of how to cut and how to hang is before us, and in that also much choice lies. Luckily, elaborately festooned and trimmed curtains have long since been relegated to the dust heap and that without regret on the part of every sensible decorator and housewife.