What are curtains called in UK?

In Britain we use the English word drapes. We use it as a verb meaning to cover with something but we understand Americans can’t cope with long words like curtains and prefer to use shorter ones.

Did Victorian houses have curtains?

The Victorian era was a time of decadence for those who could afford it. This need to display opulence carried through to the interior design of homes at the time. Homes began to incorporate roller blinds, muslin curtains and large, embellished lambrequins, which can often have a sculptural shape to it.

Why are there no curtains in Netherlands?

The most popular explanation stems from the Protestant religious tradition of Calvinism, which insists that honest citizens have nothing to hide. Closing the curtains could indicate otherwise. And by letting people have a look inside, you let them know: Look, I’m a decent person!

Why do people put curtains in front of doors?

A portière is a hanging curtain placed over a door or over the doorless entrance to a room. This allows the curtain to be long enough to seal against the floor and contain draughts, but not drag on the floor or catch under the door when the door is opened.

What can I have instead of curtains?

Blinding brilliance: 6 alternatives to heavy curtains for a fresh…

• Roman blinds. Roman blinds are a classic look and, being less bulky than curtains, enable you to use luxurious fabrics for a fraction of the cost.
• Curtain panels.
• Shutters.
• Window film.
• Matchstick blinds.
• Café curtains.

How did Victorians hang curtains?

The Victorians loved heavy living room curtains often in several layers – great for keeping out those freezing drafts in their chilly houses. Pelmets were used to dress the top of the window and long curtains were looped over large hooks so that they draped onto the floor.

What did Victorians call curtains?

Derived from the French word porte (door), portieres were popular not only during the Victorian era, but also in the early 20th century. Practically, this drapery hung in doorways stops drafts (and dampens sound) between rooms—but portieres also offer a romantic, inviting transition by softening doorways.

Why dont Swedes use curtains?

The answer is that you can look right into a Swedish living room just because you will not! You are supposed to respect their private lives and walk past without paying attention. Curtains are unnecessary. Many foreigners falsely believe that Swedes’ comfort with nudity is related to sex, but this is not the case.

Do they use curtains in Sweden?

They rarely have curtains. Or if there is any kind of window dressing, it is kept very simple. Sometimes a few plants are displayed on the window sill.

What are the different styles of curtains used in Georgian homes?

When curtains were used in early and mid-20th-century homes, they were likely to be basic floor- or sill-length panels that hung straight down or were contained by simple tiebacks. A Georgian home displays one of the era’s favorite arrangements: richly stained wood blinds framed by cornice-topped floor-length curtains.

What does BS5867 mean for curtains?

BS5867 – British standard for drapery including curtains and blinds. This standard covers everything that you require for fire retardant curtains in the United Kingdom. Part2B which is 10 washes whilst staying flame retardant. Part2C which is 50 washes / inherently flame retardant.

What kind of curtains were used in the Victorian era?

Mixed liberally and held in place with fringed, braided, or metal tiebacks, curtains were perhaps the most prominent symbol of Victorian excess—no wonder, then, that the following eras (Arts & Crafts, early Modern) largely eschewed curtains in favor of showcasing decorative windows.

What color do the British like in their homes?

Call it a panacea for all those grey days, but the British love to embrace bold color in their homes. Whether it’s one intense wall or a bright rug, it’s definitely not all neutrals around here. And rather than the blues and greens I see my friends back home gravitate towards, here I notice a lot of warm shades, like orange, yellow and pink.