A Curving Question
The 1894 Cross House when new. Click on image to enlarge. Then note the Austrian-style shades in all the curved glass windows. (Walter Anderson Collection – ESU Archives.)
Austrian-style shades.
Since buying the house in 2014, I had planned to order Austrian-style shades for the nine curved-glass windows in the house. Such shades are ideal as they can follow the curve, unlike normal shades.
The problem? They would be about $500 per window, and will rot out in 10-15 years. In images of the Cross House from circa-1910 all the Austrian shades are gone.
Another option, which I did in the parlor, is to make curved curtain rods, and then hang regular drapery. But, this would be a pain to open/close every day as I will have to reach up and yank at the curtain rings. I hate this. However, this is an inexpensive solution.
The drapery in the parlor.
Another option, which I am gonna assume will be scary expensive, would be wood shutters. Yummy. I do not see why wood shutters cannot follow the curve of the glass. Image.
Wood shutters have the great advantage of lasting. There is no reason why they would not still be in place in thirty years, when I would be very old, or a century from now.
But…$$$$. I have sent some inquiries out.
My current thoughts are to do regular drapery in the round Receiving Room (3 curved windows), and Dining Room (2 curved windows). These would not be opened daily so the irritating “yank” factor would not be too much of an issue.
In the Round Bedroom (2 curved windows), which will be my office, I will open/close the window coverings daily. So, it will be essential that this process be effortless. Wood blinds will do that.
By going this route, I would cover 5 curved windows with inexpensive drapery, and 2 windows with $$$$ wood shutters.
Well, these are my thoughts at the moment. What do y’all think?
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I think that I need to donate to the Cross House’s GoFundMe to help out. If each reader contributes $10, a hundred readers can amass $1,000. Ten dollars for the entertainment and education from this blog, yes? So dear readers, shall we?
I’m in! As soon as payday comes in I’m donating! If we can afford Netflix, why not subscribe to Ross’ blog?
Thank you, Nadia.
Done! I only wish I could send more.
Thank you, Alice.
I agree with Leigh. Ten bucks isn’t gonna break me. Time for Ross to get into the house! Ross, have you ever gone to the website Victoriandepot.com? They have original sinks, bathrooms, furniture. Just a thought. They are located in California.
Thank you, Dan.
Hey Ross,
I agree with you about the wood shutters. That’s an excellent choice for your office. When I was an upholsterer we often did curved windows in shades, blinds and shutters. As to the reception and dining room windows it appears they originally had the traditional Victorian layered treatment. Looking at the historic image it seems to show drapes (closed at that) in front of the Austrian shades. There are some alternatives if you really want them, including using a fabric blend instead of all natural (silk was usually the fabric of choice and wouldn’t last five years with daily exposure). Lining them with a light to medium weight fabric will also protect it from sun damage while still providing filtered light. Or you could go with a fully lined balloon shade giving a similar look. That option would block the majority of the light though and that’s why most folks opt for Austrian shades in the first place.
I know it is a pain to open and close them but I love the draperies. Blinds to me seem modern and cold, whereas draperies are luxuriant and colorful. But, I don’t live there do what makes you happy, it will be lovely.
Christine, wood shutters were once a common feature in houses, and they were common, too, during the 1890s.
Wood shutters had the great benefit of protecting expensive draperies, rugs, and upholstered furniture from the deadly effect of the sun.
In Germany it’s quite common to fix flexible poles (I’d guess a little less than 3/8″ in diametre) to one of the end rings for easy opening and closing of drapes. The poles are fixed to the rings with short pieces of decorative chain. Instead of stretching and yanking on the draperies you just give the rods a gentle tug. The one we had in our lounge when I was a kid was some kind of transparent plastic and very unobtrusive.
BTW, I’m from Austria and find it amazing that those shades are called “Austrian shades” in the US!
Another Austrian follower here 🙂 I also wondered about the name. This kind of shades was very popular here when I was a child (1950/60s) and as a child I *loved* them! But we never had them at home as my mother rightly argued that they tend to attract a lot of dust (and they also were considered slightly “nouveau riche”/tacky). I have never seen them on historic (pre 20th-century) photos or paintings though.
Wood shutters would be fabulous if you can find someone who can make them at a price you can afford. Have you thought about which direction they would open or if they should be round and folding?
Roman blinds could also be an option (that’s what google translate offers me for the German term “Raffrollo”, which is a kind of shades with drawstrings). You could sew them yourselves, there are even patterns eg https://img1.etsystatic.com/024/0/5189388/il_fullxfull.486547023_afsy.jpg or https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ezgAAOSwYSZfYSW1/s-l640.jpg
i have no idea if this is helpful for you, but –
Oh! Wow! Cool, Glenn!
I haven’t used these, but I use their pocket door tracks exclusively, and they’re a great product. Plus the people at Crowder are very helpful, so I’m sure they could figure something out for you.
I wonder if there is some way to make the Austrian shades work. Are they meant to be somewhat sheer or should they block the light? Aren’t there fabrics that are Uv resistant that could work for a longer lived shade? Can they be lined? If so, could they be made with delicate fabric with a UV light resistant or repellant lining that would keep them from rotting in the sun? Are the swag-like appearance what makes them Austrian, rather than what I have thought were Roman shades? If not, can you tell me the difference?
I have been meaning to send you some information about the shades in the curved windows visible in the early photos for a long time. I collect curtain making manuals from the l800s and early 1900s. I would love to send you pdfs of the shade making instruction sections from those books if you would be interested. The reason I think it is important for you to have them is that gathered shades from those manuals are a lot less full and “poufy” than their modern counterparts. They appear more tailored and less “1980s Laura Ashley frothy” than today’s shade fullness formulas. I would think that shades constructed with a modern silk substitute fabric would last longer than 10 years, even in strong sun. The shades that appear in the historic photos of the Cross House are very similar in appearance to those that appear in the manuals that I have. Let me know if you are interested in copies of the info I have and I can either stick a copy in the mail to you or send as a pdf. So for authenticity and elegance, I vote shades with modern materials!
I emailed you, Carrie!
Just scrolling reading here and I have always loved Austrian shades/blinds, and have wanted less pouffy ones. This is interesting, both your observation and having a collection of old manuals. If feeling so inclined, I would love to see them very much, please, & thank you!
Best,
Omar
Consider applying a window film to your windows. They can reduce the uv light and heat entering the home.
https://www.conveniencegroup.com/residential-solutions
A uniquely shuttered, lower window can be lovely but, ugh – the cost. Perhaps for now, eyes might be on a more practical prize. A simple, light-filtering linen panel can add privacy, atmosphere, & can be quite versatile. Add a tailored fold or a lace trim and you have a dressed window. ☺
I agree with Carrie.
I was wondering if you had googled austrian shades? Just for laughs, I did and there are so many different makers out there. Also, were you aware you could line them with privacy or blackout fabric? I even found a website with a tutorial so you could make your own??!! I wish I could make them for you, but not able to at this time. 🙁 I think Leigh’s idea of gomefund is great. Gook Luck.
Thanks, Laurie L. Weber.
4 cents worth:
1) complete the office stat.
2) Have a spring break slumber party. Cost of coming: large sheets of clear sturdy “drop sheets”, lots of cereal boxes cut into 2 inch squares and a staple gun with 1/2 staples. Must be will to do what Ross needs to stop the gaping holes in all the rooms so cats cannot get into walls and so that heat/cool air stays where it is supposed to. If we are not willing to do exactly as he wants, stay home!
3) if some big strong folks come and time permits, split the crew and finish the cat enclosure at the same time.
4) after that: move in and have a great summer and be moved in long before the end of 2021!
How much have I missed and over simplified?
UV window film on the windows would solve your fading/rotting of fabric. It is invisible and does not impair the view in any way.
White Austrian curtains look better from the outside and echo the shingles. They are easy to sew. Maybe a local person could sew them cheaper than ordering from somewhere fancy.
If you have them made by someone, make sure they line the curtains. Drapery lining fabric can be found at Joanne fabrics (be sure to buy it when you have a 50% off coupon) or on line. The lining protects the drapery fabric from the harmful effects of the sun. Lining a drapery/shade/window covering is easy and considered a must by any reputable seamstress.
Ross, check out “Swish” curtain rails in the UK. They’ve been around since at least the 70’s. Flexible curatin rails that are super smooth to operate! We had them in our bay window when I was a child. No “yanking” about. (No pun intended).
Shutters will last yes but mini blinds are only as good as the cords. I bought wood mini-blinds when I bought my house for the two windows in the “library” which has mahogany wainscotting. They lasted for about 25 years, then the cords broke. they are still up, I just can’t open them. They are quite heavy. I also bought aluminum mini-blinds for seven other windows and they are fine but I did go looking a while ago and can’t find them anywhere any more. They don’t come curved that I know of. I have roller shades on four windows that I made myself. I had the rollers cut to size at a local hardware store that is no longer there. Then I removed the shades and I used Wonder Under to iron fabric to a cotton backing and then sealed the edges with Fray-Check, rolled them up around the original rollers and put the bottom rods through the hem. There is a clear plastic “handle” clipped on the bottom to protect the shades from getting dirty. They work just fine and I love having a custom fabric on them but obviously cannot be made to curve. I made traditional silk drapes with silk linings, interfacing and drapery weights, hand pleated, for my bedroom and made sheers for underneath. I made custom curtains in the kitchen with spring rods. Just gathered cotton easy to throw in the washer.
I think for the curved windows you are either going to have gathered curtains on curved rods that are pretty much fixed in place or on curtain rings you will have to manually open and close.