A pole or rod is a rail or track which a curtain or valance is hung.
Poles or rods are available in many different materials – timber, brass, wrought iron, bamboo, powder coated steel, and painted timber.
They usually have coordinating rings that fix to the hooks on the heading of the curtains. Curtain Rods or Poles are a simple and effective way to add decoration to your windows.
They are easy to install and you can coordinate the finials with hold backs, and other pieces of hardware providing a fluid designer look.
Finials are the decorative fixing at the end of the poles. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, some simple, some complex, from the traditional fleur de lys, and arrowhead to the fruity pomegranate and pineapple, and back to nature with acorns, scallop shells, along with the simple colonial turned wood balls.
Poles or rods are available in many different materials – timber, brass, wrought iron, bamboo, powder coated steel, and painted timber.
They usually have coordinating rings that fix to the hooks on the heading of the curtains. Curtain Rods or Poles are a simple and effective way to add decoration to your windows.
They are easy to install and you can coordinate the finials with hold backs, and other pieces of hardware providing a fluid designer look.
Finials are the decorative fixing at the end of the poles. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, some simple, some complex, from the traditional fleur de lys, and arrowhead to the fruity pomegranate and pineapple, and back to nature with acorns, scallop shells, along with the simple colonial turned wood balls.
Tab Top Curtains* on a decorative rod and Finial.
A more contemporary type of pole system is the tensioned steel wire, which doesn’t impose on the windows. This is used with a grommet top** style of curtain.
A simpler style of rod is a tension rod which gets positioned between the window frame, and is held there by a spring tension system. This is frequently used for shower curtains.
Rod and finial used here for casual scarf drapery***.Add On:
* Asian Influenced Tab Top Curtain on a Rod with a Finial
Tab top curtains are a modern casual style of window treatment. This example of a curtain shows just how simple this form of window treatment is.
A standard rod and a spiral finial provide the form for hanging the curtain. The curtain is made like a large sheet but with a hem at the base and the head and has about an inch wide tabs fixed toto the head.
Is threaded through the tab and this is how the curtain hangs. The fabric used here is contemporary with an Asian influence of mirrors and beading to form the decoration. The color is bold and intense and the wallpaper in the background has a washed or aged look with gold motifs.
This type of curtain I class as casual as it hangs randomly depending on how it is drawn, also because they generally don't have much fullness and are seldom lined.
They don’t have a very long life if they are drawn frequently as the fabric rubs directly on the rod and causes wear on the tab.
They are a very good choice for a decorative curtain that frames a window of if used in a translucent or sheer fabric.
** Grommet Top Curtains
These are similar to tab top curtains but have metal grommets (eyelets) fixed onto the head of the curtain at regular intervals.
They can then be threaded through a rod, pole or the more contemporary look, tension wire.
This type of curtain I class as casual as it hangs randomly depending on how it is drawn, also because they generally don't have much fullness and are seldom lined.
They don’t have a very long life if they are drawn frequently as the fabric rubs directly on the rod and causes wear on the tab.
They are a very good choice for a decorative curtain that frames a window of if used in a translucent or sheer fabric.
** Grommet Top Curtains
These are similar to tab top curtains but have metal grommets (eyelets) fixed onto the head of the curtain at regular intervals.
They can then be threaded through a rod, pole or the more contemporary look, tension wire.
They are often used with tension rods as shower curtains.
To create a nautical look in a holiday home, use stainless steel grommets with canvas, cotton duck, or drill, and use stainless steel tension wire.
They also work well when used on a supported rail around a bed, for example in a hospital, or rest home.
For a more traditional look, attach decorative hooks through the grommet, and use a rod and ring system.
*** Subtle Scarf Drapery over Rods in a Stylish Sunroom
This sunroom is light and breezy. The view is framed well by the double hung sash windows.
The furniture placement is formal and symmetrical. The rattan chairs are typical in a sunroom and the side table creates the central focal point.
The window treatment used softens the vertical lines of the windows.
A simple black rod is used with a decorative finial. A soft translucent sheer is draped in a swag and tail format over the rod which creates a formal softness to the room and adds an air of romanticism.
To create a nautical look in a holiday home, use stainless steel grommets with canvas, cotton duck, or drill, and use stainless steel tension wire.
They also work well when used on a supported rail around a bed, for example in a hospital, or rest home.
For a more traditional look, attach decorative hooks through the grommet, and use a rod and ring system.
*** Subtle Scarf Drapery over Rods in a Stylish Sunroom
This sunroom is light and breezy. The view is framed well by the double hung sash windows.
The furniture placement is formal and symmetrical. The rattan chairs are typical in a sunroom and the side table creates the central focal point.
The window treatment used softens the vertical lines of the windows.
A simple black rod is used with a decorative finial. A soft translucent sheer is draped in a swag and tail format over the rod which creates a formal softness to the room and adds an air of romanticism.
This window treatment works well in this room, it is subtle and doesn’t over whelm the room like traditional swags and tails can, this is due to is informal use over a rod and the choice of a light weight translucent fabric.
If a curtain track had been used with pencil pleated curtains for example they would have enclosed the room, blocked out the beautiful view and been too formal for the use of the room.
This room is used mostly in daylight hours so the choice of curtains is solely for decoration and this solution is well suited.
Other options could have been blinds on the windows, these works well for sunrooms as they can be used to direct sunlight when it is too intense, but they do take up space on the window. Nets or voiles could have been used in this situation; however they do permanently diffuse the view whilst reducing the glare form the sunlight.
To conclude this sunroom is a well balanced space with well considered window treatments.
If a curtain track had been used with pencil pleated curtains for example they would have enclosed the room, blocked out the beautiful view and been too formal for the use of the room.
This room is used mostly in daylight hours so the choice of curtains is solely for decoration and this solution is well suited.
Other options could have been blinds on the windows, these works well for sunrooms as they can be used to direct sunlight when it is too intense, but they do take up space on the window. Nets or voiles could have been used in this situation; however they do permanently diffuse the view whilst reducing the glare form the sunlight.
To conclude this sunroom is a well balanced space with well considered window treatments.
2 comments:
Great stuff............
Good info for the amateur curtain pole buyer. Simple and to the point.
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