subject: Roman Shades to Complement Your Interior Design [print this page] Roman Shades to Complement Your Interior Design
Roman shades, as the name so clearly describes, were window shades used centuries ago, during the early Roman days when windows were covered by cloth to protect homes from the elements.
As with most inventions, individuals needed to find a way to protect their families and homes from dust, sunrays and even rain. As you can imagine, centuries ago, most roads were unpaved, few homes had windows, and the city was growing. Wet pieces of cloth were ideal to further trap the dust on the cloth, rather than seeping into the home.
In time, much, much later in time, someone came up with the idea to wrap a rope or string around the material, that when pulled, would gather the material. It later developed into a very delicate pulley system that gathered the material evenly and beautifully, allowing the user to control the height of the shade.
Today, keeping out dust is not so much of an issue, but the sun and light continue to infiltrate as always. A room's lighting, however, can set the mood and can be easily controlled by using a variety of window treatments. Roman shades aren't just functional, they are also used as complimentary and elegant piece to decorate a room. And in today's market you can find an extended selection of colors, textures and materials, giving clients a myriad of options and choices. From florals to stripes, to solids and patterns, companies have gotten extremely creative in their designs.
As for the materials used, there are many choices, as well. Natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, are a favorite, but synthetic materials have also become increasingly popular, facilitating cleaning and permeating dust and dirt. Regardless of what you choose, your Roman Shade is sure to fit perfectly in your home or office.
