J ami ar y , 1917 
31 
SOLVING THE CURTAIN PROBLEM 
In curtaining two questions arise: What kind of curtains 
shall be used? What shall they be made of? Here we 
are concerned with the kind of curtain. Eight types are 
shown. _ Each has a dozen or more variations that the 
housewife may prefer. If she is in doubt about curtaining 
or any interior decorating question, for that matter, she 
writes, of course, to the Information Service of HOUSE 
& GARDEN, 445 Fourth A venue, New York City 
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An air of formality 
is given a window by 
a plain fitted valance 
so arranged with the 
curtains as to cover 
the window trim. It 
may repeat the de¬ 
sign of the curtain 
fabric. It should be 
fitted on a board or a 
strip of plaster board 
to keep it in shape 
To the right is a box 
pleated valance ivith 
undercurtains looped 
back, the latter ar¬ 
ranged on cords 
that permit them to 
be dropped. These 
undercurtains can be 
made of scrim or 
net. preferably an 
ecru color. The color 
of the over curtains 
tvill depend on the 
scheme of the room 
For a row of case¬ 
ments or a bow win¬ 
dow, an over-all val¬ 
ance with curtains at 
either end is best. 
The glass curtains 
can be made to draw. 
If one desires com¬ 
plete privacy under¬ 
curtains can be made 
for each window. 
Scrim, net or gauze 
would be the fabric 
Below is the trouble¬ 
some type of window 
with the circular 
head. Fit a curtain 
to it, either draping 
the fabric or fitting 
it loosely. Piping 
may define the bot¬ 
tom. This acts as a 
valance for the rest 
of the curtaining 
The French window 
or door with a tran¬ 
som is always a prob¬ 
lem. Make shirred 
curtains of net or 
scrim for the tran¬ 
som and attach them 
on rods or tapes. The 
door itself can have 
a glass curtain—of 
the same material — 
attached at top and 
with a ruffle effect 
beloio. Overcurtains 
should hang loose 
For a bedroom win¬ 
dow the valance on a 
curved rod is always 
interesting. It should 
be made with a deep 
hem and the curtains 
hung from behind. 
Marquisette, voile, 
casement cloth or 
even cheesecloth can 
be used effectively 
The simplest form of window drapes consists 
of undercurtains arranged on rods or taut 
wires for drawing, and overcurtains hung on 
rods and rings. Or the latter may be slipped 
over the pole and made with a French head¬ 
ing and attached by hooks 
For the ordinary four paned window where 
overcurtains are not used, the accepted 
schemes are curtains on rods to the sill, 
curtains shirred and hung loose from each 
section of the window or shirred and at¬ 
tached, as here, top and bottom 
