Curtains in the Gothic House

In Victorian Gothic STYLE homes, the windows of rooms visible from the road were usually given curtains, net drapes and blinds.

The curtaining was elaborate and layered, typically of lined damask, velvet or plush. They were embellished with cornices or pelmets or valance drapes.

The net or 'insertion' drapes were usually of muslin or Nottingham lace and covered the whole window or the bottom half only.

Less public rooms would have had just the curtains or the curtains and blinds only. The front door was curtained in winter with a portière.

Fabrics in public rooms were rich in both texture and colour, whereas curtains in bedrooms were of lighter material such as chintz and muslin.