Drapery - It's Historical!

Where did draperies begin? Why would they ever become a part of society today? It is very difficult to pin-point an exact era in which these became the norm. The word “drape” came from the Latin word “drappus,” which means to “drape or cover.” However, we do know that in the old castles of medieval times, they began using them around their beds to keep the warmth in as they slept, and their high, narrow windows were covered by them to keep the warmth in the room in the winter. They even covered entire walls to stave off the cold that the stone walls allowed in.

Then came the Victorian days, when heavy velvets and lavish fabrics were a sign of status, and so the homes were adorned with the most lavish window drapes that one could possibly afford. They were usually on tall windows and pooled at the floor. Americans were the last to actually come into the era of the “drape” as we know it today. It was not until fairly recently, by time standards, that we began to have them widely available in the 'ready to use' form. Today, we even have flame-retardant fabrics to make them out of, which is a far cry from the originals long ago.

One can even buy draperies custom made for their own space. The history of the drape is one that is difficult to find without delving into literature. There are tons of books on the art and culture of the drape from any era, you just have to look hard enough. If one wants to do their home in a particular style, it would be advisable to procure some books on the era they want to portray.