lace

Very light open-work fabric made from cotton, viscose or nylon; pattern can be applied to mesh ground. It is used in windows for privacy, as bed drapes and as romantic-style bedcovers, cushion covers and dressing-table skirts. It is also available as edging and in frills.

Ladder

The strings on a blind used to support the slats.

lambrequin

Stiff, shaped pelmet inspired by the elaborate harnesses of horses. They were first used in 17th century French interiors often in conjunction with portires. As they developed over the centuries, they frequently continued down the sides of the frame to form a surround to the window.

laminate

A thin protective covering, bonded to a material.

leading edges

Inner vertical edges of a pair of curtains or draperies.

Levolor

Blind and shade fabricator. Products include Mark I, Riviera, Monaco, Ovation, Cirrus, Nu Wood, Natural Shades, Century Collection, and others. A division of Newell. (4110 Premier Drive, Highpoint, NC 27265)

Levolor 1" miniblind

5 gauge contract aluminum miniblind made by Levolor

LightMaster

aluminum blinds without rout holes, made by Levolor.

linen

A strong cloth spun from flax. Its disadvantages are a tendency to shrink and crease. It is more practical when blended with cotton to form a linen union, and can also be strengthened with synthetic yarn. It is used for chair and sofa slip-covers and occasionally curtains, though it can be a little stiff to drape well.

linen union

An inexpensive and hardwearing linen-and-cotton mixture.

lining

A secondary hanging sewn in at the back of a curtain to protect it from the light and improve its hanging qualities.

lining fabric

A secondary fabric used to back curtains to protect them from light and dust. Usually a cotton sateen fabric with a slight sheen.

Louver

The part of a shutter which opens and closes.

LouverDrape

Blind and shade fabricator known mostly for its vertical blinds. Products include Premierline, Necessities, Fabricel, Carousel, Arielle, and others. A division of Newell. (4110 Premier Drive, Highpoint, NC 27265)

Luminette

Vertical blind made of sheer fabric, made by Hunter Douglas.

Macro blind

2" aluminum blind

Madras cotton

Brightly colored fabric, woven with a checked plaid or striped design.

Magneflex

1" aluminum blind installed between two panes of glass, usually in a door.

Mark1

8 gauge aluminum high quality miniblind with special headrail, made by Levolor.

Marquisette

A thin, open-mesh fabric, often of artificial fibers.

Matchstick shades

A roman styled shade made of woolen sticks/dowels. Made by many manufacturers including Levolor and DelMar.

Micro blind

1/2" aluminum blind

Mini blind

1" aluminum blind

miter

The diagonal seam joining two pieces of fabric at a corner.

Moir

Sometimes called watered silk. It is finished with a process that gives the fabric a wavy effect. Used for light upholstery, walling and cushions.

Monaco 1" miniblind

6 gauge aluminum miniblind made by Levolor

mullions

Vertical bars of stone or wood dividing the lights of a window.

muslin

Lightweight gauze made from cotton. Sheer and crisp, it can be patterned with floral motifs. It is inexpensive but tends to shrink and crease.

muslin lawn

A crisper and more finely woven version of cheesecloth. It makes excellent translucent curtains.

net

A very light, open-mesh, almost transparent fabric made from cotton, silk, or man-made fibers, usually in white or cream but these days available in a wide range of colors including dramatic dark ones.

Newell

Parent company of a host of blind/shade fabricators, including Levolor, Del Mar, LouverDrape, Joanna, Kirsch, and others. (29 East Stephenson Street, Freepoint, IL 61032)

Newport 1" miniblind

8 gauge contract aluminum miniblind made by Levolor

No Brainer Blinds and Shades

The worldís most popular and trusted online source for blinds and shades. Located at http://www.nobrainerblinds.com (One Brainer Tower, 6135 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77005)

NuWood

2" faux wood blind made of a wood/vinyl alloy. Made by Levolor.

Opaque

Term used to describe any product that lets NO light filter through it, like the Graber Cocoon, and the Hunter Douglas Eclipse shades

ormolu

Pale yellow gilt or bronzed metallic ware normally covered with a protective coat of clear lacquer.

Osborne & Little

English high-end fabric vendor. All exclusive fabrics, and very traditional. (90 Commerce Rd., Stamford, CT 06902)

ottoman

Available in cotton, silk, and synthetic yarns, it has a horizontal rib pattern, the stripes of which can be in different colors. It is hardwearing and suitable for upholstery.

padded edge

Leading edge of a curtain or drapery containing a roll of padding to create a distinctive and luxurious effect.

Paisley

Fine woolen cloth printed with intricate scroll or pine designs, which have become a classic motif.

Palladian window

A window with a high, round-topped central section and two lower, square-topped side sections. Also called Venetian window and arch-top.

passementerie

Trimmings used on curtain, blinds, pelmets, bed hangings and cushions to give definition and add decorative detail.

Payne Fabrics

Fabric vendor. (1000 Fountain Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75050)

pelmet board

A horizontal board used to support a pelmet and sometimes as a base for swags and tails.

pencil pleats

Narrow, regular pleats in the heading of a curtain or balloon shade. They can be made by hand, but are generally formed using decorator tape.

Phenomena 3

A triple celled honeycomb Duette shade by Hunter Douglas.

piano nobile

the principal floor of a large house, with higher ceilings than the ground floor/basement or floor(s) above, and containing the main reception rooms. Based on Italian Renaissance ideas, and meaning ìnoble floor.î

picot braid

A woven cotton braid of various widths with a bobble edging.

pinch pleats

Regularly spaced triple pleats, used for curtain, drapery, or valance headings. They can be formed by hand or using a decorator tape that either pulls up with cords or has pockets for special pleater hooks. See French pleats.

Pindler & Pindler

Fabric vendor. (11910 Poindexter Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021)

pinoleums

Very narrow wooden slatted blinds.

piping

A length of cord covered with bias binding and used as a decorative edging. Also referred to as welt.

pleat

A fold or crease, either pressed or stitched in place.

Pleated Shade

Economical single layer fabric shade which when lowered folds like an accordion. Also see Honeycomb shade.

pleater hooks

Pronged hooks used with pleater tape to make pinch pleats. When the prongs are slotted into the pockets in the tape and pinched together, they form a pleat.

pleater tape

A decorator tape used with pleater hooks to create pinch pleats.

plush

Old-fashioned form of velvet, with a deeper but sparser pile. Favored by the Victorians, it was made from wool or mohair and sometimes cotton. The modern equivalent is man-made.

pole

A brass, wrought iron, or wood rod that has a decorative finial at each end and is supported by brackets. Curtains are hung from the pole.

polonaise

A bed set lengthwise against the wall, sometimes in an alcove, surmounted by a small dome and elaborately dressed. Usually has high ends. Also refers to style of 18th century dress.

poplin

Light-to-medium-weight cotton or rayon fabric which has a fine rib and slight sheen. It is inexpensive and drapes well. The heavier, ribbed fabric can even be used for loose covers.

portire

Curtain that hangs behind a door to cover it completely and keep out drafts.

poufed heading

The stand-up part of the fabric above a gathered heading or a rod-pocket heading, which is teased out to form a fat ruffle.

PowerRise

A battery powered remote controlled mechanism used to raise or lower Duettes and Silhouettes. Made by Hunter Douglas.

pre-corded track

Curtain track bought with an integral cording system for closing and opening curtains.

pull-ups

Curtains which pull up vertically (can be festoon, Austrian or other).

Click here to choose
your specialist catagory