Curtain Tiebacks or Holdbacks - Traditional and Contemporary Approaches

Part 1

Why Use Tiebacks?

Using tiebacks on curtains provide several different uses and offer the ability to solve design difficulties which sometimes crop up.

Aesthetics:

Tiebacks may be used to dress the curtains so that they frame a window and the view beyond. They allow the curtains to fall in a soft drape which is sometimes more pleasing than the curtains falling in a straight, vertical line.

Practicality:

Using tiebacks can increase the light from a window when the curtains are open as they hold the curtains away from the glazing.

Tiebacks can help to control the drape of curtains which will help the curtains hang neatly.

Tiebacks can also contain the curtains to keep them away from any activity in the room.

Tieback for Dress Curtains or Daily Use

Tiebacks which are used on dress curtains may be a little more time consuming to install and to dress the curtain properly. However, since the curtains will not be traversing on a daily basis this job need only be done once and then the curtains be left to hang beautifully. On the other hand, if the curtains are intended to traverse you may wish to select something which is quite quick and easy to use.

Available Tiebacks

The soft furnishing market today offers an enormous selection of tieback and holdbacks. This is a discussion of a few, but in reality if you can imagine it then you can use it as a tieback!

You could use tiebacks to create a design theme - for example string together shells or use a pair of large shells in a seaside house, use horseshoes for an equestrian theme or use old garden tools in a conservatory or garden room.

Tiebacks offer designers the ability to make each window treatment unique and interesting.

Traditional Tiebacks

Traditionally tiebacks have been made from the same fabric as the curtain. These look very smart and tailored.

This tieback has a very clean, simple line which is neatly

finished with a piped edge.

Being the same fabric as the curtains they can be quite understated or they can be embellished so that they become a significant design feature.

The multi coloured tassels used here add style and sophistication to the tieback as well as drawing in the colourful fabric of the right hand curtain.

A traditional ambiance is also achieved with the use of cord tiebacks; these range from those that have clean, simple lines to those which are very ornate.

This multi coloured cord tieback beautifully picks up the colours in the curtain and in the tasseled leading edge. The tieback also holds the curtain so that the design feature of the contrast lining is able to be admired

to be continued....