Tapestries - Warmth and Beauty Combined

by Angela Dawson

Tapestries have been around for centuries; they have been used as shrouds, blankets, bed curtains, robes and upholstery. Their biggest value, however, may have always come from simply hanging on the wall. Tapestries have been energy savers since the first king hung the first pictorial story of his conquests on the stone that made up his dining hall.

How Tapestries Save Energy.

pestries are natural insulators. They help add a dense layer to the wall, forming a stronger barrier against cold and draft seeping through. They absorb heat and release it back into the room instead of letting it seep through the walls and windows, decreasing the need for excess heat and helping to balance a room's temperature.

In the summer, tapestries help keep homes more comfortable, preventing cool air from escaping the same way as they keep the heat in during cold weather. This makes them a sensible choice for wall coverings, as they serve a purpose by acting as insulation. The larger the tapestry, the more coverage is obtained and this is also a great way to cover windows in a room used for sleeping during the daytime.

There are many advantages to tapestries over traditional methods for preventing heat or cooling loss (foil over the windows or extra space heaters). Using tapestries in this fashion harks back to the days of castles when tapestries were used not only to make rooms warmer but were pressed into service as bed hangings so the nobles's body heat would be contained. Tapestries doubled as coverlets in some households, and many small weavings are still used as lap robes or throws today.

Tapestries can be Functional and Beautiful.

The other side to tapestries is their decorating potential. Any home can benefit aesthetically by the addition of some fine wall art, and you can choose from any style, era or genre you wish. Look for a coat of arms if you are intimate with the genealogy of your family, or opt for a traditional oriental tapestry with depictions of dragons or gardens. Tapestries from India feature elephants and other exotic animals as well as intricate floral designs.

The Medieval years and ensuing Renaissance kicked off an entirely new field of tapestry art, as tactiles drew abreast of painting and sculpting. With this rise to the proper level by woven works of art came the new fad toward reproduction. Making sure that the quality stayed consistent and that each tapestry was still unique became the job of master weavers who tutored young apprentices and journeymen in the trade.

The beautiful tapestries available today are affordable due to the invention of the Jacquard loom, which hastened weaving time and greatly reduced the costs associated with producing tapestries. Since they were now affordable, tapestries rapidly became much more readily available to the average home owner.

The twentieth and twenty-first centuries have brought even newer delights to tapestry lovers everywhere. Many tapestries have been discovered in the last century, and been successfully restored. Copies of these are guaranteed conversation starters! Some of the most famous tapestries, Lady and a Unicorn, or the Tree of Life, have become so popular that finding a reproduction is not hard. Others, such as obscure religious scenes, may be harder to find.

Why Choose Tapestries to Cover Your Walls?

Tapestries have been used as decoration almost as long as they have been used for drafty halls. They offered the perfect medium through which to translate events throughout the land. Wars and battles, meteor showers and historic novelties were all worked in bright colors and annotated with additional characters; ribald humor and a down to earth across the board manner was designed to deal with the average man.

This offered monarchs and priests the influence to regulate what news their serfs received, and how it was taken. As time went by and the art evolved, many things began to be depicted on tapestries. Simple everyday tasks like harvesting, feeding geese or riding after the hounds were common and popular. Others included Raphaelite Angels or New Testament scenes.

Still other types of tapestry, used primarily to please the eye, can be bought and used on the wall, the couch etc. The value of having a wall covering that can fit the space required is high, and any nook or cranny can benefit by a small tapestry that fits your overall decor.

Plan on adding tapestries to your list of Home and Garden projects - when your redecorate and refurnish, you should look into woven wall art and see if it will work in your own home. You an cut down a little on energy costs and present an edgy, classic style of decorating to your friends and family. Insulation and decoration - the tapestries can help make a room pop, and serve a dual purpose that represents green living at its finest.

How Interior Designers Hang Wall Tapestries

by Victoria Winters

If you just bought a wall hanging, you may know how confusing and frustrating it can be to hang a wall tapestry properly. Unlike posters or framed print, tapestry wallhangings can be very tricky to get just right. Luckily, there are some good general rules that you can follow to make your wall décor look as good as it should.

First, consider what hardware you would like to use to mount your tapestry. The most popular method is using a wall tapestry rod. Wall tapestry rods are preferred over curtain rods because the tapestry rods are stronger and will not warp. When shopping for a rod, look for one that has easy to assemble brackets. Make sure that your brackets will project your tapestry away from the wall at least 1 to 2 inches. This will keep the air circulating behind your wall hanging, so moisture cannot get trapped and damage the fabric. Look for a tapestry rod with an antique finish"��it will add a touch of class and elegance to your wall décor.

Second, take a look at your room. Where should you hang the tapestry? How much space should you leave around the wall hanging? Here are some general guidelines that may help.

If you have a fairly long and narrow vertical wall hanging similar to our Portiere tapestries, you should hang it on a wall that is tall and narrow, but make sure there is enough space around it to prevent your wall from looking cramped. This will prevent the tapestry from looking small and insignificant.

If you have a large tapestry wall hanging, it is best to hang it on a wall all its own. You do not want to crowd the magnificence or distract a viewer's attention with smaller pieces. Huge tapestries can transform your home into a castle, so treat them with care and respect.

Perhaps you purchased two smaller tapestries, but only have one rod"��don't worry, you can make this work. You can place two small narrow vertical tapestries next to each other on a single tapestry rod, just remember to leave at least 3 to 6 inches in between them for the illusion of separation. Please note that this will only work with tall narrow tapestries like our Art Nouveau Four Seasons Set. Anything larger than this will look cramped and amateurish, so try your best to measure everything out correctly.

You may need a special rod if your tapestry is very large and heavy or if your wall hanging is unlined and light. For large tapestries over 80 to 100 inches, you should consider a tapestry rod that is at least one half inch thick. This will prevent the rod from warping in the middle. If you purchased a chenille tapestry wall hanging, you may want to consider either a thin rod or a wooden rod. If the rod is too large in relation to your tapestry, it will look overbearing and unprofessional.

Victoria Winters is an interior design expert and specialises in tapestries. Check out her website for further information on tapestries.

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Use Wall Tapestries To Make Your Home Stylish

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A tapestry is a material of cloth that is hand woven or consists of jacquard looms, an art work which is loved and cherished by lovers of art. Wall tapestries refers to a kind of tapestry that people can put up on their empty walls and make it look beautiful and decorated, making an empty space full of life and color. You may think why go all the way to hang wall tapestries when a painting or a photo frame can accomplish as much. Well, to begin with, wall tapestries have exquisite paintings and drawings designed on them like a piece of art which will not only add beauty but taste to your rooms. Wall tapestries use good quality of cloth material which will make your house look tastefully adorned.

These tapestries carry drawings or paintings of well known artists which every one would like to possess and display in their homes. Needless to say, that the images in the tapestries are not original works of the artists but replicas but they look exactly like the real ones. These tapestries are also seen as less expensive alternatives of the famous work of art of your favorite artists or painters. So if you think you need to add something to that blank wall of yours, go ahead and invest in a wonderful and bright tapestry that will not only decorate your wall but it will also infuse a dash of elegance and style to your home.

The tapestries do not need much of your attention in terms of maintenance because they are sewn from good quality fabric that would last for many years. Only dry cleaning just once a month will be enough to remove the dust particles that settle anyway. You also need to make sure not to place it on a wall which received direct sunlight, as this can wash out the color over time. Indeed wall tapestries can pass from generation to generation as they last for a long time and would be an interesting heirloom to pass onto your children. Of course you have to make sure that that tapestries are made from a good quality of cloth material.

Besides giving your home a sophisticated and nice look, the wall tapestries can add warmth to your household too. It will make your guests feel cozy, welcome and taken care of. It can also be a great conversation piece with family and guests. There are many spaces in your home that can be used for hanging the wall tapestries like the drawing room, dining room, hall way, corridors, besides the staircase, bed room, and why not even the kitchen. Tapestries are also being featured in home decor catalogs, magazines, and tv shows. Why not catch up with the latest trend and hang these beautiful tapestries throughout your home. Your house will have style while still feeling warm. It's the best way to decorate with the current style. No matter where you decide to hang the tapestries they will only make your home look comfortable and lived in.

For further information about tapestries and wall decor, please visit our website.
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