By Linda Merrill, Networx
Roman shades are some of the most popular and stylish types of window treatments going. Roman shades, like blinds, are a functional window covering that raises and lowers on a cord and pulley system. They can be glamorously formal or simple cotton coverings for the window. They come in many fabrics and styles and can be installed inside a window frame (inside mount) or overtop a window frame (outside mount). As with blinds, Roman shades can also be layered with other treatments to enhance both the decorative and functional aspects of the treatments. Let's talk styles of Roman shades.
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Flat Shades
Flat shades are most like window blinds in that they are simple rectangular shades with a flat bottom edge that when extended should completely cover the window. When opened, the shade accordion-folds up into itself behind the treatment, so that at any extension point, they are always clean and flat looking. There is usually a wooden dowel inserted into the bottom hem to maintain its flat shape at any extension point. These are the simplest treatments to make and are very appealing to those who like a simple, clean look.
Soft (European) Shades
Soft (European) shades, as the name implies, are a softer version of the flat shade. There is no dowel in the bottom hem and the rope mechanism that raises and lowers the shade is placed either right at the side seams or very near, resulting in a softly curved bottom hem as the shade is raised. The soft shade has a more "feminine" look than do the flat or cascade shades, and the excess fabric softly gathers randomly along the bottom as the treatment is raised up. These shades are relatively easy to make and don't require any more fabric than a flat shade might.
Cascade Shades
Cascade shades are similar to flat shades in that they, too, are generally very tailored looking, fully cover the window and maintain a clean appearance. However, they do differ in that instead of accordion-pleating the excess fabric from the bottom behind the shade as it's pulled up, the cascade shade mechanism pulls up each cross-section of the shade into itself on the front side, resulting in a tailored waterfall effect. Wooden dowels are inserted into each cross-wise pleat to maintain the shape. These shades require more skill and fabric to make well and can cost more than a simple flat shade.
Materials
Roman shades of all styles can be made from most light or medium-weight fabrics, but are not recommended for heavyweight materials such as leather or heavy wovens. Linens and cottons are the most popular fabrics for Roman shades and they can be made with lining, which protects the fabric from sun damage and provides additional light-blocking capabilities. They can also be unlined for a sheer, sun-filtering look. Roman shades, unlike blinds, are easy to make, as they require very basic sewing skills and are easily mounted on boards or on a simple straight curtain rod.
Cost
Roman shades can be purchased readymade in stores in many styles and fabrics, or can be custom-made so that they perfectly fit the window and the decorative style of the rest of the room. I made my own soft Roman shade for my kitchen out of burlap. The whole treatment cost less than $10 and took about an hour to make. Purchased in a store or online, Roman shades might run from $75-$250 each, depending on fabric. At the high end, custom Roman shades made from the most expensive silk or linen fabrics with added decorative trim can start at $750 per shade.
You can see why the Roman shade is such a versatile and well-loved style of window treatment: It comes in many styles and fabrics and is available to nearly every budget.
Source: http://www.networx.com/article/roman-shades-for-all
