Austrian shades swag between cords that pull the shade up. There is always fullness at the cord area in the Austrian even when it is all the way down. Functioning Austrian shades are made of thin, usually unlined fabric so that the bulk of the shade is managable when it is drawn up. There is usually a small amount of fullness from left to right where the shade is mounted at the top as in this example.
Austrian shades are among the most romantic window treatments available, considered highly valuable in opera houses, restaurants, sitting rooms, and anywhere an indulgent elegance is required.
It is possible to make a mock roman shade that looks like a shade, but is set in a fixed possition. When an Austrian doesn't have to function, it can be made of thick fabric.
This example features wider sections than traditional Austrian shades. We recommend sections like this for tall rooms. Throughout history, Austrian shades were used as functioning treatments closest to the glass. There could be any number of window treatment layers in addition to the Austrian shade. Today, a single layer is highly desirable, and the look may be used in modern settings, particularly when an artistic mood is intended.
