I don't have velvet drapes myself, but I have friends that do. And, they look absolutely gorgeous puddling on the floor in their formal rooms, they do.

Yes, there are 100% cotton velvet drapes in my husband's study.

The room is not frequently used so I can't complain about wear, but they still look beautiful and dust has not been a problem.

I very briefly had them in a bedroom. The cats loved the luxurious texture.

I have dark green vintage velvet drapes in my library (they were originally stage curtains in a school!) which were already old when I got them but in very good condition. They've been up 32yrs. and the main problem is that they have faded in areas from sun exposure, which they didn't have while hung on a stage in an auditorium. Not sure if this info helps, but a dark colored modern velvet might fade as well.

Other than that, I've always loved this drapes. They make such an elegant, timeless statement. They need replaced, but I can not bring myself to do it!

I love velvet drapes. They warm up a room so wonderfully.

Demi: Is that a print of a buckeye plant? I love your prints. Are they antique?

Sorry, catkin for the OT. As an Ohio buckeye, I HAD to ask.

Dee

No problem!
Thanks, everyone.
They do look lovely!
The window only gets brief morning light, they should work!

Timely post, as I was just wondering if someone (amysrq?) who had inquired a while back about keeping velvet panels up year-round ever tried it.

demifloyd and schoolhouse, do you keep yours up year-round?

Great eye, Dee!

One is the buckeye, the other chestnut.

We have buckeyes here on our property; DH collected them and gave to visitors for good luck. I gave one to DD's boyfriend who visited last week and had to show him where to put his thumb!

Bungalow, before the drapes were hung, we just had the wooden shades and they were perfect for the summer.
I wish I could remove them to lighten the room for the summer, but it's just too much work to remove and rehang those goblet pleats, especially when no one sees the room but me.

Forgot to answer--the prints are reproductions of antique prints.

Thanks, Demi. I love them, and the room they're in. We have so many buckeyes around the house, it reminds me of that old Dick Van Dyke segment with the walnuts. (if you remember!)
Dee

Yes, my drapes are up year round plus have no sheers or other between them and the window pane. Surprisingly, the sun fade is worse or at least more noticeable on the sides facing inward to the room, along the edges of the drapes and where they puddle on the floor.

Not really relevant to OP question, but I also have a problem with hooks and rings not being able to withstand the weight of the drapes, so am constantly rearranging hooks and mending tears at the tops. But these are older, vintage velvet and pretty sure are heavier than modern velvet drapery. They need cleaned desperately, but can you imagine the dry cleaning bill even if they would accept the challenge?

Thanks all!
schoolhouse, I've read repeatedly that drying dry clean only curtains/drapes in the dryer (on fluff) with a damp cloth works wonders. I also read that putting some ammonia on the damp cloth removes odors.

Thanks catkin for the tip. However, I doubt there is a dryer even in a laundry mat big enough to stuff just one of my velvet panels in. It's difficult enough to carry one across the room, but if I do find a commercial dryer big enough I'll give it a try. Never thought about using a damp cloth on them, that would certainly take alot of the dust,ect.away.
Maybe I should be this on my Spring cleaning list.

looks good. I don't need one though.

Here is a link that might be useful: velvet drapes