Curtain Design, Specification & Build

Many times customers come to us with a curtain design that's already been developed and then we make their vision come to life. Other times we’re asked to create the vision, designing from scratch. An example of the latter is our main curtain creation for the historic Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.

When the doors had initially closed on Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre in 1990, it seemed like a regrettable ending for a stage that was once graced by Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, and Red Skelton. However, the subsequent restoration of this landmark playhouse played an integral role in the revitalization of downtown Baltimore, and it has once again become one of the country’s premiere regional theaters.

Rose Brand Vice President, Peter Finder, designed the Hippodrome curtains with an intent to capture the essence and grandeur of the former venue. Peter developed multiple designs, playing off of the theater’s interior architectural design elements. In addition to the main curtain, he designed the box curtains and house curtains.

Peter created a center-split guillotine design for the 30’H x 50’W main curtain, allowing it to be drawn straight up into the fly space. Design elements included silk florets, 18” antique gold bullion fringe, and a valence accented with imported gold trim. Over 3,200 yards (almost two miles worth) of black Majestic Velour FR and custom dyed wine Prestige Velour IFR were used for the main drape, maskings, box canopied swags, box door cornices, and tie back curtains around the house. The curtains were lined with IFR fabric to promote greater longevity and opacity.

The Hippodrome project is just one of thousands of curtains that we produce every year for theatre, event and commercial spaces throughout the country. We have decades of experience designing, specifying, and manufacturing custom curtains. Contact us at 800-223-1624 or customerservice@rosebrand.com for more information or estimates on your particular project.