Rustic Window Treatment
Rustic decorating is uniquely American in origin. It evokes the period of log cabins, pioneers and the Old West with its cozy patterns, homey colors and sense of playful whimsy. The window treatment is an important aspect of the rustic decorating style. Windows are focal points in any space, if for no other reason than sheer square footage; the fabrics, colors and other characteristics used there can tie the rest of the room together. Does this Spark an idea?
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Color
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The palette that defines rustic décor contains the colors of nature and so the fabrics used in the window treatment should underline the shades chosen for the room. Warm reds and oranges work well, as do golds and natural greens and browns. In rustic decorating, the walls are often of a neutral shade (tan, beige or natural wood), so curtain colors can be a little warmer and richer than might be chosen for other decorating styles. Making the window treatment "pop" is a cornerstone of this style.
Pattern
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Plaids are very popular in rustic design, from muted Madras in shades of green and brown to an eye-popping red tartan plaid. "Outdoor" prints are also appropriate, such as scenes of trees, wildlife or wildflowers. For a more subtle look, stripes in colors that match the room are often used---brick red, gold and forest green, for example, or red, white and blue for a room with an Americana theme.
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Curtain Rods
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There is a sense of playfulness inherent in the rustic style and this aspect can be expressed through the choice of curtain rods or other supports. A decorator may thread café curtains onto a fishing rod complete with reel or use a bamboo rod or a narrow branch complete with bark. If the room contains deer heads or other examples of the taxidermist's art, antlers might be tacked in the upper corners of each window and used to hold swags of coordinating fabric across the top of the curtains.
Tiebacks
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Tiebacks---designed to hold opened curtains off to the sides of the window---can easily be accessorized to fit the rustic style. Loops of gingham ribbon, giant rickrack or raffia can be pinned to the sill and threaded around the curtain panels. Strings of silk ivy will also work, while bandannas folded in half diagonally like cowboy neckerchiefs are perfect in a western-themed room. There are also commercial tiebacks made of wrought iron or wood that are made to order for rustic decorating.
Other Accessories
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Once the window treatments are in place, accessories are often used to make the windows more personalized. Large silk sunflowers can be pinned to the tiebacks or a spray of artificial berries or wheat grass tucked behind them. Crocheted doilies or branches of pussy willow might be draped across the curtain rods so as to span the tops of the drapes. Windowsills can display a collection of small primitive wooden sculptures, while small crystals or stained-glass ornaments may be hung from the glass to fill the room with rainbows.
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References
- Photo Credit rideau image by Jacques PALUT from Fotolia.com
