Decorating With Swags
Swags come in many different materials including sheer fabrics, cotton, velvet and silk. In addition to fabrics, swags are made of beads, dried flowers and silk flowers and greenery. Use swags to decorate a doorway, on a stairway banister or as a finishing touch for window treatments. Heavy swags are fastened securely to walls, while light fabric swags may be draped over curtain rods. A swag over a bed adds dramatic impact. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Mark the center of the bed with a pencil on the wall behind the bed. Make the mark 6 feet above the floor for 8-foot ceilings or higher for higher ceilings.
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Mark the wall behind the bed 1 foot away from the edge of each side of the bed. Make those marks exactly the same level and from 1 to 3 feet below the center mark.
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Insert hooks into the wall at each mark. Hammer a small nail no more than 1/4 inch into the wall. Remove the nail and screw in the hook. If the walls are stucco, plaster or use a butterfly screw to hold the hook in place.
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Drape the rope over the hooks until it has a shape that you like. You might want a larger dip between each side hook and the center hook or a straighter look. Also, decide whether you want the swag to reach the floor or stop somewhere short of the floor. A silk or dried flower swag may just need a 2-or 3-foot drop on each side to look good, while a fabric swag looks better floor length. Cut the rope when you're satisfied.
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Use the rope as a guide to the final length of the swag. If the material isn't long enough to go from one side to the other, use one length for each side and hide the juncture at the top hook with a bow, tie back, tassel or flowers.
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Hang the swag using the hooks as support. If necessary, fasten the swag with a safety pin or twist tie at the back of the swag to the hook so it's not visible.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a sturdy ladder when attaching the hooks.
Wear goggles as a safety precaution.
