Monday, August 30, 2010

Medieval Decorating Ideas

Stained glass adds a medieval feel to rooms.


Decorating a room or house in the style of the Middle Ages adds a richness and luxury to a space. Stone castles with large banquet halls, long dining tables of dark wood and images of knights can all inspire medieval decor. Whether decorators want to stick to a few medieval pieces or completely redesign their houses in the historical style, a medieval motif makes a bold and unique statement. Does this Spark an idea?


Small Touches


If you don't want to spend the money on a complete redesign, add small medieval touches to make rooms more unique. Placing a large, medieval-style key in a shadow box or hanging a print of a coat of arms adds a medieval feel to a room. Medieval statues and figurines--such as knights or dragons--can add a light-heartedness to the Middle Ages motif. Richly colored tapestries are quintessential pieces for any medieval room; according to the Guardian, many castles in the Middle Ages featured imported tapestries, such as Charles VIII's Trojan war tapestry.


Bigger Statements


For a more dramatic medieval style, bigger statements are necessary. Modern decorators can add a touch of medieval elegance by incorporating stained glass into their design. HGTV features a medieval-style home in Chicago with stained glass windows from floor to ceiling. Wrought iron was also a staple of medieval decor, whether used for a staircase or a fireplace gate. In a medieval master bedroom featured on HGTV, designer Brynja McGrady of Garrett Interiors includes red canopy drapes around the bed.


Complete Redesign


For a fully medieval house redesign, tall steeples, stone and dark wood are reminiscent of Gothic cathedrals. High ceilings resemble the airy banquet halls of medieval castles. Long banquet tables made of dark wood and rich-looking curtains in deep colors--such as purple, the color of royalty--add to the medieval theme. HGTV's medieval master bedroom showcases beige or light brown wall, carpet and bedspread colors, accented with rich reds, blues and golds. To complete the style, an elaborately-painted ceiling adds a final artistic touch.







Tags: dark wood, Middle Ages, adds medieval, adds medieval feel, banquet halls, master bedroom