There are many wonderful ways to bring the beauty of rustic design to windows.
The term "rustic" brings many images to mind. For some it may conjure the image of a cabin by the lake, a mountain chalet, or a seaside cottage. For others, rustic decor is a way to bring the countryside to a small urban apartment. Windows are a great way to explore new design options, or carry a theme through a room. Rustic curtains can be a low cost way to provide insulation around windows. Lighter fabrics can reflect light and heat, cooling a room in summer. Window treatments can also provide added security when they prevent outsiders from seeing into a home. Does this Spark an idea?
Curtains
Rustic curtains fall into several categories. Full length draperies work best on large expansive windows or wide walls. To give a rustic feel, look for long draperies with large prints: big block flannels or scenery panels that give an outdoor feel to any room. Rustic fabrics often feature natural colors; maple-leaf red, sand, brown, cream. Sheers can be used under drapes or, for a lighter look, can be used alone. They give a breezy look that is often used in cabins or beach houses. When using drapes or sheers, forgo tassel or tailored tie backs. Instead opt for natural looks, dried flowers or vines, curved wood, or even wrought iron.
But nothing says country like short and sweet cafe curtains. They work well for smaller windows, or for the upper part of glass paned doors. Cafe curtains can be made from drapery fabric, printed panels, sheers or even lace.
Shutters
Shutters are framed wooden, or wooden-look, blinds. They don't need to cover the entire window. For an elegant indoor rustic treatment, use pine wooden shutters at the bottom of a large window, and white eyelet lace cafe curtains for the top. Some shutters have movable louvers that can allow, direct or block light into the room.
Shutters can be used outside or inside a building. When usable shutters are attached outside, they not only give the house a more rustic look, but, as in the case of a weekend cabin, they can be closed and latched to provide added security to the building. While there are some standard sizes, shutters often need to be made to fit. This can add expense for customization.
Valances
Sometimes drapes or shutters can be too expensive, or too room-darkening. Sometimes, especially in a beautiful rustic landscape, the designer doesn't want anything to obstruct the view. A valance is a small decorative window topper and can be used with or without curtains, drapes or shutters.
A valence may be constructed out of a printed panel, lace, denim, or any fabric that coordinates with the room. But a valence can also be less formal. Drape a light-weight fabric over a long, natural branch or wrought-iron rod and hang it over the window. Or forgo the rod; bunch dried flowers with ribbons and hang them over the window.
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