Coming up with interesting window treatment ideas that bring out
the best in your windows as they bring in the sunshine, is a
challenge to anyone with a yen to decorate. There are tons of
non-traditional options and tips to make the most of what you
have, and give your windows that million dollar look on a mostly
discount budget.
How about recycling old items? If you inherited lace tablecloths
that are no longer fresh and white, you can still get a lot of
mileage and an interesting antique window treatment, by using a
sewing machine to turn the tablecloths into window curtain
panels. You might even have some old lace curtains on hand, that
need to be brightened, but the bleaches have failed you.
Accept their "age" and build on it, by staining them with tea
for a totally antique look. Simply take a bucket and use half
hot water and half boiling water, to "steep" 30 black tea bags.
When the water is dark, add your curtains and stir the mixture.
Then let them sit for 30 hours, with the occasional stir to keep
the color evenly distributed. Remove the curtains, squeeze out
the liquid, and hang them to dry.
Window treatment ideas aren't always about curtains. The once
popular wooden window blinds are making a comeback with people
who prefer the warm, natural tones of wood to go with a wide
variety of décors. Antique folding window covers can be had for
a song at garage and auction sales, then refinished, and if you
are artistic at all, decorated with tole paintings.
Little touches can add a lot to plain curtains. If you have a
set of long, lined drapes and would like to liven them up, place
small hooks or other mountings above where the rod is held, and
top your curtains with silk flower garlands, or just silk
greenery. There's no more fuss to cleaning these, than there is
to washing a swag or valance. Just put a little soft dish soap
in a tub of water, swish the silk garland around, rinse and hang
to dry.
Your window treatment ideas are limited only by your
imagination, and the time you have to spend decorating. Some of
the most interesting and attractive looks are born from using
leftovers, cast-offs and your own ingenuity.
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