Coming up with interesting window treatment ideas thatbring out the best in your windows as they bring in thesunshine, is a challenge to anyone with a yen to decorate.There are tons of non-traditional options and tips to makethe most of what you have, and give your windows thatmillion dollar look on a mostly discount budget.
How about recycling old items? If you inherited lacetablecloths that are no longer fresh and white, you canstill get a lot of mileage and an interesting antiquewindow treatment, by using a sewing machine to turn thetablecloths into window curtain panels. You might evenhave some old lace curtains on hand, that need to bebrightened, but the bleaches have failed you.
Accept their "age" and build on it, by staining them withtea for a totally antique look. Simply take a bucket anduse half hot water and half boiling water, to "steep" 30black tea bags. When the water is dark, add your curtainsand stir the mixture. Then let them sit for 30 hours, withthe occasional stir to keep the color evenly distributed.Remove the curtains, squeeze out the liquid, and hang themto dry.
Window treatment ideas aren't always about curtains. Theonce popular wooden window blinds are making a comebackwith people who prefer the warm, natural tones of wood togo with a wide variety of décors. Antique folding windowcovers can be had for a song at garage and auction sales,then refinished, and if you are artistic at all, decoratedwith tole paintings.
Little touches can add a lot to plain curtains. If youhave a set of long, lined drapes and would like to liventhem up, place small hooks or other mountings above wherethe rod is held, and top your curtains with silk flowergarlands, or just silk greenery. There's no more fuss tocleaning these, than there is to washing a swag or valance.Just put a little soft dish soap in a tub of water, swishthe silk garland around, rinse and hang to dry.
Your window treatment ideas are limited only by yourimagination, and the time you have to spend decorating.Some of the most interesting and attractive looks are bornfrom using leftovers, cast-offs and your own ingenuity.
Sarah Peters works at home, and spends most of her freetime on various home improvement tasks. Over a few years,she had all her house windows replaced. In this series ofarticles, she shares her experience and advice.
