Arts and crafts window treatments

Today’s restorations often overlook curtains, yet no early 20th century interior would have been considered finished without them.

Today’s restorations often overlook curtains, yet no early 20th century interior would have been considered finished without them.

Historic-house whisperer Nina Farmer conjures an inspired mix of colors, materials, and artful pieces in this young family’s Massachusetts home

If you find yourself attracted to the fabrics and wallpapers of the arts and crafts design movement or with a property that was built in this period, here are some ideas to reflect and enhance your home with the arts and craft style in mind.

Check out the housing trends of the past to understand how they shape our present and future abodes.

From the turn of the 20th century until the World War II, window treatments moved from Victorian excess through Arts & Crafts simplicity and then settled into classic historical styles.

" It is always a problem to choose curtains, and too much thought cannot be given to this all important subject" Keith's Magazine, 1911 Of all home textiles, curtains and shades seem to require the most thought. This is natural as, while they should be attractive, they also have to work. We don’t like to bury the window beneath swags and layers of extra long drapery, trimmed with layers of braid and bullion. Art & Crafts style curtains are in fact very practical...a simple & lovely use…

A review of the Arts and Crafts movement & its main variations: Arts & Crafts, Bungalow, American Craftsman, Mission, & Prairie Style by Morris, Stickley, Roycroft, Tiffany, Mackintosh, FL Wright, etc

American Arts & Crafts architecture includes many examples that go “beyond the bungalow.” This one in Portland, Oregon, is a classic.

This 1910 house in Portland, Oregon was built according to plans published in Gustav Stickley’s magazine. Recent owners fixed it up true to the original intention.