Colonial Window Treatments

Shutters

• Wooden interior shutters are the quintessential colonial window dressing, and were widely used in New England to combat drafts and cold. However, wide-louvered shutters that can be opened and closed to varying degrees were common in the south and warmer climates to promote air circulation and protect against strong sunlight. Solid natural or painted shutters

Basic Curtains

• Like shutters, early colonial curtains were designed primarily for the function of keeping out drafts, and consisted of simple panels extended only as long as the windowsill, with a simple valance on top. Sometimes, a basic curtain would be adorned with two festoons at the top, with the addition of graduated folded side ruffles called jabots. This classic colonial-style window treatment is a nice choice for a rustic bathroom or kitchen decorated in the colonial style.

Formal Curtains

• Late-colonial-style formal curtains are good choices for the dining room or living room, or anywhere you might entertain. Such curtains can be up to double the width of the window for maximum fullness, and often extend past the windowsill to the floor for grandeur. Historically, the top of the window dressing was adorned with multiple festoons or a decoratively shaped valance, depending upon the level of formality, the particular style or taste of the owner and the width of the window. Today, a valance or festoons should work to cover the tops of any shades or blinds that you might have.

Colors, Fabrics and Trim

• For wooden shutters, keep them natural, or paint them in earth tones like cream, dark green and warm yellow, which are representative of the natural pigments used during early colonial times. Simple, solid textiles such as cotton linen or muslin in similar tones should be used for basic curtains. For full, formal drapes, look for florals and toile patterned textiles in fabrics like damask. Gold rope or tassel trim, decorative or ruffled valances are appropriate for full curtains.