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Country Style
Country Living.
A quaint home in a country setting is the American dream of millions of people. While the country home image is dreamed of,
not all of us have the opportunity of owning a country home. However, you can create a country style decor in a condo in the
city, with comfortable country style furnishings reminiscent of the look you love.
When you imagine that charming country home, with pies cooling on the windowsill, what does your mind's eye see on the
windows? Country style curtains are certainly the window treatment of choice! Cheerfully checkered or plaid curtains are
the epitome of country style curtains. Lace and patterned fabrics also convey a genteel country warmth. Fruits, flowers, and
fishing motifs are closely associated with the country lifestyle, making good choices for patterned country style curtains.
For the warmer months of spring and summer, choose a fabric thin enough to flutter in the breeze, but not so transparent
as to compromise your privacy. Muslin, all cotton and lace fabrics have a quality of down-home goodness. Fabrics in checkered
or plaid patterns are the quintessential country style curtains, with their bright squares of color and cheerful, comfortable
look in keeping with a country look. If choosing plain muslin, try trimming the hems with tassels or pompoms of a bright color.
During the cooler weather of fall and winter, you may want a change, using a heavier fabric, both for added insulation
and colors more suited to the season. Having two sets of country style curtains also helps avoid becoming tired of the scheme,
giving your rooms a fresh look.
Fruit motifs are popular, with apples and pears suited to most seasons. Darker floral patterns can give a cozy feeling
to your cool season country style curtains. The farmhouse and barnyard motifs may lend just the look you want. Do you have
a fisherman in the house? There are fabrics emblazoned with jumping fish and rod and reel designs.
Still other possibilities include fabrics printed in large panels of one complete scene per panel,much like a mural. These
fabrics come in window-sized panels, creating the look of a wall hanging.
When choosing your fabrics for country style curtains, consider your furnishings. If your sofa and chairs have an elaborate
pattern, go for a smaller pattern with a unifying background color that complements your furniture. For example, with sofa
and chairs in a blue background with an ornate floral pattern, a simple, small pattern with a large background area of a coordinating
color will produce a unified and uncluttered look.
In this scenario, plaid country style curtains are a good bet. Simply choose a plaid which picks up the colors in your
furnishings with the dominating color which best coordinates to create a balanced mix of light and dark shades.
So if your dream is a country look, but your home is in the city, you can still have the country look, with just a trained
eye for the mood,and a little imagination !
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