Traditional Swags and Tails Photographs of Interiors
Swags and tails are an elaborate form of window treatment, used effectively they remind me of a well tailored wedding gown, fabric draped and pulled in forming the elegant shape of the window.
The swag and tail drapery and curtains are an ideal window treatment for large elaborate rooms, they provide form, color, pattern and texture to a space and make wonderful focal points. They also set the backdrop for adding layers of even more elaborate decoration.
If used with bold patterned fabrics they can dominate the room, or used with simple colors the same as the wall colors then they create a wonderful form that tones in with the surroundings. See examples below of swag and tail drapery and get ideas for your home decor.
By using the same fabric as the swags and tails curtains at the windows on the upholstered chairs balances the weight and intensity of the color red around the room.
The interior is otherwise light with white walls highlighted with gold and the pale wooden parquet floor, the scheme is grounded with the floor rug using the same color range as the curtains and chairs.
The height of this room is brought back into proportion by using swag and tail curtains, the heavy weight and look of the top of the curtain helps bring the height of the window down.
It is the type of room that would be an amazing opportunity to decorate as there are so many existing elaborate features like the wooden floor and gilded paneling.
The swag and tail curtain formation here is used as a decorative pelmet to the window. The form is continued around the wall in the decorative wallpaper border.
The otherwise simple interior has been give a lift by using an elaborate drapery, but note that the fabric choice is a simple color and texture so that it doesn’t become the feature of the room and detract from the piano, the color, similar to the wall color means that the room is kept as open looking as possible as it is not a large space for the grand focal point the piano.
Another example of using swags and tails window treatments to provide interest and texture but not overtake the focal point of the room by keeping the fabric color similar to the wallpaper color.
A picot fringe has been used to all the bottom edges of the swags and side edges of the tails, and the leading edge of the curtain to provide texture and subtle detail to the curtain design.
The use of two colored fabrics for this Palladian window treatment adds originality to the curtain design. The use of textured fabric rather than patterned is in keeping the the simplicity of decoration in this room and show off the lovely window and wrought iron shutters.
The length of the tails has been decided upon to balance the curved moldings surrounding the window and keep all the decorative item up high, leaving the lover areas of the room with simple and uncluttered lines. The curtains themselves are simple panels and purely for decoration.
Combining sheers and fabric in this dining room create a wonderful shimmering look to the window.
The tassel fringe to the edges in the same color add the little decorative touch and make it appear more formal.
This is an unusual use of swags and tails but I think it works on this occasion.
I would not usually use this form of drapery for a dormer window, but the fact that there is a lot of space in this bedroom and the remaining decor is neutral in coloring, the wonderful gold damask fabric adds a tough of glamour to an awkward shaped room.
Another example of using swags and tails to create a traditional room.
In this room example the curtains have been used as a focal point and to balance the weight of the dark floor and furniture.
The use of decorative trim to the leading edge of the curtain and the bottom edge of the swag add more formality to the curtain design.
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