Let me just say straight out that I am a complete nerd. I own Renaissance-style costuming and I like to think of myself as a princess. That has always been who I am, and I stubbornly refuse to join the "real world."
But you might be able to relate to my sense of awe every time I pass a local home that has the appearance of a castle. My imagination does back flips every time. If you daydream about making your own home your castle, you should know that you can pull it off, even if you don't live in a mansion of stone.
First of all, you do need to consider the outward appearance of your home and its overall atmosphere. If you have a white picket fence and petunias growing in the yard, your home may not be the best candidate for a complete rustic makeover.
However, there should be nothing stopping you from selecting one room--at least to start with--to transform. While I was still living with my parents, I did exactly that. Which room was the perfect candidate? The bathroom, believe it or not! (I know, it seems like such a contradiction, as castles lacked the indoor plumbing we so cherish).
To get started, visit your local interior design specialty store or even a shop that deals exclusively in wallpaper and other wall treatments. It is by doing exactly that that I found a charming wallpaper print that was designed to signify the appearance of stone, with sprigs of ivy crawling up its outer face.
It came in both beige and grey. You could find something similar for an easy, long-lasting wall application OR you might want to consider hiring someone to paint your walls.
In any case, you need to be aware that most artwork tends to clash with this look (as it is meant to represent the outside of a castle rather than the inside), so try to accent the area with other decorations.
The next step is to replace your light fixtures. This is a very straightforward change, so take a trip to your local hardware store to peruse their selection of rustic home lighting to match the feel you are trying to create. If you aren't satisfied with the options they provide, be sure to shop online to find more ideas.
These are the major changes to make in order to get the right atmosphere, but there are plenty more you can add. Change the faucets to the tub and sink and purchase a rustic-looking towel bar. My father built a specialty sink-stand and medicine cabinet. Above the mirror he installed a strip of stained glass, which provided the perfect touch.
These simple changes can be applied in virtually any room in the house--it's all up to you to decide! But just remember that making your home feel like your castle is a lot simpler than you may have thought.
Author Resource:
4 Rustic Lighting (http://www.4rusticlighting.com/) specializing in lighting and home decor For: rustic ceiling lighting , Lodge, Cabin, Mountain, Western, Mission, Craftsman, Southwestern & Spanish Style Homes. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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