A tapestry exudes warmth, colour and adds an interesting design perspective in the home. Tapestries have been used in American homes for centuries and were the height of fashion in the 17th and 18th century. They suit any period home and remain a popular choice today.

Early Colonial Use

Tapestries were brought to America by European colonists who aspired to be as refined as the well heeled in their mother countries. America saw a number of fashions imported from Europe at this time to ensure the new immigrants kept up with changes in vogue. Tapestries were used as wall hangings or bed hangings and European made work was often listed among the most valued item in a householder’s inventory. At this time the best bed in the house was often decorated lavishly with tapestry art and found more often in a parlour than a bedroom.

Parlours and best rooms in the 18th and 19th century saw rich fabrics and tapestry used in the décor. Furniture covering was a more likely feature at this time than wall hangings. Indeed the industrialisation of the modern city resulted in concern that dust and smoke would destroy these lavish works of art.

Growing popularity with wealthy Americans

At the end of the 19th century America began to see unprecedented wealth from the various industrial developments that spread across the country. Families such as the Astors, Vanderbilts and others who perceived themselves as the aristocracy of America found new wealth from the industrial growth of America and built European styled palaces and homes in vogue with their newly found status. These grand homes gave rise to resurgence in popularity for tapestries. The focal point of George Washington Vanderbilt’s Biltmore were two massive tapestries of Vulcan and Venus. The imitation of the splendour and extravagance of European stately homes and palaces was a classical way in which the newly rich of America chose to display their wealth.
The Arts and Crafts Revival

Tapestry appeared in the less luxurious homes, as furniture decoration rather than lavish wall hangings. The Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris enabled modern design to be easily reproduced in a classical way. providing colour and texture to a decorative scheme. This trend was seen both in America and Europe, however was somewhat short lived.

A second revival of tapestry art occurred in the mid 20th century when large walls found themselves decorated once again with tapestry hangings. As people moved from one area to another the flexibility a tapestry gave enabled it to be rolled up and re-homed in the new house. It became an alternative to framed paintings in a changing world and made art more accessible to the growing population.

Poplar choices for any home

Tapestries have enabled their owners to be very creative with how they are displayed in a home, be it wall hanging, furniture cover or a unique touch to a corner. They remain a focal point in the modern home and are a versatile feature in interior design.

A crown canopy makes a dramatic statement in a room. Long fabric panels fall from under a valanced top section, making a sweep of color and style that is unforgettable.



A canopy bed may sound exotic and out of reach. But really, a canopy bed can be made with a simple swag of fabric or by constructing an elaborate draped treatment. This article about canopy beds will give you lots of ideas and pictures of simple and not-so-simple styles of canopy beds that will help to add romance to your bedroom.

The easiest way to create a simple canopy for your bed is to hang a piece of fabric over the top frame rails of a structured canopy bed. But if your bed doesn’t have a canopy frame, there are other ways to get the look of a canopy and to surround your bed in softness and color. You can achieve a very attractive canopy bed look by installing curtain rods to the ceiling, placing one over each end of the bed.

Using either tab-top, tie-top, pinch-pleated or gathered panels, attach the fabric to each curtain rod and let it drape softly to the floor. You can also attach a short rod to the ceiling, perpendicular to the head of the bed on each side. Hang the panels to the floor and tie back with a drapery tieback.

 There’s really not anything that can make a bedroom feel romantic the way a canopy bed can. Our article shows many styles of canopies and bed hangings that can turn a ho-hum bedroom into something really spectacular.



A dramatic crown canopy, also called a coronet, looks elegant in any bedroom. Attach panels of fabric around the outer edge of a half-circle of 3/4″ plywood. This half-circle can be attached directly to the ceiling or floated just off the ceiling with L-brackets attached to the wall.

But if your bed doesn’t have a canopy frame, there are other ways to get the look of a canopy and to surround your bed in softness and color.

You can achieve a very attractive canopy bed look by installing curtain rods to the ceiling, placing one over each end of the bed. Using either tab-top, tie-top, pinch-pleated or gathered panels, attach the fabric to each curtain rod and let it drape softly to the floor. You can also attach a short rod to the ceiling, perpendicular to the head of the bed on each side. Hang the panels to the floor and tie back with a drapery tieback.

A dramatic crown canopy, also called a coronet, looks elegant in any bedroom. Attach panels of fabric around the outer edge of a half-circle of 3/4″ plywood. This half-circle can be attached directly to the ceiling or floated just off the ceiling with L-brackets attached to the wall.

You can add a romantic look to a plain-Jane bed by draping long fabric panels through a wooden or metal ring attached to the ceiling above the center of the head of the bed.

Draw the fabric panel through the ring, pulling it down to the floor on either side of the bed. Spread the panels out to display more fabric and frame the bed or drape the panels around the bed posts at the head of the bed.

Another simple treatment is to install a ring on the ceiling at both sides of the head of the bed and draw the long fabric panel through both rings. Swag the area between the two rings at the ceiling to form a lush top frame for your bed.

The panels should extend to the floor on both sides of the bed. If you install 4 rings, one at each corner of the bed, try drawing a long panel of fabric through each one. Be sure one end of the panel at each ring goes all the way to the floor. With four panels of luxurious fabric draped above and down the sides of your bed, the look is very elegant.

You can really use any type of fabric you want to create a beautiful canopy bed. Traditional fabrics for canopies are chintz, silk, velvet,or tapestry. But you can achieve a fun look for a country setting with muslin or gingham or charming calico. You can also use sheets that coordinate with your bedding to construct the long panels for a uniform look.

For ease of use and simplicity of style, bed hangings are generally cut to touch the floor when hung. If you prefer a luxurious look, cut the panels 4″ longer and “puddle” the fabric on the floor at the edge of the bed. Be sure to lift the panel when you need to vacuum the floor.

For a truly professional look, more body, and longer wear, add lining to the panel of fabric or use a coordinating print or solid for the back of the panel. After all, the inside and outside of the panel will both show when you swag it. Add borders, fringe, ribbon trim, and cording. Coordinate trims with tiebacks, adding color, texture, and body. Remember that a tieback will pull the fabric off the floor, so cut the panels slightly longer.



Go on to see more views of beautiful canopy beds and swag treatments. You’re sure to see a style that will give a wonderful romantic look to your personal sanctuary.

Find a style of canopy bed that will fit your decorating style and budget and create a really romantic bedroom just in time for Valentine’s Day.