Everyone has heard that their home is their castle and it’s true. This is the one place where you can have your own personal kingdom, or queendom, or both. In decorating, the castle style is often called gothic. Whether you want to call it gothic or castle style décor, the trend is definitely in. The style can also be called Old World because of its European feel and heavy masculinity. What makes a home gothically-inspired? There are several tell-tale signs.
Carved in stone
It’s only natural that the gothic style should become popular again. With all the faux stone treatments, the transition to gothic and castle-themed homes makes sense. Plus, the Harry Potter movies have also made the old castle look romantic, mysterious and cozy. Who can forget in the first film that gorgeous Christmas morning when Harry opened his presents in a tapestry-laden room by a roaring fire? It’s a knockout. But the stone is where it’s at. Faux stone walls, stone fireplaces and stone flooring all create that castle touch.
Touches
What also is noticeable about the gothic style are the references to old churches. The pointed gothic-styled windows may be seen in mirrors and other accessories. Likewise, heavy carved furniture in dark finishes also signals the castle influence. Heavy-textured fabrics are another hallmark of the castle and gothic style and imperfections are found everywhere. In castles, few things were absolutely perfect. Today’s tarnished silver is the perfect home for a castle-themed room or house, and it’s the imperfections that are so interesting and unique.
Decorate your castle
If you want to decorate your own castle, concentrate on size and richness. For a bedroom, you’ll want a large, heavy bed that’s fit for a king. The finish should be dark and the linens should be rich and heavy. Hang heavy drapes on the windows and search for gold-framed artwork. Paint or wallpaper your walls with a stone pattern or rich, jewel-tone color. Tapestries, now easily found on the Internet and in home-decorating stores, are another wonderful element to add to your design. If the high prices for tapestries put you off, making your own tapestry by hemming a length of tapestry fabric from your fabric store and hanging on an iron rod is a budget-friendly option. You don’t have to make your furniture match, but it should all be heavy and antique-looking and imperfect. Avoid anything that looks too perfect and shiny.
Accessorize your castle
Select heavily-gilded accessories, which are abundant during the holidays, to create an authentic look. Another accessorizing option is to add religious objects. Many castles have their own private chapels and often displayed crosses and religious paintings throughout. Adding some religious inspiration is a great decorating option for a gothic appearance and style. Look for patterns in upholstery and accessories and fabrics that employ gothic-style points and fleur-de-lis patterns. Don’t forget candles, candelabras and wall sconces in your decorating scheme. These all add to the romance of the gothic look – and the romance of the room.
The gothic and castle style is going to be much more prevalent in the future. We continue to look at our homes as a castle — including the fortress appeal of a castle – so it’s only natural that interior design reflects these trends. Even kitchens are getting into the castle act with window arches and heavy iron light fixtures that evoke knights and princesses. If you’re looking for a room style that never goes out of style and that’s always charming and cozy, the gothic style and its castle-like influences will turn any room or home into a castle and is a great, and unexpected, design choice.
