Turn Any Window Into A Feature With A Few Simple Upgrades

Do you dream of living in your favorite fairytale castle, complete with enchanting windows that offer whimsical views of the outdoors? Maybe you've considered adding stained glass to your home, appreciating the intricate detailing and heightened privacy benefits it can offer. Perhaps you've longed for Gothic windows, with their tall pointed arches that create a dramatic décor moment. While these can be costly and complex window upgrades, @storries.scottish.steadings recently shared a way to use a few simple and natural materials to transform a basic window into a spellbinding feature without spending a fortune. Instead of relying on a wand or wizardry, she simply attached an oak lintel above the window opening, adhered thin stone slips around both sides, and filled them with a mortar and lime mix to maximize the cottagecore vibes.

This DIY window treatment is one of the easiest ways to make your home feel like it's in a fairytale, and requires only a few steps to complete. Theoretically, you could use any size or style of window as long as it is rectangular. However, for the best results, you'll want to pick a slightly recessed window with enough wall space on either side to accommodate stones in a variety of sizes. The look is extremely enchanting, but the cost of materials could add up, especially around large bay windows that are deeply recessed. The U.K.-based creator used an oak lintel from Traditional Beams in North Yorkshire and Angus sandstone slips quarried in Scotland. If you're stateside, consider using stone veneer and timber from your local big box store like Home Depot or Lowe's instead.

You can install a solid wood lintel across the top of your window, which will add an authentic look along with significant structural support. But to get the look without the expense or hassle of making a major change to your opening, use high-quality lumber instead. After measuring the width of your window and adding a few extra inches on each side, use carefully cut wood pieces to mimic the shape of a lintel across the top of your window. You can shop from stores like Swaner's Hardwood Boards on Home Depot, which has a variety of options, including classic Walnut Hardwood or rustic Rough Sawn Oak.

Adding wooden window trim is a simple DIY window treatment that adds quick value to your home all by itself. However, you'll take this upgrade to a truly magical place by flanking both sides of your window and any recessed area with thin stone. There's an art to stonemasonry, and the approach to shaping your stones to the perfect size will depend on what product you purchase. You can easily cut many faux stone panels to size with a circular saw blade made for plastic, while actual stone may need to be lightly hammered along the edges. Either way, you should choose a thin stone veneer that won't add too much weight to your drywall, and set each piece in place with a heavy-duty product like Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive. Finally, you'll use a mix of mortar and lime to grout the stones for a storybook effect.