The Centuries-Old Window Design Choice That Adds Vintage Charm To Your Home

There's something about the fascinating way the position and shape of a window totally transforms a room. Your home may feel completely different depending on how big your windows are, where they're placed, and what type of windows you use. Add more depth to a boring home with a little vintage charm borrowed from a window design that's centuries-old yet timeless: the oriel window. Dating back to at least the 15th century in Europe, this window design is basically a bay window placed on an upper story of a structure. It typically projects out dramatically from a building and is supported below by brackets, or corbels. Overall, the effect of an oriel window is a touch of character and a piece of charm from a bygone era.

Imagine the appearance of a protruding window or section of wall in a medieval castle. The earliest oriel windows would have been designed for better defense. However, the design and decoration of the window itself eventually became the main point. Take a jaunt around cities like Chicago and New York, and you will notice homes from the Gilded Age decked out with ornate examples of oriel windows. For example, the Nickerson House at 40 E. Erie Street in Chicago features one such window. Choosing to use an oriel window design on your home means giving the building an instant vintage appeal by mimicking this style of grand architecture.

Adding an oriel window to a modern home can be a way to stamp your individuality onto a new build with every little detail, while also creating a few extra feet of floor space. If you love the look and feel of past designs but want to go beyond decorating with vintage-inspired finds for your modern home, think about changing up the actual design elements. An oriel window design is more complicated than a flat window or even a normal bay window, so it won't be a feasible option for all homes. However, this outdated choice can make a big difference by introducing a little historic character to an otherwise modern home. Or you might be lucky enough to stumble upon an older home already outfitted with this fun design element.

If you have a home, historic or otherwise, with an oriel window, embrace this charming callback with your interior design, too. You can find ways to incorporate design elements with a vintage feel to match the look. Perhaps you will discover a midcentury window treatment idea for a timeless look inside as well as outside your home. A certain element of craftsmanship defines vintage style, so look for furniture or decorative pieces at antique shops or estate sales. Vintage charm combines the special ability to step back in time with the feeling of being completely at home in a space. An oriel window can be an anchoring design choice for your entire home, inviting you to play with your interior style, too.