Which Window Coverings Suit Waukesha's Older McCall Street Homes?

Match the covering to the era of the house. And keep the trim in view. Waukesha's McCall Street Historic District holds homes from 1860s limestone Greek Revival to 1920s Georgian Revival. Simple shutters or wood blinds suit the earliest houses. Fabric shades suit Queen Anne rooms, with soft panels where there's space. Tailored shades or shutters fit Colonial and Georgian Revival homes.

The same thinking works for any older house in Waukesha, inside the district lines or not.

What were Waukesha's Spring City years?

They were the decades when spring water made Waukesha famous. The story usually starts in 1868. That's when Colonel Richard Dunbar found what he called a "healing spring" (Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum). Word spread fast. Waukesha became known as the "Saratoga of the West." At the peak, 25 trainloads of visitors a day came to town, says UW's Wisconsin 101 project. The Encyclopedia of Milwaukee says the spring city era lasted until 1918.

Carroll was already here by then. It got its charter in 1846, which makes it Wisconsin's oldest college. Homes near the college went up through the spring years and the decades after. Many still stand. Together they show how house styles changed from the Civil War era to the 1920s.

What is the McCall Street Historic District?

It's a neighborhood of homes just west of Carroll. It went on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Wisconsin Historical Society dates its key period to 1855 through 1935. It notes Queen Anne, Bungalow and Georgian Revival homes. Many old carriage houses still stand there too (Wisconsin Historical Society). The district grew in 1993 when its boundary was expanded.

A few houses show the range. The dates and styles come from the district's National Register paperwork (National Park Service nomination) and state records.

• The Bowron/Randles House dates to about 1860. It's Greek Revival, with walls of cut limestone blocks.
• The Charles and Hattie White House went up in 1878 in the Italianate style.
• The A.S. Putney House is also from 1878. It mixes Queen Anne and classical details.
• The Walter L. Rankin House was built in 1890 for Carroll College's president.
• The Lee Ovitt House of 1901 is a fine Queen Anne with a rounded tower.
• The Robert S. Perkins House dates to about 1897. It's an early Colonial Revival design.
• The Harrie Randle House of 1926 is Georgian Revival in light brick.

These are private homes. Please enjoy them from the sidewalk.

What suits an 1860s limestone or Greek Revival house?

Keep it simple and even. Greek Revival homes tend to have tall double-hung windows set in neat rows. The trim is plain and wide. The style is calm and orderly. So the windows look best when every covering matches.

Good fits:

• Interior shutters in white or a soft painted color. They echo the clean lines and frame the window without hiding it.
• Wood blinds in a tone close to the floor or doors.
• Flat Roman shades in a solid linen-look fabric. These are good for bedrooms that need more darkness.

Thick stone walls often mean deep window openings. That depth is a gift. Inside-mounted shades or shutters sit neatly in it. The trim stays in full view.

What suits an Italianate or Queen Anne house?

Treat each window section on its own and let the shapes show. These are the most varied houses in the district. Italianate homes often have tall, narrow windows and bays. Queen Anne homes add towers and porches. Many have bay windows and fancy glass too.

• Bays: one shade per section, mounted inside each frame. They line up neatly and raise on their own.
• Decorative or stained glass: leave it uncovered. Cover only the clear glass below it if you need to.
• Fabric: Queen Anne rooms can carry richer colors and patterns. A warm Roman shade fits the style. So does a pair of side panels in a bay.
• Tower rooms: rounded walls need careful measuring. Shades usually mount on each flat window section.

What suits a Colonial Revival or Georgian Revival house?

Go tailored and classic. In this district these houses date from the late 1890s through the 1920s. They look back to early American design. Expect balanced fronts and multi-pane double-hung windows with classic trim.

• Shutters with standard louvers look at home here. They read as part of the house.
• Wood blinds with cloth tapes give a classic look in a den or library.
• Simple pleated or flat shades in cream, white or soft gray keep the focus on the trim.

Skip anything too modern or too fancy. A glossy roller shade can look out of place. Heavy fringe can swamp the clean lines.

The state listing also notes Bungalow homes in the district. Bungalows tend to have wide, low windows. They often come in groups of two or three. The wood trim is sturdy. Wood blinds or woven shades in warm, earthy tones suit them. Grouped windows look best with matching shades that line up at the same height.

How do the eras compare at the window?

The Budget Blinds interior shutters page shows the styles, from wood to composite.

How do I keep the trim and woodwork in view?

Mount inside the frame wherever you can. Original trim is one of the best features of an older Waukesha home. An outside-mounted covering can hide it.

• Measure each window. Older windows are often a bit out of square. Inside mounts need careful measuring at several points.
• Choose low-profile headrails. Slim hardware disappears inside the frame.
• Match the finish to the wood. If the trim is stained, pick a blind or shutter stain that sits close to it. It doesn't need to be a perfect match.
• Care for what you install. Wood blinds and shutters last for years with light dusting. Our Waukesha County window covering care card covers how, material by material.

What should I check before I choose?

Walk the house with a notepad and answer a few questions:

1. What style is the house, and roughly when was it built?
2. Which windows have original trim or decorative glass you want to show?
3. Which rooms need privacy at night? Which need darkness for sleep?
4. Are there bays, towers or odd shapes to plan around?
5. Is there an enclosed porch or a sunroom added later? Those rooms often need a different plan. Our sunroom answers for Delafield and Mukwonago owners work for older homes too.

Older houses reward a careful plan. We measure every window and bring samples you can hold up against your own trim. Learn more about window coverings for Waukesha homes, old and new. Then schedule your free consultation.

Kevin Sill is CFO and co-owner of the family-owned Budget Blinds franchises serving the Waukesha area.