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Living Room Window Treatments--thoughts?

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janinegirly

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I posted a thread on this previously (sorry--can''t find it!) so hope you don''t mind if I recap. I''ve been struggling with window treatments for our living room as it''s hard to find ready mades that go with the colorings we have, plus our room shape is a bit unusual as it''s an older house (more rectangular room than square and 3 windows in a small space--ceilings are not that high,etc.). I also do not have a design thumb!

So I finally had an expert come in to see what her thoughts were if we were to go custom. The price as expected is quite steep, but there are ways to make it a bit more manageable. She had me convinced but curious what some of you design ethusiasts think since I might be falling for a sales pitch! Here''s the room..I will go over her suggestions after posting the pics:

livrm10.jpg
 
side view to show 3rd window on other side of fireplace

livrm12.jpg
 
so these are the suggestions the store designer came up with:

1) pinch pleat valances on 2 smaller side windows. Bamboo blinds to replace white ones we have. Fabric is gold background with very thin vertical stripes in green, red and maybe a cream (can''t remember). Lines are spaced wide apart, maybe a couple of inches. I had asked to keep it subtle and not isolated to yellow/red.

Main larger bay window would have decorative pinch pleated panels (no sheers) in a textured gold fabric. Texture is to add contrast to the rest of the room''s materials. She says silk is tough to maintain and already alot of sheen in our room''s fabrics. Panels would be banded with fabric described above to match the valances.

2) this option is very similar to the above except the pinch pleat valances on the small side windows would be replaced with roman shades in the fabric originallly described (thin lines in red, green with gold background). Sorry I don''t have a picture of these fabrics.

Option 1 is slightly cheaper (I was shocked at how much custom roman shades cost!). Overall she felt having panels on all 3 windows would overwhelm the room (3 windows spaced quite close together) and a pattern would make it too busy.

So I guess my questions for anyone listening is do you think this works and therefore worth the cost? Is there some option out there to finding cheaper custom roman shades (if I have the fabric for example?). Is there something else this room needs?

Thanks!!
 
Janine, my front room is set up nearly identical to yours (smaller windows on either side of the fireplace, main window to the left of the fireplace). I have a much more casually dressed room though. I found that a cafe curtain was the perfect size for the smaller windows, and we did a panel of roman blinds on the large window (mine is three windows together), so basically the opposite look that your designer is suggesting in option #2, I suppose. I will say that I''m drawn to #2 more than #1, because I just don''t like slatted blinds at all. I think romans are a very clean look, and they mix very nicely with other styles, though I agree that they may be hard to find after the massive recall.

We got cloth roman blinds in beige for $15 a piece at JC Penney- I basically stalked the website until I found them on a big sale, and then I had to wait because they were, of course, on backorder. Ours look fantastic, but they were pure heck to put up because the mounting hardware was extremely cheap. Luckily, you can''t see the hardware since it''s all behind the blinds. The ones in our bedroom are canvas from Target, and I think those were $30 a piece. Stripes in reds and greens and browns are all fairly easy to find, or really, you could purchase a beige and add trim on your own. Measure your windows and check online - I''m not really sure the custom is worth it if you can find the width of your window. I prefer them to hang a little bit over/mounted at the top of the window and not inside the window, so if you prefer that look, it really doesn''t make sense to go custom anyway. The nice thing about roman blinds is that they "learn" to lay flat where you pull them, so I''m not sure it really matters (or would matter to me enough to go custom) to have them fitted to the height of your window.

Love the treatment that Steph posted.
 
steph: those are great! We''re hoping for a pattern / stripe though since our room needs some oomph. I love PB stuff!

elmorten: thanks--I also am leaning towards#2. I heard about the recall--does this mean no roman shades anywhere or are they being re-engineered to make them child safe? We have a young child. Do you have a pic of your LR?

Thanks for the feedback, looking forward to more.
 
I would go with option 2 if not for the safety concerns... so probably option 1. I also wanted to make sure you know that there are etsy sellers that make custom window treatments... you can tell them the dimensions and they let you know how much fabric to buy and thenyou send the fabric to them. I am not sure what you are quoted, but this may be a cheaper route.
 
If you are looking for more heavy duty, and things that will last - and are not on a real tight budget (quality cost) I suggest checking out www.northsolarscreen.com/

I purchase their mylar UV blocking shades a couple years ago for my living room (I was getting custom built leather furniture - with pure aniline leather and needed to block the UV to keep the leather from fading). Not cheap. This year I got the light blocking shades to go over the mylar ones (I have a double roller mount system). The hardware is very heavy duty and the shades are actually on 1 1/4" diameter aluminum rollers - and I expect this stuff to last a lifetime.

However, all told - for the double blind set-up (mylar transparent/day privacy UV blocking) and cover blind this was in the several hundred dollar per window range.

They have some great looking insulating shades that I may consider for other rooms in my house another time.

Perry
 
Janine, from what I understand, they''ve made a clamp (looks kinda like those repelling clips that backpackers use?) where you basically cut the cord and put the clamp in there instead. The problem, from what I can tell, is that your blinds are then stuck in one position.

We don''t have kids, so I don''t really worry about the blinds, but I''m sure this will be up for re-consideration when we do. I believe though that blinds of all types were recalled (?).

Here''s an older pic of the window treatments in my LR (we''ve since re-vamped the fireplace and taken out that awful media cabinet, yay!). As you can see, my room is a lot more casual/darker than yours, so I doubt this will help much in comparison, esp since our romans are on the larger window, not the smaller. I loved the idea of doing color on either side of the mantle, but with our dark floors and trim, that wasn''t going to happen. Since you have a much brighter space, I think it would look lovely to add a pop of color there.

ellivingrm.jpg
 
I prefer the roman shades so I hope this recall doesn''t mean they are not an option with children. I would think they''d come out with a newer and safer version? argh..

thanks for the etsy tip! I may look into that if I can get my hands on the fabric the design consultant recommended. Her quote was 600 per window which from what I''m learning is very inflated. Have a feeling she''ll be very elusive once I start asking for fabric details/identifying codes etc...

anyone have thoughts on the fabric options (stripes on romans and solid panel with band in stripes to match the romans?)

elmorton: thanks for posting! looks great in your room and what a fireplace!
 
Another thought I had...do you have a JCPennys near you? They actually have custom window treatments that are very nice. I got a quote for a kitchen window there that was a lot more reasonable that what your lady quoted. I think mine was $200 or so for a window double the size of your smaller ones...they had tons of fabrics and styles to choose from too.
 
thanks steph! We have a JCP closeby (just came to NY!), so maybe I''ll stop by during lunch..
 
You know I love me some custom drapery, but I don''t think you should spend more than you need to. Did I ever mention the pinch pleats that JC Penney carries? They''re like super affordable and they look great. They''re part of the Supreme Collection.
 
I think they should all match and if you''re afraid of there being too many curtains then I would put bamboo shades on all of them and then just have panels on the side.

If I were you,I would go to jcPenney and buy every type of panel that you think would go with the room and then hang the rods or have your husband hold them up and start disqualifying. Window treatments are hard and sometimes the best way to deal with them is to stop imagining and put them up. You might be surprised with what you like! Then return all the rest of the panels. You''ll probably have to do some returning anyways, because I find their lengths and widths to be very unreliable.
 
Okay, I'm thinking about your options. I could see liking something like this on the two windows and then panels for the larger window. For the smaller windows:
link to valances

I'm not sure if it would be too busy because in the room, the print might diffuse a bit.
I just think that the room is a formal living room (right?) and the roman blinds don't seem dressy enough for your furniture.

081989251_dt.jpg
 
Date: 1/5/2010 5:47:30 PM
Author: heraanderson
I think they should all match and if you''re afraid of there being too many curtains then I would put bamboo shades on all of them and then just have panels on the side.


If I were you,I would go to jcPenney and buy every type of panel that you think would go with the room and then hang the rods or have your husband hold them up and start disqualifying. Window treatments are hard and sometimes the best way to deal with them is to stop imagining and put them up. You might be surprised with what you like! Then return all the rest of the panels. You''ll probably have to do some returning anyways, because I find their lengths and widths to be very unreliable.
Click to expand...

Hi Janinegirly,

Lovely room, you seem to get some nice light too.

I''d also go with natural woven roman shades, bamboo or jute for texture and a relaxed, easy look- then flank it with floor length panels in a neutral color. I love the Pottery Barn suggestion. The bamboo shades would make even the silk panels more relaxed, but they also have fantastic muslin and linen fabrics. If you feel the need for stripes, go tone on tone. Panels and shades are going to provide a very layered look, and make your furniture and room pop. Pottery Barn is pricey, but good - but they have great panels at Bed Bath and Beyond. Get a thick rod and heavy rings. It will be stunning. I''d do the 96" panels and hang it just below the ceiling, so it touches the floor. Just my two cents, I love design!

Wish I had a picture to show, but we recently moved and don''t have natural woven bamboo shades in yet. I love these shades, the way light filters in on a sunny day, and you can pick them up at Home Depot, not too expensive but give a major look when combined with good panels.
 
96" ceiling to floor drapes are my suggestion. They really make a ceiling look higher.

If you don''t find something you like off the shelf, another vote for Penney''s. They know what they''re doing, and they''re reasonable.
 
I'm love the bamboo shades suggestion, but not sure about fussy valances. I think they might make the room feel 'squat'. On the other hand if they My mom has something similar to the second in her formal rooms, and I thought I'd like it... but I don't. I would go with whatever will make the room feel taller. Did you like the fabric she suggested? I'd do honeycombs (accordion fabric shades) in your wall color on the windows, instead of the bamboo, personally with swag drapes (unless you have cats, swags and cats do not mix).
 
If it were me, I''d probably go with a sheer pleated cordless blind that lets light in on all 3 windows - and then drapes in a solid neutral color (olive or tan maybe) if you want privacy and darkness at night. If privacy isn''t an issue, then just have panels at the sides. The drapes/panels should go all the way to the floor and should be the same height for all windows. It will make them appear to be all the same size even if they aren''t, and is in keeping with the style of the room''s architecture. And the sheer blinds are a modern way to achieve the same privacy/light control as your current sheers.

If you''re comfortable taking measurements and doing a DIY install, there are lots of online companies who have lots of choices of fabrics and styles for blinds and drapes. The same is true if you go for roman shades.
 
Last house- floor length panels and shades, for your consideration.. BTW, I had room configuration similiar to yours. No fabulous fire place, of course,but three windows.

bamboo & panel8.jpg
 
Date: 1/5/2010 8:50:28 PM
Author: Gypsy
I''m love the bamboo shades suggestion, but not sure about fussy valances. I think they might make the room feel ''squat''. On the other hand if they My mom has something similar to the second in her formal rooms, and I thought I''d like it... but I don''t. I would go with whatever will make the room feel taller. Did you like the fabric she suggested? I''d do honeycombs (accordion fabric shades) in your wall color on the windows, instead of the bamboo, personally with swag drapes (unless you have cats, swags and cats do not mix).
Click to expand...
I used the wrong terms. I meant the drapes PP suggested, with the sheers that Rainwood recommended. :-) Sorry been a while since I did any window treatments!
 
Thanks all, alot of interesting suggestions.

Penn: I actually am willing to pay the price for custom if it makes sense--but don''t like getting ripped off if it''s something that can be easily done by a seamstress. And DH is pretty good at installation,etc. What do you think of the roman shades on 2 smaller windows idea? I liked it but now hedging after hearing all the feedback...

Herr: believe it or not that what I did the past few weeks (bought panels from JCP and hung them up). We had mixmatched drapes everywhere. But none of that were "it". Which is why I got frustrated and called the designer. Thanks for your feedback, I love the balloon vallance, just not sure about the red print, but maybe I''ll order a sample.

Garden: nice suggestions and love your photo. Post after you get your blinds!
 
Date: 1/6/2010 9:47:55 PM
Author: janinegirly
Thanks all, alot of interesting suggestions.


Penn: I actually am willing to pay the price for custom if it makes sense--but don't like getting ripped off if it's something that can be easily done by a seamstress. And DH is pretty good at installation,etc. What do you think of the roman shades on 2 smaller windows idea? I liked it but now hedging after hearing all the feedback...
Click to expand...


This is just me, but I don't like valances without drapes. At all. This probably won't help you, but even though I personally like Roman shades, I would never put Roman shades in my house. Does that make sense? I feel like if I'm going to invest in custom, I'm going to get full on drapery. Personally, I would get drapes on all the windows.

Also, no bamboo. I don't even think you need sheers or blinds. Is your home close to the street?
 
Okay, I had to photoshop it to see. I like it with the full panels and I think it's not looking right to you perhaps because the room appears slightly unfinished. I added a console table but I think the fireplace could use some accessories and perhaps a bigger painting, or even the same painting in a wood/more substantial frame.

livrm10g copy.jpg
 
Date: 1/7/2010 1:14:13 AM
Author: heraanderson
Okay, I had to photoshop it to see. I like it with the full panels and I think it's not looking right to you perhaps because the room appears slightly unfinished. I added a console table but I think the fireplace could use some accessories and perhaps a bigger painting, or even the same painting in a wood/more substantial frame.
Click to expand...
I like this. I would use a white hanging rod so as to not draw the eye up to a long piece of wood. Definitely something with a subtle pattern. I love bamboo shades, but not in that room. I think you could find something very beautiful without going custom.

And I agree the fireplace needs some taller heavier items on the mantle. Even the more substantial frame makes sense.
 
What about roman balloon shades on the fireplace windows from a store and have a custom job on the larger window based on what you''ve already chosen?

reddamrombal.JPG
 
herranderson: i love it, thanks for the photoshopping (wish I knew how to do that). It looks much better than I expected (plain panels--I always thought the monochomatic look might lack some pop, but it looks nice). What fabric would you suggest (silk or something with more texture/coarser). What blinds would you go with on the smaller windows?

penn: great points thanks. I like the idea of no sheers, blinds etc. We are close to the street but not concerned about that side--it's more the small side windows which face the neighbor who we'd rather not see!

starset: thanks! Balloon shades are a great thought..I'll have to look into it. That or panels on all 3 windows ..
 
You''re welcome! I think I''ll continue the photshopping tonight to see how the balloon valances look and let''s try some shades!
 
I''m a panel girl myself these days, so I like Hera''s mock-up very much. However,

Date: 1/7/2010 11:24:57 AM
Author: janinegirly
herranderson: i love it, thanks for the photoshopping (wish I knew how to do that). It looks much better than I expected (plain panels--I always thought the monochomatic look might lack some pop, but it looks nice). What fabric would you suggest (silk or something with more texture/coarser). What blinds would you go with on the smaller windows?


penn: great points thanks. I like the idea of no sheers, blinds etc. We are close to the street but not concerned about that side--it''s more the small side windows which face the neighbor who we''d rather not see!


starset: thanks! Balloon shades are a great thought..I''ll have to look into it. That or panels on all 3 windows ..
Click to expand...

One thing that came to mind is that your style of furniture would probably "work" better (look better) with drapery that pools a bit around the bottoms. (On your other thread, someone linked to the Cote de Texas website; the author shows many a good poolin'', I might add.
2.gif
) The softness and roundness created would gently mimic the round edges of your upholstered furniture, and the proportions of your room seem to be ideal for such a romantic swoop.

On the downside, however, is that artfully pooled drapes really can''t be used as functionally closing/opening window coverings. Seeing the prior postings, a combo instantly comes to mind: what about long, pooled drapes in the Cote de Texas style (fixed open) on your large front window, and (inspired by the ones Hera posted on 1/5 @6:50pm) have functional roman balloon shades (a la Starset Princess''s suggestion) on the two side windows?
 
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