Quick Curtain and Window Treatment Questions...

by Charlotte
(Website Editor)

Readers ask questions about their window treatment problems...

Take a look and see if you can help them out, or if you can get ideas for your own curtain and window projects...

White or ivory sheers with olive drapes?

Landlord won't let me paint. Picture window has white cornice that landlord won't let me paint - we have white trim and butter colored walls.

I bought drapes that are olive panels with couple of large embroidered flowers with a little brown in the center of the flowers.

I need sheers now for that window.

How should I decorate with the sheers and should I go with white or ivory sheers?

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Comment
By Charlotte
2 April 2012

Hi

Your new olive drapes are very pretty.

I think you could reasonably use either white or ivory sheers with your olive drapes and not make a mistake - either would look good.

What is the decor like in the rest of the room?

Choose ivory if you want to create a more subtle, harmonious effect in your living room. It will go great with the butter walls, and pick out the brown trimmings in the drapes. Ivory may also pick out the lighter embroidery flowers better than the white (white may be a bit harsh).

Choose white if you want a fresh, clean, and more modern feel in your living room. Or if you have a lot of other white items already in there. White would be more of a contrast against the drapes and walls.

The slight disadvantage to white is that it stands out - especially if you don't have too much other white in the room - and your sheers will be a large expanse of white. So if you choose white sheers you will be drawing more attention to your window than if you used ivory...

Of course, this may be just as you wish! You may wish for the more 'contrasting' effect.

You can use your sheers as simple 'sheet' curtains - drawn in front of the window, (behind the drapes) - great for privacy.

Or fit them still behind the drapes, but draw them back, so that it appears your drapes have a soft voile edge.

Are your drapes floor length? If so, you may want to consider floor length sheers, too. Or you can also keep the sheers sill length (assuming your window isn't to the floor). Either works well. The first is a more 'luxurious' look - the second is more practical.

I hope some of those ideas help.

Please come back and ask again if you have any more questions.

Best wishes

Charlotte

How to dress a frameless recessed picture window set lower than other windows

by Michele

Hi,

I have a living room where there are two 29 1/2" wide by 62" framed windows at 10" from the ceiling. These windows are flanking a fireplace on the same wall.

At the left end of the living room there is a recessed, frameless picture window. It measures 71" wide and 46 1/2" in height. It is 22" from the ceiling, and recessed 12".

The picture window has a marble sill. The other two windows are framed in nice white moulding.

The style I am going for is contemporary with a traditional edge.

The adjoining dining room has drapes that are 95" long with a geographic print. They are shirred on an antiqued nickel pole and mounted 4" from the ceiling.

I have inside sill length sheers on all my windows for light with privacy, and wish to keep them.

How do I make the picture window work if I want to copy the mounting of the dining room drapes on the two framed windows in the living room? It is a semi open floor plan.

I prefer a minimalistic look.

Sure hope you can help!

Michele

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Comment
By Charlotte

Hi Michele

You've got some nice big windows - it sounds like it must be a nice, light room.

You could just replicate the same treatment on the long, low window too, if you wanted, I think it would work...

My own top option for this window would be to keep it simple, though, with a neutral (and probably quite pale, depending on other colors in your room - maybe cream) Roman blind (fitted outside the window recess).

You could still keep the sheer curtain inside the window, for privacy, but this would just give you a 'finished' feel to the window.

It would keep it very simple - so it would still go with the other window treatments - but not dominate - and fit with your traditional-minimal look.

And your lovely marble window sill would still be a nice feature in the room.

What do you think? Would that suit?

I hope that helps you, Michele.

Let me know if you are still feeling stuck - or would like any more help.

Do let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Comment
by Michele
18 December 2011

Think I figured it out

Thanks Charlotte, for your feedback.

I have continued to research and found the solution for me. I am seeking back tab drapes in a curry color.

I intend to mount all three rods at the same height from the ceiling. The two long windows will have 95" drapes (not quite to my floor, but I have hot water baseboard heat).

The lower, wide picture window will have a matching valance that will hang at or slightly below the top of the recessed frame.

I had considered a cornice, but feel it is too much for the room. Also had considered just a flat wrapped board or other ornamentation above the window.

I will post a pic when I get it done!

Michele

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Comment
By Charlotte
19 December 2011

Thanks Michele

That sounds good - that should work really well and look great - will look forward to seeing the finished results.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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CURTAINS IN A CELLAR

by PATTY
(BURVILLE,RI)

I’m moving into an apartment that is down cellar, so the windows are small and there is a ledge under all of them, the only thing I can think of is a valance, I’m also need to keep it really light so it’s not dark in there?
Any suggestions??

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Comment
By Charlotte
9 November 2011

Hello Patty

How about a blind? You could choose a venetian blind, or a roller or Roman blind. These could easily stop at the ledge, and can be pulled right up to let in light during the day time.

If you wanted curtains, too, you could use ‘dress’ curtains – basically curtains that are there just for show. Position these well above and leave plenty of space for them to pull back wither side, so they don’t obstruct any light coming in your window.

I hope this helps you. Good luck with your move.

Best wishes

Charlotte

You can also take a look at the blinds page for more info and ideas…

Casement windows opening to the OUTSIDE

The screens are on the inside. I have considered hanging roman shades at the top of the screens but am concerned they would get very soiled when the windows are open over a period of time. Is it easy to wash these & rehang them? Has anyone had this experience? Thanks.

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Comment
By Charlotte

30 August 2011

I don't think you can wash Roman blinds/Roman shades in the washing machine, but you may be able to take them to be dry-cleaned, or use a steam cleaner, yourself.

Alternatively, you can use a vacuum attachment, to remove the worst dust and dirt, and gently dab with a damp cloth and some mild soap.

Always check the label, and check on a small area first, to make sure the cleaning method you intend is suitable.

If this is something that concerns you, you can enquire of manufacturers, prior to purchase, to make sure you get the blinds/shades that suit your requirements.

Hope it helps.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Comment
by Bev

30 August 2011

Charlotte,

Many thanks. Your suggestions make sense to me. Now if I can just convince my husband!

I'm sure the person/business who comes to the house to measure for the shades (7 of varying widths) will have some helpful suggestions as well. I just had to start somewhere in terms of cleaning ideas and know that I was not considering something foolish in terms of the style of the shades.

Thanks for your time in helping me get started!

Bev

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Comment
By Charlotte

31 August 2011

You're welcome, Bev. Hope you find something suitable.... and convince your husband! :o)

Best wishes

Charlotte

Window-covering solution?

by Taylor
(US)

I live in a fairly new apartment complex that has Juliette doors in the bedroom with white 2" faux wood blinds.

Above the doors is a long, horizontal window that measures 14.5"H 71.5"W.

I am looking for an inexpensive alternative to cover this odd shaped window as the sunlight in the morning is just too bright.

Please let me know if you have any ideas for a window covering.

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Comment
By Charlotte

4 October 2011


Hello Taylor

Thank you for contacting me.

I think in most cases like this any window covering would usually be fixed higher to cover the whole window/door arrangement.

I'm assuming by your question that each door has a separate blind that is attached and swings with the door?

You could attach a separate blind to the top section - a matching blind, or roller or Roman blind could be used. Or choose one the same color as the walls.

This may look a little cluttered though, and depending on the height of the doors, may be a little awkward to open and close.

You could fit curtains across the whole of the window/door arrangement (fixed higher) - although full-length curtains can be quite costly.

If the problem with the light coming in is not too severe, I suggest a frosted or etched-effect window film, which you could fit yourself.

Although this won't block out all the light, it should just take the edge off the brightness, which may be all you need.

Another alternative could be a frame with a fabric attached, the same size as your window (or slightly larger).

You could fit hooks and put this frame in position each night, storing it away somewhere during the day.

Again this would depend on height of the doors, and ease of fitting.

I hope some of those ideas help, and might give you some inspiration for your window problem.

Let us know how you get on, and ask again if you need more help.

Charlotte :)