Yet another post about window dressing
This is our newly decorated upstairs sitting room, it has access to a balcony, and I need some serious help (please!!!) deciding what type of window dressing would suit the place.
The trouble is that the balcony door and window have different heights and because they are placed rather close to each other, I guess the curtains/poles should be at the same level... right?
Then, I was thinking I would love to have the wall with the window all covered in fabric, so quite a generous curtains width, but then how can I get a balanced look for the balcony door?
Also, the main reason we want curtains is thermal insulation - the cottage is in the middle of nowhere, so there are no privacy problems, but like most old properties windows are a bit drafty. Otherwise I would have chosen some sheers or linen drapes mostly for dramatic effect, given our wonderful views.
PS: apologies for the quality of the photos, they were taking quickly with my iPad on this rainy afternoon.
Comments (42)
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Houzz Live Chat - Tips for dressing your windows, September 4th, 3pm
Comments (81)Hiya Jill, thanks for sending those images over. In response to your first question about your bedroom, I can think of a couple of solutions that may work. The first is the same solution as my previous French window answer to @montbray and fit something that moves with the window, either a Pleated or a Venetian which operate under tension and open with a thumb tab rather than a cord. Alternatively, it would look quite nice if a blind, particularly a Roman blind was fitted right to the top of the wall above the window, at the ceiling. This will allow the blind to be ‘dressed’ to form a valance effect above the window when the blind is open, giving full view from, and use of the window and when it is closed, it will give the illusion of the window being taller. In the case of your bathroom blind, you might like to try a waterproof Roller blind made from PVC fabric. Alternatively, Faux wood blinds are a really great idea, as they have all the look of traditional Wooden blinds, but won't warp in wet or steamy conditions. Admittedly, it is a difficult window to dress and there are not a lot of options, but hopefully, these will give you some ideas. Sarah...See MoreWindow dressing
Comments (4)Just a quick update on how things are progressing: We chose the sofa's last weekend. 1 x 4 seater, 1 x 2 seater, and a foot-stall. Actually in this exact colour (apart from we went with light wood legs). Same cushions as well. This is the two seater - but we've got this in the same grey as above Footstall. These are currently getting made and will be delivered in 3 weeks now, which gives us a good deadline to work towards. On Sunday we're having the curtain poles delivered. We've decided to go with a double layer of curtains so we've gone for double rails etc. Really lightweight white cotton ones, overlayed with a heavier dark grey set. These are going around the bay, rather than across the front. I think that these are basically going to be 'dress curtains' - so there's a chance that we'll still be getting some horizontal wooden blinds (light wood). We've also been looking at paints - and armed with loads of testers, I think that we've decided on what we want. It's pretty dismal outside today so it'll give me another idea of what it looks like in another light - we've done early morning, bright sunshine, late evening, raining, cold & frosty etc. Walls 1 and 4 - Farrow and Ball Elephants Breath Walls 2 and 3 - Farrow and Ball Skimming stone. The fireplace which is central on wall 3 - just an off-shade of white (possibly even skimming stone maybe) Reasoning: I love the elephants breath colour so I don't mind having a whole wall of it, but it will be broken up with the 4 seater along wall 1, and some large artwork (which accent colour of yellow, or eggshell blue), and the fire place with mirror over will break up the other wall. The Skimming stone is quite light in colour, so the double doors in wall 4 (which are while) will break that up so it's not so intense, and the sofa, dark curtains etc on wall 2 will break that up as well. We've not thought about carpet colour yet, or also what lights/shade to have. Before we spend a small fortune in paint, and decorators - can anyone see any glaring mistakes, or care to suggest something else....See MoreWhich window dressing for bay Crittal window?
Comments (21)I too thought shutters would block out too much light, but the look when fitted is so lovely, and with wider size slats, the more light they let in. The pics below have small slats but its the same style of bay with shutters. Also don't have the push rods on the front if you want a cleaner look. Having the slats split so top/bottom open separately like pic below is also good if you want privacy without shutting out light from the top. High gloss shutters also reflect light into the room and shutters seem to go with any look, period or contemporary....See MoreWindow dressing for huge window right up against wall
Comments (11)There's another small one on the far end but this is the main radiator. Hmmm it's really interesting that your room is cosy as i've gone to trusty google and can't find anyone who says that radiators don't block the heat. It seems to be a big no no. I'm just so torn between function and fashion. I know it sounds silly. I think part of the problem is it is such a huge window that i would need more than one blind which would look a little odd. Then it isn't a usual height window in that it's quite close to the floor....See MoreLuciana
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPrintesa, that's a brilliant idea, thank you! I didn't think about covering the other wall too. Great!
I forgot to post a pic of the room on the day we moved in in July, so you can see the difference. Things are progressing, not as fast as I would like though. The carpenter is coming on Friday to put down beading, we still need to get slate for the hearth, find wall lights and buy more furniture...
E D, I've already filled up 2 memory cards with all the photos I've taken in the last 3 months... I could show you pics all day long, so don't tempt me! ...Oh, ok, here's one with some messy swans just for you!
Luciana
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoGreat memory, Gabby! Yes, this is our second home on the Wye river, close to the border between England and Wales, and the views are truly spectacular. The house interior... not yet! :) And the balcony needs serious work too...
Minnie, for a long time I was ready to declare my eternal love for you, but I was afraid of my (and yours!) husband reaction! Your taste is just impeccable!It seem everybody has troubles loading photos on Houzz, so I appreciate you spending time posting them - thank you.
As for fabrics, I'm rather obsessed with Designer Guild at the moment (probably because they do purples so well!). I am considering a silky damask style fabric, which could look glamorous without being pretentious (I hope!), very similar with what you have chosen.
... sorry, I've been trying to upload more photos, but it just doesn't work. At the moment I'm looking at these:
https://www.designersguild.com/uk/fabric/designers-guild/majella-linen-fabric/p22495
https://www.designersguild.com/uk/fabric/designers-guild/carlotta-voiles-and-taffetas/c668
Luciana
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoKaren, you are more than welcome! The inside is starting to take shape and since we got rid of most of the carpets, it has lost the 'old home with 3 dogs' smell, otherwise, few weeks ago you would've probably preferred to camp under the stars than sleep inside!
I remember making you a promise some 6 years ago and I intend to keep it (asking you to design my next kitchen :))... However, that's a job for next year, if we get planning permission for it.
Right now the views are slightly scary, as the river burst its banks yesterday and the swans island is completely submerged. Luckily, the house is quite high up, I don't think any 16th century cottage would have made it to this century intact if it was built on a floodplain!
PROAt No 19
4 years agoHello Luciana, a beautiful room and spectacular view! I would be inclined to use a roman blind for the window because of the radiator and curtains on a pole for the door. Both installed at the same height as in the images below. You could also make the pole much wider than the doors to give the impression they are wider than they are.
Classical contemporary dining room · More Info
Classical contemporary dining room · More InfoLuciana thanked At No 19Luciana
4 years agoAt No 19 - thank you, that was what I had in mind when talking about curtains/blinds combo.
There’s flooding alerts in Monmouth and some neighbourhoods there had to be evacuated. The corn field across the river from us is under water... luckily we are safe and it looks like our neighbours are as well. I clearly didn’t know what I was saying last week when I said the river was high. The public path is under water, but it barely touches our wall; the worse bit is by the back gate, but that quite far from the house.
Luciana
4 years agoJust a quick question: what do you think about these panels on swing rods in the main bedroom? We kept what was left by the previous owners and, given the shape and size of the windows, I’m not sure what else could be done. I might change the fabric, although it is not too bad... what do you think?
Luciana
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoThe carpenter has now finished the shelving in the sitting room and although I think it looks fine, it’s not exactly what I had in mind for the place. But Andrew insisted on a classic style without any ‘silliness’ so that’s what it is. Unfortunately, the carpenter decided to use that perforated panel without asking us; I had wanted a Georgian style diamond brass grille but hesitated to order it because of the price (would cost over £400 for those 2 panels)... we decided to live with it for the time being and change it later if I continue to dislike it.
Anyway, I am happy that the shelving covers the mess of uneven walls, wires, pipes and radiators.
However I again have to decide on what kind of blind I want for the window and especially what colour fabric I should choose. As you can see, I used red as the accent colour in the room, but I am not sure a red blind will suit. Any suggestions, please? The other thing I would love to hear your opinion on is about the colour of the window seat cushions - should it be in the same fabric as the blind or can I go for whatever I want? I don’t want to make it too matchy-matchy, but Andrew insists on a classic simple look whilst I would rather go for a bit of an eclectic mix. Many thanks again!
Luciana
4 years agoPrintesa, thank you! I don’t mind mesh only, just need time to convince my husband it wouldn’t look ‘too shiny’...
The carpenter was very generous with the perforated panels, he actually had glued some on to the drawers under the seat; we asked him to remove them as we thought it would look strange if we decide to change the large ones later.
Sonia
4 years agoLovely room. Looks so cosy. Re the latticework, how about painting it with brass coloured metallic paint? Just an idea and it will look like metal fretwork, even though it isn’t! Blind wise, you could go a neutral biscuit shade which will tie in with the wooden elements. Or go bolder with some colourful fabrics which incorporate the colours and style of the room.
Luciana thanked Soniaminnie101
4 years agoOMG Luciana I must have accidentally unsubscribed and didn't see your comment, 😂 😂 😂 I only wish that were true (that I had impeccable taste 😂)
That room is gorgeous and looks so cosy! I can't wait to see the rest of the house, wondering if you decided to do anything with the kitchen in the end?
What are your thoughts on an ikat?
Luciana thanked minnie101Luciana
4 years agoLuciana
4 years agoLuciana
4 years agoAs for the kitchen, I managed to make it functional for the time being, but I’m cooking on a portable induction hob, as we didn’t want to install a cooker that we won’t need next year. The pre-planning went through without a problem, we now need an ecological survey before we submit the full application.
Anyway, this is how it looks at the moment, actually about 2 months ago when I harvested some apples and blackberries from our garden and made a pie(you are allowed to be terrified!)
Sonia
4 years agoLast time minnie101 advised me, I copied her suggestions completely! 😂 A tad lazy of me I know, but I loved her suggestions, they were within my budget, so win win. This is an area in my kitchen I wanted to jazz up a bit, and I bought the dragonfly cushions, the floor lamp and the plant (to hide the printer!) all minnie101’s suggestions. For your room I love her ikat fabric for a blind, and I also love the shutters idea, although a more expensive option but very elegant.
Luciana thanked Sonia
printesa