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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Sash window dressing
Comments (5)Hi Pannacotta. I tend to agree but the top of the venetian and shutters are higher than the sashes so was trying to tie them together. This is a pic from a couple of months ago but the shutters still aren't fitted, I've just painted and distressed them as they clearly aren't meant for the window! As you can see someone moved the rhs ŵall at some point so the window is now butt up next to it. I didn't want to cover the Venetian so came up with the idea of dress shutters and will then run a curtain rail underneath at the same height. The sash window frames sit literally under the picture rail but the shutters will be hung off the floor so a tad higher than shown...See MoreWindow Dressing for a square bay window?
Comments (18)We would say that your best bet is to go with wooden venetians, they come in a huge range of colours and give you that plantation shutter look, but without the bulk or price tag. They can be partly closed in the morning - giving you privacy but also giving you control over the light coming in. With larger slats you can angle the light towards the ceiling or towards the floor. We have a huge range of real wood (or faux wood) blinds to choose from: http://makemyblinds.co.uk/wooden-blinds.html Also if it helps we have a handy guide on how to measure for a square bay like yours: http://makemyblinds.co.uk/blog/how-to-measure-for-a-bay-window/...See MoreHow would you dress this window?
Comments (6)Thanks for the suggestion forzaitalia, but I don't think Roman blinds will work in this window for me because it's much wider than it is tall, so losing a bit of the top to the blinds would mean a weird bit of window on show, which I wouldn't like....See MoreHow to dress this window
Comments (7)Yes, it was me who suggested the Metropole. It is a high end product which I felt would sit well with the space. Curtain wise it doesn’t have to be linen sheers, lined pinch pleat curtains would look equally as good in a pair stack rather than 4. There is space to bring the pole to the edges of the bay so as not to overlap the side windows too much And vine eyes could be used to anchor the return of the last pleat to the wall so you don’t have to look down the back of the curtain. Another option would be to use a less expensive bendable track and a pelmet. I personally would not use roman blinds because extension brackets would have to be used to clear the architrave so a Pelmet would have to be used in that instance too so you didn’t look at the back of the blind. Of course it all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day, as well as budget....See More- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Printesa, 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!
- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Great 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
- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Karen, 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!
PRO6 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 19- 6 years ago
At 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.
- 6 years ago
Just 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?
- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
The 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!
- 6 years ago
Printesa, 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.
6 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 Sonia- 6 years ago
OMG 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 minnie101 - 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
As 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!)
- 6 years ago
Last 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