Emily's Windows

Today I will interject in green.

Hi Christine!

My name is Emily and I'm a friend of your sister. I saw her beautiful drapes the other day and was asking her opinion about some trouble I'm having with my own home. She recommended that I ask you - and although I've never written a formal question on your blog, I've checked it out quite a bit and I trust your advice. So here goes...Our family room is a two story room with 4 square windows on the back wall. I usually like hanging curtains from close to the ceiling line - but it seems like it doesn't fit in this room. (It's not exactly a formal room - and that might be a bit too formal of a look. Not sure...) Anyway, I'm toying with the idea of hanging the curtain hardware just above the bottom windows and leaving the top windows alone. Adding to my confusion is the plant shelf on one side of the room and on the other side of the room, the wall juts out right above the bottom windows. My first thought was to hang three floor to ceiling panels- but, looking at your wall lines I can see how that would not without covering up quite a bit of the window- as you have very little stack off space. (See pictures)Anyway, I'm just thinking of hanging black panel curtains with a little orange strip along the edges. Maybe with some tassels to tie to the side.

If you weren't my sister's friend I might call you a chicken. But since you are a friend of my sister- I don't want to hurt your feelings- so I'll just say that by using a solid color you are missing out on an opportunity. That's nicer, huh? I see one pattern in this room- the rug. Then you have solid, solid, solid. What you need is at least three different patterns. Three patterns, three sizes. That is my rule. So- let's use these drapes for what they are- an opportunity to invite more pattern into your room. I selected a few for you from Highland Court Fabrics- Hey readers- which is your favorite? Tassels and accented edges are still a great idea.

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I would not treat the bottom windows differently than the top windows. Currently your bottom windows have what look like wood blinds on them- with nothing on the top windows. This isn't good for a couple of reasons:

1. Your most damaging rays come from the higher windows. Treating these is very important for the preservation of your flooring, furnishings and wallcovering. you could end up with a nice faded circle on your floor where your rug is, and faded furniture. If you have super fantastic protective windows- this might not be a problem.






2. Your upper windows are an architectural asset. When you just treat the lower ones, you diminishing what you should be accentuating.






3. It just looks better. It's like wearing shoes on both of your feet instead of just one. Yes- it's functional- but it also looks better, more balanced that way.

One other thing... I'm also wondering if you would just hang 2 panels - one on the left of the left window and one on the right side of the right window OR 3 panels - one on the left, one on the right, and one between the left and right windows. If you are willing to lose some view and light- hang three panels from the upper windows. They will cover your window more than the ideal because of your limitations on space- but they will still look great. Don't worry about it being too formal- so long as the fabric goes with your furnishings, they will go great. Would you mind letting me know your thoughts?

Another option is to do Roman shades in the fabric rather than panels. I would consider a double shade- a black woven wood shade with a patterned Roman shade on top. In fact- I would do the black woven wood with your panels also. You can get them with a remote control for your upper windows- or with long controls. The picture above is samples from Trade Winds Shutters- I like the Veracruz midnight.

This still only has you at two patterns- you need one more- perhaps in throw pillows.- Or- better yet- wallpaper :)

Thanks.

Emily

Hey- good luck Emily- let us know how it goes!