Monday
Jan172011
Redressing My Windows- Or Actually, Just Dressing Them...
Monday, January 17, 2011 One of the items that needs the most attention in my house is my windows. I haven’t put any type of window treatment on my windows except roller, black-out shades upstairs in all of the rooms and temporary, paper shades in all of the main floor windows. I have 27 windows on these floors; see why this is daunting? I have had the advice of many well-meaning family and friends, but nothing they’ve said has really resonated with my personal style and the style of what I’m going for in these rooms.
My windows are one of the reasons I bought this house. They are old, large and beautiful windows that are original to the house (almost 100 years old). Light streams in from these windows and makes the interior of my house glow even on the gloomiest of days. I LOVE light and they allow things to look clean and happy even when they aren’t. I sit and gaze out of my windows for 10 minutes and the world seems right.
My windows are one of the reasons I bought this house. They are old, large and beautiful windows that are original to the house (almost 100 years old). Light streams in from these windows and makes the interior of my house glow even on the gloomiest of days. I LOVE light and they allow things to look clean and happy even when they aren’t. I sit and gaze out of my windows for 10 minutes and the world seems right.
Giving these windows the “treatment” they deserve has been very difficult for me. As you know my 2011 declaration is to make my house “clean” and this has helped me narrow down the type of treatments that will work for the den and my family’s lifestyle. I have young children, so cords, shutters, and billowy drapes are out of question for a while. I have so loved plantation shutters since my childhood days of growing up in antebellum Natchez, MS, but I have heard children are particularly tough on them and they can break quite easily (and require more maintenance than I’m willing to allow). I’m also not into them for my updated house look, so they are out. Billowy drapes make me feel serene and relaxed, but I can only imagine the dirt and fingerprints they would collect from curious little girls who might even feel the need to use them as a jungle vine too (my girls are quite creative in their play).
What I am thinking of going with in my den and downstairs hallway is interior-frame-fitting, white fabric pleated shade that can open from the bottom up or top down. I live on a busy corner and people often can tell what we are doing at any time of the day by peaking in our windows. So I feel the top-down option would be nice so I can allow light to come in but get some privacy. I would like to finish these windows off with an external window treatment too, but I’m not a big valance person so I am thinking of using a more finished drape (that is stationary and won’t be moved).
I think starting small with the one room I’m in the most and the main room where I entertain should be my first baby-step in this goal to dress all of my 27 windows. This knocks out six of the windows (only 21 more left!). Any advice for me? Stores, manufactures, and/or resources that you have found to be of good quality and price? Let me know your thoughts because I’m keen to make a purchase soon...
Reader Comments (4)
Couldn't agree more on the light aspect of a house - it's critical, especially for those of us who have recently moved from the dark, canyon-esque city to the suburbs. Good luck with the project -- Hunter Douglas has tons of options on their website. I tend to like the Alustra Vignette Roman Shades in a light brown, natural color.
you have great windows! windows can certainly make or break a house. yours seem to make your home a very bright and cheery space.
i wish you could see the windows in my sister's place. they cover every side of her vintage flat in the city... almost floor to ceiling. she has to have 50 windows in that home. and all old and full of so much charm. it's bear to heat in the winter, but oh so worth it! i'm uber jealous of the light in her place.
love your yellow walls, too!
@Eric -- Yes, I like some of the Hunter Douglas options, but not in light brown. Sticking to my white;)
@Georgia -- Thank you! I do so love my windows. It's probably the reason why they aren't dressed; I just want to stare at them or out them all day and night! I'd love sister's windows. They sound AMAZING: floor to ceiling in NYC is so special!!!
Good thing that you prioritize your 27 windows at home. That's so numerous. Why don't you try to consider slide windows or the colorful stained glass. The beauty it can give is something different.