decor8 Reader Question: Curtain Help Anyone?

A question arrived from decor8 reader Jonis, she needs window treatments in her new home. Her walls are painted Lancaster Whitewash by Benjamin Moore and the furniture is chocolate brown velvet. This is a snapshot of her formal living room, and because it's formal she's perfectly fine with dressing up the windows a bit and investing in fabric and quality rods.


Jonis is considering a double rod with sheers in the back (for light) and panels in the front, but isn't sure as to what color or neutral would work well with the walls and furniture. She wonders about a raw silk in cream with brown threads that she came across, but is concerned that it may be too dull. (My thought immediately: When in doubt, do without!). Can anyone help Jonis? Here are some things to consider before posting your ideas:

-Jonis mentioned that Roman shades are not an option because there isn't enough depth to the windows to mount them on the inside of the molding. I have a thought on this below...

- She's happy to find fabric and have them made, but would love suggestions on style if you can think of something. Or a textile that you suggest.

-Repainting the walls is not an option.

- Not into pattern or a lot of color. She wants to keep things somewhat neutral and not too trendy. She'd like to introduce color mostly through art and pillows.

Jonis promises to send in After photos, so see what you can come up with, decor8 readers! I'll chime in my $.02 below. I see a few options here. These are my thoughts:

First Jonis, if you aren't into pattern or bold color, think about introducing texture to the room because that will warm things up and make the space look finished (now it's a bit lonely in there!). Consider adding some pattern in small doses, perhaps neutral-toned panels with a patterned trim (something geometric like a greek key motif). Trim introduces a little action to the room without overpowering it. You can then add a bamboo blind peeking through for privacy at night so you don't have to worry about opening and closing the curtains constantly. The wood would look nicely with your furniture and bring in texture. You can find great blinds at Target for a low price and you're in luck because they can be installed outside of the window frame (drapes hide that anyway) so you don't need them to be sized to fit.

You can also opt for drapes with patterned or solid trims (where you will introduce a color) along the bottom instead of the sides. To give you a quick visual, refer to the image below of Ann Brashares and Jacob Collins?s NYC bedroom for example. And notice how the rods are installed as close to the ceiling as possible, perfectly okay to do and adds height to the room. You have gorgeous crown molding so I'd install them just below that (if your drapes do not have a ruffle) and on the window frame if there is a ruffle.

Notice that the rod selected above is the same color as the molding, another great idea to pick up as it blends in with everyone else perfectly. If it were black or wood the result wouldn't be as calming and subtle. If you want to add some pattern to the room, look for cream rods with a pretty finial, an acorn, artichoke, or pineapple (for instance) also in cream. That way, there's a little texture being introduced. And trim on the bottom is subtle despite being red, which is repeated on the bed. I'd shy away from roller shades, cornices, lambrequins, valances, swags, and scarves. Pinch pleats would look nice. If you stick with a solid neutral and no trim, opt for making the curtain itself more decorative, try smocked or smocked with a ruffle (keep in mind that the ruffle will sit above the rod so the rod will need to come down a little. I suggest two equal panels with trim either on the sides or the bottom though with

(image from Jonis and NYTimes)

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