“There is something different about the house,” our daughter Kelly said after she and her husband, Britt, spent the day with us. “I don’t know what it is, but it feels cozier.”
If I ever doubted the power of window treatments to add the perfect finish to a room, here was proof positive. I had just dressed our living room windows with paneled drapes after years of letting the windows fly solo with shutters. Often, the window treatments are one of the last things we do when we decorate a room, but a room just isn’t “done” until the curtain call. Need to cover a window or two in your home? Here are three of my very favorite looks.
Made in the Shade
The Romans are still conquering the world – the world of window coverings, that is. Roman shades, a classic, are super hot now. When Kelly and Britt moved into their darling home, I couldn’t wait to see what they would do with their décor. You can tell by Kelly’s charming kitchen, pictured here, that gorgeous window treatments are a key part of the plan. Love this Roman shade on her back door! Simple, clean, gorgeous.
Kelly repeated the design on the window over her sink and on the doors that lead to her backyard. Isn’t it amazing how the monogram elevates the look of the entire space?
When my friend Julie was picking window coverings for her home remodel, she knew she wanted to use this plucky yellow and gray fabric. We featured this killer room on the cover of my newest book, Nell Hill’s: Rooms We Love, and have gotten more comments about these stunning shades. An eye-grabber in a room filled with high points, the shades gave her another opportunity to bring color and pattern to the space.
Shades are an ideal option for a room with awkward window placements, like the windows in my friend Marsee’s room, where drapes would look uneven.
Another great perk about shades? If you have pets, they can’t soil or destroy them. Fido can’t rest against them, like he can long drapes, and the cat can’t use them to sharpen its claws!
Panel Discussion
Beautiful drapery panels are my all-time favorite way to finish a window. There is something about the way they frame a window, the perfect borders to a great view.
Panels can fill any role you have for them to play in your room. They can be almost invisible in the overall scheme of the décor, just adding that last, warm layer. Or they can explode with personality, the stars of the show. You can use them to interject new colors or patterns, or have them repeat a theme in the room. The sky is the limit, so you can let your creativity run wild. If you need help, give us a shout. At Nell Hill’s we are pros at helping people select just the right fabrics and finishes to bring their dreams to life.
My favorite way to hang panels is a few inches below the ceiling molding, then hemmed in the spot where they just break on the floor, like a man’s trouser. I’m partial to pinch-pleat tops and sides and bottoms finished with a contrasting welt, a Greek key band or a mini pleated flange.
Whether you want to go bold with your drapery fabric or pick a quieter color and pattern, like I did in my bedroom, pictured above, make sure you get a fabric you will love for years to come. Drapes are an investment, so you don’t want something you will grow tired of in a year of two.
If you have a window in a hard-working room, like my friend Julie’s laundry room, check out simpler window treatments, like these adorable café curtains. They add miles of charm to the space but don’t get in the way.
Layer upon Layer of Lovely
Often in decorating, more is less. But, sometimes, more is definitely more! On windows, well-done layers can be transporting. Check out the fabulous treatment my friends Matt and Kristin did in their home. Since their dining room is a bit subdued they decided to go BIG on the windows. Love it!
When you think of pairing a ballooning shade with curtain panels on a window, you probably imagine a heavy, dated Victorian look, right? But these two decorating visionaries perfectly executed the look by picking clean, modern fabrics with traditional roots. We sell these fabrics by the yard, and many more, at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff.
In addition to helping people decorate their homes, we love to work with businesses and even living groups, like college sororities. This photo is of the window treatments we did when we redecorated the main living area of the Pi Beta Phi chapter house at the University of Kansas.
One of the bedrocks of the Nell Hill’s looks is to pair the rustic and refined. Nothing brings this to life, when it comes to window treatments, like rich panel drapes over bamboo blinds.
Next Week … Coral is hot right now, and for good reason. This grown-up-girl version of pink adds pizzazz to every décor.
Traci Bray says
July 14, 2014 at 2:30 pmMary Carol-
The Hillary Clinton interview from June, with Vivien Jennings will air on PBS (KCPT) on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. You did a lovely job decorating the set for the event at The Midland Theater last month.
Sincerely,
Traci
franki says
July 14, 2014 at 4:22 pmNow I need new shades. franki
Jan Finn says
July 14, 2014 at 4:44 pmLoved all the looks and what you have to say about curtains & shades!
I recently took shades down that were over my 3 windows (with plantation shutters) along one side of my Master BR and 1 opposite window (without shutters, just blinds). I planned to replace them with new fabric, but the 3 windows with the shutters are so pretty by themselves. Is there any reason I couldn’t do a great curtain or shade on just a single window on 1 wall? I would love to add some pattern in yellow/grey to my grey wall.
Thanks!
Mary Carol says
July 14, 2014 at 6:01 pmJan, I’m a firm believer in trusting your gut when it comes to designing your own home decor. I am all about breaking the old decorating rules and doing what makes you feel more at home in your space.
mimi tafour says
July 14, 2014 at 6:56 pmare the bamboo blinds available at Nell Hills? and the silver dome pictured
on kitchen island?
hoping to hear back on questions from last week’s lighting subject.
thanks!
Robin Frank--VISION INTERIORS says
July 14, 2014 at 9:53 pmTrust her when she tells you that panels are the best thing you can do to finish off your windows … Hang them high and outside the trim so a good portion is actually hanging on the wall . Window will appear bigger and doesn’t cover precious light or view .
Jan Kimbrough says
July 16, 2014 at 9:33 amI have an arched window in a bedroom and can’t seem to find a look to fit the style of the room. This window is on the front of the house and I really don’t want to cover it with drapes or plantation shutters. I’ve tried a french cafe since the style of the house is French Country but I feel it just needs more to make it look finished. Any suggestions? The window is a wood window painted in BM white dove. Thanks!
Brooxie Keary says
July 17, 2014 at 11:12 amLOVE the monogrammed Roman shade and would like one for my powder bath. Where can I purchase the one shown in the photograph? Thank you!
Lisa Fernandez says
July 19, 2014 at 8:39 pmI have to admit my favorite part of your windows are the shutters. I want to do that to my home desperately but we did our small little bathroom window and it was very costly just for one. I’m not sure if your home already had them in when you moved in. Can you recomment a shutter website or company? Love the look so much.
xoxo
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
Joan Aquilina says
July 27, 2014 at 2:18 pmRead The Buffalo News’ re-print of your curtains article. Can you tell me what a Greek key band and a mini pleated flange are?
Always interested in decorating information.
Thank you.
Mary Carol says
July 29, 2014 at 1:44 pmWould love to get the information back to you but would rather explain it over the phone. If you will call 877-746-4320 and ask for one of our ‘fabric specialists’ they would be happy to explain.
BSL says
December 18, 2014 at 12:50 amAgreed, treatments just finalises the whole look of the windows. Those Roman shades, in particular, are stunning! Still, those shutters are purposeful too – adding drapes/shades just brings enhancement.