Blinds, Shades and Shutters - Ideas for Covering Windows
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Livestrong
08-30-08, 01:27 PM
Hello everyone,
I am 18 years old and my dad is moving into a rental duplex.
We need some ideas on how to cover approximately 11 windows. I would consider them long windows, especially on the first floor (probably over 65" long). They are all double-sash windows (double-hung). I feel I am the designer in the family so I am taking on this task. I have a traditional taste so I was thinking of valances of different types over all of the windows and white sheer panels under the valances. I would then put some cheap roller shades under the sheers to provide privacy and light control. Shades up in the day and down at night. Does anyone have other ideas? Feel free to let me know.
Thanks a lot!
I am 18 years old and my dad is moving into a rental duplex.
We need some ideas on how to cover approximately 11 windows. I would consider them long windows, especially on the first floor (probably over 65" long). They are all double-sash windows (double-hung). I feel I am the designer in the family so I am taking on this task. I have a traditional taste so I was thinking of valances of different types over all of the windows and white sheer panels under the valances. I would then put some cheap roller shades under the sheers to provide privacy and light control. Shades up in the day and down at night. Does anyone have other ideas? Feel free to let me know.
Thanks a lot!
Shadeladie
08-30-08, 02:27 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum!
The possibilites are endless with double hung windows. You really can put anything on them. You might want to go to a bookstore like B&N and look thru some window treatment idea books (there's lots of new ones out) or decorating books to get more ideas.
I think any kind of shade or blind works well for men but I think I'd leave off the sheers. I love sheers but I think they're too feminine for men :D Valances work well over shades or blinds but just make sure the proportions are right for the size. Measure from where it will mount at the top to the floor and divide by 1/5 or 1/6 to get the right length. I think a tailored style, such as box pleats or a cornice, would work better for a man, also.
When you say different types on all the windows, I hope you mean different rooms because all the windows in one room should be the same (or somewhat the same depending on what you're going to hang there).
The possibilites are endless with double hung windows. You really can put anything on them. You might want to go to a bookstore like B&N and look thru some window treatment idea books (there's lots of new ones out) or decorating books to get more ideas.
I think any kind of shade or blind works well for men but I think I'd leave off the sheers. I love sheers but I think they're too feminine for men :D Valances work well over shades or blinds but just make sure the proportions are right for the size. Measure from where it will mount at the top to the floor and divide by 1/5 or 1/6 to get the right length. I think a tailored style, such as box pleats or a cornice, would work better for a man, also.
When you say different types on all the windows, I hope you mean different rooms because all the windows in one room should be the same (or somewhat the same depending on what you're going to hang there).
Livestrong
08-30-08, 05:24 PM
Yes, that was what I meant by "different types" (different rooms; not mismatching window treatments in the same room). I did forget a MAN will be living there but my dad is one of those guys who could care less what type of window treatments there are (there are lace panels over the windows in the rental he is living in now and i'm getting sick of them). The duplex in which he/we will be moving in has nice clean white trimwork on all of the windows so is it common to just install roller shades or those honeycomb (cellular?) shades by themselves? (I do not know what the exact difference between blinds and shades are but I would imagine that blinds can TILT and shades cannot - am I right?)
Thank you very much, Shade ladie for your insight
Talk to you later
Thank you very much, Shade ladie for your insight
Talk to you later
Shadeladie
09-01-08, 05:46 PM
I apologize for not answering sooner. I missed this somehow.
You can hang a blind or shade by itself. I like some fabric too, to warm things up, but you can go either way.
Blinds generally tilt open and closed and shades pull up and down, but the terms are sometimes used interchangably.
Go to SMITHandNOBLE (http://www.smithandnoble.com/sn/home.jsp) to look at different blinds and shades. They also have a gallery to look at for different ideas. I'm not suggesting you buy from them, but it'll show you what's out there.
You can hang a blind or shade by itself. I like some fabric too, to warm things up, but you can go either way.
Blinds generally tilt open and closed and shades pull up and down, but the terms are sometimes used interchangably.
Go to SMITHandNOBLE (http://www.smithandnoble.com/sn/home.jsp) to look at different blinds and shades. They also have a gallery to look at for different ideas. I'm not suggesting you buy from them, but it'll show you what's out there.