Rooms Reign Supreme With Roman Shades
Relaxed or tucked into lavish folds, Roman shades triumph over plain curtains for a tailored, elegant window look
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. After earning a B.A. in interior design from Michigan State University, he started his career specializing in custom kitchen and bath design. He is a certified interior designer by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), a certified kitchen designer by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and also holds the highest-ranking memberships with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior... More »
The Roman shade is a lined or unlined quantity of drapery fabric sewn to internal rings for operability. When drawn into the upright position, a Roman shade creates a series of concentrated folds. Whether used in conjunction with another window treatment or left on its own, these flexible shades have reigned supreme for decades, accommodating everyone's personal design style, from shabby-chic and traditional all the way to contemporary. Take a look at some of my favorite uses to see if any could be a possibility within your interior spaces.
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Relaxed, Banded Roman Shade
This version of the classic Roman shade is referred to as relaxed since the bottom sags. The applied fabric banding appears to be an element of structure but is just a detail.
Style tip: Place a design emphasis on your shade by adding a vertical band in a contrasting color and texture.
This version of the classic Roman shade is referred to as relaxed since the bottom sags. The applied fabric banding appears to be an element of structure but is just a detail.
Style tip: Place a design emphasis on your shade by adding a vertical band in a contrasting color and texture.
by Hendel Homes
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Arched Roman Shade
The perfect solution for an arched window is an arched Roman shade. The internal mechanics (rings) are inset far from the edges to create "tails" for high visual interest on the sides.
Style tip: Coordinate the fabric for the kitchen window treatment with the colors and design of your backsplash. It's a great way to create design cohesion.
The perfect solution for an arched window is an arched Roman shade. The internal mechanics (rings) are inset far from the edges to create "tails" for high visual interest on the sides.
Style tip: Coordinate the fabric for the kitchen window treatment with the colors and design of your backsplash. It's a great way to create design cohesion.
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| Roman Shade With a Valance These streamlined, classic Roman shades are set under matching box-pleated valances, which are actually attached. Style tip: Since these shades are mounted on the outside of the window frame, you can raise them up to make the window appear taller than it actually is. |
by Robin Muto
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Matchy-Matchy Roman Shade
Use the exact same fabric from the window treatment on the bed's headboard and footboard as well as on the cushion of the window seat. It's a fun and vibrant way to style a little girl's room.
Style tip: Cut fabric costs by making everything out of bedsheets, since the girl will soon become a teenager. I do it for my clients all the time.
Use the exact same fabric from the window treatment on the bed's headboard and footboard as well as on the cushion of the window seat. It's a fun and vibrant way to style a little girl's room.
Style tip: Cut fabric costs by making everything out of bedsheets, since the girl will soon become a teenager. I do it for my clients all the time.
by Giannetti Home
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Burlap Roman Shade
Burlap is a perfect low-cost fabric to make a Roman shade out of for your craft room.
Style tip: Save money by making your Roman shade nonoperable for rooms where the budget is tight. This window treatment could very easily just be a valance but has the sophistication of a Roman shade.
Burlap is a perfect low-cost fabric to make a Roman shade out of for your craft room.
Style tip: Save money by making your Roman shade nonoperable for rooms where the budget is tight. This window treatment could very easily just be a valance but has the sophistication of a Roman shade.
| Masculine Roman Shade Flexible for any room, this relaxed Roman shade is masculine enough for "his" den but still shows style. Style tip: Use the same fabric of the Roman shade for adjacent draperies to tie the entire room together. He will be so glad you did. |
by Kevin Malone
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Embellished Roman Shade
No window in any powder room is complete without interjecting a level of opulence for all your guests to enjoy. This relaxed Roman shade has fringe, a monogram and a top button closure that do the trick.
Style tip: Install the Roman shade all the way to the top of the ceiling for additional elegant flair.
No window in any powder room is complete without interjecting a level of opulence for all your guests to enjoy. This relaxed Roman shade has fringe, a monogram and a top button closure that do the trick.
Style tip: Install the Roman shade all the way to the top of the ceiling for additional elegant flair.
Romantic Roman Shade
Travel back in time to the Victorian era with this stylized, relaxed Roman, also known as a London shade. It's a perfect complement to any boudoir.
Style tip: For that extra-full appearance, choose a fabric that's heavier than traditional drapery fabric. A satin-sheen finish will also play a dynamic role.
Travel back in time to the Victorian era with this stylized, relaxed Roman, also known as a London shade. It's a perfect complement to any boudoir.
Style tip: For that extra-full appearance, choose a fabric that's heavier than traditional drapery fabric. A satin-sheen finish will also play a dynamic role.
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Modern Roman Shade
Create a stunning modern interior with a very streamlined Roman shade in a high-contrast black and white geometric pattern.
Style tip: Choose a fabric that is more like art than like fabric and there will be no need for artwork on your walls.
Create a stunning modern interior with a very streamlined Roman shade in a high-contrast black and white geometric pattern.
Style tip: Choose a fabric that is more like art than like fabric and there will be no need for artwork on your walls.
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Layered Roman Shade
This is the perfect example of how you can layer your Roman shade under functioning coordinating drapery panels. High design is achieved by the fringe at the bottom of the shade and the rod at the top of the draperies.
Style tip: Layering your window treatments will allow you to block out more light — great for those who are easily awoken by sunlight.
This is the perfect example of how you can layer your Roman shade under functioning coordinating drapery panels. High design is achieved by the fringe at the bottom of the shade and the rod at the top of the draperies.
Style tip: Layering your window treatments will allow you to block out more light — great for those who are easily awoken by sunlight.
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| Roman Shade With Wall Covering "Wow" is what you get when you pair your high-powered Roman shade with a matching high-powered wall covering. Some say that it's not done until it's overdone! Style tip: Align the wall covering exactly with the fabric of the shade, and when the shade is in the down position you will fool even yourself. |
Ideabook updated on Aug. 27, 2012.
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@jansen54: I totally agree with your comment about them being economical as they do take less fabric to construct and their sewing is somewhat straight forward however patience is also required when applying the rings/cords. Another point I will stress, for the DIYer (I am a hobby sewer) it is an absolute must to ensure that all cut selvEDGES are straight on grain and corners are straight or they will not drape/hang properly. (The same rule applies for any type of curtain/drapery.) Re installation, something as simple as heavy duty velcro can be used on their headings to enable access of easy maintenance. (ie: In the case of washable fabrics and possible shrinkage, ensure you launder/iron the fabric and lining prior to constructing.)
Footnote: For the novice sewer, you should be able to find instructions for making them on the Web and/or in the Home Decorating section of pattern catalogues that most fabric stores carry. ie: McCalls, Simplicity, Butterick etc. The weight and weave of your fabric often dictates the choice in style. I have even used imitation leather, woven beach mats cut down to size etc.
would go nice. I do not want drapes since there is no place for them to stack when opened. I do not want to hav my windows covered all the time. While we are not on the water, we do have a view to the west which we do not want to cover 24/7 only during the hot sunny afternoons and earlt evenings. All decorating suggestions appreciated.