First of all, I hope you plan on hanging the window treatment higher than the top of the actual window. I think the window will look more in proportion if you do that.
I went to a Joanne Fabric store. I had a picture of a kitchen similar to mine and I really liked the floral fabric used in the photo. I had that as a starting point.
It would be nice to be able to check out samples of fabrics and hang them right where the shade will be. Look at the sample in all types of light.
I think it will come down to you be drawn to a particular fabric.
I would not order any fabric without a sample. Good Luck!

I honestly didn't consider hanging the fabric higher then the window. The window is considerably inset with an awesome soapstone ledge. I like to keep fruits/veggies/sometimes herbs on there. If I hang it higher, even though I understand the balancing the size of the window to the space issue; wouldn't it hide my pretty soapstone ledge more? Maybe someone can post some pics to help me out with visuals. Thanks!

If you hang it higher it won't affect the ledge at the bottom. It will just allow more window (and more light) to show when it is pulled up. You would need to measure the length from where you will mount it not just the window height. If you want your ledge to show measure for it to fall just above the ledge.

I have no need to worry about privacy, my yard is totally private. It's really just a pop of color thing and keep the kitchen cooler during the heat of the day. That side of the yard/house faces west.

Like this.............. The fabric, wheh stacked open, will cover the wall area and not your window as much as hanging them lower. Can I ask where you got your hardware and does it come in a chrome finish?

It appears that the fabric seller on ebay you found has a stock of mostly discontinued fabrics. You couldn't embed the photos because they've added a security layer to be sure you don't, so I tried to find the fabrics elsewhere without much luck.

Your paisley is a Kaffe Fassett fabric. It's the only one that is still a current offering. I tried making all these clickable links, but garden web thinks I'm a business or a spammer or something, so look for the link to the whole fabric line at the bottom. Here's your picture:

Your two batiks are both from Hoffman and both discontinued. If you liked those, you'll probably find more you like at the Hoffman site: http://www.hoffmanfabrics.com/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=94.

Your Asian inspiration was a Kona Bay fabric. Check out their current fabrics at the Kona site. [Look! They allowed me one!]

Each of these fabric manufacturers produces fabrics that are really distinctive. Hoffman is one of my favorites. The potential problem, though, is that these are all quilting fabrics, meaning they're a little thin for window coverings. You can use them if you add a liner to the back, which you'll probably do anyway when making a shade - just saying. For a heavier weight fabric, look through JoAnn's home decor fabric selection at joann.com>fabrics>home decor fabric and hardware>home decor print fabric (boy, they made that hard!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Kaffe Fassett fabrics

I did my dining room and ordered everything that I needed from Terrell Designs. She has some nice instructions out there and hardware calculator that shows you what you need.

It's not difficult. Just some straight lines of sewing.

oh oh oh ... I absolutely love the Kaffe Fassett stuff. I haven't looked at the others and I bet they're great too but fwiw I just wanted to squeal about the paisley.

Would it fit? Maybe ... but you've got some pretty staid-stuff going in the photo you've posted above. Though I seem to recall more trippiness in some of the rest of your kitchen? Still, as much as I adore that Kaffe Fassett, I'm not sure that fabric is spot on... ymmv. I say: buy the Kaffe Fassett anyway because it's so incredible, and then figure out what to do with it later! Can you tell I have a lot of yarn and fabric just hanging around...?

Thanks for the Terrell Design link, Marcy. I plan on doing a Roman Shade for the kitchen window, so I'm glad to hear someone actually took the plunge and the directions worked out well. Do you have a photo?

Yeah arlis... I'd say my kitchen is not quite traditional. Here's a couple of pics in case anyone forgot or is newer.
Not done in terms of side panels, toe kicks, and door, I have to look up where I got the pulls. My mind is blank right now.

I'm kinda groovin on the paisley. I've always loved paisleys and batiks. I did plan on backing it. Does that mean these lighter kind of fabrics would work? I know I should go to the store. I'm not a big fan of fabric stores... doesn't mean I won't go though.

Oh, I could spend significant parts of my life in a fabric store! I feel the need to touch and feel all the choices ;-)

If you like the paisley, Kaffe Fassett is a good quality fabric - you can't go wrong with it. As long as you use a quality backing, maybe a black-out fabric?, you'll do fine.

Oooh, I love shopping for fabrics. So many choices, so much fun and so very dangerous. I love paisley but I don't think it's right for your kitchen, remodelfla (sorry, really). Your kitchen reads contemporary - even with that fab antique baking table - with an Asian flair because of your rattan dining table and chairs (I am remembering this correctly, aren't I?).

I think you'd be better off with a fabric that is graphic but not busy with pattern and color (like the paisley). I'd also lean more towards a larger print than a small one. Of your fabric choices, I like the Hoffman batik ribbons of turquoise and blue best and the Hoffman batik multi-colored leaves 2nd best.

I looked through Kona Bay's site and found two that I think might look good in your kitchen. Not sure if they will appeal to you, though. Fabric is so personal.

I chose these because I think the colors you should bring in are soft green (backsplash and baking table), dark green/black (soapstone), red (opposite green on the color wheel) and cream/tan (compliment cab's wood). Your kitchen is predominately green, black and tan.

Serenity II: Sere-12-Teal

Paradise Collection: Para-02-red
(oops, sorry about this photo's large size. Did the same "copy image location" step but it comes out much larger than the other.)

It's tempting but dangerous to buy fabrics off a website. Colors can read so differently on a monitor. A green that reads blueish could be more olive-y IRL - and that wouldn't go with your kitchen at all, IMO. Can you get or buy swatches from the Ebay seller? If not, be very careful or you could end up with fabric that clashes. I think you'd be better off going to a local fabric store and getting samples to bring home to see how they work. I've done this more times than I can say, thinking that I'd finally found the right fabric, only to discover that it was a poor match once I got it home. Florescent lighting can screw-up how color reads just as much as a computer monitor.

Oh, and I absolutely agree with hanging the shade above the window. It's a better balance and the shade will be less likely to block your view when pulled up.

suz.... thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Very helpful for a fabricphob like me. Will any fabric store sell quality backing?

And door... AH -HA! Fairmont collection from Century Hardware. I ordered through KNobs and Hardware. It comes in Dull Chrome but not polished chrome.

Forgot to add that the hot colors now are, literally, hot: They are warmed hued, not cool. Your green is cool so you will likely have to hunt a bit harder to find a fabric with the right greens for you. This is another reason why you should be careful buying fabric on line.

I had the hardest time finding a fabric with true red - or what I consider a true red. Almost everything I found was coral-y red and rusty red. I finally had success with a gorgeous Ralph Lauren fabric. If only it hadn't been OUCH per yard. Good thing I only needed 1-1/2 yards for 2 pillows.

UGH... fabric stores make my head hurt in the same way that store that sell knick knacks and smell like sachets make my head hurt. I really would like a pattern with a little warmth which is why I"m drawn toward adding some tangerine. I don't want red. I do like that second Asian inspired one. So... paisleys can't work with Asain/industrial/contemporay??

Here is an older thread with some pics

Show me your window treatments

I love sheers for window treatment. I think they make a pretty accent without filtering the light..just love the lightness of it in a roman or rolling shade..

Here are a couple from my idea files

Dark Sheers for window

Willowdecor's swedish kitchen post with sheer printed roller shade

Of course it all depends on whether you want window treatment for actual light blocking or to cinch a "look"

Hey suzannesl,

I ordered everything from there including the weightrods, rings, lining, wood, brackets, pulleys, cleats. The place here that I went to before has went out of business and Came to like $350 for 7 good sized windows (4 of which I have completed!). I might have saved some $ driving aroud, but my time is worth more ;)

I made mine "relaxed" for the dining just by not putting in the center strings. I know a lot of folks don't like the relaxed look, but DH wanted something that looked less rigid (compromise he actually wanted 80's poofy :)

The instructions were good and I like the unclosed bottom for a nice hang.

Fabric is 100% linen (which i loved working with):

I can try and get a close up if you'd like.

Remodelfla,

I can't really see any of your choices as being quite right for one reason or another. I do like Lisa's second choice a lot. Her first is nice too, but if you think you might have the shade partway down, I would question how that looks with scrunched iris.

I come from a family of seamstresses; I am the weak link, although I do sew. There is an art to getting the right fabric, and you really need to see it in person. Even then, it's challenging. I speak as someone who has gotten it wrong more than once!

Most likely you found a great person at your tile store, your paint store to look at colors with you. Fabric is no different. If that person isn't in your social sphere, I would go to the shops and find that employee who takes pride in her work. Bring pictures of your kitchen and samples of your surfaces.

I love the variety at JoAnne's and it definitely needs to be somewhere you shop but the help can be up and down at mine. I would also look for independent stores. Sometimes you can find stores that focus on home dec upholstery fabrics. There are also quilting stores if you like pattern and they would be able to advise you too on the fabric weight and backing.

Since the blind isn't needed for privacy, take your time and make some road trips around town! (And I love your kitchen btw.)

Thanks for the info about the pulls. I am looking for something in polished chrome for the bathroom. I'll keep looking!

Marcy,

Love your shades! As soon as we have a granite sample, I can get serious about the fabric, although I should probably order the hardware now. Thanks!

thanks colorfast. I actually bought almost EVERYTHING for my kitchen online. I did get samples though. I have enough tile samples to make a table I think. Same thing with paint. I bought around 12 samples till the perfect shade was achieved. And again, you're right... I had to see it up on my wall, with my lighting, at different times of day. But there was no store help on any component of my remodel whatsoever. Even the cab fronts were bought online with a small wood sample door. I guess I'm fiercely independent and basically, don't care for shopping. Love buying...just don't like the shopping part much!
However, you are all correct, and to stores I will EVENTUALLY go to find something. Thanks so much for all the help and links.

You *might* be able to do a paisley but only if it was a neo-paisley. Does that make sense? Not a traditional one but a cleaner, modern version of paisley with a simple, bold and perhaps large pattern.

I think tangerine would look great in your kitchen since your green tile is on the blue side (orange is across the wheel from blue).

I hear you on the "fabric stores make my head hurt." I hold my breath and walk really fast through the aisles of potpourri at my local JoAnn's. ;-) Do you have Calico Corners in your area? They don't sell potpourri or nicknacks, only fabrics. Actually, any store that is home dec fabric-focused more than craft-focused would be a good place to start.

I didn't follow all the fabric links posted, so I didn't see the specs on any of them. But do make sure you get a "home dec" fabric and not a quilting or garment fabric. Anything other than "home dec" or drapery fabrics will fade VERY fast (like, withing weeks) when exposed to sunlight through a window. And the life of appropriate fabrics will be noticeably extended if suitably lined. Don't use any plastic hooks or rings on the window side of your blinds - they photo-degrade. I used brass rings on my roman shades 15 yrs ago, and they are still holding (but I'm getting really tired of the blinds themselves!). Inquire at a drapery specialist shop for suitable hardware. The staff at Joann may or may not have a clue.

Hey Fla - Funny thing but the full spread of photos you've shown us before and the single one you started this thread with give very different impressions of your kitchen. I agree with the suggestion to take your time since privacy isn't the issue.

While not the consensus on here, currently in style or even what you are saying you want, when I look at your nifty space I see a really cool teal-color overall and I'd just actually want to keep that tone, not accent it. I'd put in pizzaz by using that color with a very interesting, lovely pattern, a little like some of those posted above (I love the Paradise Collection one). I'd add interest with texture and pattern, not color.

=0.02... kinda wild asking decorating questions, no? You get answers in 360 degrees...sorry!

I am just writing to post a link for a website I found very helpful for making my own Roman shades. I made my out of pieced panels, but you can just use whole pieces fabric.

I love all the fabrics shown, but it's a very personal thing to pick fabric. Choose what you love!

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Instructions for Making Roman Shades from Terrell Designs website

Have you excluded non-fabric roman shades? I'm thinking about bamboo shades. The store has more options than the link. You can order them for outside mount and as long as you want them.

Here is a link that might be useful: bamboo roman shades

I think the bamboo shades might work well for you if you pair them with a fun fabric valance. I do like the second fabric Lisa posted... Maybe you can minimize the red by careful placement...

We had thought about bamboo, especially ones that had flecks/runs of color throughout it. I've been cyber searching at what's out there and now my head hurts cause I don't know if I want a roller shades (I like the flat simple style) or what. Any suggestions for where to look at some cool roller shades? I don't know if I'm feelin' a valance... had one in my other home and I"m somewhat over it.

Something like this is one of the below?

Definitely exterior mount the shade even with the top of your cabs, using a tailored box valance.

Your choices don't relate to your kitchen. Start with the colors that are there--the tile, cab and counter color. You can include additional accents if some of the basics are there.

Consider something more simple and modern, like a Marimekko, maybe.

{{!gwi}}

Of course it's impossible to judge from my monitor whether these actually match anything in your kitchen.

A roman shade isn't that hard - I know you can do it!

I like the idea of softer, more muted fabrics - and I really like the blue bubbly looking one you last posted.

BTW, Christopher Peacock used a tangerine paisley in his kitchen:

{{!gwi}}

This might look nice too.

{{!gwi}}

or this:

Since you like to shop online, try Hancock's of Paducah. They have a ton of nice quilting and home decorating fabrics. I also like fabriccarolina.com, which is where the scrolly fabric came from.

Good luck finding something perfect!

Here is a link that might be useful: Hancock's of Paducah link

Hancock is listing their prices by the half-yard?! What's with that?

They're half as expensive that way (the Hancock).

I love the marimekko - that's exactly the palette I was thinking of, Marcolo: bingo!

Those are perfect Marcolo. I knew I came to the right place! Thank you!

Sorry to go OT here, but if you're asking about my link that is Hancock's of Paducah which isn't the same as the big chain Hancock Fabrics. The majority of what they sell is quilting fabric and quilters often buy small quantities of lots of fabrics. The smallest quantity they sell is a half yard, so that is the way it is listed on the website. Plus, you may not realize how very much you are spending on fabric!

Something like this?

I thought gray might work nicely and kinda tie into the aluminum frames on the two uppers