curtains for a chilly house

10 years ago

We bought a 1900s house last year and are finally getting settled in. Most of the house has newer windows but the living room and dining room are original. That also means it's a bit chilly. We live in the NW so cold is in the 30s. We're looking into wooden storms but in the meantime, what about curtains? Are there options that will keep these rooms warmer overnight without it looking like my grandma's house?

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Cynthia Taylor-Luce

10 years ago

If you buy honeycomb style shades, the air that's enclosed within the blind structure acts as an insulator.

The beauty of these is that you can pull them up during the day and they are hidden in a small cartridge. They work with lots of different interior styles. You could also layer lined (or interlined) draperies on top, but considering what you'd spend on those you could have replaced the window.

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Comments (12)

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Budget Blinds Serving Eastern Iowa
10 years ago
Cythia had some great ideas for you. Cellular shades are your best bet for window treatments without having to go to the extreme of draperies. Some of our clients have chosen to use both but the majority find cellular shades make a great enough difference.

Budget Blinds has franchises across the us and offers free in home consultations. I suggest you meet with your local budget blinds representative for product and pricing info. www.budgetblinds.com

Cellular Shades · More Info

Cellular Shades · More Info
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Cynthia Taylor-Luce
10 years ago
Yay Budget Blinds! I have a local rep here who is fantastic. Great products and service. Highly recommend.
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Estudio Peralez - Residential Design
10 years ago
Do these windows face south?
nasturtiumflower
Original Author
10 years ago
Ernesto, they are east facing in the living room. The dining room is south facing, but a hedge between us and the neighbors blocks most of the sun.
nasturtiumflower
Original Author
10 years ago
Cynthia/Terri, I hadn't thought about honeycomb shades! Indow windows were also suggested so I'll research those too.
apple_pie_order
10 years ago
Cellular window shades are excellent insulators. You might also look into temporary window film; it goes up quickly and is quite unobtrusive. Here;s a link to one type: http://www.amazon.com/Duck-281506-10-Window-Insulator-420-Inch/dp/B002GKC2GW
lfblair768
10 years ago
nasturtiumflower-- Hi! This is an older thread so not sure if you'll see this. But I was curious if you happened to pursue the Indow Window route. I am in a house built in 1958 and we are keeping the large diamond pane windows on the front of our house. They let in tons of heat in the summer and I'm trying to find out if people like getting the interior storms. Hope you found a good solution for your windows. :)
nasturtiumflower
Original Author
10 years ago
I did have the indow windows guy out for a quote (along with a traditional storm/replacement window guy). however the price tag was steep. I ended up with a heavy dark gray curtain in the dining room
. the windows in the living room I left alone. For the price, it was just cheaper to turn up the heat :)
lfblair768
10 years ago
Thanks for your response! Out of curiosity, was Indow less or more expensive than the traditional storm guy? (And by traditional- do you mean exterior storms or some other variation of interior?) Did you think the inserts looked cheap or could you see them blending in with the existing windows?
PRO
Tres McKinney Design
10 years ago
Yes - Honeycomb or cellular shades are practical but they kill the beauty of the old windows and look like a garage door in the down position. Lined fabric roman shades would be a more attractive option. In the dining room I recommend 4 inside mounted shades on the individual windows. You could also hang working curtains just under the soffit and stack them back on each end when you want more light or in warmer climates. In the sitting room consider either roman shades or lined and inner lined curtains with the rods mounted just under the picture rail above the windows.
saloonster
10 years ago
I'm using shades in my old house, but I only put them down at night. They are always all the way up during the day to allow maximum light. Inside mount to keep all the neat trim exposed is my recommendation.