I would go with white.

I'd try to find a sheer fabric that mathe the taupe/off white in the selected drapery fabric.

of course, i would want to know if you plan to leave the sheer closed or open most of the time.

Linen sheers would be nice.

Do you have pictures of your room with the widows in question?

Here is my dining room:

I would probably leave the sheets open 1/3-1/4 up all the time.

*sheers

I'd probably go with something off-white/taupe to go with the drapes. Otherwise, the drapes might end up looking "dirty" compared to everything else in the room. I think it's easier to recognize that the white trim is, well, white trim than to have everything else except the drapes being white (or dark blue, for the walls) and then having the off white drapes.

lynartist--I was wondering about the paint! The painters just did that without asking us, and I didn't know if it was supposed to be like that. I did think it looked a little strange!

Match the sheers to the drapes, not the trim. And paint that little overhang the wall color.

I guess you were planning on relaxed Roman shades for the windows? I would definitely say white, in that case. It would not go with the window trim to have a natural or taupe color, as they would just look like dirty white.

Yes, relaxed Roman shades. Now I'm confused!

Is there any chance you'd be willing to paint your trim a warmer and creamier off-white? Or pick a different drape fabric that is white instead of off white? The more I think about this, the more I feel like there is no solution to this dilemma as is. No matter what you put next to the stark white it will look dirty, so I think you need to decide whether you want the bright white look or the creamy warm look and make the adjustments throughout the room.

you might do a white relaxed Roman shade, but I would trim it out like the shades are trimmed out in your inspiration image. the trim in the inspiration image ties it to the decorations on the drapery. thus, you might want to think about that. if you were to do that, then you probably would want a solid fabric for the drapery. your selected drapery fabric looks much more relaxed and informal in comparison to the drapery in the inspiration image.

I could pick a drapery with more white--in fact I had originally selected something like that--but the rug has the taupe/grey elements and the fabric on the chairs do too, so I started second-guessing myself.

I'm not going to repaint the trim. It's the same color trim as the rest of the house. It just looks kind of stark next to the navy.

This is is something I had originally picked out:

It's more white.

I also liked this even whiter one (looks s little creamy in the picture, but it's white):

Which direction would you go in?

Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate it!

Pure white will look too white. If you notice in the inspiration pic the sheets are not white and the trim is. There are many off white sheer fabrics to choose from. Find one that looks best with your drapery fabric. Pure white will be to stark a contrast with this fabric.

Prefer the first fabric.

I prefer the first fabric the last fabric is too heavy. I would try to tie the shades and draperies together with trim or decorations a seen in the inspiration image.

I would consider a burnished brass or bronze rod.

Agree that first fabric is best and off white nubby sheers for Roman shades; paint over hang wall color. As an aside - please make sure side drapes are full enough not to look skinny as I have noticed on many posts. You are off to a great start. Have fun!

I'd do an unlined natural linen. It'd look nubby and natural In color while also remaining sheer.

Hi

I like the first two fabrics with a slightly off white sheer.

It will be Beautiful.


Also Please paint the ceiling above the window.

Best of luck !

KHB Interiors in New Orleans

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I like the fabric posted last the best. I would use a polyester sheer for the Roman shades as they will hold up better. Go off-white. Love your inspiration photo.

Thank you all so much for your advice!

One more question--do you like the rod going all the way across, like in the inspiration photo, or rather two short rods on either side?

Because you do not have very much room above the window I would probably do two short rods. It is such a narrow space there and with the rod it could look a bit busy.

with your fabric Ivory sheers

I don't understand why posters are trying to match the trim. The romans need to coordinate with the drapes, rugs etc. not the trim.

FYI
I had a painter tell me all vertical are considered wall area and all horizontal are ceiling when painting overhangs because I had the same situation. I really didn't notice it until someone mentioned it. I would guess it is a matter of what you prefer, but that was his reasoning for doing it that way.

Yikes ! Painters!... The ceiling is the ceiling! And just the ceiling... Everything else is not. That glaring white piece of white is so distracting. I have seen this a hundred times and so many painters do this. I usually have to make sure to tell them myself that these funny areas are not ceiling! Same with angled walls! They don't take the color to the ceiling!

If the room is dark, you may want to leave it white to reflect more light into the room. If you prefer to not see it, have them repaint it to the wall color. A very sheer off white would be best, they should match the other soft furnishings, will look fine with white trim

Lynartist, I think if we are aware we have to discuss every surface with a painter....lol

So true Katherine! I always appreciate the fine job a good painter does but they sometimes need a little guidance when it comes to aesthetics! I always do a walk though, leave instructions and sometimes blue tape on those questionable surfaces;)