HELP! Blinds or Curtains or both?

13 years ago

Moving into our newly built house in just 1 week. I am so confused as to what type of window treatments to use in these main windows. We payed a great deal of money to upgrade to these large windows in our Great Room and Kitchen (both rooms are side by side so the whole back half of the house is windows). The other issue is the bulkhead that is actually touching the window frame which leaves no space to hang a curtain rod without seeing the frame behind it. The ceiling are 9ft and I wanted to enhance that if possible. Help! What should I do?

*Note The pictures are deceiving as there appears to be space between the bulkhead and window frame. What you are seeing is actually the underside of the bulkhead - there is no space!

Featured Answer

Brenda

13 years ago

The answer to your question really depends on your decorating style and privacy/blackout/insulating needs.

But having said that, I would consider leaving the tansoms open and putting plantation shutters with 4" slats on the lower windows.

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Comments (20)

Kathy
13 years ago
I like the sheerness that shows transom, but would they offer enough privacy at night? These look like some sort of fabric? roll-up.
http://houzz.com/photos/106337
nicoledowner thanked Kathy
Kathy
13 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/2026979
Another idea but still sheer.
I'm anxious to see what designers advise.
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Kathy
13 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/2026817
This would look nice attached under transom area. It would preserve the look of the windows, but still offer privacy.
shsdlt
13 years ago
I would not do curtains - would provide too much cover on those nice windows. I would try rattan or bamboo blinds. We have a similar set up, and covered the windows with rattan blinds, but left the doors uncovered. Not sure if you are planning to put up a fence or not, but if so, you could do this. You can Google rattan blinds and see different options. Good luck! Love getting started in a new home!
nicoledowner thanked shsdlt
Kathy
13 years ago
Another?
http://houzz.com/photos/1018977
nicoledowner
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I like some of these options - the only thing is I am going for a contemporary feel. My kitchen cabinets are light grey and very stream line. I will have a dark grey couch with the rooms mostly being grey/white with black and turquoise accents in the rooms. (see picture of kitchen chairs below that I have been refinishing - kitchen table is black ) So I don't want it to look too lavish or traditional. Can I pull off these types if blinds with this style?
nicoledowner
Original Author
13 years ago
We will need a great deal of privacy at night since you can see right through the house when the lights are on! I like the idea of these shutters as well. I am assuming they are the most expensive solution though?
Brenda
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I think you will be surprised at the cost. They will be less expensive than doing blinds and custom drapery panels -- probably by quite a bit. Take your measurements to Next Day Blinds to get a quote (but if you order them, have THEM come to your house to measure and install so that it's THEIR responsibility to get them right).

The bigger the slat, the more modern they will look, but you have to have the window depth to pull it off. The 4" slatted shutters have a really great look, but the 3" are nice as well. Anything below 3" and I think they start to look like old fashioned grandma shutters.
nicoledowner thanked Brenda
PRO
B Shaw design
13 years ago
You should consider using a drapery treatment with ceiling mounted brackets (1 on each end and one in the center) that would be mounted on the furr down. It could be a pair that draws to each side with a wand.
nicoledowner thanked B Shaw design
Angie Burrell
13 years ago
Yes plantation shutters!!!
PRO
Shades IN Place
13 years ago
I like the shutters too. However they will not work best on the door and your side windows are narrow. Putting shutters will make the room much darker. Another idea is shades with two fabrics: sheer for the day and blackout for night
nicoledowner thanked Shades IN Place
PRO
Blinds Direct Canada
13 years ago
I have worked with windows like these quite often I usually recommend doing Sheers and panels to the ceiling. I mount them on an Ibeam track and it makes the room seem a lot taller I will attach some pictures below to give you a better idea.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/drapery-toronto.html

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/drapery-toronto/sheer-drapery.html
nicoledowner thanked Blinds Direct Canada
Ilana Buchsbayew
13 years ago
Some basic white wood blinds for privacy and two 84" panels in a fun bold print!
nicoledowner thanked Ilana Buchsbayew
Martha F
13 years ago
I wouldn't cover the transoms. Have you thought about solar shades?

I think I'm the only person who really hates plantation shutters. I moved into a new house and I'm getting rid of mine as soon a I get my house in packed. They just cut down on too much light.
Kathy
13 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/3196306
Luminette are another solution. I love plantation shutters myself but they have to make a deep frame on a door wall for them to slide.
Paul Cheng
9 years ago
May I ask what you have done in the end? Please post photos if you have them. Thanks.
PRO
Joni Koenig Interiors
9 years ago
I sugget a combination; here is a recent installation of mine that you might appreciate as an example

https://www.houzz.com/photos/manhattan-beach-build-traditional-living-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~3715969
iromania
9 years ago
Beautiful windows...what about plantation shutters? You can have plantation shutters for the bottom larger windows and leave the top smaller windows exposed. You can choose different finishes such as white for a clean look or go dramatic for a dark cherry wood color. The options are endless.

Examples:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/plantation-shutters-traditional-home-office-boston-phvw-vp~2180112

https://www.houzz.com/photos/jenkins-baer-associates-traditional-family-room-baltimore-phvw-vp~693493

https://www.houzz.com/photos/punta-del-este-beach-house-tropical-living-room-phvw-vp~129866
PRO
Blinds-US
9 years ago
Honeycomb blinds can be used and they will give an attractive look as well.