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mimiweiler

Drapes or no drapes?

7 years ago

My husband wants to leave the large window in our family room unadorned. I feel like the room looks a little sparse and incomplete. Would drapes complete the room? We don't need window covering for privacy as the view is to woods in our backyard. There are two windows on each side on the fireplace on an adjacent wall that have aluminum mini-blinds in a soft gray that almost disappear when left open. I don't want blinds on the large window.



Comments (19)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I think some curtains on the window would be nice, even if they never get closed. It will highlight the beautiful large window, soften the frame, and add depth to that wall. As Fairway said, make sure they're big enough and skip the sheer curtains (they don't tend to work in public spaces).

  • 7 years ago

    Thank you for the advice. It's a little difficult to get most of the room in a photo but here's a shot towards the fireplace.


  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Awesome. Yes, totally agree that miniblinds wouldn't be right for such an overscale window that's a true focal point all its own. Once drapes are hung on your picture window wall, you'll also have a little less wall space for your art there, so you might be re-centering it in the remaining open wall space, too.

    A really great natural linen-look fabric could be great in here in a tone that's light and matches your trim. Not fussy but fits the cozy vibe already going on in here. Perfect spot to light a fire and play a board game!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I like the idea of a linen-look fabric. The trim is white. Should I perhaps get a color close to the wall color which is SW Agreeable Gray?

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    You could go closer to wall tone, but I think that since you've also got neutral carpet that's wall to wall in here, I'd go closer to the window frame and trim color throughout, since that would provide a little bit of a contrast to the other colors in the mix. Plus, it's easier to hit a white than trying to match a grey! Any thoughts for hardware color? Normally I like to coordinate with door handles since I don't see a metallic in the images. Brushed nickel always looks amazing on the softness of Agreeable Grey.

  • 7 years ago

    Your thoughts on hardware are helpful. I was kinda holding off until I figured out the drapery fabric. I worry about having a shiny rod running the expanse of that window. But perhaps the brushed nickel will disappear the most against the soft grey wall. There's not much in the way of hardware in the room and what's there is dull.


  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Got it. What are your door handles like leading into or out of the room (or nearby, if it's an open-plan space)? Again, nice job on the furnishings.

  • 7 years ago

    I agree with your husband, ( but I’m not a drapery fan ) , but if you do, I agree that you should just frame the window, not close them, but I really don’t see the point in that seeing your beautiful view, i love open, unadorned windows.

  • 7 years ago

    We've got builder-grade brass door knobs. The kitchen which is open to this space has brushed nickle hardware. and light fixtures. Thanks for the compliment. It's a recent update from the golds, brown and Tuscan walls of yore. Some new pieces while blending with the old, a craigslist find and the existing carpeting.

  • 7 years ago
    Some side panels would be in order to give some body to the room. As is, everything (colour, weight) is happening at the lower levels (sofa, table, chairs) and you’re right, the room is left feeling sparse.
    Mimi Weiler thanked jpp221
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Nicely done. I'd keep to the compliment of brushed nickel from the kitchen. Pottery Barn actually has some great rods and rings and their BN tone is a great finish (they call it pewter, since they also offer polished nickel as another tone). With a window expanse as large as you've got, I would definitely do the 1.25" diameter.

    Pewter Window Hardware


  • 7 years ago

    I was just looking at the PB Pewter rods and thinking they would work well.


  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Great minds...that's actually what I use on my own windows (with the caps, no big finials) and they work really well as a nicely made, functional basic. The larger size reads really well, too - it would be the right scale for the space in there.

    Just make sure that whatever drape you select has a lining so that you get nice, heavy folds in your stack to either side. May not think you want a blackout-lined drape since you won't use it for light-blocking, but blackout linings always help a stacked-off drape look thick and full - and not like bedsheets. :)

  • 7 years ago

    Blackout lining will do nothing except to make your room darker. If you want them full and heavy, then they need interlining or at least a napped lining. If you hang curtains on the large window, then they should also be on the smaller windows (or a roman in the same fabric). I would not mount the rod higher than you would mount a rod on the smaller windows. The rods should all be in line. I'm not a fan of all that wall space showing between the rod and top of window.

    You also want the curtains to cover the glass at least an inch or two. Stacking them completely off the window makes them look like they're just hanging on the wall, rather than curtains on a window. I don't find that a nice look.

  • 7 years ago

    Mimi, I think drapes would look very nice on this window. Target has a lot of nice options right now - linen look in neutral tones. This is a warm and cozy room!

  • 7 years ago
    Thank you for your thoughts shadylady2u. I agree I'm not crazy about drapes hung too high. Using the height of the side windows is a good guide. I was thinking approximately the depth of a pleat header (4") above the top of window frame plus maybe an additional 1" if I use rings. Make sense?
  • 7 years ago

    Yes, that sounds fine to me! That should put it in line with the small window.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Since you don't need privacy, there's no need to have a drapery rod cross over the entire expanse of the window. You could get 12-inch decorative rods mounted on each side, with floor length panels just framing the window. Here's an example of short rods, on which you can add your choice of decorative finials. short rods