Recommendations on window treatments?

6 years ago

Hi all! We've had wooden shades like the ones shown in the middle of the top pic below. But we've recently painted the whole house a light pewter/gray and refinished the kitchen in mostly white. Floors are a not-so-dark shade of brown. Struggling about what to do with the windows on this floor:

We don't want to get these pull-up shades again. They're from Blind Chalet and were awful. While the shade material seemed high quality, the loop/pull mechanism often broke under their heavy weight and frequently requires repairs.
I think we want to go white. We're looking at plantation shutters. Those look very expensive but if it's our best option, we'll spring for it. Biggest need is that they won't break easily and that they'll be easy to open and close. The other blinds were so much of a chore we'd rarely open them and the room was often dark.
Do we put the same shades in our TV room, which is right next to the kitchen, too? If not, any recs for those?

Thanks so much for all ideas and input!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
My 1 st question is what do you need the blinds for? I see no need for privacy so if it is heat and light control do solar shades in 10% you get that control and you keep the view if you really need nighttime privacy the add drapes . BTW a change in lighting to all LEDs in 4000K will eliminate that yellow glow you get now. So just add the same drapes on that window you have on the others
PRO
smac4616
6 years ago
I agree. Leave it without window coverings and add a big plant in the corner beside your sideboard
Related Professionals
Sheridan Interior Designers & Decorators · Magnolia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Yuba City Furniture & Accessories · Beaumont General Contractors · Sioux City General Contractors · Muncie General Contractors · Lewiston General Contractors · Miami Home Remodeling · Myrtle Beach Interior Designers & Decorators · Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · Huron Interior Designers & Decorators · Rocky Mount Interior Designers & Decorators · Wichita Falls Interior Designers & Decorators · El Dorado Architects & Building Designers · Cowansville Architects & Building Designers
abbrian
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks to you both. So that's interesting, we do back to a farm, so privacy not a huge issue I guess. The windows are contractor grade and I thought the shades would sort of dress them up a little but maybe not needed. Our walls used to be browns and tans and the floor was darker. Suddenly with the light pouring in, all of our furniture looks a bit mismatched now! (But that's a separate post.)

Anyway, it sounds like solar shades are being suggested because they disappear easily and if we DO want that privacy or some light blocking, then they provide that?

Are we anti-shudders then? :)
PRO
smac4616
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
My vote is to let the sun shine in! And buy some beautiful art or plants to draw even more attention to the windows. You have lovely wall space on either side!

I would consider a large mirror above the sideboard too to bring even more of the outside view in. :)
abbrian
Original Author
6 years ago
Big thanks to you both, I think we will NOT go the shutter or blinds route! We've had them up so long, I think we've forgotten how nice it could look! The mirror over the sideboard is a killer idea and we'll try that. We just painted the whole house gray so will need to refinish some of our furniture to match. The sideboard we'll paint white and make the top darker.

Patricia, I think we will look into the solar shades as they disappear nicely but DO provide privacy for those times we want it.

Re: lighting, i actually had 4000k lights on order, they arrived today. We popped them over the island and it is quite white lol. Might just take a little getting used to :)