Here's one to see height.

How nice to have a local Shade Shop......definitely have them come over!
How many days left until the holiday break? Kids still staying focused?

Two more weeks and I've been having kids do holiday letter writing so they are staying focused pretty well. Hope you have a good one!

Two weeks left in our area, too. Holiday letter writing.....love that! Sometimes that is a lost art.

You are so right! They cannot even write a proper sentence. So, I'm on a mission and they love it.

Texting has ruined proper sentences.

Hi Readbetter, just stumbled across this by accident. Sorry I missed all the fun. With respect to your curtains, I have used thermal/blackout roller blinds and then just put a simple white semi sheer gathered curtain on the window in one room and in another I used a double curtain track and put a thermal/blackout curtain on the back track and the curtain on the front one, so it allows me to just have the curtain to finish the room when I don't need the lining to block heat or cold. I can't quite see how your blind is installed, but it doesn't look like it is within the window frame which may make it difficult to put a curtain track there unless you can get an extension piece to bring the track out further. If this can be done, you could have a curtain that opens as the door does and I think you will find this very versatile.

I like the idea of the roman blind on the window but I don't think I would go too much with pattern, it could make the wall look cluttered with the shelving. Perhaps just a soft stripe for interest.

I think you have done the right thing putting the TV in your living room, I had a similar issue years ago had my TV in another room which was always in the way and I had no room for comfy seating and the lounge room was never used. It is one thing to decorate rooms to look nice and another to really use your rooms.

Looking at your deck too, I think I would consider a table and comfy chair out there - somewhere to sit in nice weather for brunch, to balance your cheque book or just laze in the sun with your crocheting .

Hi oldroo! Yes, with such a tiny house, I thought I should be using both bedrooms and the living room so here it is - finally. Thanks for the good ideas. I have a white rocking chair that I put there but it is in the shed for winter. I'll look for simple fabrics. Enjoy the holidays.

You too readbetter, I just need to stay off Houzz and get organised.

Readbetter-welcome back! I love that room and I love that you are getting the kiddos to write properly. That is an important skill to maintain. I think something simple in a shade would be appropriate for the small window. I am not sure about the slider. I will come back with some pics later.

Hi holly, I'm sending a new pic. I put some colorful pillow on bed. Maybe some simple white something on windows. Maybe I can get away with nothing.

Readbetter- no, just one blue star')

Hi Margo, what do you mean.

Margo, do you mean keep only the starfish pillow? If so, then what on slider and window? You've got me thinking I need a little color in there? Or, no? Is it less cluttered with none or white?

I like the new pillows but I think Margo is saying they are not necessary and just the one starfish pillow is better with the rest white. There are 4 different picture ideas above. It depends on what you like. I don't know if you would want to put so much dark blue on the sliders as the last (bottom right) picture. I think you need something more that light airy white on the slider though.

What do you have now? White blinds and sliders? Could we see it with those closed if you do?

As an interior designer, my suggestion would be to have your carpenter build in your larger screen tv by removing parts of the shelving on either side of the unit. Also remove the top molding and take the shelves to the ceiling. Cover the TV with cabinet doors, same color as your current cabinets or paint every thing a soft cream color. One very comfortable nicely upholstered chair in a linen stripe with a separate ottoman is all you really need for seating and it will open up the space visually if it is not overcrowded with furniture too big for the room or out of proportion for a small room. Keep the walls light, in a cream or light taupe, and go neutral print on the chair. A small table with a drawer in it and a lamp behind it will make a cozy reading corner when you don't want to watch tv. Be sure to include a neutral patterned throw for extra comfort. Art on the walls is very important, but don't overdo it with too many, or art that is too contrasting. The more contrast you have in there, the smaller the room becomes. Go for either a few nicely framed original pieces or some soft abstact prints in brass or silver simple frames. Accessorize the shelves with a combination of books and special pieces you like. Window and slider should be treated with simple draperies to the floor, on cream colors rods. Since you have a louvered window treatment, use that on the smaller window to give privacy, but those draperies can be stationary. The ones for the slider can be traverse draperies on a matching rod with the window. Repaint your entire unit to match the walls. What you need for a room like this is serenity, not alot of "stuff" in the way. You could even have a built-in desk in the closet, but keep the doors on the closet and paint the same as the room.

Abbyjean, the slider and window both have pull down blackout shades. As you can see from above, the neighbor is close to that little window.

Designer, thank you for all the interesting ideas but the room has just been gutted and rebuilt and all furniture is new so there will be no more construction. The room is way too tiny for anything else - nine foot square! I've been under construction for six years and have one more year to finish. I'm done with the noise and mess. So hopefully I can add a few touches to make is cozy.

Thanks everyone.

Oops, abbyjean, I forgot. Just these ugly shades that are new and must stay. I was hoping to add a little warmth.

Omg, just uploaded an app upgrade and it's awful.

But how nice you have those blinds and that they are black out ones, too. I am guessing roman shades then?

Ya know, I am dying to see....is it your neighbor's house.....that we got to visit with the pumpkins on display a few months back and the one pic was sent for a new frame......I would love to see it NOW! Any chance you could knock on the door with a plate of goodies and your camera? LOL

Oh boy, abbyjean, I'll get arrested as a peeping tom. Haha! I'm trying to remember it.

Roman shade that pulls down or stays put? I'm guessing for small window. Then matching drape on slider? Do you remember the white with blue stripe from Pottery Barn we looked at for upstairs? Something like that perhaps? Or I can go to the Shade Shop and look at fabrics.

We had this disagreement about the color of pumpkins and maybe it was a dress that was being framed? The room was all white and striking! I mentioned centering a piece of furniture and you said you had just talked her out of that look.

I would love that striped one in this spare room!!! And I see no reason to have the roman shade pull down...just some color at the top....so maybe it would even be more of a valance then? And yes, matching drapes on the slider to tie the two windows together.

I think it was my friend and neighbor, phancynancy. She's around the corner not next door. Her house looks great and she has little lights on her indoor ficus.

YES! Phancynancy is the one! I bet it looks special for the holidays right now.

Yes, very dainty like her.

Abbyjean, are you in the US? Starting to snow here in east coast Long Island. Going to be a messy morning. Glad I'm only a mile from school.

Good morning Readbetter - I like the extra cushions on the bed and if you keep them there I don't think you will need any extra colour at all. A plain white roman blind and white curtains will keep the room light and fresh looking but maybe a fabric with some structure to it for some interest. My only concern with using colour in the curtains especially, is that it will darken your room - the blinds will already do that, but by keeping the curtains light then you have options while still maintaining your privacy.

I am in the US......midwest. Bet it looks pretty with the snow coming down! We got some on Wednesday and the lights on the outside trees truly sparkle now. Had a 2 hour late start on Thursday to get the roads cleaned off for the bus routes. Just survived a couple of days with waaaaay below zero temps and it feels like spring today at 8 degrees!

Brrrrr! I won't complain. Going upstairs to look at drapes on my iPad under covers. Having work done up there and can't wait to show you all when done. You'll be surprised. Stay warm and I'll let you know what I decide. I'll see what Shade Shop offers too. The owners live in town and give us teachers a discount because their children all went to school here.

Hi oldroo. I will keep that in mind. You know how long it takes me to make a decision! I'll check out a few things but won't go too dark at all. I love the whites.

How nice is that, to have a business appreciate teachers with a discount. Makes me think you need to give them your business.

I will at least go look and get their opinion. They know my house and have installed all my shades in new windows. Plus then I won't have to worry about installation and can get everything the right size. We'll see. I'll let you know. Thanks for all your interest and help. I'm going to go play Words with Friends with my sister.

I'm not liking all the snow stories I read here, it is 86 degrees here today and despite my dislike of the heat, I will suffer it any day over snow.

Good Morning, Olldroo. Not much snow but I eye rain now which will be a mess going out. Wow, 86! Is that normal for this time of year? I'm putting off getting ready as long as I can. Instead of thinking of fabric, I'm wondering where I put my boots. Have a nice sunny day,

Yes, we are right in summer now but the temps have only been in the mid teens C for the last couple of weeks making us wonder if summer went elsewhere. By next month we could be up around 100 - how high it will go this year, no one really knows. Boots (or shoes) - yep search for the regularly.

Readbetter-you should keep the shades and definitely put up some sort of valance. It's nice that you know people so you have help with shades and fabrics. I am excited to see the upstairs that you have hinted at. Keep warm and cozy. We got a little snow here in PA and then a little ice to go on top. Pretty but messy.

Here are a few pics of room now as a guest room. I am thinking of keeping only little starfish pillow and getting drapes and Roman shade made in a white and blue simple print. Will look at fabric after Christmas. What do you think?

I found the little tree packed in the basement. I'm decorating it with waterford collectible seahorses and eventually little sea things that sparkle.

Lovely!
Merry Christmas :-)

Keep to the plain white roman shade, you have a lot of options there, don't tie yourself down.

Merry Christmas to you too Carolins.

Good advice, as always. Thanks olldroo.. Happy holidays!

I hadn't seen that quilt before, be a pity not to use that to ring changes from time to time and a pattern in the blind could restrict you.

Happy Holidays to you too readbetter - I wished you that on your other thread, but we can cover all bases. :))

:) Lovely! Happy holidays!

Lovely. Nicely done, as always, readbetter!! Happy Holidays!!

That little tree with those decorations? Perfect in this room! Sounds like you have a plan in place for 2014.

Thanks, abbyjean. I like themed trees and, when I started to decorate my cottage in a beachy theme, I treated myself to some waterford wine glasses called seahorse. Then a matching bowl for dining table. Now I've found the seahorse ornaments. What can I say, I'm hooked on the little. Ute creatures! Look them up some time.

Waterford wine glasses.....ultimate luxury! And then ornaments to boot? SCORE!

I meant cute, you know. Can't type today. Only a few of those really fine things make me very happy. Luxury, YES! Nice treat but you know me - I don't like "stuff."