Lia, you can see Flo's chairs??? Why can't I? I was waiting for her to notice that she had forgotten to add photos. Lol. Projecting...I do that a LOT! But obviously, she didn't!

Trim is white, Julie. Thanks!

Lia, I like traditional, too. Must remember, though, that I'd like my rug to be almost square. That's what fills the space best. If I'm recalling correctly, I had measured 10' x 11'. That's why I was planning on having broadloom cut and bound. Once furniture is in place, I might have someone bring in a a rug to see if that works. Gray area, rounded off, is 11". How wide is an area rug, typically, if length is less than 12'?

Oh, I see. That chevron fabric for blinds. NOT my taste as dsimber knows but beyond that, dont you want something translucent? Those look very heavy. Agree with liasch about rug. Something with more than two colors would be a lot more interesting

Lola, the chevron fabric is for the drapes, but I'll be looking for something a little different when I get to that point. I want to see the fabrics for sofa and chairs first. The sample for shades is difficult to see, but it's on the far left. Let me try another way. Look on the far left side, pinked edge, near the middle. Unfortunately, the texture shows even less if you zoom in. I don't have any other photos.

I can't see Flo's chairs either.

Not sure what Flo means by shades that would match the walls. She may not be talking about an exact match to the paint.

Rugs. You can also get custom (odd dimensions) on some sites but it can be expensive and you can’t return them as was discovered by somebody on another thread after they had bought a custom sized rug.

Flo’s post. Screenshot.

Dsimber, so glad you have found a fabric you like for your sofa. It will be a beautiful warm foundation piece. I too am of the opinion that you can go with either a darker richer drape or a more neutral one and both will look nice. I think I might be partial to the idea of a darker look in your space. You are getting lots of amazing helpful advice from so many here. Trust your judgement and your vision. I love how Julie is able to have so many neutrals in various shades and textures to bring everything together in y=her living room. The darker tones bring in the contrast to make things more interesting and more dynamic and the lighter shades give the movement a place to rest. You are going to have an amazing warm space for you all to gather. You have great taste and style.

Yes, go ahead and order your white shades. You will be happy with them. Blinds only if you want to. 😊 We have gone with white blinds in all our homes, and the walls have all been several different colors. ( just sayin’) And In several different homes and condo rentals.

Houzz is having spasms again. Thanks Lia for the screen shot. Dsimber, I didn’t think you had any trim around your windows? My mistake. White works well. Here’s another picture with all 4 chairs. So comfy and relaxing!

Very nice, Flo. And very comfortable.

You're right. I don't have trim around windows, but I do at the bottom. Then lower is the white baseboard. I think white will be a good look.

I'm not sure that is what I want on the front windows. I might be back to 2" blinds there. I like being able to adjust them so I can let some light in during the day, and see green. I thought that would be what I like about the zebra blinds...and dusting them would be easier.

Flo, I think you are correct that dsimber doesn't have window trim. I think she was referring to the regular trim.

Funny I can see this picture and not the other-your room looks very comfy and inviting.

Well white is always good. Some people find the zebras harder to clean. Bugs get kind of stuck in theme. With Silhouette style you can take a portable hair dryer and blow out the dust etc. Blinds are easier for sure. I think you can go ahead and get blinds in white. If you wish.

So blinds are easier to dust?

I think so. A swifter over them every couple weeks and done.

My thought keeping both all accounts would be motorized roller shades in the LR :). They raise to the top with the most view and do not collect dust. In front you can have blinds bc you are not wishing to have a complete view. I think it’s ok to have two different styles. From the outside the front will match. From the back they’ll match if you want to get roller for that side of house, LR, guest room etc. see what you think of the looks of the top of the roller shades your sister has. Very minimal!

Blinds are too heavy for motor to lift motor can tilt only. You would have at least a 6” stack up there anyway if you could actually lift them to the top yourself.

Looks like in your inspo that they are a sheer or semi sheer silhouette or a sheer roman? Could be a zebra? Hard to tell but even with that, what’s left up there when completely raised is somewhat sheer which may be ok with you?

Dsmber are you looking for something that gives privacy at night? with a north facing room seems you would not have alot of sun that would need to be controlled during the day. I have no blinds on any main level windows..only blinds are in the bedrooms…automated room darkening in our master bedroom and fabric roman room darkening in the guest rooms….just trying to get a better feel for what is needed.

Budget Blinds has great selections of remote shades. I think they might have new franchises in your area now. Might be worth going on line entering your zip and see if they have service in your area. Good quality, reasonable pricing. Lots of choices. I have very good personal near us for my clients. Never disappointed.

I know it’s late but was going to share for a thought on your window treatments. If shades in LR get to be a conundrum maybe just a double rod with a sheer behind your curtain panels? Both treatments can be pulled to sides to expose entire view. Saw a lovely warm living room showing a look with those as soft and elegant. I’m thinking in the LR/DR you were mainly concerned with the black hole effect? Not privacy? Then any other (whole house) could be whatever desirable look you’re after :).

Lots to consider!

Front windows: Want to let in light and have partial view as with wood blinds during the day. I would not raise them, so the large stack at the top is not a concern. Want to close at night for more privacy. I know wood blinds give me this. Do zebra blinds offer any advantages over wood blinds?

Back windows: Shades would disappear during the day and allow the most light. Ideal. They would eliminate the black holes at night. And I could have all back windows be uniform because they would work in bedrooms, too. Also ideal.

(Flo, you're right. We have Budget Blinds here. Julie, I know you're happy with yours. Seems like you wrote about what you have in your kitchen? Was that Budget Blinds?)

Or what about these on the front windows? Top down, bottom up. What do they look like from outside?

dsimber so your back windows would be open all day..just down for total privacy at night…you could just do wood woven in any color… they add texture and layering with drapes…and can be hung inside mount…Kjoy did a beautiful neutral woven in here home…for front windows you could do white simple silhouettes..they adjust light and give privacy…my sister in law has them and loves them..she has them down all the time and adjusts them when needed…looks nice across all her back windows…I have no blinds in my kitchen….but accent fabric roman shades over my sink window..never lower them they are more for aesthetics and add softness…they would be another option for your back windows too…they are from Budget Blinds.

I had the Silhouettes in our great room and master bedroom in our patio home and loved them. I kept them down and open in the bedroom, and raised the during the day in the great room each morning. But sometimes during the yucky Missouri winter days I would just tilt open them to hide the gray.😉

The exterior of my home can most closely be described as a bungalow/Arts and Craft style. Very casual. So especially for the front windows, I have felt all along that Silhouettes are too formal. (I loved them in my neghbor's home in Maryland.) Zebra blinds seem less formal to me. But wood blinds might be most appropriate.

I've gone round and round on this, like so many things. 🤯 I really wanted to use the same blinds or shades as in the LR.

For years now, I saved images of a woven shade with a drapery panel on one side. As I recall, for the front, I didn't like the strings I would see from the outside. One of the windows is on the front porch so the back side would be seen close up. Finicky, I know.

As for the LR windows, the top of the woven blinds would block some of the light, and the windows are already smaller than I would have chosen. So shades started making sense again. Julie, you shared the idea a couple of years ago. (I just kept waiting on sofa color to be able to choose color!) When my sister showed me her shades, I liked the texture and showed her photo to Alex. I think that is why he put them in his presentation. I also recall that when he was here the first time, he talked about how white would just disappear into window frame when closed. That makes sense to me. Also, while here, he immediately mentioned herringbone drapes. I love, love, love herringbone. I'd never thought of anything but solid. I'd pay the $450 fee just for that idea! (Lola is groaning. I'm sorry, Lola. I'll try to appease you with some color in the new art. 😉❤️)

So...now I'm rethinking the front windows. I definitely want to see daylight. I thought I wanted to see a partial view...I would see green of the trees and lawn 3/4 of the year. I know that from my Maryland home where I felt I had privacy from the street during the day, yet saw the trees and sky.

When looking online yesterday, I was reminded of the top down/bottom up option for shades. Makes me wonder if seeing the sky is enough. The advantage over tilted blinds is privacy as night falls if I haven't closed them completely.

I keep retracing these four years, trying to understand my thinking.

Remember that I bought this home in a very short amount of time. Saw it online, arranged to see it that afternoon or the next, and bought it that night! I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Houses were selling so fast. I was eager to move close to YS. I was eager to have a yard again after being so cooped up in the apartment during the pandemic.

I based the decision on the location. Close to the university and university hospital. Not having houses directly behind me. The view of the pond sold me.

I didn't think much about the floor plan. I didn't think about how small the main living area was in relation to the rest of the house which seemed so spacious. I didn't think about the kitchen not having a window, or the small windows in the LR, or the slider vs. French doors.

And I didn't think much about the fact that my closet window is on the front of the house! So...maybe it makes the most sense to go with the top down shades. Privacy for me in the closet! And light protection for my clothes.

Have I said that paper shades--the ones you install when you first move in, until you have your window treatments--were a genius idea?!

Dsimber just a bit more info on blinds the woven wood shades dont have to have the strings you can get the safe option the cordless option….most family's with kids have. I really dont think of Silhouettes as formal…so very similar to the zebra blinds look..I-still think the woven woods are a beautiful option for your entire home…they can be hing on outside and up higher so when open they would not block any view...and is a nice layer with drapes….the only time your windows would be closed up and you would see the back would be at night when you are all cuddled in for the evening.… I would think if having guests they would be open…I would talk you out of wood slat blinds..they are dust collectors!. Herringbone or chevron weave fabric for drapes I love! No worries I am hoping the designers will guide you……budget blinds is good budget friendly…but my number one if offered in your area is Smith & Noble….top notch!

Top down bottom up..this is what I don’t like to see..the strings!

Silhouettes are not formal but you can use them that way especially if you want drapes on the side of them here's a picture of my one is closed one is open and we have ease that hangover quite a bit so it's going to be a little darkish and it's Smokey outside and I really love mine I got mine at Brylane Home no card show their cordless and they roll nicely but one of them is a little regular but there's no cord showing there may be on the cheaper line but I've had them now for 7 years

Those look very nice, Happy. I like that you can see the green through them. Thanks for sharing your photo.

Air quality has been bad. We should probably all be indoors, looking out. Wondering if this will be a problem all summer. So many weather-related, climate-related problems. We've been lucky. No tornadoes or derechos so far this year. Iowa City is often in their paths.

Looking online for top down/bottom up shades to see strings. See link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWtTk2riY9I

Strings are on outside edges so they look like they are in the window frame.

When I checked two or three years ago, Smith and Noble did not serve Iowa. I've been looking online; they don't make it easy to see their locations. I think I had to email them last time to find out. Or maybe I filled out a form for an in-home appointment.

Right now, I'm more concerned about starting over on my decision-making. Which window treatment do I prefer? Hate is a strong word, but I really hate how it feels to not be able to make a decision. 😥

Sometimes being to practical is no fun…I think when it comes down to it you have to love the visual ….what you will be looking at everyday…sorry it is so hard!

Smith & Noble is now 3 Day Blinds..they have a BOGO 50% off sale right now

Dsimber, don’t you love your sister’s window coverings? Where did she get them? Why not go with the same thing since you have seen them and really like them?

Not Iowa.

Lisalane, I've only seen a photo of my sister's shades. I liked the look of the texture. She's had trouble with one of the motorized shades since installation in December, and her designer's promises to take care of it have been empty. Not only that, the designer seems unwilling to give her the source.

My brother and SIL had motorized shades installed about two years ago. If I decide on roller shades, I'll check with them to see who they used.

Dsimber Likey you’re right in line with the Canadian wildfire smoke. Do you have an air purifier? I have one that is specifically designed for smoke and it’s a worthwhile investment. In fact I would run a couple of them and likely your son should be running one because of the baby. I have a Levoit, but there are other good ones. They need to be specifically designed for the small particulate involved with smoke pollution.

My son runs a Dyson in his bedroom… And another air purifier in the basement.

What window treatments do your son and DIL use? You won’t be wrong with any decision. Most nice window coverings look good. Just as blinds collect dust, so does fabric. That is why we vacuum the sofa, chairs and drapes. And wash linens, etc. Housework is never ending. 😆

I tried looking up sone ideas in the budget blind website but you have to enter your zip code etc so I stopped. But you can enter basics and they will tell you whether they service your area or not.

Shade Store is another option. I think you ordered samples from them years ago. They offer an installer in areas where they don’t have a store. Our entire house is outfitted with The Shade Store shades….

Lisalane, you have an incredible memory! I'll take another look at their website.

Flo, thanks for trying to look at some options. I'll take a look at Budget Blinds, too.

Good point, Glassy! But I think it might be easier to vacuum a roller shade than blinds, depending on what they are made of. YS and DIL have huge windows in the LR/DR and primary bedroom. Totally different house and lot. No privacy. YS installed cellular shades from Lowes the day they moved in! They never open them. To each his own, right?

Lia, I recently purchased a BlueAir. Says it removes at least 99.97% of tiny airborne particles like viruses and smoke down to 0.1 microns. YS has had this brand for several years. They have the largest for their living area, one for their bedroom, and one for the nursery.

Except for the baby's doctor appointments, they haven't taken her outdoors, but just this morning, YS said they are looking forward to that when air quality reports are back to excellent.

Yes The Shade Store…I forgot about them….we have a store here in town…they did the roman shade and traverse rod drapery for the big bathroom window when we did the our master bath remoldel…very nice

I have a meeting at Dwell this afternoon to try more swivel chairs. Until I decide on a chair, it doesn't make sense to look at fabrics...but that is what I want to do! I want to find a chair fabric that works well with my choice for the sofa.

I like the color palette that was presented even though I didn't think I wanted taupe. BUT the sofa fabric looked totally gray in my home. Also, that was a Vanguard fabric, and I chose the Norwalk. If needed I can do COM, but I'm trying not to add that expense.

Lola reminded me of a combination Sabrina and I had tried more than a year ago. I know the herringbone was from another vendor, I think they both were. The fabric next to the herringbone is closer to the color I chose.

I'm trying to establish which colors are better with the new floors. Or do both work equally well? Probably not the fabrics shown, since they are not Norwalk...just trying to get the colors right.

I'm a little confused-the fabric for the sofa that you liked (kind of a fawn color) actually looks gray in your room? Is that what you want?

Of the two choices above, I like the second one. But the furniture will be on a rug, not the actual floor, so there's that too.