We moved in 3 wks. ago & have found that the Readi Shades (temporary paper shades) work just fine. They're easy to install & we found them @ Home Depot & Lowes. I, like you, wanted the room darkening ones also, but some of our windows are ~ 70" long & we couldn't find any that fit length wise. As far as the width, we have very wide windows also, so you just cut & overlap them. They look just fine - considering that they're temp. & we just moved in so we don't feel guilty ~ having paper shades. We're going to be getting plantation shutters & will not invest in anything other than the paper shades 'til we get the shutters. As far as what the house looks like from the outside..... it looks fine, not ugly @ all. They're still folks in our neighborhood who moved in months ago (and I mean over 9 months) & they still have paper shades. The ones that we have aren't room darkening enough though.

I have the temporary blinds as well. They work fine but don't block out much light. I think they did have some room darkening ones (made out of canvas?) that are a little more complicated to install and are more expensive than the paper.

I just ordered all my window treatments and some won't be here until mid November so it looks like I'm going to have to live with these things for awhile.

Thanks - I guess I'll try to find those darkening ones - at least for the baby's room! Lord knows we don't want him getting any less sleep!

I would have loved to have real shades/blinds or whatever picked at this point, but I guess I just have to accept that I can't get it all done! I'm trying to convince myself it will be more fun to make those choices after we've settled a bit and gotten a feel for things. After all, I am quite burned out from all the choices up to this point!

missymar - I can't wait to see what your shutters will look like - are you doing them in all the windows? Have you picked the company you're using yet?

Maybe you can spray paint the paper shades to make them darker???

WIll a cheap tenson rod fit your window? You could always pick up some inexpensive panels.

I met with a designer and seamstress on Monday night to talk drapery. My goal was to have window coverings ready to install in the main living areas, master bedroom and bathrooms when we move in (2.5 weeks away!). But, I learned that I just can't afford them right now, with everything else we need to get into the house. So, I too will be shopping for the paper blinds at Home Depot.

soonermagic, I feel your pain! We have something like 68 windows, most of which I have no intention of "treating", because they face the back of the house which is our acreage, and it's all woods. But there are 18 windows I feel need to be dealt with right away, like guest room and bath, and kids bedrooms, master bath and closets and master. So I had a blind guy (not a man who cannot see) come out to measure and show me some plantation shutters (gorgeous), then he sent me a quote. It was $7,000.00. OMG! Not that they aren't beautiful, but no way could I get that expenditure past DH at this point in our build when we are practically hemorrhaging money.

So... I asked him (after having two more estimates from two other companies, products weren't as high quality as his and even more money) what we could do to lower that. The solution we came up with was keeping the plantation shutters on the first floor (including the master) and putting wood blinds upstairs. Still expensive, but much more pallatable.

Good luck, I know it's an expensive proposition. I have a friend up the street who did a few plantation shutters at a time, but I'm not that patient.

Amy

So I went to Lowes yesterday and bought the beloved temporary shades. They did have room darkening for about $10, so I got a couple of those for the baby's room. The rest of the bedrooms got the regular $5 ones! It's darker later in the a.m. now, anyway. I know I could have put up cheap panels on tension rods, but I don't think I'd be able to find room darkening ones cheaply or as quickly. I do have some shears and rods I could use for main living areas for now, although the house is pretty private.

Speaking of plantation shutters - has anyone ever tried any of those custom ones on ebay? I'm with some of you... can't afford much more at this point, but I can dream for later!

bloomin...

Luckily I already know which windows will have blinds and those that won't. Once the drywall is up, we can measure the kids' windows and get those blinds ordered. As far as the other windows, I'll be making drapes so I might get started on that in the next few weeks. I just need to pick out fabrics. Paint can be selected based on the fabric. That way, everything will be ready to go when needed. Worst case, I'll leave length on the bottom to be hemmed once hardware installed.

Amyks - $7k for 18 windows, all plantation shutters? If so, that's a pretty good deal. Just my five windows are $2500.

I'm like most of you who's responded to this post ~ 'hemorrhaging' money! Yep, we've been bleeding it since July now! Having just moved in 3 weeks ago, we continue to face a few known expenses associated w/ a newly built house..... just didn't know exactly how much. Such as ADT security system, cable tv hook-up, network & phone. Can't afford the Plantation Shutters right now either - it's about ~ $5500 for 14 or so windows in the faux wood. They want 1/2 down & the other half on delivery - I like the 1/2 down thing. It looks as if Lowes will be able to do just a few more windows for ~ the same price. We're not putting the shutters everywhere. Just in the bedrooms, MBath, Master Closet (faces the front of the house) & study. We have several large windows that will stay open to the wooded area too.

I've never used the temporary shades.

I use cheap spring rods (those white things) and inexpensive pocket top beige cotton curtains from PB (Carlise panels). They are thick enough and wide enough that you can use one panel to cover the inside of a standard 28-36" window -- even long windows as they are available in different lengths. I've got the same ones that I've used in several houses. I use them until I am ready for permanent window treatments. I just pop them in the windows and they don't damage anything and they work fine and look better so that you don't feel rushed to do something better.

Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: what I use from PB

We got our plantation shutters through Home Depot - the brand is Avalon and they are beautiful. The best part is that they can even do custom colored stains (for a small upcharge).

We were able to get 12 months no payment/no interest through HD's credit cards. Might be worth checking into.

kellyeng, yes, I know it was a great price. Unfortunately it wasn't one I could swing right now:-( This company is called the louver shop and I'll link to their ordering page which shows you where their locations are. They come out and measure and then get you a quote. There seem to be quite a few in Texas, I think that's where you are if I remember right. They are really great shutters, I got the 3 1/2 inch wood, just gorgeous. For my wood blinds he talked me out of going with 2 1/2 inch and to stay with 2 because of the depth of the window. Really nice guy and I can't wait to see my blinds and shutters!

Amy

Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: the louver shop