If you have good ventilation, fabric won't get too nasty. I like Roman shades for that sort of space as I'm sort of a minimalist when it comes to window treatments. I don't know if retail shades are machine washable, but if you make them yourself and you can do them so they disassemble easily to go in the washer.

I won't touch the color issue... :)

I think natural woven shades would look great in your kitchen, maybe something with a fabric trim - see link. I am thinking of this look for our kitchen (currently envisioned as a cream and cherry cab combo).

Here is a link that might be useful: Smith and Noble shades

Fabric valances don't get icky and you could use a splash of color. The wovens with a fabric trim would also look very clean. I also have lots of woods and don't have shades in many windows, but love the look that fabrics bring into a room.

I think a darker bamboo would look awesome there. Something with texture would look great.

I vote for a Roman shade in a light-colored canvas. I'm going to try to make mine myself.

Hi Anita. I agree that a natural, textural shade would look great. Hang them high (almost to the ceiling) so they barely overlap the window when they're up. You'll still get lots of texture and interest without blocking much light.

Unless you have privacy issues - which doesn't seem to be the case from the pics, then I think the best thing to do would be to bulk up the trim around the windows and the doors and forgo drapes or blinds. Let the light in.

On the window - put a bracket (stainless ???) or corbel at either end and then put a thick ledge that is edged in shallow crown moulding (a pediment type of thing) on top of the bracket. Resist the urge to place tchotchke's on top of it.

For the door - do the same thing except using an extra bracket/corbel in the centre.

Lovely new space! Congrats.

I think romans would be lovely in there - there are already so many wood elements I don't think texture or bamboo romans would "soften" the whole room -

I see a pretty print with some color punches for the space

If you keep them down to keep sun out in summer - I would rec getting insulated ones

Plenty of places sell them here's 2

Country Curtians has excellent quality at reasonable prices and are very customer svc oriented + you can return at any time. -
http://www.countrycurtains.com/index.jsp

Smith & noble has lovely fabrics but there price points are way up there - you can request fabric swatches free to get a feel which I would recommend

I'm going to attempt to make my own as I really didn't find the right size/fabric that worked for my application

A couple of places to oogle over lovely fabrics
my personal fav
http://www.fabricguru.com/cart/index.php

good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: house of fabric

I used to have wooden blinds. With my transitional kitchen I went with a natural woven shade. It raised from top up and from bottom down. So it is out of the way nicely if need be. I get VERY strong sun in the afternoon. I have it raised so I only get the opening at the top in the morning when I am in my jammies (my kitchen faces the front walk). On dark gloomy days, I can raise the whole thing to let in plenty of light. I love the texture the shade gives.

Here you can see the texture

Here it is in my kitchen. Top part "open" on a very bright sunny day. Sorry, not the world's best picture.

With your beautiful kitchen, a natural woven shade may be the way to go. Mine is lightly lined but you can get them with a "black out" liner. Of course, you would choose a different color and natural material. There are plenty out there. Some even have some small beads and sea shells in there for a little "bling."

Like you, I did not want curtains or drapes in my new kitchen, except to block the sun on 90 degree summer evenings (west facing window). I ordered these bamboo panels from JCPenney's and they are beautiful. Sorry I don't have a picture of mine. But the beauty of these are that, when open, they are only a couple inches wide. I like lots of light and lots of viewing space (does that make sense?) from my window, and these do that for me. My kitchen is transitional (shaker maple cabinets) and fit nicely with the room style. The grommets are easy to open and close. And when closed, they let in a nice amount of filtered light. I got the honey color. I don't shop at Penney's often, but after searching and searching for some kind of window treatment, I ordered these online. They are sold as single panels (as I remember) and I ordered two. Good luck in your search!

Here is a link that might be useful: JCPenney bamboo panel

I don't think you need any window treatments. It looks like you have a nice view and your windows look great.

But the panels that mountainbasketmaker suggested are really, really nice - my sister-in-law just got them for her beach house and they look fabulous.

Here is my new kitchen. Just had relazed roman shade put in. Designer says I need another single one on other long window. I am reluctant to have mour poufs, not sure about it, want a more open look. Having misgivings, is it too late.