skip to main content

Home Decorating

Help Me Select Top Down Bottom Up Window Shades

15 years ago

I'm going round and round with the different styles Roman, Rolled, Pleated, Woven, Flat, etc. The only thing I'm certain of is that I'm looking for a top down/bottom up style. The shades would be for our living room - a double window w/each being 68" wide and 64" tall. There is also a corner window of the same height, but not nearly as wide. I would describe our home as Cape Cod with traditional furnishings in that room. I am drawn to much that appears in the PB catalogs. Once I can figure out a style I can focus on colors etc. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but my two college students have taken the family cameras!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

brutuses
15 years ago
Are you going to have curtains up also? Each window is 68" wide or the combined windows are 68" wide? What type of windows? Do they have grids, are clear, plain glass? Photo's would really help.
teaka123
Original Author
15 years ago
I'll try to get a camara back home & a photo posted. Until then, each window is 68" wide. Glass is clear. Curtains? I'm looking for suggestions there too. Given the cost of custom window treatments I'm trying to make certain I get the right thing. Thank you for responding!
Related Discussions
top down bottom up shades, how do they work?
Q
Comments (19)
You might want to look at Steve's Blinds. I learned of the website long ago here on GW and ordered several TDBU cellular shades. Steve's carries several manufacturers' products but we purchased "Steve's own" brand. I believe they are made by a subsidiary of Hunter Douglas but this may be incorrect. We already have several similar blinds in the Hunter Douglas brand and have found the Steve's product to be comparable in quality. Would definitely order from the company again. I am linking the results of a quick search on the website using made-up dimensions and specifying "Steve's own" brand. Please note that there are many other options available on the website, and you will need to carefully enter the particulars for your windows instead of relying on the numbers I used. There is an up-charge for the TDBU feature as well. The website is kind of junky and confusing but you can call and get some customer service assistance. Here is a link that might be useful: Steve's Blinds
...See More
Anyone with Top down, bottom up??
Q
Comments (18)
bebetokids, I also had a double window that was quite wide and wondered wheter to get one or two shades. The shade people recommended getting two or one wide shade might become off balance. The hardware attaches to the top of the window frame, so no need for a piece of wood trim in between the windows. I did not get top down bottom up type so I won't post a picture. But I did get the cordless and I really, really love that feature of not having all the dangly cords. My windows are crank outs, less than a year old. The old cranks protruded and could have interferred with the way the shade laid on the bottom. The new crank outs actually fold down pretty flat and the shades are perfectly straight all the way down.
...See More
crafty types: top down bottom up mini blinds instructions?
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks for the replies...grandma: I've thought about the curtain idea, but decided against it because of the way that shower curtains sometimes wrap themselves around people while showering. Ok, an exaggeration, I know, but imagine that from both sides. Shivers. Terriks: I saw the instructions on on the Terrell Design site and thought that I could do something like that with goretex or other water proof fabric. I might just do it...
...See More
Wide Windows and Top Down, Bottom Up Shades
Q
Comments (7)
The manufacturer will have a maximum width that they will make which may very well be less than 9'. When I was getting my wood blinds for my 5' window, I think I just came in under the wire for max width. Otherwise, I would have had to get 3 separate sections. Cell shades don't weigh so much, so that helps, but I suspect 9' may not be available. The mechanism -- top-down-bottom-up or just bottom-up -- may limit your choices as well at that width. I think my 5' limit was also because I wanted cordless.
...See More
brutuses
15 years ago
I don't have a lot of experience with large windows such as yours. Because they are so wide you'll need to ensure you get the proper treatment that won't sag from weight in time and also not be too heavy to manipulate. Hopefully others with solid large windows like yours will have some ideas.

Photo's would definitely help to see your style, etc. before recommending a specific treatment.

Window dressing makes me more nervous than anything else because it seems to always be a struggle for me. If I find the correct curtain, then I can't seem to decide on the correct rod. When it comes time for me to dress my windows I'll be here a lot asking for advice, especially about rod types. I long for the old days when all you had to chose from were rod pocket and pinch pleated. LOL

Related Stories

DIY PROJECTS How to Make a Top-Down, Bottom-Up Window Shade

Block light and control privacy high or low with a no-frills magnetic covering you can whip up for less than $30

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Designer Outfits a Condo Top to Bottom in 5 Weeks

By Becky Harris

Soft touches warm this modern Texas living space, and bold colors brighten the neutral palette

REMODELING GUIDES Outfit a Ranch Remodel in Updated Style, Top to Bottom

By Laura Gaskill

Get ideas for lighting, tiles, accessories, window coverings and so much more, to make your ranch renovation easier

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

REMODELING GUIDES Room of the Day: Antiques Help a Dining Room Grow Up

By Becky Harris

Artfully distressed pieces and elegant colors take a formerly child-focused space into sophisticated territory

DECORATING STYLES Outfit a Cottage-Style Remodel, Top to Bottom

By Laura Gaskill

If you're renovating with a cottage look in mind, these fixtures, finishes and accessories will bring on the charm

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Paring Down to Style Up

By Bryan Anthony

A designer helps a San Francisco couple bring better order to their living room to highlight their eclectic style

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

WINDOW TREATMENTS How to Choose the Right Window Shades

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Should you roll with rollers or do as the Romans do? This mini guide to choosing window shades can help

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Your Space Can Help You Get Down to Work. Here's How

By Laura Gaskill

Feed your creativity and reduce distractions with the right work surfaces, the right chair, and a good balance of sights and sounds

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Pillows selection for a chartreuse sofa.

135

Need advice to arrange furniture in small narrow room

4

Living Room Setup

7

Need help with sitting room/lounge room furniture

11

What would you coordinate with this fabric?

0