good question! since you have 4 enclosed rooms i don't think it really matters...but if you really LOVE them, i don't see the problem...

my ds2 and i went shopping for their house and about went crazy trying to find a nice drape...never did!

I agree with Susan, sounds like you could go either way.

Maybe I'm not understanding this correctly, but I don't think I'd use the same curtains in four different rooms. If they were adjoining rooms, as in a Great Room or kitchen/eating area, you might want to do that but I think it would be unusual otherwise and overly matched. You also might get easily bored with things.

It is good to think of the overall flow as you are but you can achieve that by choosing colors and fabrics that complement each other rather than match (if that's not the look you're after). All prints could get busy. You might use solids as well as prints, large scale as well as smaller scale, floral as well as geometric. In doing that each is different enough to have its own clear identity without them all kind of running together busily (four medium size prints, for example). You could mix things up more by using some different treatment styles. You might also want two rooms to be quite similar, in color for instance. All depends on your taste for mixed fabrics and how visible things are to each other. It can also be fun to have one of the rooms really stand out as completely different rather than flow.

I would not use the same window treatments in different rooms. I agree with Spring Meadow's advice.

Dawn

Can you link us to the panels you are thinking of. I think the style of the panel can make all the difference.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowes Panels

fwiw, I used almost all Restoration Hardware lined Belgian linen panels in our home. Only the sunroom has toile panels that match the antique wicker sofa material. All rooms, both levels. One bedroom has Flax, two rooms have Silver Sage and the rest have Straw.

The Straw panels in the green guest room look entirely different than the Straw panels used in the warm ivory rooms.

Granted, I have not put them up in the main level public spaces, but considering they can all be seen (open), I wanted them the same.

Like justgottobeme said, depends on panel/style and I think it depends on your home as well. I stayed consistent with bathroom countertops, sinks, toilets and faucets. This way, the house flows, and the architect doesn't overwhelm the furnishings.

Here is a link that might be useful: my panels

Yes, there are usually exceptions that work beautifully. Breezy whites throughout in certain style homes is so pretty and refreshing! Some of the most beautiful and interesting houses and rooms come from breaking or shaking up the 'rules' or tradition. But that certainly takes talent and good instinct, usually along with a lot of experience in the visual arts, I think (formally or informally).

(Not that there's a real rule around repeating drapery material! It's more in how one is applying the elements and principles of design (wide open) for good effect.)

As a general rule of thumb, from out here, I think it would typically look pretty redundant and get tiring to put the same window treatment in each room. Variety is the spice of life afterall!

Wanted to mention, another idea on creating variation throughout the rooms would be to change their textures, weight and sheerness. Not just colors and patterns.

It sounded to me like she was thinking of putting the exact same patterned panels in each room. I would have to question that. Hopefully she'll post pictures so she can get better advice for her specific situation. Things do always depend! This is where internet decorating certainly falls short. We have a very limited perspective, even with photos. But it is hard to give advice under the premise that 'anything goes' ;) iykwim.

I used the same window treatments in five rooms in my home--cotton Scottish lace cafe curtains.

Because I have different types of flooring and paint colors, I intentionally wanted a cohesive look, a "repeat" to help with the flow, which I used in the trim and cabinet colors as well as the window treatments. They also provide a cohesiveness from the exterior views on the front side of the house, and allow light in and preserve the views yet maintain some privacy.

I think you can successfully use the same window treatments if they are somewhat neutral, as the ones in my home and in Allison's, or if your rooms themselves are somewhat neutral and you use a deeper color or texture, or more dramatic window treatment for color and interest.

Guest Room:

Powder Room:

Daughter's Room:

Laundry Room:

Dressing Room:

Every window in this apartment got identical sheers and drapes, and the screen over the HVAC closet got the same fabric. But, this is a suppressed palette with a "contents based" color scheme rather than a "paint based" or "envelope based" color scheme, If the idea is to neutralize the windows or present a uniform appearance to the facade as with sheers, or a neutral like DemiFloyd's I think the idea can be successful, but the same patterned or colored drape in various rooms could look kinda "commercial" or like you got a good deal on them, imo.

I wouldn't worry about matching the curtains in the different rooms.

Demifloyd - I never saw a bathroom sink like that! So neat!

I would not use the same curtains or curtain material thru out a house eityher except for certain types mentioned above (gauzy white panels, etc.). For the circumstances you describe they would probably Result in a matchy look.

I haven't purchased anything, and didn't even look terribly hard at the options. I was just walking down the curtain aisle and noticed 3 different curtains that would work for me. I had my 2 little ones with me, so such serious decisions will require a return trip. But Lowe's is far enough away that when I go, I'll be making a purchase.

The current window treatments are all the same: 2 ivory panels on either side of each window. We just bought the house like that, and they were unoffensive enough to leave them alone for the past 3 years.

Here's an example:

The blinds, panels, and rods will be going away and I think I'll be getting a single dark rod to run over both windows and will have 4 panels, with 2 taking up more space on the middle wall. My neighbor, on the other hand, with the same floor plan and pretty much the same dark leather furniture has valances and roman shades in this room. I feel like panels would be more dramatic.

Glad to know I can get different window treatments compared to the other rooms. This room, then, will probably get some solid panels in either gold or olive. Haven't painted yet, but have been deliberating over gold vs. olive. I was hoping my curtain choice would make my wall color choice clearer.