Love the rug. And love, love, love that pillow. Why not go with curtains close to the wall color? Or close to the beigey color in the rug? Then you can accent with the blues you like. What colors are you using for the chair and table?

I know this isn't what you're aiming for, but I would put the colors your using in reverse. I'd put a very pale gray blue on the walls, and then use a creamy white for the curtains and bedding. There are so many gray/blue tones that would work and then you wouldn't have a problem matching the rug. You could upholster the chair in a fabric similar to what you have sampled on the rug to bring the blue and creme together, or just do everything else in a variation of whites and use the blue walls as a back drop. In that scenario, the pillow will work just fine as well.

I would use the mascarpone on the walls like you plan (have it in our home too and love it!) but instead of blue curtains and trying to match the rug, just go with linen neutral curtains.

Ikea has some that are affordable and very nice, they are called Aina and $50/pair. We used them in the office.

Or, in our living room I used the Bermuda sheers from Bed Bath and Beyond they are a natural linen color sheer with subtle vine pattern embroidered - link below (pic in the real life living rooms thread).

Here is a link that might be useful: Bermuda Sheers

Thank you for the replies so far. I started looking at white/cream curtains and found some I really like. I showed them to my husband and he reminded me that the window faces east and the morning sun is intense. The window is something like 96" wide, so a lot of light and heat can be let in. We have such dark curtains now that I forgot all about that.

I need something darkish and lined, or white/ cream panels with a blackout lining. I can't believe I forgot that - I guess I got a little caught up in color and forgot about practicality. Oops.

I'm taking out the builder grade faux wood blinds we have and using sheers along with whatever curtains I end up with. I guess the question comes down to getting the blue curtains (lined or blackout lined) and either replacing the bathroom rug or dealing with it as is, or trying to find white or cream curtains with a blackout lining.

Blue curtains themselves won't block more light than cream or white, it's the thickness and lining that's key. We have white lined curtains in our bedroom which is east facing and gets direct morning sun, they block the light well. Obviously sheers are not what you want unless layered with blinds or something else.

This post was edited by tinan on Sat, Mar 23, 13 at 22:50