Oh, hugs to you, lodalady! I'm so sorry you're not liking your new blinds. But maybe if you could post some pictures, the generous folks here would be able to offer some insight into how to make the best of it...

I guess I don't understand why replacement windows were a problem.
I have replacement windows and they are at the same depth as the originals were

That said... jbrig is right. Photos would help immensely; I know someone will post a solution that will help you feel better!

So sorry you feel that way...maybe there's something that can be done to make them work for you? I never drew blinds up but only changed the slats to horizontal so they were less visible....

First, please know that my style is country/primitive. My favorite color is brown wood. Also please know that I have a chip on my shoulder to begin with, because our windows are not brown wood, besides that they have no depth.
I was wrong about the three strings for raising and lowering, there are four. There are no tapes, the strong vertical lines are the side panes. I had shades, that worked just fine for blocking the sun, but it made the room dreary. This is my toddler grandchildren's room, and we need the curtains to block the cold during the winter.
Valance? Hem the curtains? Suggestions please.

Your picture is sideways. I see nothing wrong with what you are showing. You say your favorite color is brown wood, so I guess you don't want to hear that the brown panels might be part of the problem. I like the look of your panels and the fullness of them, just not the color.
I think the brown panels with the brown blinds is just too much brown.

Here is your picture right side up.

Gosh, I really don't see the problem.

Since the curtains are too short now, maybe you could get longer curtains and hang them up next to the ceiling. This might reduce the impact of the blinds so they don't overpower the room.

Looking just fine!! Really! :)

Yes -- you could add a fabric-covered OR wood valance or cornice to the top -- which would cover the curtain rod and the top of the window molding and then fool the viewers eye into thinking that the windows are actually "taller" -- and therefore even the ceiling looks higher! :)

Breathe, breathe, breathe. I think the look is great, your eye is just not used to it. Just like a new paint color in a room, it's an adjustment.

kellyeng, how did you do that?
This was an iPad photo and appears straight up on my screen, sorry. I like the thought of the curtain going to the ceiling, but the brown are not too short as they are, and they are new. :( Maybe I can add some shears of color?
This is day four with them, and I haven't had a chance to play. Tomorrow may be a better day.
Thanks All!

This post was edited by lodalady on Fri, Jul 26, 13 at 20:12

As far as wood blinds go, the installation looks pretty normal. Had you posted before purchasing I would have tried to talk you out of it because I really hate wood blinds and removed 50+ on all the windows and French doors of the house we bought 3 years ago. I like my windows completely open unless I need sun control or privacy/darkness and wood blinds don't look that great when pulled up. But that is my particular dislike, and obviously plenty of people like them in their houses.

I'm not seeing anything wrong with them.

I also think that they look perfectly fine. I wouldn't add a valance on top, because that will emphasize the horizontal lines.

Loda, for some reason iPads always seem to do that. If I am on my pc and post a pic no problem but if I post a pic I took with my iPad it shows sideways on the forum but looks perfect on my tablet.

I was scrolling down thinking I was going to see something hideous and I don't think that at all. I love a rich chocolate brown also but I can see how using a lighter linen type curtain would brighten it up. Your window really looks quite nice just the way it is though.

I agree with Jaysmom that you just aren't used to the look. When we put our hardwood floors in the first day I just freaked out and hated them. The second day when more of the floor was laid I thought it was looking good and by the third day I LOVED them. I believe this will happen with your windows also. A big change like that takes a few days to start to look "at home".

I'm not seeing a problem with the blinds and the curtains aren't too short -- they reach the floor. I'm not clear as to what you don't like.

I made the same mistake in my first house. I saw wood blinds elsewhere and robotically got them, thinking they were a "must." My husband didn't want to spend so much but went along.

The main window was a huge picture window. Had to be outside mounted. All I saw was massive wood blinds, accenting the fact that we had no window trim. Because of its size, we needed 3 separate blinds, and the lines were not perfectly even (I called, but they said it fell within their standards!).

AND THEN, from the outside, it looked horrible. Clashed with the house.

Ugh! Eventually, I replaced them with lace sheers and curtains. I am still mad at myself for that!

Anyway, yours look 1000000000 times better. I hear your concerns but when I see the blinds, they look good! I think they fit in your house's style and do not overwhelm.

Thanks all. I was wondering what I was going to do with the shades we took down, but I think they should go into storage for now.

At this point, I have to live with the blinds. I guess I will just move on to the next project. However, I will post a guestion if I am in doublt!

Lola, I think they look great and they will provide such relief from the blazing sun shining through your window. The curtains look great as well. You just are not used to the look. Maybe I am not noticing the horizontal vs. vertical lines and that is odd bc I am always the first person to notice such things. I think in time you will really be glad you installed them.

Lovely!

If you wanted to raise the curtain rod, you could add fabric to the length of the existing curtains that would coordinate with the room.

I agree with the other poster...I think your window would look better with lighter colored drapes....I know they are new so you will have to live with them....I see nothing wrong with the blinds either.

I think they look good!! I would add some accent color trim to the curtains, and even consider coordinating tape on the blinds....It is easy to do with country decor....but I am not suggesting geese with bonnets, lol.

Nancy