Sounds like you've done just a ton of work, with lots of great details and character.

I have a Victorian house myself and have gone ahead and done window treatments-- but on some windows I've hung from chains small stained glass windows. It lets light in, brings in some color, looks fab when the light shines through it and certainly keeps the Victorian feel.

Just a suggestion, anyway. I think I have a pic of my livingroom on my blog that might help.

-Jenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Livingroom bay window with stained glass

You don't say how much light control or privacy you need, which certainly would be factors in making decisions about window treatments. Are all your furnishings still the heavy victorian look, tho? You may need to dress the windows just for balance.

In places where those privacy/light control are not an issue, I think the stained glass on chains is charming. Where you want some more privacy, you could do inside mount treatments like austrian shades or lace shades or panels. You could also do the window wallpaper that creates the frosted look for privacy on some windows.

If you want more color, mount swags or valances with details like cascades and jabots but mount them outside the trim so at least you don't have to mount brackets ON the new trim! LOL That will leave a lot of the window and casing exposed.

You could do heavier panels, say velvets or damasks, and again mount them so that they could be stacked back off the windows for the most part when you have them open.

You say your last home was Victorian... but what is the style of your NEW home?

Do you have privacy needs?

Cuz ya know... there's nothing that says you GOTTA have window treatments.... : )

Your house sounds cool! Can you post pics of your current project?

I use wood blinds and that's all! Although I would love to add some warmth to a few windows, my DH does not care for drapes, so I am stuck with what we have. The plus side is that the beautiful moldings do show and we get the privacy we need with the blinds. We have 44 windows and doors that had to be covered.

Go with your gut! Is your DH OK if you don't cover the windows?

I have a bathroom window that is clear and comes down a little low on my chest for privacy. I love the view out the window, though, and the room is tiny so I didn't want to close it all in with curtains. I toyed with putting bottles or candles on the windowsill but when I slide the window open they would knock off on the floor.

My solution was to go to Michael's and buy Gallery Glass paint and leading lines. I designed a stained glass window and then made it. I made privacy glass around the edges, but left clear glass in the center, which gave me the view, the light, and the privacy I wanted. This is how it turned out:

{{gwi:1856182}}

Another solution for you might be to use tension rods and hang your curtains inside your beautiful window framse. If you like, you can hang them only over the lower part of the window which let's light come in at the top.

With some windows you might want to go ceiling to floor. In that case you'd be attaching the curtain rods to the wall, and not the window frames.

You could also just do a valence and attach that above the window frames, if you don't need privacy.

If your new house is also in the antique style, another solution is antique swing rods. I think those might be mounted on the wall as well, and I've seen them on eBay.

All of these solutions would leave your beautiful wood frames intact and allow you to change your mind later.

One more solution would put tiny holes in the insides of your frames that could easily be patched if you changed your mind later. That would be to buy or make very pretty roller shades and mount them inside the window frames. With those I'd also do a valance that hides them when they're rolled up.

Mclarke is right - what is the style of your new house?

Why not go slow - hang beautiful lace curtains from tension rods if you need some privacy. Add a roll up blind for complete privacy behind the lace. Then you can slowly add more layers of window treatment when you are ready - if you feel you need more.

Sky

oceanna, how easy is it to use the gallery glass and lead? I'd love to design some windows to hang over existing windows, but am terrified. I'm not artistic at all. Do I have a shot at creating anything that will look even a bit professional? Thanks

Cactus, I can't add anything, I think everyone has covered all the options.

thrift_shop_romantic, I didn't think of stained glass on chains and I love the idea for some windows. I absolutely loved your pictures. You have a stunning home.

les917, mclarke I would say our light control/privacy is between minimal and moderate. DH does want "something" on the windows. Our new home will be Victorian also. We have alot of antiques that we enjoy. Although I love our furniture and antiques after awhile I didn't like that our old house was dark because of the heavy window treatments. DH says he likes the heavy window treatments because he feels it's the victorian look. Every old victorian home that we tour, DH always says, "see, look at the drapes on the window". "see how dark the room is".

oceanna, gosh you are talented. Your stained glass window is beautiful. And I thank you for your suggestions. You have given me lots of ideas that I will definitely look into.

chicoryflower, I would love to post pics. I just need to find some time. I am so busy these days.

Brutuses... thanks for your kind words!

It's not hard to do if you can color within the lines, but it takes time and patience. I'd work on the window a bit and then go rest in front of my computer while the paint dried a bit. You can't do it all in one shot or you start smearing wet paint. So it took me several days to complete but that was fine. I'd just work on it for a while and then take a break.

They sell pre-made design kits if you don't like to design. They also sell lots of beautiful patterns you can use.

I like to design and have a one-of a kind. If you do too, you can snoop all over the web for inspiration of one you'd like to copy, and then adapt it to your particular space. I did mine on the computer first and then just messed around with printing it out till I got it the right size on a lot of sheets of paper, which I carefully taped together. Then I transferred the design to the window with graphite paper. Use a ruler for your straight lines. You could also just skip the computer and draw it out on a big sheet of paper.

When you tape your pattern to the window to trace it, do a very good job of taping, as you don't want it to shift. If it's a double paned window forget taping it to the outside of the window. You just can't tell where the lines really are, especially the straight lines. Use the graphite paper.

Then apply the pre-made leading lines. There's no way I can pipe out lines that straight and I like the look of the tape better. I used the ruler as I taped, putting my straight lines down loosely and trying to nudge them over with the ruler or laying them next to the ruler. They'll never come out perfect, but real stained glass windows aren't perfect either. So that's the good news. The curves were easy.

You need a good artist's exacto knife with a sharp blade to cut the tape. I used a slightly angled straight blade.

When you add the paint do it from the bottle, but if you get it on too thick it can sag and run. I ran through a lot of kleenex and scott towels cleaning that up until I got smarter.

I have almost completed a sidelight window at my son's house now and on that one I applied the paint and then smeared it around with my finger in some places. You can always add more coats. I have one more coat (maybe two) to add to one part of my son's window and then I'll photograph it. On his I did straight lines with the leading tape. But I made a design right on cling vinyl, cut it out, and stuck it to his window. It was easier than doing it there. I sat at my dining room table. I piped all the black leading lines for the design straight from the bottle. For doing the piping lines or any work you can do flat, I liked this lady's paint better: http://www.windowbutterflies.com/index.html
You can buy cling vinyl at JoAnn's.

The clear textured glass is easy. Making little circles like they say out of the bottle made it awfully thick on my window. So when I did my son's window I did zig-zag lines and then used the pointy end of one of those dental flossers (or a knitting needle, or anything pointy) to make lots of dime sized circles until it was blended all over. It comes out great. Where I wanted a different texture on a narrow bit on my window I did straight lines with a tootpick.

Don't worry -- it's paint on glass. If you goof it easily rubs off. If it's dry you can get it off with your exacto knife and peeling it. You can also remove the tape and re-stick it. So you don't have to live with your mistakes.

Oh! Almost forgot. You know those little marbles that are flat on one side? I hot glue gunned a few of those in there and that really made it look more real and special. And the slider goes right over them. If you get one off center, you can pop it off with a butter knife.

I'm a painstaking perfectionist. If you're not, stay away from straight lines as the curved ones are so much easier. I didn't mind the time I spent doing it and being nit-picky because it's such a great change and it's so pretty. I talked to one gal who did her windows ten years ago and they're still looking good!

How do I say this politely? That's my view when I'm sitting on "the throne." Every time I sit there I truly enjoy that window. So it was worth every minute.

One other option is you can buy an antique window and do it flat on your dining room table (easier on you), then hang it in a window. I'm thinking of doing that for my transom window above my front door as I don't want to spend hours standing on a ladder.

I hope this helps you avoid some of the mistakes I made. :-) If you want to do it, buy a pattern you like and go for it!

Cactuscatie, I was trolling around homedecorators.com yesterday and saw that they had a ton of art glass panels at what looked like decent prices (at least to me, but then again, I don't have 21 windows to dress!). Might take a look.

And your DH is right, to a point. Victorian rooms certainly were dark -- in part b/c they used those heavy draperies to try to keep dust and soot from entering their rooms! Now that the heavy-industry phase of the Industrial Revolution has passed, at least in most of this country, you should feel free to reinterpret Victoriana to suit your needs -- which seem to involve LIGHT. That's just my $.02, though. (:

Thanks! More like patient than talented I think. lol!

You're very welcome for the ideas. I hope you find something you like there. You know you don't have to be conventional. I've seen beautiful macrame treatments for windows, and things done with ribbons, jewelry used as tiebacks, placemats or napkins used as toppers, you name it. It's fun to think out of the box.

If you don't sew you can do things with window scarves and rubber bands and just attach them to cup hooks mounted to the wall. I saw one window topper where someone had mounted hooks to the wall, hung napkin rings over the hooks, and threaded the fabric through the napkin rings then fluffed it out pretty. I saw another where the gal used three different fabrics so the right and left sides didnt match and it was breathtaking. You can even use fimo clay to make your own knobs. You can use PVC pipe and glue plastic Easter eggs or styrofoam shapes to the ends as finials and paint it all up fancy.

If you don't want to do your own faux stained glass another option is to buy a pre-made stained glass window and hang it in your window.

When I want design ideas I use google images. When I see stuff I like, I save the pictures to a folder. I've got lots of folders of decor ideas.

So do a search on drapes, curtains, window toppers, valences, window shades, shutters -- whatever you think of, and save the pictures you like. I'm sure you'll find lots of things to get excited about and you'll have fun looking.

Another option is to build a box out of wood, cover it with padding, and staple gun fabric onto it. That's hung at the top of the window with L brackets into the wall. Those can be gorgeous.

For elegant window toppings, remember that the trim can make a big difference. Piping, fringe, all that stuff makes it look far more elegant than the usual store bought stuff. You can also buy ready made panels and add a band of contrasting color with ribbon, or edge them in a contrasting fabric. I've seen some gorgeous toppers done with solid fabric and ribbon used to make scroll-y designs on it.

And no, you're not at all crazy for not wanting to put holes in your lovely new window frames, or for not wanting to cover them all up. Draperies add a softness and color to a room. But sometimes just having the light and the view is the best. Go with your gut. But where you need privacy you'll have to do something. Sometimes plain white or ecru sheers are the answer.

Can you tell I've been thinking about this too much for years? hehe

Your home is gorgeous!

I love antiques. Thing is, I have a stupid tract home. What do you all think of mixing the two?

oceanna - That stained glass look is amazing! great job!

Oceanna, you did a great job! I had one over my bathroom window when I moved here. Unfortunately, it was not colors that I liked so I had it removed and put solid plane glass and shutters in. If mine looked like yours, it would still be there. I think the contractor's wife made the one in my house as it was the "model home" for the neighborhood and they lived in it for a while. She was very artsy, so....

Oceanna- thank you! It's so funny, I was JUST coming back to this thread and was about to leave YOU a message saying what a nice job you did with your gallery glass stained glass window. I haven't tried that medium yet myself, but you've proven it can be done just beautifully!

And it's your house-- so tract or no, if antiques are more your style, there should certainly be a way to integrate some.

--Jenn

walkin, well I have to say our old home did not accumulate much dust having the heavy curtains. I guess thats a plus. Thanks for the stained glass link. I will take a look and I gather I will be reinventing Victorian in the very near future.

oceanna, I've been researching this morning and have found some ideas. I have to admit I'm not a very crafty person which is why I admire someone like you for making your own stained glass. As for antiques, I belive these days anything goes and you can certainly mix and match.

I have so many great ideas now. I'm really glad I started this thread.

I am another one with WT bracket phobia! We have nice trimwork and I agonize whenever I put up something that covers the window headers (so far, just the master bedroom).

I love the Scottish lace curtains and the Arts & Crafts lace curtains. There are even some considered Victorian. I am fond of using inside mount tension rods for things like this. You probably know about the JR Burrows website for curtains. www.burrows.com

I recently saw festoons (aka swags without tails) mounted inside the top of window frames. I think it's in a window treatment book by Taunton Press.

There are also some sheer soft shades and/or roller shades that can be inside mounted.

Another possibility is to add color with Victorian friezes below the crown moulding while using the lighter treatments inside the frame.

Hope this helps,
Cameron

Newhomebuilder
Thanks! Why don't you try it on a small window? Or get some cling vinyl and try your hand at that? If you like what you make you can stick it up and build the rest of the window around it. I have a cling stuck to my sliding glass door -- keeps folks from trying to walk through the glass.

Patricia43
Thank you! Did you have to have the entire piece of glass removed? I've read that in time the color can migrate into the glass as glass is really a liquid, but I don't know. We're supposed to be able to just scrape these off if we change our minds and hopefully they wouldn't leave a trace behind. To me being "artsy" has always been a matter of wanting precisely what I want and it doesn't exist and I can't afford to hire it done. So I figure out how to make it myself. Necessity is the mother of invention, or maybe poverty is - haha.

Jenn
I'm glad you answered. I've book marked your site for future ideas as your home is so lovely. Thanks for your kind words! Why don't you try playing with the Gallery Glass? I'm glad you said go ahead on the antiques in my tract home. I did in my last house. I think it was a surprise when people came in the front door as it didn't look like the outside of the house. I don't know why I feel more awkward with it in this house. So much of my furniture for the other house was bought for it and doesn't seem to fit here. But I guess I'm going for it anyway. I wish I could make my big bulky bedroom furniture disappear and start over but I'm not quite sure how to accomplish that.

Cactuscatie
Oh, I'm delighted that you're feeling inspired now! That's great and I hope you'll start a new thread one of these days soon and give us some pictures. I'd really like to see what you're working with. If you like my window, you can just grab a piece of glass from a picture frame from a thrift shop and start practicing. You may find you're a lot more crafty than you thought and it feels good to say "I did that!" You have SO many windows to do I don't envy you, but I'd love to see what you end up doing. I think if you post pics folks can post pics back to give you more ideas that are geared to your individual decor and colors, too.

As far as heavy curtains in Victorian homes, yes in cooler climates they used the heavier ones in winter, but they had just lace and lighter treatments for the hot summer days... so you can go either way you want and still be right in step with the period. Those big heavy treatments weren't for year 'round.

wonbyherwits, at least I'm not the only one with bracket phobia.

oceanna, thanks for the encouragement. All the detailed finishing touches are being done in our house now. We haven't moved our furniture in yet. I will post pics when furniture is in. I can say that I mentioned the stained glass idea to DH and he loved the idea.

I didn't read the whole post so I hope that I'm not repeating things.

Couldn't you hang the heavy drapes that your DH wants back from the window so instead of covering the window they are framing it? Your main concerns seems to be lack of light, so this would make it so that minimal light is lost. You can follow the directions that are given for people who want to make their windows appear bigger.

Oceanna, I took the whole thing out. It would have been difficult to take the "paint" off in the location, so we just took it out. I put it in the garden house window, but the paint has "integrated" somewhat into the glass, because when I tried to remove some where it was "chipping," I could not get it because it had become a part of it. A lady here in town who does these has promised me she will "re-do" it for me. It really is quite charming in our garden cottage shed. We have a 12 x 12 x 12 that looks like a small cottage with shutters and window box, a wreath on the door and since I don't use anything in the window box (too much trouble with all the other watering and plant caring I have), the stained glass gives it a "pop"

Oceanna- thanks much! And I hope you do find the sort of antiques you're looking for. Really unless your planning to sell your house, life's too short to not live with the sort of furnishings/styles you love.

CactusCatie, it will be fun to see what you eventually decide on. I bet your head is spinning with all the ideas and advice. There's certainly never any lack of those on this forum!

-Jenn

We live in a ca. 1900 "Victorian Lite" ;-) and while the LR is getting conventional drapes over 2" wood blinds (which are totally period correct, BTW - I've seen an ad from 1880 for them!) I'm planning on some of those fabulous shaped cornices, trimmed out to the hilt, for the kitchen and DR/sitting area. (PO took out the wall between the 2 rooms.) They'll be attached to the wall rather than the window trim and placed quite high to make the already quite-tall windows look even taller as well as block a minimal amount of light. DH would really like it if we got more of the same wood blinds to go under the cornices, and I'll think about it - I'm not a huge fan of blinds but I'm getting used to them. Your DH might find wood blinds with some flavor of fancy top treatment acceptable because it is appropriate to the period, but it's lighter than the usual multilayered confections.

For those interested in authenticity with inside-mount rods, get inside-mount barrel bracket rods. They do look a lot nicer IMO than regular tension rods with sheers or lace without a top treatment.

oceanna, my last house was a "stupid tract home" too. I'm also antiques-mad (and DH has caught the bug too LOL) so I simply got the things I loved because they made me happy. I think it would have looked rather bizarre had I attempted to force a "high Victorian" or "period-correct Arts & Crafts" motif onto the house, but an eclectic mix of old and new items really worked.