I like the blind with curtains over them idea. IKEA has some great options, so if you have one near you, you should check it out. You can also look for lighting choices there as well.

I think a pale greenish-gray paint for your bedroom would keep with the gray tone in the rest of the house and would look nice behind your bed.

I don't think that just because you have female guests coming there is a need to make things all girly. I'd keep the neat lines you have and skip the bedskirt. If you really felt the need for one, you could try one that is pleated for a polished look.

I do think the sheers are a good idea for where you have no need for privacy. You could always flank the sheers with heavier drapes if you are looking for contrast.

You house looks very neat and fresh and I don't think you will have to do very much to make it feel more finished. Make sure you have plenty of towels & pillows for your guests and they will be happy. Some simple toys or books for the little ones will keep them happy and put you in the favorite uncle category ;)

I think it is better to have a cohesive, well-thought out plan for each room before making expensive purchases like window treatments. To solve your short-term issue, why not buy some paper shades from your local home improvement store. I've given you one link below to show you what I mean. That way, your guests can sleep comfortably and you are not stressed out trying to decorate under a tight time constraint.

Here is a link that might be useful: Black-out shades.

If you have a Macy's in your area I'd check out their bedding. Also BedBath&Beyond and Tuesday Morning.

I would focus on the guest bedroom and just get the basics done since I'm sure your relatives will understand that you're still in the process of getting the house furnished like you want.

If the window needs darkening then the shade shown in the previous post should work as a temporary fix and will also allow you to see if you want a cellular shade there permanently. You can add some panels on each side just for softness.
Another advantage to using the temporary cellulars for now is because other brands of cellular shades would be special order and you may not receive them before guests arrive.

Only tip I have at the moment is on the side table. I prefer a darker wood or else a painted table with that iron bed.
BTW, love that iron bed!

Here is a link that might be useful: Just a sample at Macy's

Thanks for the ideas!

I too have thought about just placing a temporary window blind, but I really need to just make a decision and go with it.

I have checked out blind books on 5 different occasions in the past year, so It is rather pathetic that I can't make a decision.

I agree with you, annz on the color of the bedside table. I regret buying them and I should have returned them and the dresser. It was the last day that Pottery Barn had their deferred no-interest for a year plan, so I was scrambling on trying to figure out what I should order at the last minute. My mom has the same exact bed in her guest room, but she has a darker rattan bedside table. It looks much nicer.

Thanks again for all of the ideas!

Does anyone lurking, feel that it is best to put the roman shades as an outside mount in the Master Bedroom.

Thanks

I would almost always choose inside mounted blinds over outside mount, if the windows allow for it. It is a higher end look.

I like the look of roman shades, but they don't offer the versatility of slat blinds. Slat blinds, be they wood, faux wood, the currently unfashionable aluminum blinds, or the pricey sheer horizontal shades (Silhouettes), allow you to adjust them for light and privacy control.

butterrunner, my husband and I made too many decisions too quickly about our house, and we're paying for it now in time, money, and effort. I vote for the temporaries. You might pick up a sleep mask somewhere if your sister needs more dark even after the temporaries. Take your time, figure out your style and what you like, and wait to buy things until you have the money to make it just right, is my now-that-we're-wiser advice! You have a great start on your house. Let it make you happy and comfortable, not worried and rushed! Good luck to you!

Pick some color! All this gray is not good. My mom did the same thing after the divorce. I know some people love gray and neutrals, but it can be depressing.

What colors do you like? Even warm tans and golden beiges are much friendlier neutrals than gray. Do you like green, blue, red, yellow? What makes you happy?

For the guest room, you can do any color, so start there. What color is the bedding? Do you need new bedding? There are often curtains that will match, or you can pick out a nice solid to go with a print.

Think warm and cozy, not cold and depressing. What is your sister's favorite color? If you don't know what you want, start with that. Find some bedding, get some curtains, throw some metal or vinyl blinds under them for more light control and get some paint on the walls!

Trust me, the minute you start decorating for you and your family...and not missing the past, you'll be very happy with your home.

BTW, My mom went from gray, gray and gray....to yellow, spring green and peach and was a much happier person with those colors in her home :)

I go along with the others who vote for temporary window coverings. We lived in a rental while our home was being built 13 years ago. It was an older home, with a lot of windows, in an older neighborhood, which meant lots of privacy issues. We went to Lowe's with the window measurements, and had heavy roller shades custom cut for all the windows. Back then, it costs us less than $150 for all. I think all of us here know when we made hasty decisions and then "repented in leisure." Money is too hard to come by not to take your time deciding on expensive purchases. BTW, welcome, and hope to see more of your posts.
Dee

I would just focus on the room that your guests will be in. Otherwise, everything seems like too much of a project.

If you like grays, there are a lot of duvet covers/comforters in those shades. Right now, gray with lime green or gray with lavendar is popular and easy to find. It doesn't look too girly, and has a tranquil feel. If you have a bed bath and beyond, there are a lot of choices there.

BB& B has curtain panels in many colors to include black out panels. If you put them on rods with rings, they can stay open during the day and your guests can easily pull them shut to block the light.

If you go to a store like bb&b you could get all the basics for the guest room at once. And also keep an eye out for other things for the other rooms.

if you don't have privacy issues in your room, I would not put any shades/blinds on the french doors. As for the row of windows, I would just put up a long curtain rod and put panels on either side to dress it up.

Good luck and just focus on what needs to be done for now--the room where your sister and her family will be.

OK, Here is one plan.

Paint for guest room. Pick a benjamin moore historical color. They are the best and always what you want. You can pick the color now, and get bedding to go with it, even if you don't have time to do the painting before the holidays.

Look at Davenport tan, Wythe blue, and Hancock Green as some suggestions.

If you have a JC penney home store by you, see what yours is like. Mine in Kansas City has wonderful salespeople who HELP YOU with window treatments. They also have bedding that is mid priced. You may or may not want better quality, but for quality mid priced items, they are very helpful there.

JC Penney will be able to get you window treatments and also bedding.

Online, Lands End, LL Bean, and Company Store are excellent LL Bean has some nice accessory pieces like side tables and lamps you may like.

Other options would be to go to an antique mall one weekend. they are not antiques, but things from estate sales. It is a great place to find wall art, mirrors, tables, etc and you are getting great quality and the green factor of not buying something made new in China too. Very good prices too.

Regarding the guest room - check out the Peyton Linen drapes at Pottery Barn, and also the drapes at Restoration Hardware. They will be more expensive at RH, but the quality is wonderful.

You could always choose a nice, neutral color that appeals to you to use in the guest room. Put those over wood blinds. If you choose a neutral color that you really like, you can be sure that you will be able to use those drapes somewhere in your house if you should change your mind about that particular guest room. Buy things that appeal to you and that can serve multi functions if you're unsure of what you're doing.

I would use roller shades to block the light, which you can get at any hardware store or big box store, and layer a set of curtains over them to frame the window. Simple and at the same time finished looking. Ikea has nice black metal curtain rod poles for about $15 that look far more expensive, then pick up a pair of ready made curtains in a color and fabric you like that reach the floor, or even puddle on it a bit, 84" probably. When you buy a rod, be sure you plan enough space to stack the curtains back - pull them back - on either side of the window. Here's some good measuring information: www.ironhardware.com/exec/page_howtomeasure.php

Curtains can be found many places, on line or in stores, rather reasonably. Silk can be lush looking and will run about $59 a panel, so two for each window. Try to get it inter lined with flannel as it will hang better.

Hi butterunner
Keep it simple. Stick with blinds and shades for now, you can always fancy it up with drapes for a more formal look at a later date. So I would recommend what all your neighbors have, wood or faux wood blinds for everything except the bedrooms. They're functionable, you can control your privacy level without raising the blind, easy to install, and go with just about any decor. If you have white trim go with a shade of white, wood trim go with a wood tone. No trim then you can go either way. White for more subtle or wood tone for a little more dramtic look. For all the bedrooms I would go with room darkening cellular shades. Very good insulators and one of the best at blocking out light. If you want to spend the extra money go with cordless for a nice clean look and the top down bottom up feature to maintain your privacy while letting some light in during the day. That a look at my blog for some pics and info. Both of these types of treatments can be very affordable.

Well, with a temporary stop to all the snow, I was finally able to download your pictures. I really like the bed in the guest room, but I think you need some color. You also said that you would like it to be decorated in a style that will appeal to your mom and sister.

Here are a couple of bedroom photos, with soft yellow walls and green and red accents. Notice that white coverlets are used, and in the second picture, the comforter is folded up at the foot of the bed. This is a nice way to bring pattern into the room, but then take it back a bit, so it's not too busy.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Ok in fairness I didn't read all the comments on this, but personally I find everything looks good in silk. I have silk drapes in 80% of my rooms and I love them. They are a steal at JcPenney (online) panels around 30 each. I also have pottery barn, they are basically the same except 4 times the price. My homemade ones are the very best but that is a whole different thread and I think my sewing days are behind me until my kids are grown, a million years from now. And Im guessing you arent a seamstress.

For a guest room, be a hero and get a set of blackout liner for behind the curtains like hotels have. And all the bedrooms in my house have these b/c I am not on good terms with early morning and I hope my kids pick up the hint by sleeping in caves as well. I think you can get these at target, maybe Bed Bath and Beyond.

The other treatment I am fond of is these dark matchstick (tortoise shell) blinds I have in my oldest sons room. Very masculine and cool. However, I added blackout liner to them and that was a major pain. Look neat though. Got those at target but I dont think they have them anymore.

Those temp blinds are horrible. Seriously horrible. If I went to visit someone with them, Id go to a hotel. No offense to anyone who wants to give you time to think, but they are just a pain and you are clearly interested in solving the problem- so solve it!