Many moons ago in an apartment I was renting, I hung lace curtains with roller shades behind them. I let the lace cover the windows completely - there was a wall full of narrow windows and I hung one panel on each window - there was some shirring across the top, but not much (which was good, since it didn't obscure the lace). I used the roller shades behind and only pulled them down at night - the rest of the time, they were rolled to the top and very unobtrusive. So in your case, I'd do the same thing - leave the lace all the way across the window (no need for a valance then) and put roller shades beneath. I'd vote roller shades over the blinds becuase: a) they look like they fit the style of the kitchen better b) they can roll up farther than faux wood blinds - usually teh blinds take a good bit of stacking room c) the horizontal lines of the blinds (if you leave them down but open for sun) will compete with and obscure the lace pattern. JMHO! Good luck!

Hi. Thanks. I will check out Hunter Douglas. I suppose I will have to go to the blind store. It's easier for me to order on line and do it myself than traipsing to the store, having the guy come out and measure then come back and hang them (well, that part would be nice). My time is very limited and if I can shop at midnight, it helps. The roman shades I have are controlled with cords. The cord is wrapped around a cleat on the molding. It's a nuisance to unwrap the cord and rewrap it every time I open and close the shades. They also have a blackout lining, which as I mentioned, makes it too dark for a sleepy head like me. It is also a nuisance to have to get the folds back in place when I lift them. The other problem I have is that they simply do not look "lush" enough. They are the flat kind. When they are down it looks like a just a plain piece of fabric hanging there. My plan is to remove the bottom rods, raise them so they look more gathered than folded and hold them in place with fabric trim or ribbon. After that they will just stay up and I'll use a roller blind underneath. My advice is to get some that have a pulley system or a spring (don't know if there is such a thing). I'd also get another style rather than flat if you plan to have them down a lot. If you do decide on flat, get them long enough so there are still some folds at the bottom when they are down.

Are you renting or do you own? Some apartment managers want all the window coverings the same.. That said...you could do roller shades...inside mount if windows are deep enough or outside mount if not. Do you need privacy or something to keep the sun from being too bright? Then use draw draperies or sheer curtains. Lots of things you can do. I will confess, I have the vertical plastic blinds in my TV room and really like them because they close up and no sun glare or open to see outside. I find them practical if not trendy.

If the is sun coming in the windows go 80% screen fabric, if south facing 95% screen. You can still see the trees through them somewhat. That's what we did and it's a nice effect. Order from Steve's Blinds online. Order fabric samples, measure, order, install so easy and great value and quality. We got chain pull -- no remotes to lose lol and they work so easily. Color snap won't let you paint curtains so I did the fireplace to show my concepts.