Oceana: The decor is/will be mostly Victorian. Maybe it'll end up being "Victorian Eclectic" if there is such a thing: mostly Victorian with whatever else I happen to like that seems to "go." LOL Right now I'm trying to figure out how to "victorianize" our queen-size waterbed 'cause it's so comfy and I love having the storage drawers (to say nothing of being rather attached to the heated mattress). Of course, the waterbed doesn't match the 50's (I think) era maple bedroom suite that used to be my parents' -- which is nowhere near "victorian" to start with. Yes, I'm a frequent CL browser. I like your idea of a shade with valence. Where did you get your shade kit? I know the Victorians used window treatments based on the weather, and I like both lace and velvet. But, even though I'm sure the velvet would help retard air infiltration I probably won't go that route just to avoid covering the woodwork. (Besides, velvet is a cat hair magnet! LOL) Powermuffin: The room isn't going to be terribly formal -- that wouldn't be "us." But I'll probably include some more formal touches. Do you know of any good patterns for Roman shades? I've done lots of sewing and was planning on making the valance or shade or both. And I'd mulled over the idea of a Roman shade -- but haven't yet gone so far as to search for a pattern. Mclarke: Yes, I was planning to use tension rods. After all our work to reveal the wood, I'm *not* going to cover it up. Dilly_dally: Thanks for the reminder on flexible paint. I probably would've overlooked that requirement (since I was thinking of using the wall paint I used for the ivy stencil). I would've been very frustrated (and he'd've never let me live it down) if I'd stenciled the shade and then it wouldn't "roll" correctly. *sigh* Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm adding to my "list".... Lorree

That is such a beautiful room! I love the cabinet and the coffee table with the blue finish on it! Those are amazingly beautiful windows and during the day are breathtaking, I bet! I am not sure I can really add any suggestions for covering them at night - in our family room, I lived for a year and a half with nothing on the windows and at night it felt creepy - we have woods in the backyard as well but it felt creepy without anything covering the windows. We ended up getting Plantation Shutters - pricey but beautiful and I love them. During the day they let in as much light as you want - at night they completely close and you feel cozy inside without the blackness of the windows. I don't have a pic to post at the moment though. Sounds like you wouldn't want shutters though - it sounds like you want something minimal during daytime.

I would make a cornice out of foam insulation board or plywood in the arch shape. I'd paint it to look like a road with a double white line in the center and attach something car-related--red brake lights for example along the arch and hang curtains as daisyadair has described.

Let's see: Pick up some towels that bring out the blues in the flooring and pair them with crisp white and black ones. THEN check out some paisley towels in that same slate blue -- maybe try the facecloths? -- just to add an element of pattern to the room? For the blank wall -- how about some thick black shelves with family photos -- re-done in black-and-white -- positioned to "lean" on the shelves. Then add some accessories in fresh white or silver. Or simply fold some of the towels up there? Darkest wicker items (maybe some boxes on the shelves to hold a few personal items etc.) would add an element of warm texture to the room. Hope this helps! LOVE the color!