Hi Malhgold! I have the exact same reaction everytime I see your kitchen. My heart goes--YES!! I have a sample of the gray imperial trellis you just posted. It has been in my group of favorite fabrics I might use in the new kitchen or maybe the FR, LV or DR. Specific, huh? ;-) All the rooms have gray or grayish (not every room is the same color) walls. The second fabric is fun and energetic! Since I'm assuming that very little of the whole pattern will show when the shades are up, I could see that pattern working. The coral-ish shades pick up those in the family room(?). And could you please tell me about that last pattern? I think the colors might be right for my DD's room. Thanks! Can't wait to see what you decide! And maybe that means you'll be getting closer to an all out kitchen reveal? :-)

Thanks for clarifying the use of the space. It originally sounded like a room for the kids mostly. I think it is nice that your DH likes to be involved. Plaids and checks are hardly just country, but if that is his thought and he is immovable on that, so be it. LOL I was confused by your comment about the swirly wall areas not being able to be painted. They are painted the ceiling color, aren't they? No special maintenance to paint them another color, and I really think it would make the room feel more spacious if they were the wall color. I like the changes you have made - the room feels so much brighter.

No, that's where the rod belongs - it is done that way all the time. Lower looks like a 1940's man with a hat on his head that is too big and is covering his forehead! Look into have an awning put up outside. I actually have roll up metal ones on the back side of my house (due West). I would never put them on the front - tacky - but no one really sees them on the back. I can roll them down when the strong spring sun starts, leave them down all summer, and room them back in the late fall. Or you could have a canvas awning permanently installed if this is a year 'round problem. I put one over my kitchen door and the stairs down to the terrace (which then provided cover for the double windows in the breakfast room. I was very nervous about a canvas awning, but my great local awning company owner, assured me that this was NOT my mother's old canvas awnings that rotted and had to be replaced every 2-4 years. I could not be more pleased and we have STRONG wind storms where I live (tornado alley). I like awnings as I have a lovely garden in the back I want to SEE, but it blocks that fierce and damaging strong sunlight. I think I'm going to look into putting one over the french doors in my DR this spring.

I just painted the family room BM London fog. I’ve always struggled with window treatment for the 2 small windows on either side of the brick corner wood stove area. Patterned material cLashes with the brick. Ive had plain to match the walls which was ok. I’d consider white shutters but don’t need the privacy and don’t want it too dark. I think I need curtains of some sort to soften the area. Stove is still used so no long curtains are practical