Help with Kitchen Window Treatments (Mistakes were made...)
I'd like to replace my window treatments and am looking for design advice regarding new window treatments for my sink and breakfast area. The ones in place are still fairly new old but I am unhappy with them. They don't add anything to the space and probably detract from it.
Mistakes include the fabric selected (colors are too cool, horizontal ribbon detracts) and also the choice of a valance for the right side (breakfast area) vs. individual romans to complement the millwork. (Oh, and I originally selected blackout lining and then had the curtains re-made with privacy lining, to let in more light).
I did like the detail up close (fabric matches the window seat)
The sink window is the biggest challenge - it's a top-heavy rectangle. The current outside mount pleated valance seems to work well for the space... not sure what else to do here.
I'm a little gun-shy and am possibly being too conservative with fabric choices. Currently, I am considering either this smokebush pattern or a pale buttery yellow linen color.
Here's the smokebush on the bolt and loosely photoshopped:
Two other factors to consider; oatmeal colored barstools and brown and cream tile backsplash:
Does the smokebush work? Would a scalloped box valance and relaxed romans work better? Any and all input appreciated...
Comments (51)
Tina Marie
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
PROSorell Interiors
2 years agoRelated Discussions
How many mistakes were made during your build?
Comments (7)We had a few mistakes - some are yet to be resolved - but overall we had a great build, and considering how many mistakes can be made in a build it is amazing how few we had. Our few of our in-slab plumbing pipes were wrong in a couple of areas - one missed measurement added up to 3 toilets and a few vents being in the wrong location by a few inches. The only problem it has created now, which isn't fixed yet, is our polished concrete floor in one bathroom has a noticeable "stain" from where a pipe had to be moved. We are going to have it fixed at some point since it looks like someone missed when using the toilet! The concrete contractor had a couple of other mistakes that were easy to fix, like some crooked stairs in the garage that we just tiled over. Our cabinets for our kitchen included a desk area with a drawer that was too tall - it would have made fitting a chair under it impossible so we took the drawer out. Also our built-in fridge opening is a little off, and we still need to add our trim kit. Turns out is more about the fridge freezer having the extra water line of the back that takes up just that little bit of extra room that wasn't on the drawing! We have probably 2 lights switches in places I don't like, and I would now like to have a switch inside the house that controls our front garage lights, and an upstairs switch for our entry lights. We have a couple of other minor problems that will be fixed over the summer....See MoreHelp! Made a mistake in kitchen remodel
Comments (3)I can imagine how frustrating this must be, and at week 8 in the turmoil that a kitchen renovation creates, you must be ready to pull someone's hair out. The simple solution is to notch 2 inches off the trim on the lower part of the door frame. It will be obvious to you - especially at first - but it is below your line of sight when passing from one room to another. How much contrast is there between the trim and the cabinets?...See MorePlease help with choosing window treatment in new kitchen!
Comments (21)Thanks so much for all the comments, suggestions and photos. I agree with most that I could use some color/fabric in here. I decided abruptly the other day to just go order those 2" fabric blinds from Lowes. There's something about them I like, and the price was so low, (compared to a roman shade, esp. one from Smith & Noble) I figure they will be OK for a while and will solve the immediate problem of the glaring sun. If I don't love them (likely), Ill start saving up for a custom fabric shade which I do think Id like the most. I'm just in that too tired to think anymore spot & wanted to get something up. Also I didn't expect this but the woman at Lowes told me I can even return them if I hate them so theres no risk! I didn't think you could return a custom size blind...that's a perk of shopping the big box stores I guess. The pictures were very helpful as I realized maybe I could try a runner or 2 on the floors in the kitchen to add some color? I notice a lot of the kitchens posted above have nice runners. Mommyto4boys - Thanks so much for the compliments, seriously it makes me feel so good. Especially in regard to my dining room/fireplace. I had originally wanted to do built-ins flanking the fireplace (went back and forth on if I'd do white or dark stain). Our budget ran out though, and so I'm living with the 2 pieces of furniture we already had. The china cabinet on the left is black, the other cabinet is a liquor/bar cabinet from Ikea and its a dark brown. The fireplace was red brick with a oak mantle shelf, brass screen and dark gray slate hearth. I whitewashed the brick, changed the screen and painted the mantle White dove. I think your dark built ins will look great! What does your fireplace look like?...See Morehelp with window treatments for kitchen windows
Comments (3)Sorry this is long. Glad for explanations. Gotta think on this. I would urge you to have complimentary or same or semi-modified treatment on all suitable windows if possible. This would coordinate the look from "room" to "room" and if done well, would add a classy look. You don't have to do it all at once, though. Something modest now and save up for the custom look you crave? Are the existing curtains something that you want to keep? If so, is there a way to coordinate them with additional windows? Is the fabric still available? Can you find a solid colored fabric that is a suitable match in fiber and texture that could be used to link the window areas--a band of solid or print trim on the romans, for example? I wonder what others who have greenhouse garden windows do about window coverings? It is possible to drop a roman between the bump-out window and the room. There may be moisture issues with plants, though, so you might not want the window to be too tightly isolated from the air circulation in the room: mold, rot for woodwork. I am also thinking through the window covering issue for our house and want to be ready if the "4 for 3" sale comes again soon. Have put up tension rods with semi-transparent half-curtains in new kitchen for light and privacy temporarily (see below). DH is in hunting season mode and hasn't finished exterior work, which means that the new honeycombs that just arrived won't go up for a while, and the windows in new kitchen and lobby area will not have sills and mouldings for many months yet, I fear. So I keep designing and redesigning my window treatments in my head. As of now, I plan to layer a strongly patterned roman shade over the single color honeycombs, which will allow me lots of flexibility for all seasons and will give a graphic punch to a window wall that lacks cabinets. Like you, we have purchased a door with miniblinds within the window panel. It's the front door in our new lobby and am glad we did buy it because of light issues. Am not sure how I'm going to coordinate it with the new high, wide window a few feet away, though. A quandry: Should I buy a very narrow white metal blind to match the door's blind? Even if I don't particularly want white? Belligerently, I'm tempted to use a different product altogether, to add color and texture depth and undercut the mod-ness. It's important to know as much as possible about the room before you choose your long-term window treatments. If the backsplash is to be a pattern or a real attention-grabber, you don't want windows to be competition. Same with strong colors, etc. If you're still dithering on the backsplash, try doing what I have done and get a cheap tension rod for the eating area and put up something temporarily. Sewing curtains and valences and roman shades can be very do-able. It's most work on the flat and the seams can be made straight if you use a seam guide on sewing machine. (I have a battered piece of tape that guides me.) Here is a link that might be useful: semi-transparent half-curtains on tension rods for temp privacy and sun control...See More
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
Funkyart
2 years ago
Annie Deighnaugh
2 years agoAre these valances or operable shades? Do you need shades to cover the windows? Or are you just looking for a valance?
While your rooms are lovely, to me, they are lacking color. I see the fruit on the island and really like a touch of bold with the softer colors.
Maybe something like this
1929Spanish-GW
2 years ago
ptreckel
2 years agodarbuka
2 years ago
3katz4me
2 years agoerinsean
2 years agojck910
2 years ago
amykath
2 years ago
Boxerpal
2 years agooldbat2be
2 years agoYou guys are wonderful! Thank you so very much for the input.
There's a definite consensus that the current fabric works and should be relined. I did not like the original fabric well enough to take pictures, when it was fully lined and up... think I would prefer to proceed with another fabric BUT will first spend some time photoshopping suggestions (including adding rugs) and will reply back later this week. Another option is for me to change the paint color from the current light blue to something else. If you have any suggestions, I can try them out!
yayagal - Thank you.
Tina Marie, Boxerpal, aktillery9 - I take the point that color is needed. Will definitely try photoshopping some rugs to add color.
Sorell Interiors, jck910 - I agree about the boring :)
erinsean - You raise a good point. I could see no window treatments on the breakfast area window, but the sink window irks me and I feel the need to do something. It was originally trimmed but that trim made it even more top heavy.
mtnrdredux - Bamboo? Never would have thought of it. Did you mean behind the current treatments or in place of? Will mock up to see how it looks. And you are so correct - I do like bold and contrast. I did check the line (Carolina Irving) and was immediately taken by their Aegean Stripe. Boy would this be fun! I particularly like the Plum/Saffron - the other element in the kitchen is the corner fireplace, which this might match nicely:
It's a big pattern and the vertical stripe would be neat. (Not this color)
Funkyart - Why do you think a roman shade would be better, over the sink window? Inside mount or outside? I still love the tile, thanks :)
Annie - Currently, they're valances. No need for privacy or to adjust. I liked the little pop of color you show, thank you for the idea.
1929Spanish - Thank you... what do you see as optimal length/s? I'm trying to keep as much of the view as possible.
ptreckel - Interesting idea (window seat fabric over sink window) - that is my problem window and perhaps I start there.
darbuka - It's the same fridge we had prior to renovation; hasn't died yet. (DH fixes everything). I'd honestly forgotten about it - might be a good project :)
2katz - I don't even think I would reuse the blue/green fabric - I just don't like it any more.chicagoans
2 years ago
just_terrilynn
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agooldbat2be
2 years agoEileen - It's funny you mentioned painting the wall a darker color. I did it ONCE but chickened out and repainted it a day or so later. The color on all the walls is the same light blue (Vancouver Day), except for sink area; BM Aura Shimmer. Neither reads green IRL.
Here is the same window with trim:
chris brown - Point taken about too many clowns. Thank you for the suggestion of the lighter fridge.
bunny - The tall item is a cherry wine rack which my brother made for me. It has sentimental value but doesn't need to be there.
chicagoans - We do love the view; I was leaning towards a boring choice because I wanted the curtains to blend in.
just_terrilyn - Did you mean a solid fabric close to the wall color, in the kitchen? Thanks, I like the idea and will consider it.
Thanks to all who have said the breakfast room window doesn't need a window treatment. I agree! ment. The windows face east and we see lovely sunrises. Olychick - I loved your comment about ducking your head down. Not seeing the moon (or as often) was a concern when I originally put in the curtains.
Off to work! You've all given me a lot of ideas. I'll photoshop this weekend and post anything of interest back.oldbat2be
2 years ago
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
2 years agoptreckel
2 years agooldbat2be
2 years agoI really like mtnrd's idea of tortoise bamboo blinds. The first shot is of SelectBlind's Bamboo Shell in place, and the second is using one of Laurel Bern's images in the article linked above. I love the airiness shown in the second (assuming unlined). I'm going to reach out to SelectBlinds today, to see if they can help me achieve that look.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
motherof3sons
2 years agooldbat2be
2 years agomotherof3sons - How are you? So nice to see your name come up and I am very late in responding to you! That is so funny about your fixed Roman shade; I remember your beautiful kitchen but forgot about that comment (it seems rather impertinent now).
As an update on this, I ended up finding a fabric remnant at Zimman's which I love and which goes so very well with the kitchen elements. I had a fixed Roman made from etsy vendor Drawn and I am just so very happy every time I notice it. I also painted the wall the same color as my cabinets (Farrow and Ball's Pointing); previously it had a blue tint.
As always, thank you all for the help in getting me to this point!
barncatz
2 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
2 years ago
mtnrdredux_gw