If I had shades like the ones from handwerk in that off white color would I get the stencil? and put a stencil on the curtains? I think stencil on both would be too much. Plain shade and stencil curtains or stencil shade and plain curtains? The other issue is color. If the shade is an off white color what would the curtains be? I don't think it's in this thread but one of my favorite places, Roycroft inn has black shades and then curtains with a leaf pattern. Looks really cool but I can't find a photo. The photo I took doesn't show the blackness of the shade. Off white shade with black curtains? Annette I just reread your post. So plain shade and then stencil the curtains? My concern would be they would both be off white (except for the stencil part). How would that go together? Trying to find a photo showing a shade and curtains together.

I appreciate the answers so much! This community is great. A few things: We have an entry table on the wall behind the 2 seater couch (the couch blocks the view). I want to create a nicer area, but living room is first. The couches are brand new and staying, we love them! Maybe we aren't traditional style, I've just been saying that because we don't want modern or farmhouse, rustic doesn't fit with our house style, and I don't really know what a lot of the other types mean. We want something relaxing, not too bold or eccentric. My husband has a high stress job and we really just want a comfortable relaxing home. Gray isn't a color trend for us, its something we really like. Also, the blinds were a quick fix for privacy when we moved in. They were about $3 each and allow us some time to figure out what treatment we really want. @Mon Thank you for your ideas! I love the curtains, I do want something with a pattern (except geometric which makes me feel like I am in college for some reason). I like what you said about the feminine touch, I didn't realize the sofas were masculine until you said that. I think I can balance it out though with accents. I'm having a hard time visioning the chandelier instead of the fan but I will highly consider it. The fan is new, I get the feeling the sellers just put anything up there because it isn't really large enough for the room. @Elena Ermolaeva Your designs are excellent! Is this to scale with my living room? This layout gives the flow I was wanting but I was afraid of putting teh couch in front of the window. I didn't want to try to force the tv as a focal point because I am in love with that large window. I'm definitely not afraid of going a little darker with the walls. Even though our area isn't large, I feel like with all the windows and natural light I can afford to go a little darker. Plus adding in light curtains balances it out. When you suggest shelves, do you mean on the 7'7" wall where the large sofa is now? I didn't think of that, I was just trying to work around the wall. Great ideas! Since privacy is a concern, should I go for nicer blinds, or a shade, along with curtains? Thanks everyone!

Where were you planning on hanging long curtains? I don't really see any place to mount rods on the outside of the bays or any where to stack on the inside (plus they'd have to be short curtains for inside). If you don't like or want outside mount shades or blinds, I think cafe's on tension rods are your only options.

Hunter Douglas makes a couple different shade product lines that come in co-ordinating fabrics/colors in both a horizontal and vertical version. These vertical options are not going to be the traditional PVC clanky, vertical blinds most are used to. You can get soft shades like Duette® Honeycombs, Skyline® Gliding Panels, or Luminette® Privacy Sheers. All these vertical products come in a horizontal version as well. Check out more at Hunter Douglas.