Give us your best answers for this problem
I always love to hear about the projects readers are struggling with because they tend to be the same things most of us have dealt with from time to time. That's certainly true of the issue faced by Katrina Kat has a bay window in her living room, a space that includes some modern decor with a mid-century sensibility. But she's not sure how to dress the window (which you can see at right) without spending a fortune!
Currently, there are mini blinds on each of the five windows, which Kat doesn't really like. But she does want privacy.
Here's what she had to say about the room:
"The walls are a warm gray (it is called pussywillow - see it below). The sofa is
white and right now it has olive green pillows and some floral lime
green, turquoise and red pillows. I am planning on painting the wood
around the window and the rest of the trim in the house white. Also, I
am going to try to craft/sew a tufted cushion to put in the window seat. The flooring is a dark brownish grey (it is called black forest - see at right).
"I tend to lean towards grays, blacks and whites in my likes, but am trying to find ways to add more bold colors. (I am taking a chance and doing my dining room in turquoise.) The window area is 116" x 64". The wall it is on is 182" wide and it is at the bottom of a vaulted ceiling."
So what should she do?
Curtains, shutters, blinds? Neutrals or colors? Patterns or solids? Tell us what you think by commenting below!
Meanwhile, I have a few suggestions -- keeping a budget in mind.
First, I'd hang a double rod over the entire length of the window -- high and wide, like the BHG photo on the left side of the collage.
I'd hang floor length panels on either side of the window frames on the outer rod, making sure they can hang completely wide of the windows, so they are just covering the outer woodworking.
Then on the inside rod, I'd hang sheers (like the photo above right) -- probably something with a modern twist, a tone on tone white, geometric pattern. The sheers allow you to gain some limited privacy without blocking out all the light.
If Kat wants to make a statement, I'd go for outer panels in a strong, mid-century pattern that blends with the gray walls. The curtains at right are the Madison Square Rod-Pocket panels from Overstock for $39 each and available in a variety of colors. Click the photo to see more.
If she wants something simpler, she could try a tone on tone look, with panels that are virtually the same shade as the walls. Check out the options at right.
On the left side is the Woolrich Grommet Window Panel in gray from Target for $27 a pair. It might take four panels -- two on each side -- to get the right fullness.
The sheer at right is the Home Decorative Burn Out Sheer, also from Target. The panels are $20 each. I love the little white dots on the sheers. Click on the photo above right to get a closer look!
I have the tone on tone look in my house and I love it. It keeps my drapes from making my rooms look smaller.
So what do you think?
I know you've got some great ideas as well and Kat & I really want to hear them!
If you find some great inspiration photos, include the links in your photos and -- if I can get permission -- I'll post them.
In the meantime, Better Homes and Gardens has a slide show with some other ideas for dressing bay windows, including the photo at right.
And tune in tomorrow when I'll show you a way you can make your own grommet-top curtains out of sheets or other fabrics.
