Thursday, August 11, 2011

Window Treatments - Part 2, Blending with the Walls



Back to discussing window treatments! Window treatments that blend with the walls have a softening effect on a room.  Whether it's panels, valances, or shades, treatments of the same color or tone as the walls don't call attention to themselves.  Particularly in a light room, I think they have a way of attracting your eye to the view and not stopping your eye at the window.

The space above was a butler's pantry I did in a Showhouse in 2008 here in The Woodlands.  This home was located in the Garden District of this area and I wanted to relate it to the gardens outside. You see how the walls and Roman shade blend together to create a soft look and the lush garden is quite apparent.  The window treatment doesn't compete with the view.


Here's another project of mine where the sheer panels blend with the walls and envelope of the room, softening the bedroom and not competing with that beautiful view.  Your eye looks right through those window treatments.



These beautiful patterned sheers with a rope trim provide a gauzy, romantic softness at the French doors in my recent Showhouse room. They're kind of like an invitation to step out on to the balcony.

There are many other designers who also use this tool very successfully.



Martin Lawrence Bullard - Elle Decor



Ellen O'Neill - House Beautiful



Emily Robison - Elle Decor



Tracery Interiors - House Beautiful



Tobi Fairley


Kate McIntyer and Brad Huntzinger - Traditional Home



Elle Decor



Jason Bell - House Beautiful



Ginger Barber - House Beautiful



Frank Delledonne - House Beautiful

In dark rooms, same color window treatments also give a romantic, soft feel.  They sort of turn the room in on itself and have a cocooning affect.


Elle Decor



Nancy Price - House Beautiful



Alessandra Branca - House Beautiful



David Mann - House Beautiful

This is a great NYC view. Imagine if the designer had used some contrasting, colorful panels at the window instead of the same smoky gray.  It would've stopped your eye and not felt nearly as romantic.

Window treatments can add such personality to a room.  Next window treatment post will be about pattern at the windows!  Have a great weekend everyone.  I'm moving my daughter back to her college apartment.  Fun!
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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    another great post on window treatments..they can either make or break a room...
    best,
    maureen

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  2. under spanish mossAugust 11, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Curtains are such a critical component of a room so getting it right is key. We are choosing curtains for a living room right now. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Angela and Renee

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  3. Dumbwit TellherAugust 11, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Hi Carla - What you wrote that a rooms drapes should not compete with the view makes perfect sense. Your design for the Showhouse in the Woodlands was truly gorgeous. I've never been a fan of heavy, in your face, drapes. When we moved into our home here in Katy, I walked into the house and started ripping down all the drapes. I couldn't wait to rid the house of each one, as though you're setting it free..lol! You provided us great examples of how to do it right.
    Great rest of this hot week to you, let's hope for rain soon.

    x Deb

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  4. My Notting HillAugust 11, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Great reminder that many times the curtains should blend and go along - especially in the rooms you've highlighted. Love your two rooms - the view out the second is beautiful and the panels make that the star.

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  5. Splendid SassAugust 11, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Carla-
    I love your choices here. I am in love with your design on the coastal home! Gorgeous.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  6. quintessenceAugust 11, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Great post with terrific examples!! I agree with Maureen - curtains can make or break!

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  7. Kellie CollisAugust 11, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Gorgeous! I love floor to ceiling curtains! Have a beautiful weekend ahead, Kellie xx

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  8. JessieAugust 12, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Great collection of beautiful curtains and rooms! My favorite is the first one!

    P/S: Come by and enter my giveaway for a chance to win a $75 gift card from Arcadian Lighting!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Taylor GreenwaltAugust 12, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I agree with Spanish moss! Curtains are an important component to a room. They soften the hard lines. I am having curtains made for my living room and cant wait to get them up. I am putting them over shutters to soften them. Thanks for sharing so many beautiful pictures. Love your work.

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  10. AnnAugust 15, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Oh you make lovely window treatments... so fitting to the walls inside and the lovely view outside.

    The inspirations pics are also so gorgeous, thanks for sharing ♥

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  11. Carol@6WilsonBlog.comAugust 17, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Carla, your work is just gorgeous. I love window treatments and am loving those sheers you did with the rope trim. I too, love the tone of drapes with the walls. It's a softness I just love.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mary Ann PickettAugust 18, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Excellent post. Imagine having such a gorgeous butler's pantry. You are so talented. I want to do something like this in my master bath...a soft Roman shade.

    ReplyDelete