Design
Wait, You Can Do That? 4 Interesting Window Coverings We Wish We’d Thought of Sooner
When it comes to covering our windows, it can feel like there are not that many options or combinations to consider. You can go the route of blinds, drapery panels, or some form of shade (Romans, cellulars, rollers). Sure, you can put shades or blinds behind drapes for a fairly classic pairing that adds light control, privacy, and, depending on your textile selections, design dimension. But what if I told you there are more interesting window coverings you can do? As I’ve been pondering my own curtain situation in my new home, my eye has been drawn to designs that feel interesting and a bit more unique. For instance, I came across this image by Finch Interior Design when I was researching for my recent post about the colored glass trend, and I immediately clocked the idea of mixing a café curtain with a full curtain panel as a consideration for my living room windows:
It felt like a moment where I said to myself: “I wouldn’t have that of that!” Which spawned the idea for this post and possible series.
I’m a sucker for a café curtain, in general, but they don’t work for every window, whether because of the shape or height of the frame, or because of privacy/light control needs. But when you add the variable of a full-length panel—which you can, of course, draw fully as needed—you eliminate one of those roadblocks. My husband is a staunch opponent of windows not being fully covered at night (he swears people are just looking for a reason to peer into our house), so it would be tricky for me to get away with a café curtain unless he knew for certain that the angle of view meant no one could see inside. That, or if there was a way to cover the top part that remained open otherwise. Hence, why this particular marriage is enticing for me.
Once I saw the above image, I decided to scroll back through some of my previous bookmarked inspirations to see what other ways I might have missed that designers were covering windows. Maybe you’ve seen all of these before. Heck, maybe you have done some of this in your home already. Nothing here is a novel concept, but I like exploring concepts that don’t immediately come to mind when I’m considering how to approach a certain aspect of decorating one of my rooms, and maybe you do, too. Let’s scroll and chat together to review.
Interesting Window Coverings Combo #1: Draperies + Café Curtains
Okay, let’s start with my current window coverings crush that I’ve already introduced. I love the colored main curtain with the neutral café curtain of that first image, but it’s also just so lovely and light in an all-neutral look, too:
There’s so much to love about the room above, by Palmer & Stone. The Delft tile around the fireplace, the delicate little accent chair with the cocktail table, the mix of patterns, that mirror (!!!) above the fireplace. It’s so good. Yet my eye cuts straight to the bay window with the café curtain and drape. Honestly, we lose so much light when the top part of a window is covered, even with just a few inches of a fully compressed Roman shade, so leaving that open while having a sheer café curtain at the bottom for privacy is kind of the optimal combination to satisfy the functional needs of window coverings, don’t you think?
For those more into clean, contemporary design, this curtain mingling still works. The key is to keep the tailoring very clean, with few frills. Go for a tone-on-tone look with your walls to limit the visual clutter of that much hanging fabric.
Interesting Window Coverings Combo #2: Roman Shades + Café Curtains
Roman shades paired with full-length drapery is a go-to move for many of us that satisfies a hit list of needs. Maybe you need to filter light but don’t want anyone looking in during the day or night. A sheer Roman checks that box, while drapes add drama and night-time coverage. Or maybe you prefer blackout at night, which a Roman with the right lining would do a better job at than just panels, which still let some light in around the top and edges. But here, I’m flipping this classic designer favorite on its head a little. Keep the Roman, lose the tall drapes, and replace with café curtains.
As long as you have the correct windowsill depth to clear both an inset café curtain with a Roman shade to come full down in front, this is a great solution for spaces like a kitchen, bathroom or in a built-in with a window and bench, for instance. It brings in so much softness and charm, but also is super flexible in terms of how much you want to let in via that window. Two Pages has a lot of inspo on their account, and this photo above definitely caught my eye. I love the mix of the woven/bamboo Roman, which adds so much texture with the cream pleated café curtain.
What a sweet print on this sheer linen shade. I adore mixing a pattern with a neutral, but honestly, I’d love to also see two prints mixed, too! I could see a subtle stripe or check on the café curtain, though I would gladly take this whole set up as-is, posted on Scandinavian homewares account Att Pynta.
Another one from Att Pynta, note the width here on both the Roman and café curtain. It feels more stately but streamlined at the same time.
Well, I guess I hit up the Att Pynta profile page pretty hard, huh? But I can’t resist a red stripe, people!!! Oh, and the delicate sconce peeking out from the center point is just a home run in a fun “Why didn’t I think of that?” design.
Don’t forget that you can play with the shapes of your shades, too. Take this draped Roman, for instance. It’s a nice juxtaposition of the subtle vertical lines created by pleating in the café curtain. Oh also, yes, you can put split shades together with a continuous rod for your curtains, too. Get playful, okay?
Interesting Window Coverings Combo #3: Inside Mount + Outside Mount Roman Shades
Considering I’ve written the word “café” nearly 20 times in the 1,000 or so I’ve jotted down prior to this, it’s time to move on to other options. Next up, the double Roman shade! This one is interesting because some of the photos I found felt totally practical, mixing a sheer with a room-darkening fabric; others, though, felt purely decorative, which I’m okay with, too.
Here is one, for instance, that feels like a designer who just wanted to have fun. The radiator makes draperies tricky, so Romans are the preferred choice, but I’m very drawn in by Nina Litchfield’s use of a light-filtering tight stripe tight against the window and another light-filtering fabric in a wider set stripe on top. The combination of the two semi-sheers renders something more darkening.
LOVE THIS! Southern Drapery created this combination that includes a sheer inside mount for light control and privacy, but then added an outside mount in a gorgeous green floral stripe for the pizazz.
Commune Design is one of my favorite design houses for how inventive they always are and their effortless drama. The way they put together rooms always makes me wish I had the head or heart to put things together in this way. This double Roman is no exception. Sheer white inside, room-darkening mustard outside. ::applause::
Similar to what we saw in the cafe curtains + Roman shades section of today’s post, I want to remind you that you can play with shapes to create effect. A beautifully tailored drapey Roman on the outside is a nice juxtaposition to a straightforward bamboo shade inside (this room is by maestro Robert Passal). You could also likely reverse this idea, with a drape on the interior.
Again, to limit the visual clutter, consider matching whatever is on your wall for the outside-mount Roman, and yes, even if it’s a print! Even better, in fact, if it’s a print. It’s custom, hence likely quite the investment, but wow if you have the means to do it.
Interesting Window Coverings Combo #3: The Café Panel
To be fair and specific, this is not a “combo” but rather a window covering type I don’t see often. It’s what I’m calling the café panel because I read someone refer to it as such on some post a while back. If you happen to know of a more accurate name, please let me know! Basically, this is like a café or bistro curtain, but without the drape. It has a rod and pocket at the top and bottom to keep the fabric in place and act as a more permanent privacy barrier.
This is just so wildly chic in this application. I could see something like the above working well in a city-street-facing room where you want to let in light but basically never want to afford anyone the chance to look in.
The Long Curtain Girls shared this cutie. Before I read the caption, I wasn’t sure if this was just a tiny window, or a door—it could be applied to both. It is, in fact, a front door. This works well for a spot like this that you want covered while not blocking out all the light. It’s a similar approach to how some people cover sidelights.
Not everyone likes the ruffles, frills, or pleats of curtains, even at this size. You can always do a straight-across piece of fabric such as this with no gathering at all!
Interesting Window Coverings BONUS!
I didn’t have a category I could fit this above room photo from Onna Indonesia Official into, so I just decided to add in a little bonus area. I adore when someone takes something everyone does one way and flips the story. Here, Roman shades actually sit on top of sheer panels, instead of the other way around. I think we’re all so focused on following the rules we read on blogs (like this one) or see on Instagram that we forgot it’s okay to mix things up. Yes, you can do curtains that don’t go all the way to the ground where it makes sense. And sure, you can put a Roman shade on top of them. WHY THE HECK NOT? Don’t be so serious about your room design, okay? Live a little.
—
And that’s where I leave you for today. I hope you’re clicking out of this post inspired, excited, and contemplating something new for your own windows. Always remember to have some fun. It’s not so serious, this design thing. It should excite us, make us happy, and make us feel safe and comfy. You do you.
Until next time, friends…
Opening Image Credits: Design and Photos by Keyanna Bowen | Blue Walls Be GONE! Key’s Totally Transformed Office Reveal – Maybe The Most Dramatic Before & After Ever (?)
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
