I have a window treatment dilemma.
For serious. (Do people even say that or did I make that up?)
We bought our house because it was old and had lots of that old-house character that we loved. One of the features that we really liked were the wooden window valences in the living room, dining room, and second floor bathroom.
They are chunky, scalloped, painted white, and totally cute. Almost everyone that comes to our house for the first time comments on them and asks if they were original to the house or if we made them.
I'm sure you've seen these pictures before but this time take a look at the wooden valences over the windows.
 |
| Wooden valence over living room windows. |
 |
| Wooden valence over living room windows. |
 |
| Wooden valence over dining room window. |
However.
Finding window treatments that look good with them has been completely impossible. I've tried almost every style of window panel you could think of: solid, patterned, thick, thin, sheer, younameit. I've also tried curtain panels with rod pockets, tabs, and clips. They all look super weird.
I think the main problem is that I like wooden window trim work / valences and I like curtain panels but I just don't like them together.
I thought about asking Alex to just take all of the wood down so I could put up regular curtain rods and curtains. But then I think back to our reaction to them when we first viewed the house and fell in love. So, they're staying.
I've been thinking about it this dilemma for a long time and I think I've finally come up with a solution.
I'm going to try and find a set of chippy, old shutters to mount them on the interior side of each window. Of course once I thought of it I set out on a Pinterest hunt to find some inspiration photos. There were only a few but here they are:
 |
| Source: BHG |
 |
| Source: Unknown |
 |
| Source: Lee Caroline |
Old shutters are now on my wish list.
Road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Road trip? Alex? Please? ;)
P.S. Since I've been so busy (soooooo busy :S) over the last week and have neglected my poor bloggy, I have another post for tomorrow with lots of random tidbits of schtuff. Ahhhh, randoms. My favorite kind of posts. :)
P.S.S. If you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them!!!! :)
P.S.S. If you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them!!!! :)
I tend to be a bit anti window treatment...because I enjoy my old, deep window trim, and window style, and while (like you) I enjoy the idea of having some nice curtains on there, I always hate them when I put them up. They either make the room feel stuffy, or the texture/colour/style seems off, or they seem to clutter things...and block my actual window and frame. So I have gone pretty minimalist with window dressings. I have a flat valance over my living and dining room windows, and nothing else. The main kitchen windows are bare (likely to have valances at some point). Our bedroom has valances, which are only there to hide the blinds. Anyway, I think your windows look great dressed as they are...but certainly if you want to get creative with shutters, then go for it!
ReplyDeleteThe shutters will look great. I have wooden valences in my house too (not scalloped) and use them to "hide" roller blinds underneath and then hang drapes on either side that don't often close. Good luck in your hunt for shutters!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried ruffled plain white curtains that are pulled back to frame the outside edges?
ReplyDeletethere are nice ones at Country Curtains
I love the valances. Because they are scalloped and so different. I say try a pair of shutters. See if you like it! you can just stand em up to see...Cant wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well. Hope you are busy for good reasons! Hope to chat soon!
xo
Actually, I adore what you have going right now! But I do think that some old shutters will bring out those valences even more! Great idea! Have fun hunting some down! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Why not leave it as-is?? It looks stunning, it might feel a little cluttered if you add to it. You have such a lovely spacious feeling lounge room.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the shutter idea. I think that would look great!
ReplyDeleteI understand the LOVE it factor when something is new... and then to find yourself wanting something different. I think that is totally normal for creative souls :) I'd say try the shutters - a change without major change. I just found your blog and love it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks
No dilemma!! I LOVE the look as is. I have windows exactly like yours in my living room. Where did you get your valances?
ReplyDeleteThe wooden valances are super cute!
ReplyDeleteOne idea: hang the curtains high (so that the rod is hidden behind the valance) and make sure to take the curtains right to the end of the valances. The fuller effect might be a less cluttered looking approach.
Can't wait to see what you decide on!
What color paint is in your dining room? Looks like exactly what I've been looking for which is a very light greige. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe dining room is now painted Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore mixed at a 1/2 tint in a flat finish. :)
DeleteI love it the way it is. But being late to comment on this post, I am just hoping you can tell me where you bought your woven roller blinds. I love them and they are exactly what I am look for for my windows. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThey were purchased from Linens N' Things about five years ago. I'm not sure if they still carry anything similar but it's always worth having a look. :)
Deletewooden valences is giving a gorgeous look to window.
ReplyDelete