Design Question

We have bought a house with unusual windows incorporating arch shapes. It was the windows which made us fall in love with the house and I want to make sure that we don’t ruin them by making the wrong interior design choices! I am wondering what the best way to dress them would be?  I want some sort of curtain/blinds for the window for warmth (the house is quite drafty) and also for privacy but I don’t want to obscure the windows with lots of fabric.

I have attached a couple of photos – as you can see, one of the windows is a bay window with a window seat below and has very little space at the top for a curtain rail (perhaps 2/3 inches). I was wondering about Roman blinds for this window – do you think this would work?  And, if so, do I need to have the same style of blinds for the other windows in the same room or can you mix styles?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Design Answer

I can see why these windows made you fall in love with the house! As I’m sure you are aware, they are beautiful examples of classic Palladian windows. And yes, they can be problematic when attempting to choose the right window treatment.

The good news is that there is usually some kind of custom window treatment available even for unusual or awkwardly shaped windows. It might narrow down your choices and options somewhat. Should you wish to install curtains rather than blinds, keep in mind that the curtain rail won’t be sitting flush against the wall – just the brackets for the curtain rod will have to fit in the 2/3 inch space; the rail itself could stand away from the wall. Sheers with tie-backs would let in light without obscuring the shape of the windows. But I think you’re instinct regarding blinds is a good one. However, I would skip vertical blinds as an option since they will have the same effect as obscuring the windows with a lot of fabric.

Because these windows are so beautiful, you definitely will want to choose blinds or curtains that will show them off to their best advantage. Roman blinds would indeed be a good choice, since they are typically made of fabric, which will help block cold air. Venetian blinds will allow you to control the amount of light in the room while they are fully closed. They can also provide a much needed barrier between your living area and the drafts coming through the windows. And don’t write off roller blinds as an alternative: they are available in many stylish options, colors and materials that are lightweight but just as effective as some heavier fabrics for keeping out the drafts.

Whatever window treatment you pick, you will want to ensure that it complements the room’s décor style. How the windows are dressed largely determines the room’s overall look and feel. For this room to be unified and harmonious, I would select the same type of window treatment for both windows.

Thanks for writing in! Keep sending me your design questions, and especially if you’re asking for advice regarding wall color, tips on rearranging a specific room etc., include pictures if you can.

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