It’s been awhile since I had a chance to do a Decorating Dilemma, but I’m getting back to this series in the new year. YAY! It was fun to tackle a few of these last year and hopefully give some women a few great ideas on how to solve their decorating problems.
Here’s what LeeAnn here in Acworth said about her wall of windows:
“I have these beautiful floor to ceiling windows with transoms and I don’t know how to treat them. I really don’t want to cover them up too much and take away from our beautiful view of the woods and golf course but the area just looks so cold and bare without anything. On the right hand side you can see there is a door to the terrace which complicates things too on how to address it with the wall of windows.”
So, let’s take a look and see what we can come up with collectively on how LeeAnn might treat her windows.
I had to lighten these pics and enlarge them, so they are a little grainy, but you can see what grand architectural details LeeAnn has in this light-filled dining area. She said the view is wonderful too, so definitely doesn’t want to block that.
It’s a beautiful space and on this side is the door that leads to a terrace outside. Gorgeous room!
So, let’s give LeeAnn some ideas!
One thing that I’m noticing in the pics that I found with all windows is this: all of these spaces are white on white, which really opens up the space and makes it look even bigger. With the dark walls in LeeAnn’s space, it sort of closes things in a bit. The darker color shows off the beautiful trimwork, but maybe doesn’t showcase the room completely. LeeAnn, I love your beamed ceilings too.
(via Homedit.com)
Here’s a beautiful room with a wall of windows (swoon!) looking out on water. These have large transoms above and no covering at all, which I totally think is the only way to go in this room. Fabric would definitely take away from THAT view! LeeAnn has a golf course view that she doesn’t want to block either.
(all 4 of the next pics from Pinterest. I try to find sources, but so many Pinterest pins are a dead end on finding the source!).
This room is solid windows and doors too and again, white on white for the walls and trim. Check out that soaring beautiful planked ceiling! I love how simple, yet beautiful this room is, even without a lot of color. They used a light colored drape to just frame the windows and I like the look. Even though LeeAnn has one window that is curved, I still think she could raise the rods above its curve and still have panels flanking that window too. So, 3 sets of panels on all 3 walls. Mirror it on all sides to flow, using one set of panels on the door side. I also like how the rods blend into the wall in the above pic.
Here’s another beautiful, yet simple look for a dining space with walls of windows. Simple, curved dark rods and very flowy sheer curtains, taking nothing away from the view of the windows.
And yet another white on white space with a few simple white panels in place, that just adds some softness to the room.
So, what do y’all think? I think some of these ideas could definitely work for LeeAnn and still keep her room nice and open. No need to block a beautiful view! I’m sure LeeAnn would love to hear more ideas so chime in with your thoughts!
I’m still taking submissions that I’ll be going through this year on Decorating Dilemmas, so if you have an area in your home that is stumping you, send some pics to me with your story and I will be getting to more of these this year! It’s always fun to try to solve a problem for someone.
DeDe@Designed Decor says
You don’t need a rod on the arch window. Place a single sconce in the center and one on each side of the arch. She could than drape the fabric from the center sconce onto each of the sides. The fabric can pillow, drape and flow at the top drawing your eye to the focal point. I agree the walls need to be painted lighter. I would use the short rods on each side of the windows on the side walls. I think the look of the short rods is cleaner, a long rod draws the eye away from the fabric and calls to much attention to the rod above the windows when left open.
Terri Sullivan says
Rhoda, A beautiful space LeeAnn has! I love the idea of a light sheer panel on each side of the arched window with maybe a platter and plates in lighter hues above it. I have been searching the web and furniture stores for a dining set like LeeAnn’s. Can you tell me what brand it is?
Design Chic says
I completely agree with painting the space lighter. The dark color seems to close you from the view. Love your second suggestion with the hanging side panel…just gives a finished look to the space. Happy Thursday!!
Jann from Newton Custom Interiors says
LeeAnn does have a beautiful room! I agree that the paint color is too dark. Painting the walls a lighter color would open the room up.
My first thought when I saw the back wall with the arched window was to have a curved drapery pole over the arch. it could straighten out on each end for the panels to hang on. There are companies that will make custom poles like this. Of course, custom does mean more expensive! I would use short poles on end of the side of the other two sets of windows like DeDe suggested.
gayle says
the lighter rooms look great. I like the short rod with panels on the sides, no swagged fabric over the arch, please, a dated look.
Patti-Ann says
I am so glad you suggested the white on white. When I first looked at the picture it hit me that it was cold because of the dark color. I am not a fan of the short drapery rods. I think if you are going to hang curtains you need to “commit” to the project. Sheers on all the windows would be lovely for privacy and soften then light as it comes into the room.
Wonderful tips as always Rhoda!
Stacey says
I agree, the short poles look truncated and weird to my eye. I like the poles that blend with the wall color, the dark short ones pictured in this post draw way too much attention to their short stubby selves!
Michelle Ferrer says
Hi, Rhoda,
Beautiful rooms you’ve presented and gorgeous vistas. I have a similar dilemma and tried the curtain panels as you suggest. They are beautiful in the daytime, but at night, I find I need something more else I have a huge black hole to look out on. I found that textured sheers do the trick to provide the privacy at night (and no black hole), and during the day the sheers can be opened to provide access to the scenery. I used ecru rods so that they just disappeared. Thanks for all your tips and great photos.
Stephanie mcilvaine says
The paint color is the issue… She needs to make the ceiling and walls more cohesive, this would brighten the space. I don’t think any sheers are needed
Barbara Del Duco says
I would try to think “out of the box” and dismiss draperies. If possible I would lighten the walls a bit, but even with the very dark walls I think that a stencil pattern in white or off white, or the same color as the trim, over the main windows would lighten things up and help to decorate the windows without covering them. The side windows and doors could have a much simpler stencil over them in the same design.
The stencil over the main window should curve with the frame of the window. It should done in similar or the same curves as the dominant pieces of furniture in the room. I would also keep the scale of the scrolling the same as in the furniture. I think that this would give character and definition to the windows and to the room. It would also lighten it up.
Crunchy Diva says
I’d say run a rod just below the arch and hang simple stationary drapes on either side of the double hung windows. Paint the rod the same color as the trim to avoid adding another “line” to the room.
I would only address the arched window wall and leave the two side walls without drapes – the symmetry is broken by the door in the right side wall, so the drapes wouldn’t line up across the room.
I do like the idea of brightening up the room with a lighter wall color, but if color is your thing, you could do a soft ikat pattern drape that plays up the colors in that beautiful oriental rug! I’ve had dark rooms before and they can really make a view pop, especially in the summer when leaves are out. Have fun!
Julia G. says
Rhoda – great ideas, especially painting the room a lighter color.
Janet magina says
I am going to be the odd woman out. I love the dark walls with the white trim! I think the dark color gives the room warmth and the white trim draws your eyes to the view. For the windows I might consider bamboo shades inside mounted below the transoms. Just my two cents:)
Karin Overbeck says
All the transoms need stained glass windows using the pale artique glasses in a delicate pattern. White on white paint is good. Rug is too large and I suggest pale colors. That’s my 2 cents.
Patricia says
I agree that a lighter color for the walls is a must. I would not add any window treatment. And if those lovely chairs were all moved just a bit, so they are not with their backs squared to the walls, it will make an amazing difference in the look of the room. With a round table this little decorating trick can, and does, make a world of difference. I like to think it “softens” the look of a room so it feels “friendlier” somehow. Try it, you’ll be amazed!
Cynthia LeBlanc says
Issues: Definitely would lighten wall color! Also, the room very much need some more softness.
I wouldn’t meddle with the arch, it draws the eye and is the most beautiful part of the room, I feel.
If too much heat / sunshine in summer then use a rod across the straight part of the window with a sheer or light neutral, ditto with other windows. Also wonder what textured neutral (blend in with molding) casual Romans would feel like in this room, if additional summertime filtering is needed? Worth playing around with!
Bring in additional fabrics, a soft flowing tablecloth or wing chairs, along with a large palm or similar plant that would soften the room. You might find bringing these few items in, along with lighter walls, that the windows are beautiful just as they are! That would be my first choice for this beautiful space.
Mayreen says
I have solved this dilemma in our home with a curved wall of windows. My suggestion would be to run rods across each wall at the same height, placing the height of all ABOVE the arch. Then hang panels where needed, so they can be pulled closed for privacy. Having continuous rods at the same height creates a clean, simple appearance, but also amps up the drama of the room without obstructing the views. Agree that color would be ideal in a lighter tone.
Vanessa says
What a GORGEOUS space! Oh my those details in that room are amazing! I agree with others who’ve suggested running a rod above the arch on that wall and having simple drapes on the sides. I would treat the wall that has the door as one big wall of windows with the rod running all the way across (including above the door) and hang drapes down on either side allowing enough clearance to open the door easily. I think even if the room is painted having drapes would soften and frame as well as add a 3 dimensional quality. 🙂
Pam says
Yes – it’s the paint scheme. I love “dummy” panels to soften the angles. I also think she needs a light-landscaper to have night lighting outside the windows to avoid that “black hole phenomena”. She is so lucky to have such a beautiful space. I really think it was be outstanding with minimal changes. Can’t wait to see what she does with it.
Becky in 'Bama says
I have to chime in that the room should be a lighter color. Another suggested that the rug is too large, and I agree – it covers too much of the beautiful floors. Another person suggests perhaps high backed arm chairs at the table – that too would be lovely – upholstered in some fabric that coordinated with a different rug. I offer the suggestion of a banquette on the far side of the table, but that might be too much of an obstruction to the view. The space seems to be off the kitchen area, and if that is the case, the furniture seems a bit ‘formal’ in design and placement. One other minor detail would be to change out the heavy-globed light fixture (with the light going downwards). I noted in the other pics you posted, Rhoda, the chandiliers are much airier – multi arms – with the light directed upwards and outwards to brighten the room at night, perhaps. It’s such a pretty space to work with and the views don’t hurt. 🙂
Sandy says
What a pretty room. I would lighten the gray to very pale shade, leaving the trim white. I’m not a fan of short rods to the side of windows, it just looks so “decorated”. I would add drapery rods across all walls & as close to the ceiling as possible . This would make the windows seem even taller and expand the room even more. Drapes hanging to the side will still allow the view to be the star.