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Window Covering Choices

April 23, 2015 By Rhoda 15 Comments

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Back in 2012, when I finished my house renovation and moved in (finally), one of the decisions I was pondering back then was what kind of blinds or shades to put on my windows for privacy and sun control.  It wasn’t a hard choice for me, because I fell in love with bamboo Roman shades and knew that the texture and color would enhance my casual, but traditional style home.

Back 30 years ago when I moved in my very first house, there were limited choices on shades and blinds.  We all remember the dreaded mini-blinds, don’t we?  That is exactly what I put in my first house, but thankfully the choices have broadened significantly since then.

The next trend that came along was white wooden blinds, the 2 inch variety that was so popular for many years.  Those were in my last house in Birmingham and were super popular in the 1990’s.

But, there are lots of choice to make when it comes to window coverings, so let’s talk about a few of those today.  Now, there are cellular shades, roller shades, Roman blinds, bamboo Roman blinds, to name a few.

Eclectic Living Room by Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators Elizabeth Reich
I found a few inspiration pics from Houzz.com to share with you, showing a few different styles of shades available today.  Of course, that first picture caught my eye because of the natural texture of the bamboo shades.  They add such an organic feel to a space and since things are so much more casual now, bamboo is a great addition to a room.
Traditional Living Room by London Interior Designers & Decorators MPD London
If you’d like a little more of a traditional look with fabric, you can’t go wrong with beautiful Roman shades made out of fabric and banded in a border.
Modern Kitchen by New York Architects & Building Designers de-spec
Another view of a long Roman Bamboo blind, adding just the right touch in this more modern home.
Eclectic Bedroom by Markham Interior Designers & Decorators Somers & Company Interiors
Here’s an example of those white wooden blinds that many folks still have. They are very nice and practical, creating privacy and match the white trim that many of us have.  Adding simple fabric panels, this is a standard window treatment that so many decorators have done.
Traditional Bedroom
Another example of bamboo shades with fabric drapery panels as well.  This is a classic and traditional look too.
Shabby Chic Bedroom by Savannah Interior Designers & Decorators Rethink Design Studio
Here’s an example of top down and bottom up shades.  These can be done in textured natural materials and also those cellular type shades.  These can fit in modern or traditional settings too.
Traditional Sunroom by New York Architects & Building Designers DeGraw & DeHaan Architects
Another room done in Bamboo shades, this all white sunroom with mostly brown tones looks cool and casual with the natural tones of the shades.
Beach Style Living Room by Providence Interior Designers & Decorators Kate Jackson Design
This room has a casual vibe with the textured bamboo giving a nod to the rattan chair.  Looks like a very inviting space.
Contemporary Bathroom by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Claudia Martin, ASID
Another example of the bottom up shade for privacy in this master bath.
Contemporary Living Room by Easton Interior Designers & Decorators Bountiful
I think these might be cellular shades, it’s hard to tell in this picture, but it’s a beautiful space.
Tropical Bedroom by Jupiter Interior Designers & Decorators JMA INTERIOR DESIGN
These also look to be cellular shades.  Those are a good choice if you just want something that complements and doesn’t detract from anything else in the room.  Very simple and useful for privacy and sun control.
Traditional Living Room by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Dawn Sercia Designs
More of the bottom up and top down shade choices in this elegant room.
Transitional Living Room by Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators Folding Chair Design
And a transitional space using more bamboo blinds for texture.
As you can see, I definitely lean towards the look of bamboo blinds.  I just love their natural casual feel and with a privacy liner, they look great from the street too, with all white on the backside.  They work great for keeping out the sun and with the liner, no one can see in.
They were the perfect choice for my house, which is a mix of traditional and casual style.
bamboo blinds
I’ve been very fortunate to work with Payless Decor on all my shades in my house and they are right here in Atlanta.  We started working together when I was renovating my house in 2012 and they supplied me with all of my bamboo Roman shades.  But, since they are an online company, anyone can order from them.  I can vouch for their Bamboo Roman shades and have enjoyed them on every window in my house.
I am adding the same Tibet bamboo shades in my den space too, which flows with the rest of the house.  Payless Decor shipped them to me after I sent them the window dimensions of my new windows.
blind install
Installing them is really easy and they go up very fast, especially with an electric drill.  The hardware fits up in the corner of the window and the shade slides right over that metal prong.  These are inside mount shades.
bamboo blind install
The wooden bar slides into place and a nut/bolt holds it all in place securely.
bamboo blinds in windows
I still love the texture of these bamboo blinds and will enjoy having some privacy when needed on these windows.  Right now, I’m leaving them wide open because I can’t get enough of the outdoors coming in these windows.  It’s completely transformed my space!
LUCEDE_1
Next, I will be adding some beautiful fabric to these windows.  I’ve ordered this Richloom Lucy Eden fabric with all these vibrant colors and will have drapery panels made for this room.
Lucy Eden Fabric
If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you’ll see my fabric came in yesterday and wow, do I love it!  The colors are so rich and vibrant and I can’t wait to get drapes made of out of this beautiful fabric.  It’s going to pull all the colors in my room together.
payless decor drape and blind samples
I also wanted to share with you some of the choices that you can get from Payless Decor. They really do have almost unlimited choices of bamboo blinds, Roman shades, cellular shades, drapes, and more.  Combining your ideas is not a problem, like these textured shades mixed with a neutral drapery material.
payless decor items
Another choice could be cellular shades in a richly textured material mixed with Roman shades or drapes in Raw Silk Oyster for a neutral tone on tone look.
payless decor samples 3
Examples of cellular shades on the left and textured shades on the right.
payless decor samples
Here are some examples of fabric choices for drapes and Roman shades.
payless decor samples 4
Many folks still love the look of wood or faux wood blinds and they have those covered too.
payless decor samples2
Other examples are pleated shades in all sorts of materials and textures, so there truly is something for everyone.  Payless Decor has so many choices that I can’t imagine anyone not finding what they want.  I have really enjoyed their products in my house and will continue to do so for years to come.  The Bamboo Roman blinds on my windows still work as effortlessly as the day they were installed.

So, what are your favorite ways to dress windows?  Do you love cellular, bamboo, pleated, or roller shades?  Or do you still have traditional wood blinds in your house?  I would like to know what everyone is doing these days!

Note: This is a sponsored post from Payless Decor. They supplied the bamboo Roman shades in my house. All opinions and ideas are my own.  

 

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, House Renovation, Projects and How-To 15 Comments

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Comments

  1. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    April 23, 2015 at 6:14 am

    You’ll love the Lucy Eden fabric from Richloom, Rhoda. I used it to make an upholstered cornice in the powder room at my last house and it’s gorgeous! Full of vibrant colors and the fabric has a good weight to it too. I know it will be beautiful in your room.

    Reply
  2. Dana @queenofmycastle3 says

    April 23, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I have the bamboo blinds and custom fabric curtains in my foyer, living room and kitchen. In the other parts of the house I have dark wood thick blinds. The bathroom doesn’t have any covering on the windows because they face the woods and no chance of anyone looking in. The windows are turn outs and it is nice to have all that sunshine coming in.

    Reply
  3. Courtney says

    April 23, 2015 at 7:32 am

    Love this Rhoda! I have bamboo shades in many rooms in my house. I just love the texture they add. I have them paired with and without drapes and they look great either way. I swear by the bamboo blinds sold at JCPenney, which are currently on a huge sale…ordering some for my son’s room today:)

    Reply
  4. [email protected] Porch Musings says

    April 23, 2015 at 7:33 am

    I had Payless bamboo roman shades throughout our previous home. Loved the look. For our new home, I am going with Plantation Shutters. I’ve always loved that look and always wanted shutters. Decided it’s time. Our basement isn’t finished. There is a single window and slider. Those windows will have blinds and I will definitely be shopping Payless.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Hey, Pat, I’m so glad to hear you ordered through Payless and loved them. I’ve always liked Plantation shutters too, such a classic look.

  5. Bonnie says

    April 23, 2015 at 7:46 am

    Love your bamboo shades. I have only one up in this house. but want more but with the privacy or blackout liner. We get alot of afternoon sun since a tornado got alot of the pine trees before we moved here. Which one did you get the privacy liner or blackout? Thanks for all the info. May order some samples.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2015 at 7:51 am

      HI, Bonnie, I got the white privacy liners.

  6. Tricia says

    April 23, 2015 at 8:44 am

    I have my house up for sale but I put faux white blinds on the dining room door to the sunroom that is half glass, I made curtains for three bedrooms and put privacy liners in them. The bathrooms (face woods) have very light grommet curtains and faux wood shades are in the basement family room. I love roman and cellular shades but because of the odd shaped windows I couldn’t put them up in this house but I hope to use them in the next house.

    Reply
  7. Ana Maria says

    April 23, 2015 at 9:11 am

    And if you had done your house 40 years ago, you would have used bamboo shades! Even prettier than the ones being used today, they were “burnt bamboo” that looked like tortoise shell. Pier One was the first to carry them; and they were quite inexpensive. Everything eventually comes back!

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2015 at 9:58 am

      I do remember those. I had them in my first apartment and you’re right, they did look burnt. I was a big fan of them back in the late 70’s, early 80’s.

  8. Dawn S says

    April 23, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Love the look of your bamboo shades! Did you move your Ikea cabinet? I thought you attached it to the wall and was wondering if it is very difficult to relocate? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      April 23, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Hey, Dawn, oh no it’s still there! I love that built-in bookcase. I’ll show the whole room as soon as I get my new drapery panels finished & up.

  9. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    April 26, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Rhoda, that fabric is gorgeous and I cannot wait to see it made up into drapes! I love woven wood blinds and would love to put some in my guest bedroom. I’ll be sure to order them from Payless Decor. Plus, my sister-in-law is building a new home and will need blinds, too so I’ll share the site with her.

    Reply
  10. Annie says

    March 2, 2018 at 10:00 am

    Hi! I love your style!! I know this pair is old but I just came across it and I am considering the same bamboo shades from payless Decor. Do you still like them? Do you have the movable liners? In the pictures you posted are those with liners? I wasn’t sure how “fluffy” the Roman blinds would look when pulled all the way up with liners.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      March 2, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Hi, Annie, I had Payless blinds at my old house and now at my new one and love them all. This style is different that my current ones and don’t have this Tibet style anymore, but my current house has Bali Natural in the Premium line. All of mine have been lined with a white privacy liner and I love how they function. They are not too fluffy at all and help keep too much sun from coming in. The liners are not removable.

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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