As our laundry room adventures continue (priming, painting, and tile prep are in progress!) I thought it might be fun to share some virtual options that we tried on in the office (we tested out some wall ideas in Clara’s bedroom last fall and checked out a few looks for Teddy’s room about five months ago). Remember when I photoshopped some curtains and a rug into the last picture of this post about our new light and chairs? And I mentioned in the comments that West Elm had a rug sale (making the one we liked $100 off) so we pulled the trigger on it?
Well, said rug has shipped and is on its way to our house as I type this (cue the celebratory rug-welcoming drum line!) – which got me all hyper about nailing down a window treatment idea. Especially since you guys had some fun suggestions (everything from roman shades and other colored/patterned curtains to no window coverings at all but a deeper accent color on that back wall). So let’s play around with a window fashion show for a second, shall we?
This is the original rendering from the end of that post:
Next I tried curtains that are less emerald and more leafy green.
Then I went sort of taupe-gray with them, just to see how that would look.
Next I tried a soft blue-gray color to tie into the rug.
Then I added subtly patterned roman shades (found here), which I thought I would LOVE but they seemed a little busy with the rug.
Next I tried making that back wall a deeper color while leaving the windows completely bare.
Then it was back to roman shades, but I tried to make them look more like simple white ones to get an idea of how those might feel.
I also tried on some curtains against the deeper back wall, but that felt like too much going on.
So I took the back wall back to its original color, left the curtains, and added bamboo blinds. Ooh. Something started tingling. It felt layered and warm (the blinds tied into the cream light in a nice way).
See how much of a difference just a rug and some window treatments can make?
I also tried the same bamboo blinds + curtains combo with blue curtains instead of gray ones. We like both options (we might lean slightly more towards the gray ones, but aren’t 100% sure) so the deciding factor might be what kind of fabric we find.
We’re going to wait to pick the fabric until the rug is actually here and rolled out on the floor, just so we can compare them in person, but we definitely feel closer to a solution than we did a few days ago when roman shades, curtains, and dark back walls swirled through our heads.
Do you guys have any tricks for envisioning things in your house? Do you use Photoshop or a free service like Gimp? Do you just slowly bring things in that you love without much planning beforehand? Do you make mood boards? Sometimes we’ll fall in love with a piece of furniture or a wall color (in person or in an inspiration image) and we’re 100% sold, and other times I find myself making a mood board or virtually trying things in the room if we just can’t picture something well enough to commit.
Lauren says
The world needs more Mindy Kaling/Kelly Kapoor references :)
YoungHouseLove says
Also, the world needs The Mindy Project intro rap as a ringtone. I know because I have looked.
xo
s
Nikki says
Sherry,
I already have it as my ring tone… It’s been a while but I think I just bought it on Itunes…
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Nikki! I’m glad to hear this missing ringtone has been rectified!
xo
s
Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says
I typically hem and haw with visions in my head, then spend way too much money on a solution that I end up hating. Thankfully, when it comes to window treatments and rugs, my taste is too expensive for us to even afford, so we have naked floors and windows in the public rooms. We have new windows, though, so I like letting the light shine in.
I do have some curtains I tie-dyed for my family room–took me a year of thinking about it to pull the trigger, but I still haven’t hung them.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I’ve never heard of that service (Gimp) but you can bet I’m going to give it a go as I finish our living room remodel! I’ve tried photoshop and sometimes I just end up frustrating myself due to lack of patience. :-)
haverwench says
I’ve tried Gimp and I find it a royal pain in the tuchus to use. Even something simple like trying different colors for our shutters on the front of the house was an incredibly tedious process. The only thing it has going for it is that it’s free. If you already have Photoshop, I see absolutely no reason to try Gimp.
Amelia says
Yup, the bamboo makes a huge difference (I like both of the curtain colors in the last couple of images.) I also think you might want to incorporate a few natural textures into the room – some wood or wicker accessories?
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says
I agree with Amelia. Love the texture of the bamboo shades with the curtain panels to the side. The blue and taupe are lovely, but I’m still a fan of the emerald, especially with the navy desk chairs. Love that combo!
Denise says
Personally I love your first, bold option of the emerald green. My question is, how are you going to handle the front window? I prefer a continuous look from the outside (old foggy) so one bare window would look strange to me. Lol, knowing you it will be stunning!
YoungHouseLove says
I think that’s another reason we liked the bamboo blinds thing because we could add them on all the windows and just have curtains on the bay window and it’ll hopefully look nice (long curtains on those front windows would block some floor vents so we’re less sure about them up there).
xo
s
Amanda says
I agree, the bold green is really cool. I think the Bamboo and green would play well together.
Allie Austin says
I vote for the emerald green and bamboo blind combination!
Courtney H says
Me three; I vote for the bamboo blinds on all windows + the emerald green curtans! Initially I didn’t like the idea of any shades because I wouldn’t want the gorgeous views to be blocked, but you could always pull them up and the bamboo blinds seem to really tie in with the floors and the shade, provide privacy at night, etc. And the bold emerald green curtains seem to tie in the bold navy chairs. Go bold or go home! hehe jk. If the bold green curains really don’t feel right though, then my second vote would be bamboo blinds + dark gray (velvet?) curtains. I didn’t favor the bold wall or any of the blue/teal options, because the teal in the rug already seems to tie in well with the walls and teal items on the shelves. Either way you go, I agree that rug+ curtains do really cozy up the space and make it feel cohesive/finished!!
Christine says
Me three on the bamboo and emerald combo. Could you whip up that photoshop just for us? Purdy pleeez?
So sad about Robin. Hope he is at peace now! Amazing how he’s loved by yet another generation.
Kim says
Me too!
EmmyA says
I liked the emerald green too! They ground your dark chair and bold accessories. The grey seemed to just blend into the wall. Plus, the green is just happy and bright and energizing. Good for a work space. You know you’ve been wanting something happy and green since your dining chairs at your last house. ;)
kaleen says
I agree on the emerald green with bamboo blinds. I love that color for your room!! SO pretty!
Colleen says
Love the different ideas…the bamboo shades are great. How would they look with the leafy green curtains? I personally love the lighter green since it ties in with your plants and the greenery outside, but is soft enough to still warm it up. Definitely go bamboo!!!!!
Have fun and good luck!
Colleen says
PS: I have a similar bay window in our living room that has deep windowsills. We have lived in our home 9 1/2 years, and still no window treatment…so we are of the hem and haw variety!!!
SusanM says
I’m with Colleen on this one. Wood blinds with the leafy-green curtains. The emerald seems overpowering to me. The wood and green connects to the outdoors and balances all the hard white surfaces in the room. Love these kinds of posts!
Chasity says
I love the look of the greyer curtains with the bamboo blinds! I think it ties into the rug without being too matchy matchy. I am currently decorating my nursery (due date Sept 5) and I painted his dresser a green very similar to that you used on Teddy’s door and the cabinets at the show house. I can’t wait for the room to be done and share it with you guys! I was really inspired by how awesome Clara’s rooms have always looked and how great Teddy’s room looks, without being too nursery-ish. So thanks for that :)
Jocelyn says
I love that you added the woven blinds. I agree they help balance the cream shade, whiich I felt didn’t go with any of the other choices. I love your renderings and process. I have to work on my photoshop skills!
Jan says
The second rendering (taupe-gray curtains) looks the best IMHO. Not loving the addition of the bamboo blinds–looks busy and detracts from that lovely window. Awesome rug!
Lauren (in PA) says
Ohh…I like the bamboo/blue combo.
Elizabeth Haynes says
I love the window treatments. On my list for the next house!!!
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
Photo shop wizards!! Yep, y’all nailed it with the bamboo blinds – that’s definitely one of my favorite layered looks for windows. I’m digging the third from last photo with the gray curtain – I think it offers just the right amount of contrast.
Ariane says
The bamboo shades are a keeper ! I’m with Colleen to try out the light green curtains with the shades to see how it works. And I like the taupe ones better than the blue ones, which are a little too matchy-matchy with the rug. Have you considered a wall to wall curtain ? Might be interesting too. Good luck !
Jess says
Well I am nowhere near as good about design as you guys are, but I legit just get things I like and then kind of cross my fingers/hope they work out with other things.
They don’t always, and I currently have a nice set of curtains waiting to make their return trip to Target :P
Sarah W. says
At first I was against window treatments at all, but now I love the bamboo blinds with the lighter curtains(both options, though I like the blue better). I think for me the green curtains just didn’t seem to “go”.
All aboard the bamboo blind express!
Lynda says
I love the bamboo shades! Do you have a thought yet on where those will come from? We’re looking at them now and wondering if there are good quality, yet affordable options.
YoungHouseLove says
Haven’t hunted for them yet but I think I’ll ask some friends what they have/like.
xo
s
Danielle Purtle says
I have some that we love from JC Penny. They run awesome sales on window treatments pretty often.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
s
Christie says
Love the bamboo! They don’t offer any privacy, but they sure look good. If you are lucky to have the standard dimensions, they are inexpensive too. I love my roll up bamboo shades from home depot (matchstick style) but I really loved my bamboo Roman shades from there as well. Happy hunting!
Carolyn says
We just put up Bamboo shades in our living room – after looking at a ton of options, we ended up buying these Levelor brand shades from Lowes (in Natural Bamboo). They come with a privacy lining, which we needed since the window is opposite the TV and we needed to eliminate sun glare. I like that they are a roman shade, as opposed to just rolling up. And (in my opinion) they looked nicer/higher quality than many of the options I found. Oh, and they custom cut the blinds to size if you need. We installed them as an “outside mount” to make the window look bigger (high and wide!) so we didn’t cut them, but I like that it’s an option.
http://lowes.levolor.com/products/blinds/customsizenow/natural-woven-shades/
YoungHouseLove says
Those look really nice!
xo
s
Kate says
We have the levelor blinds from lowes as well in most of our windows. My color choice was in unlined. I just bought blackout curtain fabric for $4/yd and lined them myself. Glue gun, scissors + online tutorials. I love them!
Jannean says
When we moved into our new house I had to cover 24 windows on a budget. I went with the woven wood shades at selectblinds.com. They’ve been up a year and have held up well.
Heather W says
I love the bamboo blinds as well. I bought mine at J.C Penny’s on sale. You can’t see through mine at all. I never even knew it was an issue with bamboo blinds. They are virtually solid, nice color and look great. I have some with curtains and without and they look great. I would definitely check theirs out. I love the grey curtains best.
Heather W says
I bought my bamboo blinds at J.C Penny’s also. They are great color and quality. They were on sale and you can not see through them at all! I never even knew that was an issue with bamboo blinds. I like the grey curtains too!
Rachel says
We totally chanted that line the other day when I got a shipment of clothes at work during lunch a couple of weeks ago. I’m certain that there is a quote from The Office for any situation in life.
I’m loving those taupey grey curtains with the rug. It all looks so layered and lovely!
Jen says
I had to comment before I read the post just because I like the title to much. I can’t stop chanting it in my head now. It actually happens and I say it far too often with a Marshall’s right by my office. :)
Nicole B says
I liked this post. Seeing all the potential is exciting! The drywall posts make my head spin a little with all the logistics, so this is a nice reprieve.
Nicole B.
Sarah says
*Raises hand* I get the reference! I was just watching The Office last night. I had to introduce my dude to the always-awesome “Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica” scene. Love it.
Now off to read the rest of the post!
(yes, the first sentence was as far as I got before I had to comment)
Jen says
ALL of these options are lovely! The green adds such a great pop, but I’m voting bamboo shades with the gray-taupe color, which is still bold but a great neutral with your other colored accessories and a nice pair with the blue in the rug and wall. Good luck!
Brooke Thacker says
I TOTALLY get that reference – It’s one of the Go-To Random phrases in our house. That and… “Bears, Beets, Battle Star Galatica.”
Heather says
I don’t know “Bears, Beets, Battle Star Galactica” means in your house, but we could be friends :)
jeannette says
i love the way you guys process and sometimes crowdsource stuff. the light at the end of the hall/tunnel is a crowdsource lesson i will never forget.
the bamboo shades make all the difference, but i’d worry that matchy matchy blue curtains look way too motel/corporate. leafy green, feh. emerald? kaCHING. but i am not on the spot nor do i have to live in the space, nor am i seeing the rug actually in place. just saying the blue curtain mockup…..i might feel it more if the color and exuberance of clara’s desk were more in the pic.
Emily says
We are looking for bamboo shades for a similar shaped window in our home. Ideally, we’d be able to have cordless ones, but we haven’t been able to locate them. Do you know of any stores or online sites that sell cordless bamboo shades?
YoungHouseLove says
Haven’t hunted for them yet but I think I’ll ask some friends what they have/like.
xo
s
Brandi says
Me too! The only child safe bamboo ones I’ve seen are custom priced insanity. Will be following closely for an update!
zandi @ radical possibility says
i loooove the green so much, what about green with bamboo? the bamboo shades really pulled everything together, they’re a great call! (the grey curtains are a close second for me though!)
Amanda says
I like the last option best. Scrolling through just the curtains, I just liked the way that color tied in with the rug. And the blinds add so much function. :)
Olivia says
The bamboo blinds look awesome. This is what I’d go for if I had an office like yours.
Robin says
I wish I did this much research before purchasing. Granted we are in a rental not our forever home… but our method is to think about buying something for too long. Then go to the store see what they have and pick from that selection. Never mind researching or ordering. We tend to buy what we can touch and feel – who cares if there is something better or cheaper online. I tend to dislike this method – but its the only way my husband can shop and get on board.
Angie says
I love all of the options, but am voting for you to do something fun with the back side of your desk that is visible from the room entrance–maybe gold leaf??
rachel laree says
I agree it needs something, I suggested chalkboard last week with light-breezy curtains.
rachel laree says
Awe yes..the blinds are great!!!, the solid curtains still seem a bit heavy to me still though, with the bamboo blinds you could definitely have a natural-lighter material curtain. Having the curtains it widens your room, but the solid curtains shorten the depth of your room, but thats just my style talking, dont mind me, it’s your home!
Lil says
I really like the emerald green curtains…did you Photoshop those with the bamboo blinds?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! We’re reading every last comment and continuing to percolate!
xo
s
Alicia M says
Agree!! Would love to see this combo! I fell hard for the emerald green curtains in the first pic.
Leisa says
I have been in LOVE with that rug for-evah.
I also really liked the coral version you used in the showhouse.
Which colour did you choose for the office – aquamarine?
Also, love Kelly Kapoor – thanks for the little laugh.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes we got the aquamarine one. Come to momma little rug!
xo
s
Leisa says
ha ha. That colour is my favourite too. I have been waiting for them to get it in the London store. Now I just need to convince my fiance that we NEED it!
Allison says
I loved the green blinds, but know whatever you choose will look great.
On another note, I got a pop-up ad on your site today. I took a screen shot and sent it to your email. Hope that helps!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Allison!
xo
s
Amy J says
I have a similar window, and used an extra long curtain rod, but then spaced out additional panels between the windows to make it look like one big window. Shouldn’t take off any light, and might look nice with the gray ones. I and positive I will love whatever you end up with.
Lauren S. says
Loving the bamboo blinds! I’d love to see those with the accent wall. I could probably spend all day swapping out options (If I could – I’m still not photoshop literate, which is shameful these days, though I have found memories of swapping out endless clothing options on Barbie Fashion Designer. Whatever happened to that? I digress…)
Anyway, excited to see the laundry room upates!
Heather says
Oh man, I wish I had some photoshop skills. My strategy is to order a ton of options when there are free/shipping and return offers.
Kelly says
What do you yhink about choosing whatever color solid drape that you like the best, and then add a navy/white greek key trim border to tie in the navy chairs?
Lisa T says
This is the first curtain suggestion that I love – the kelly green and the other greens are too much for me. And the blur-ish/greys are too blah. But I could totally picture white with a navy greek key or similar geometric border. Love that idea!
Mallory says
I. GET. THE. REFERENCE!!!! Ugh, I want to say that to my husband all the time, but…he doesn’t get it. Sadface.
Jennie says
This day is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Love Kelly. Love.
AlisonG says
The curtains make the room feel a lot more closed in. I would skip the curtains, especially since your not doing the other window. It will give you more room for art and such on the walls flanking the window.
Stacy says
I don’t know if you’ve seen that rug in person yet, but I have and it is AWESOME. The orange one has been a strong contender in my search for a living room rug.
I tend to follow the rule of “if I love it, it will work” as far as decorating is concerned, but I have started making mood boards in photoshop and it’s actually made a big difference for me, especially when trying to figure out a large space. My entry, living room, dining room and kitchen are all pretty open to each other, and I’ve had some things that work in the individual spaces, but then when I add them to the “one big room” board it’s like, this works in the kitchen on its own but it really does not work with the sofa…finding these things out is less frustrating that I thought they’d be, and it’s helping me become more confident in my “vision” for the space.
P.S. I LOVE the blue curtains and bamboo blinds – I like the grey, too, but since the only really strong color you have in the room right now is the navy chairs, I think a bolder curtain color will provide a nice balance.
Sarah says
Love the blinds and blue curtains! I also really like the bare window with darker back wall, but sounds like you’re not that into it:-)
Maya says
I like the bare windows with the darker back wall too! what would that look like with the addition of bamboo blinds?
I also like someone else’s suggestion of lighter, breezy curtains with the bamboo– seems to me like that would complement better. But in the photoshops, at least, it seems like the shape of the gorgeous window gets a bit lost with the addition of the curtains, so I love the versions without! (This time– last post I was Team Green Curtains. Haha!)
Tricia Cartner says
Keeper on the bamboo shades and I vote for the blue/gray – pulling the color from the rug to help tie everything together. In a room where there is a lot of color going on (not a bad thing) it is nice to have some of the bigger elements point back to one another.
Diane @ Vintage Zest says
Of COURSE I get that reference! I totally catch myself saying that whenever I hear the words “fashion show.” It’s all thanks to the time that I asked my cousins to help me clean out my closet to decide what to throw out from high school, and they kept chanting it over and over again. Btw, I just love Mindy!
Oh, and I love the idea of moodboards, but it seems like we’re just winging it for our first house together right now by putting together pieces that we love. I’m afraid it’ll turn out “just eh” by the time we’re done with it… Oh well, we’ll see!
Gauri says
Love the bamboo blinds! Did you try just the blinds, or the blinds with other curtain colors? Something breezy like white might lighten things up a bit? It seems dark with the grey?
Also, the Mindy Project intro rap DOES exist as a ringtone. I know… because I have it :)
YoungHouseLove says
This is amazing ringtone news. Also, thanks to everyone for the ideas and suggestions!
xo
s
Cair says
‘Fashion show, fashion show, fashion show at lunch!” has become so common in our family that I had to pause a moment to figure out why you would know our family language.
I like the depth that the bamboo shades add. I like it best with the quality of the gray, but I feel like there is another color hiding out there that is what really belongs. I thing it will jump at you when you hit the store.
Katie says
Don’t break my heart! Go with the emerald curtains!!!
Lynn says
Love the last photo. Certainly the prettiest for me. ;)
Stacey C says
Wish I had your photoshop skillz. I have such a hard time visualizing thing in my house and your pictures make decision making so much easier. Love the progression of the office and can’t wait to see what you pick!
Stacey
Brenda says
I love the room with the roman shades. I think they would look great in a small pattern with a shade of blue from the rug and an accessory color from the room such as yellow or orange. The pattern size on your rendering is competing with the pattern size of the rug. Long drapes look too formal and I, personally, do not care for the bamboo shades at all.