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.
Annie says
The problem in these pics is the rug. That beige doesn’t work with the stark white you have on the trim and furniture. Yes, I learned this lesson myself, the hard way. A very stark white really dictates the rest of your decorations.
You need either a different rug, without the beige, or a warmer white on the paintwork. And that’s the glory of photoshop, you can see this before you wrestle something home.
CourtW says
Completely agree! Those contrasting whites, along with so many “pops” of color are making this room just too busy and honestly, hurtful to the eyes.
Dalenna says
The blinds are my pick – shows the depth of the bay window more. Love the bamboo with emerald green idea but would that go with the rug?
Also, please remind us of Teddy’s weekly pics. They are so great but I forget to go look ( just did and was 4 weeks behind). Bonus, that makes for an easy post for you too “look how cute my kid is” -done!
Zoe says
I used Photoshop to virtually decorate a basement room with a skyline mural…making it into a penthouse! Check it out at
http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2011/05/painting-skyline-wall-mural.html
Susan says
I LOVE the color on the walls. I’d like to see that color on all the walls. It lets all the white pop.
Christine Duffy says
Loving the bamboo blinds combo! I’m pretty indecisive when it comes to what I think I like. I once went so far as to print out the pattern of a pair of curtains I thought I liked and taped the paper to the wall next to the window I wanted to hang them. I wound up not liking the pattern up there as much as I thought I would, but I still wonder every now and then whether that was an effective method or not.
Melanie G says
Probably the best post title you have created thus far. Thanks :)
Lauren @ Bless'er House says
Ooh! I love the taupe-gray with the woven shades the best! And you totally just made my day with that Office reference. I think I’m craving a Netflix marathon now. :)
Ashlyn says
Not curtain related (maybe) but I think you need an additional navy item to tie in the two chairs. They were good additions, but they look a little out of place without another navy element.
Maybe swapping out the planter for a navy one?
Also, the front of that desk would look better with some sort of treatment to breakup all the white.
Ashlyn says
More on this: I’d ditch the yellow accessories and go with the curtain set up from the last image. You’d have a beachy, calming color scheme which would be a refreshing change from the bright colors that were everywhere the past couple years.
Kristin says
I think bamboo shades were so much easier to find when you were in house #1. Everyone, including Target seemed to carry them. Then, they started disappearing for some reason. Maybe you can have a bamboo shade product line at Target?!? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Ha!
xo
s
Sabrina P. says
There are two things I want to say: 1) you both do such a magnificent job of posting to this blog. It may sound cliché, but as a communications professional, I know the amount of time and work that go into creating quality posts. Saying just the right thing, editing, re-editing, choosing photos, photo storage issues, editing photos, placement of photos on the page, etc., etc. You guys consistently nail it, and while some of these may seem easy to you now, I know they are learned skills. The two most recent long, photo-rich posts are great from a quality standpoint. I’ve been reading you from the beginning, and I just appreciate, truly, the work you do on this blog, in your homes, and the homes of others.
2) I also want to commend you for maintaining the quality while having to scale back the number of posts you do. While there aren’t as many, they certainly can be richer. That drywall mudding post was time and labor intensive, no doubt. I think you’re doing the right thing. It’s difficult to find a work life balance especially when work and life overlap so much. Your kids won’t regret it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Sabrina! You’re so sweet to say that!
xo
s
Cathy says
Sabrina, I could not agree with you more! Most YHL readers have NO idea about how much work goes into each post and yet they read other blogs–with disappointment. Sabrina gets comment of the day in my book!
I’ve often said to friends that I’ve been DIY’ing before it was cool to do it and blog about it. But I have NEVER done a project, photographed it while I was about to blow a fuse in the process, edited photos, create videos about it, written and edited the copy (and been creative and then re-edited it) . . . not to mention having to approve this banal comment left by a reader who’s been reading since the first house.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for the kind words Cathy!
xo
s
Lauren says
I feel like the green curtains compete too much with the green fig plant.
The blue-grey curtains make the fig’s color bounce, and they’re a lovely complement to the rug.
The bamboo blinds add some gentle warmth in a room filled with cool colors, and the texture is visually interesting but doesn’t compete with the pattern on the rug.
Amanda P says
I love the emerald curtains. I am working on my niece’s room that is emerald and pink. It sounds hideous, but works…My fiance has looked through multiple power points with rug, curtain, and throw pillow options complete with Before/Afters, DIY projects,and colors schemes. It’s not the best program, but quick for lunch breaks and a simple click of “remove background” on individual pictures.
Mitsy says
Nice options, wanted to throw one more out there, how about the darker accent wall and just the bamboo blinds?
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the ideas guys! Thanks to everyone for sharing them!
xo
s
Susan says
I like the 2nd photo of the leafy green but with the bamboo shades. This look gives you the most interesting color palette/impact without an overload. Good luck. The rest are too drab for me and you. LOL
I am so glad you posted because I am upset this morning watching all the Robin Williams remembering posts and TV. We were huge fans of his. I think we as fans are more upset due to the fact he made us all laugh, yet he was so hurting inside. We feel a repressed sense of guilt now whether we know it or not. I have a lump in my throat as though I lost someone close to me.
YoungHouseLove says
It was a giant loss. So sad that he was hurting so much.
xo
s
Amber McMullin says
I’m re-watching The Office on Netflix, I highly recommend it. It has reconfirmed its one of my all time favorite shows, so funny! Every. Time. Also, Love the darker emerald curtains they just pop!
Jessica says
I love the last option…and the reference! It’s my favorite Kelly line after “I’m gonna look amazing.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hhzdcRaB3I
Kat says
I love the subtle grey curtains with bamboo blinds the best. It seems it would be a color you would want to live with for a lot longer than the emerald– just my opinion :) Window treatments can be such a big investment, so I usually look for less trendy colors and patterns that could be used in other less permanent items in the room. Also, the windows themselves are so beautiful, so I think a lighter color will enhance rather than hide them.
This is sure a lovely office space!
Amy says
Totally get the reference and it might be my favorite scene!
I’m digging the blue drapes + bamboo blinds. The blue plays nice with the navy chairs. Can’t wait to see where you end up!
Julie says
Love how the bamboo blinds allow you to tie in the other window as well.
Diana says
I got all tingly with the bamboo blinds too! Something about a layered look just gets me going. And I vote for the grey curtains. For some reason the blue ones aren’t sitting well with me!
Would you ever consider painting the window frame/lites a different color? I’m trying to think if you guys have done this in the past…
http://www.thewonderfullymade.blogspot.com
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve seen that done over a sink in a kitchen and it looked awesome! I think since there are so many window panes in here it could get kinda crazy/busy, but on a smaller window in a kitchen or bathroom I love it!
xo
s
Kelley Kay says
I’m late to the party but I just wanted to say I did know the reference of Fashion Show, Fashion Show, Fashion Show at Lunch! Me and my husband do it to our kids everytime they get a new piece of clothing. They don’t think it’s as funny as we do;)
Jon says
With the new rug in place, how will the floor outlet work under the desk?
YoungHouseLove says
The rug won’t cover that part of the floor (it won’t fully be under the desk – just under the front two legs like in the photoshopped rendering). Although I just looked at that and it’s hard to tell where it ends, but we measured it out before ordering :)
xo
s
Meredith says
I am a big fan of bamboo shades. JC Penny (I know, right?) has a big sale on line. 25% marked down already low prices. Their bamboo blinds are nice and come in lots of colors and sizes. Check it out, you might be able to save big time.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Kate says
Why emerald green? I am not seeing it anywhere else in the room. I see teal and coral and yellow, but aside from the plant leaves I am not seeing any green?
YoungHouseLove says
Clara has some art on her bulletin board with those tones along with seeing a ton of it out the windows :)
xo
s
Kate says
What happens in the winter when the leaves are gone? Or you change out Clara’s art work and there is no green cuz she decides she hates it? I have never heard or decorating an indoor room to tie in with colors outside. Is that an actual thing?
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve heard designers say “a window is like a big frame and the view is the art” so some people take it into consideration but I’m sure others just ignore whatever’s out there. Ha! I’d be down with those curtains as long as they played well with our other stuff in real life, even if emerald didn’t reoccur anywhere else. For example, a yellow bolster pillow in a tan/white/navy bedroom could be just the right amount of fun, even without having other matching yellow items around. Like wearing blue jeans & a white tee with a red necklace – some things are just an accent, so you don’t always need a red belt and red shoes too. Everyone has a different sense of mixing colors & patterns though, so it’s definitely a personal thing :)
xo
s
Kate says
Well, I agree with the view being the art but curtains and shades might hide it ;) I don’t think designing to bring in colors you can sometimes see out the window makes sense though, at least to me. Obviously I am not feeling the emerald green and am confused why so many people think it is a good idea. The examples you gave included small contrast items, like a bolster pillow or a necklace, which I do not think works for curtains. I would go with something in the Navy tone and get rid of the coral planter, maybe replace it with something wood? The room needs more depth, not all the colors from inside and outside.
YoungHouseLove says
My thought is that some people like the emerald option for being unexpected and not too matchy, but that’s just a guess. I know what you mean about my examples including small things, so maybe picturing a coral accent wall in a neutral living room or a giant gallery wall of bold art in a white modern room will help? Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions! We’re reading every last one and can’t wait to see where we end up :)
xo
s
Cheryl says
Love the gray curtains — not so “matchy-matchy” as the blue ones! The bamboo shades are the icing on the cupcake!
barb says
I don’t know why, but when anything emerald is mentioned or I see it – I think of red ruby slippers. :)
Caitlin says
I personally like the blue with the bamboo blinds. I have a love affair with the Sanela curtains from ikea. They have them in a soft blue and gray. I want them for my bedroom.
Link to said curtains: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20239010/#/60239008
Also should the need arise, apparently ikea now makes black out curtain liners?
Sam says
What about navy curtains to tie in the navy chairs? Bold, but not too crazy. You could put the bamboo blinds with them, too.
Sarah says
I think your instinct is right-on with the Romans! They make it look clean and professional – bright and happy and busy and energizing – a come-on-in vibe – It’s an office, not a bedroom!
Playing around with that a bit more might find the right one. I know this looks kind of busy, but it hits all the right notes…general direction, kind of thing.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/61/b1/78/61b17833df31f2fd2312dbb78f620da3.jpg
or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-Plaisirs-De-La-Chine-Cotton-Home-Decor-Fabric-350-yrd-/131262151643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8fd57bdb
They’ll be up all the time, so you’ll get more of a *sense/feeling* from them than an in-your-face like a curtain.
Good Luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the ideas and links guys! Thanks for sharing them.
xo
s
Jen says
I miss the Office so much!
I love your final idea about the layering, and like the idea of pulling color from the rug. But there is just something about the leafy green color that gets me.
Meghan says
This is one may absolute favorite Mindy/ Office quotes. I often get a blank stare in response, so this reference made my day.
Amanda says
How do you intend to tie in the navy chairs with the rest of the room? I love the chairs but they are the only navy in the whole room.
YoungHouseLove says
Navy is such a deep neutral to me (and there are two of them to relate to each other) that I think even a little navy box on the desk, or a small thing like a planter or piece of art with that color would work :)
xo
s
Christine says
I personally love the accent wall with no shade/curtain, or simply the bamboo shade with no curtain. I’m a sucker for clean lines and less versus more, and with the patterned rug, the silky curtains, and a textured bamboo shades, I just think there’s too much going on in here. But,I also kind of suck at seeing the big picture, so never mind my opinion!
Steph says
I’m feeling the same way. I LOVE the bamboo shades, but I think it would look a bit more polished without any curtains. I also like the idea of the accent wall with the shades, if you feel like you need a little something extra back there.
Whatever you end up deciding, I’m sure it would look beautiful! You guys have such great taste :)
Caroline says
I love looking at all of the options! It’s nice to see how each one will look with the complete room before making a commitment to everything! I would love to get some photoshop skills like that!
Suzy says
Love the bamboo with the emerald green!
Audrey says
I think the blue curtains with the bamboo shades were nicer. That option made the room feel lighter and brighter than the grey IMO.
aurelie says
A little off topic here, but hold the phone: I just checked out the last few weeks of Teddy’s photo project! When did he become the cutest little Michelin Man? That week 15 photo. I die. He is so sweet, you guys. (and again nice work Mama with the breast feeding!) Love to watch your family and house evolve!
YoungHouseLove says
I know! My big boy is growing so fast!
xo
s
Kate says
YES! to the bamboo shades!! We are just waiting to save up the last couple of dollars before pulling the trigger on ordering those for our living room (two 36″x60″ windows, one 30″x60″ window), and I couldn’t be more excited!
You are seriously amazing at photoshop. I have tried to use GIMP in the past (mostly to show my husband front door colors), and my attempts were so laughable that now I just tape up paint swatches and hope for the best :)
It was actually a combination of house*tweaking and Domino that convinced me that bamboo was the way to go for our living room, since I was so unable to imagine it on the computer ;-). A couple weeks (months?) ago, Domino had some cottagey bungalow-type makeovers featured on their Instagram, and the similarity to our colors and window architecture really sealed the deal for the hubs and me on bamboo for the space. Now, the question for us is, curtains or no curtains?! They’re up now, but easily removable, should we decide to go without.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I really need to post our living room on the forums for advice. It’s a wide room, 25’x 12′, I think (maybe deeper than 12? Don’t know offhand), but it encompasses our entry, stairway, a fireplace, and two small built-in bookcases as well as a narrow doorway into the kitchen and a wide (6′) doorway into the dining room. Anyway, I digress. Yes to the bamboo! :) And personally, I love the taupey-grey curtains, but that’s just my two cents! :)
Barbara says
Do you have any tips on how to make a mood board using photoshop. I would love to play around with images as I am about to re-do my living room from scratch. To be perfectly honest I don’t even know how to use photoshop but with some good tutorials I’m sure I could learn. Love the way your office is coming together.
Barb
YoungHouseLove says
I hear Polyvore makes mood boards really easy and it’s free so maybe check that out first? In photoshop you have to cut things out and resize them, but other than that it’s pretty straightforward.
xo
s
bridget | 623designs:interiors says
Barbara,
I don’t have PhotoShop, so I actually use MS PowerPoint and they come out just fine. You can check some out on my blog.
emily says
Have ya’ll thought about café shutters on just the bottom of the windows? I’m really wanting to do that in my house…it gives you privacy and good light at the same time. And, you could mix things up and do stained wood or painted shutters. There are lots of old ones on craigslist!
Kind of like this:
http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/2010/02/custom-indoor-shutters.html
YoungHouseLove says
That could be fun too! Love all the suggestions guys!
xo
s
Brandy says
Taupe-gray with the bamboo blinds – love it!
Anna says
I felt the need to get your cyber pat on the back…because it only took me about 3 seconds to get the reference! Of course! Post-Roy Pam’s new clothes come in, which of course calls for a lunch break fashion show a la Kelly Kapoor. And I didn’t even have to click the link. (Of course I will be horribly embarrassed if I am wrong. But I am not.)
Love you Petersiks. Keep it comin.
Kate H. says
I use Home Designer Suite, by Chief Architect- it’s easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and allows you to completely model your home. I spend hours and hours just playing with different designs, or rearranging furniture before I actually do the work (and I have to admit, it’s fun to use for a “Dream Home” as well!). It would have been really helpful for you to have for your laundry room makeover, to physically walk through all the different design ideas.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds really cool!
xo
s
Heidi says
Oh wow! Love the bamboo blinds! I totally need to learn Photoshop or something similar…. It would totally help me make decisions around here :-)
Karen says
I recently bought bamboo blinds and made curtains for just one window. But I like how they both work well together. I like being able to roll down the blinds at night.
I think you would be happy if you went that direction.
http://www.flimsypi.com/?p=754
Karen
Cory says
AHH! HAHA! I love the title of your post – my sister and I always chant this at each other… I miss Kelly!
Beth Ventura says
BEST TITLE EVER.
I love you guys.
YoungHouseLove says
Love you back.
xo
s
Marie says
Love how the bamboo blinds tie in with the new lamp!
Stephanie says
They all look great, but I’m loving the gray and bamboo shades. They’re so cozy and there are enough pops of color in the room that it still feels like a colorful space. And they’d be really versatile for down the line, esp since custom drapes are such an investment. Love them! I’m sure whatever you guys go with will look fabulous as always :)
Emily says
http://ideas.thenest.com/decor-tricks/decor-style/slideshows/10-tips-for-making-a-small-space-bigger.aspx?page=2
This is a comment not related to this post, but as I was browsing Real Simple, I found a picture of a living room that was nearly identical to the den in your first house. Imitation is the best form of flattery? I think so. Cheers!
YoungHouseLove says
Wanna know something funny? That was our den! The Nest shot our house waaay back in the day (2008 I think!) so they own the rights to those pics, and occasionally they pop up around the web!
xo
s