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.
Delaney says
Where are the emerald green curtains from? I love them in the room : )
YoungHouseLove says
I found them on Pinterest and they linked to Wayfair but it was the main homepage (dead link) so I’m not sure if they sell them anymore.
xo
s
Jennifer Jones says
What about this:
Bamboo blinds on all the windows
Darker back accent wall
Long white curtains on the bay window
I think it would look layered without being too much busyness and adding more white would allow you to do something to add interest to the back of your desk. I liked the idea someone had of gold leaf, but maybe not the whole back of the desk. Maybe just a stripe?
Robin W says
I second this
bridget | 623designs:interiors says
I make mood boards for each room of my house so that I can see how patterns and furniture work together. I also use Pinterest to store links to items I like. But there’s something about seeing them all together on a mood board that works better for me. Here’s one for the room makeover I was planning for my girls.
http://623designs.tumblr.com/post/75178296949/the-big-girls-room
Stacy {Woodsy Weddings} says
I love how much planning and organization you put in this to figure out your options. The final room is going to be breathtaking.
A Golden Tulip says
I like the back wall in a deeper color and no window treatments or the first emerald green one…those bamboo blinds cozy up the place well, and matches with the lights too..
xo
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
Ilse says
I love the blue curtains with the bamboe blinds but maby a little less pale, more inbetween the desk chair and what you rendered now.
Little tip; your Photoshop renderings will get tremendously better when you add some shadows, like in this case the curtains shadow on the wall and floor and the fiddle leaf fig on the curtains. Just pick black for your brush tool, lower the opacity and hardness (a lot) and gently follow the outline of what you are making a shadow of. Do it in a new layer so you can still edit the shadow. Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Ilse!
xo
s
Diana says
Thumbs up on the title reference. Was just thinking about that the other day, completely randomly!
And loving the bamboo blinds!
leanne says
The first or Last! love the green and LOVE bamboo shades!
Lindsay @ Lindsay Weighs In says
GIRL, teach me your Photoshop Skillzzzz. I’m jealous! Love the bamboo blinds with the gray curtains.
Stephanie says
Hi! I definetly like the bamboo with the drapes. Where will you be getting the drapes?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve been thinking about having a local seamstress make them for us (she worked with us at the showhouse and was amazing!).
xo
s
Carli says
I’m sitting here clapping my hands like Kelly to the title!! Love it! My college roommates and I would quote this anytime we went shopping or really, just anytime it felt appropriate :)
Mandy says
I think the velvety turquoise curtains at Ikea could possibly look great if they work with your rug!
Maggie @Maggie Overby Studios says
I think I’m with the majority on the Bamboo shades. I had a bay window in my Kitchen that I was lucky enough to find ready made ones from Lowes that fit perfectly. FYI you can see straight thru them at night if you don’t get the liner them.
As for making these decisions I am all for mood boards which can be done easily by anyone in a program as simple as Paint. I have also used Roomstyler an online 3D rendering program which I enjoy. I only wish had more furniture options. Will have to give Gimp a try and see if I like it better.
Laura & the shell says
Definately love the bamboo shades! I’m partial to roman blinds without drapes. Feels more open, less busy. Either way, it’s looking good in there!
Jennifer says
100% with you on the bamboo shades and grey curtains. First thing I saw when I looked at that picture was all the pops of color in the room and the beautiful outside. That combo sets the stage for the room and isn’t THE room. Make sense?
Traci says
I love the West Elm rug. I thought about using it in our living room, but when I looked at it in the store it seemed to have a scratchy texture. I was concerned about the comfort of the rug in bare feet and for small kids playing on it. Since you used this rug in the show house, what thoughts do you have on it’s comfort? Does it get softer as it wears in?
YoungHouseLove says
We have flat weave rugs in the kitchen and the bedroom so they don’t tend to bother us but it’s definitely not super plush and soft like wool! I’d call it softer than jute/seagrass but not as soft as a deep wool carpet (it’s right in the middle). The showhouse one took a beating (3000+ people passing through) and still looks awesome, so that’s definitely a selling feature, along with the low profile of it (so John’s chair can roll without having a giant bump up onto it if he rolls it back far enough).
xo
s
Lynn says
I said…ohhhh….when I saw the bamboo :) I’d like to see the what bamboo blinds look like with the cream color in the rug…whatcha think?
Rachel W says
The world needs more Kelly Kapoor references!
Megan says
Hm, what about the blue from the rug with navy stripes near the bottom (like http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2ZAxgsZjqI/U2BkNhbbdmI/AAAAAAAAMLM/ajo2I4YdaXs/s1600/Caleb+curtains+2.jpg maybe). Or a more blue-based grey with navy stripes. The chairs are only bit of navy, so they really stand out right now.
YoungHouseLove says
So many fun ideas! Thanks guys!
xo
s
Angela says
I really loved the Emerald green curtains in the first photo. But then the bamboo blinds–LOVED them. I wonder how they would look together?
Dawn says
I love the room with the layered blinds and curtains!
I love making mood boards. I also just bring things home and try them out, with the intention of returning them if they don’t work. I am trying to get better at actually doing the returning. See also: Future Etsy Shop. ;P
Jenny B. says
Well, I am not much of a curtains person, so I think I would like the bamboo blinds alone the best. I love to be able to see the trim around the windows. As far as working through design decisions, I’ve used Photoshop a few times for that, and it really helps. I’m currently working through the Room Makeover Photoshop Class from Shoot Fly Shoot. It is very detailed and informative. Here’s a link: http://shootflyshoot.com/room-makeover-info/
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great resource!
xo
s
Erin B. says
I think you should stick with your original drapes… the darker/brighter green. It really brightens the room.
Megan says
I always enjoy a good fashion show! So many options appear to work in your space. Just a thought, didn’t Teddy have some green curtains? The might be a good look to try to see if you like the bolder color. Personally, I love the emerald option with the bamboo Romans. Looking forward to seeing what you decide!
YoungHouseLove says
Someone else said that! I need to dig those out!
xo
s
Jamie says
I use that reference all the time!! But normally people don’t get it… <3 Mindy Kaling!
Oh also – if I may weigh in… The gray curtains with the bamboo shades. Le sigh. Lovely.
Jessie G says
love the bamboo with the panels — I think layering is the way to go!
What is a good source for bamboo shades?
I need some bad!
YoungHouseLove says
A few folks have shared them in the comments since I had the same question! There were a few promising options!
xo
s
SherryB says
You guys are so good at this – I am also tingly over the bamboo shades with either blue or grey curtains.~~~~~~~tingles!
annie says
OOOOH! try the emerald green with the bamboo! I think you’ll get a shot of WOW but still keep that natural, Earthy look y’all love! :) just an idear!
Julie W says
I love the grey with bamboo blinds. The texture is awesome, and it really pulls your eye through the room and right out the window.
I have become a fan of putting mood boards together. My husband is very visual – he cannot just “imagine” how something might look. I pull together things I already have, along with pieces on olioboard that I love, in the color scheme I’m leaning towards. He can see where I’m going, and get a feel for what I’m trying to do in a space, without me having to go out and do it all, only to have him hate it. (wow that was alot of commas!)
Our master is finally coming together, all loosely based on an Olioboard I put together more than a year ago. I found a vintage travel print I loved, which set off the color scheme (deep blues, some reddish corals, pops of bright green & yellow, grounded by some antique gold frames and wrought-iron candle holders and white bedding). I love that we’ve been able to incorporate some family heirloom pieces, kid-art that makes us smile, and a few found/thrifted items to really start bringing it all together.
It’s not an exact science, and there are a few things he’s vetoed out of our room that have gone to live elsewhere. And lamps. We CANNOT agree on lamps! I may have to build a couple…
Liz says
I LOVE the last two options with the bamboo shades. The grey is my first choice, but the blue looks nice too. I wasn’t a huge fan of the emerald green…I like how the other options give the room some warmth.
Is there a reason you paint your rooms first before choosing fabrics and accents? I’ve seen other designers choose paint last since there’s such a wide variety of paint colors, so I just wondered why you go this route. Not criticizing, just curious :)
YoungHouseLove says
I’m a chicken or the egg girl. Sometimes if we already have a rug or bedding or something to start with we might not start with paint, and instead we’ll let those items inform our paint decision. And sometimes we just really want a certain wall color (like the deep blue in our bedroom) so starting there and building on that seems to make sense (wouldn’t want to get a bunch of stuff that looks off once the walls go dark). In the office we knew we wanted a light and bright wall situation, and since we didn’t have any furniture to work around, we tackled the walls first, so that afterwards it was nice and simple to bring in larger items like bookcases (that we anchored to the wall). Those could have been a pain to un-anchor for painting after they were initially installed if we did things the other way around.
xo
s
Nina says
If you decide on purchasing curtains rather than making them, Ikea has these velvet beauties in both grey and a teal/blue. I have them in my living room and they hang so nicely and are a great thick quality fabric. Your Photoshop pictures totally reminded me of them.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20239010/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40230198/
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh thanks Nina! I have seen those in person and they’re so pretty! Do they make the room feel dark being so thick? I love how bright this space is.
xo
s
Kathryn says
Really feelin’ the emerald.
Helen says
Hi guys, are you still doing the fewer posts thing? If you are, you’ve managed to do it without me really noticing the difference, and still absolutely loving everything you write!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Helen!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Please, please, please keep a punch of color in the window treatment. I love the emerald green curtains but the bamboo blinds certainly look good with the blue curtains. The room is so friendly and cheery and bright with them. Don’t go the safe route with the grey.
Andrea M. says
The green drapes with blinds would look amazing!!
Kat says
I love the layered look! Have you thought about getting Ikea curtains? I’ve recently come to the realization (many years later than I should have?) that, pretty much no matter how cheap the fabric, buying Ikea curtains is almost always cheaper. These gray velvet curtains look similar to one of your mock-ups, and they’re nice in person: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40230198/
They’re $70, which means that you could save money if you find fabric for less than $11/yard (which is easy), but they’re already made! Anyway, just a thought. I’m also dying over Dana’s (at House*Tweaking – which I always want to say House*Twerking) tortoise bamboo shades. I want them so bad!
Kat says
Ha! I just realized that the comment above mine was recommending the same exact thing!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
alison says
I’m glad you’re switching gears in this space! The new vibe with the rug and either of the final curtain contenders seems much more serene and peaceful, which is what I would want in a home office instead of really bright, bold, saturated colors like some of the accessories placed on the shelves, etc. before alighting on the new rug/curtain combo.
Amy M says
Emerald green curtains+bamboo shades=PERFECTION!!! Love, love, love!!! We have bamboo shades from Lowes. We bought the “already in the store” kind and had them cut and installed by someone from Lowes…it was the cheapest option. Being awesome DIYers, you could handle installation and make it even cheaper!
Robin says
Ditto the comment wishing I had your photoshop skills to simulate my decorating ideas!
Hey, in case you haven’t purchased woven wood roman shades for the office yet, I just came from Lowe’s Short Pump where they were marking down (and I grabbed 3 … happy dance :) SelectStyles brand wood roman shades. They look real similar to the Levolour wood romans @ Lowes, in fact I’m hanging mine in a room that already has the other. Anyway, 48″ romans were $20. Steal. They had 36″ ($15) and 24″ ($10) too. Your window is larger but of course you can hang them side by side, that’s what I’m … I mean my husband, will be doing :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, thanks Robin!
xo
s
Lindsay says
Hands down, favorite line from the Office EVER. I chant it any time someone tells me they bought something new. I didn’t even read your post yet I was so excited about the reference lol. Going back to read the rest….
Victoria says
As per usual, I comment better through images than words. And let’s be truthful, can’t resist the opportunity to play with your and my ideas! In order of my personal preference,
1. Your gray panels with a twist so they don’t end being too serious (I see your office as a happy place): https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QxxL9PnYsik/U-pwVgwh36I/AAAAAAAABgg/XTjguNz7VTc/w650-h445-no/Office%2B%2B%2BBamboo%2B%2B%2BGray%2Bwith%2BYellow.jpg Found here: http://www.landofnod.com/not-a-peep-curtain-panel-yellow-stripe/f9836
2. Pulling the darker color from the rug, but taming it with a semitransparent fabric: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hqknWTmQLy4/U-pwV_zlUAI/AAAAAAAABgo/il7SVpu9pLM/w650-h445-no/Office%2B%2B%2BBamboo%2B%2B%2BBlue-Gray%2BSemiTrans.jpg Found here: http://www.curtainworks.com/heritage-pinch-pleat-curtain-panel.html
3. And pulling the darker color from the rug on the wall, and taming it with a light panel which in turn carries a similar pattern to the rug one: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hqknWTmQLy4/U-pwV_zlUAI/AAAAAAAABgo/il7SVpu9pLM/w650-h445-no/Office%2B%2B%2BBamboo%2B%2B%2BBlue-Gray%2BSemiTrans.jpg Found here: http://www.bestwindowtreatments.com/Renegade_curtains.aspx#.U-pn8MaTUnI
As you may have guessed, I too think the bamboo blinds are a must to finish the office design with a bang!
Victoria
YoungHouseLove says
I always love when you do these Victoria! You’re so talented!
xo
s
Victoria says
Thanks for the compliment (no talent, free time without a cute-Teddy or a lively-Clara to catch my attention!), but you’ve forgotten to add: “you’ve posted twice the 2nd image, and the 3rd is missing” *facepalm”
Here it is: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gFmjQXkOp1g/U-pwV4ZyWEI/AAAAAAAABhU/LbCGiQ3mUD0/w650-h445-no/Office%2B%2B%2BBamboo%2B%2B%2BBlue-White%2BSemiTrans.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
I didn’t want to pressure you into doing more work! Haha! So I was over here trying to picture those last curtains in place. Your rendering makes that a whole lot easier :)
xo
s
Lauren says
Wow, Victoria! Great job! These are my favorite ideas so far! I am LOVING the curtains in the 2nd image. They pull the room together so well with how they tie in to the rug. I also love the darker blue wall – it really grounds the room and gives it great dimension. That combination (along with the bamboo blinds) is your winner! : )
Samantha R says
Love the bamboo blinds! Have you guys thought about doing something interesting with the back side of your desk?
I love how everything is coming together!
YoungHouseLove says
Always a possibility!
xo
s
Aubrey says
I love all of them. Wish I were more computer savvy and could do this to all the rooms in my house—would save a lot of angst trying to mentally picture things. ????
Aubrey says
Those question marks are supposed to be a happy emoji. See? Not many computer smarts.
YoungHouseLove says
I knew what you meant ;)
xo
s
Kelly says
Sorry to be a downer in the fashion show, but I know you guys are super safety conscious and would want to know about this. Both roman shades and bamboo shades have cords that can be a strangulation hazard for children ages 0-8. And many of the stories involve window coverings that parents thought were safe because the cord was out of reach and the child had never shown interest in them before. It can happen in seconds. Check http://parentsforwindowblindsafety.org/posts/warnings/ They have a collection of short videos showing how even bamboo shades and roman shades can strangle a child.
We actually have some corded blinds in our house that I’m planning to switch out now that I know about this danger. We keep the cords out of reach, but that’s not enough because children can climb. I definitely would not purchase any new corded window coverings. It’s kind of like the furniture straps. It may seem unlikely – every parent who has lost a child to these types of accidents never thought it could happen to them – but it does happen and why risk it when it’s easy to prevent.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Kelly! Such an important thing to heed (and pass along, so thanks so much!). We’ve heard that more and more companies are going completely cordless or building breakaway cords or other safety features like that, so we certainly will check into those as we shop!
xo
s
Kelly says
You’re very welcome. I heard about this when a friend on facebook posted it. Her friend had lost a child to a strangulation accident with blinds. It seems like most people have never heard of it, and I know it’s something I didn’t realize could be dangerous, besides a string hanging by a crib or something obvious like that.
Oh I just thought of an idea. If the shades are just for looks and don’t need to be functional in the moving up/down sense, a DIY solution could be an option. I think I’ve seen a tutorial online for a faux roman blind. Then you could choose any fabric. You’re getting to be a good seamstress, Sherry!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be fun too! Love that Kelly!
xo
s
Matt Ritzmaqnn says
What a fantastic reference. Been saying that for years with my wife and no one gets it. Well played.
MikeLove says
I just love the teal curtain bamboo combo.. Please reveal that you’ve decided to go with that choice.
Nandini says
Hi Sherry,
Love, love love the bamboo blinds and curtains combo. I am planning to do something similar for my family room and am very excited. Love the way you write your posts , almost as if u are sitting in front of me and talking to me … I could definitely feel my heartbeat fasten when I saw the bamboo blinds catwalk in ;). One question where to do shop for bamboo blinds … I have big windows 8′ wide by 6′ so was wondering. Right now I am looking on blinds.com
Continue with your awesome posts
Love
Nandini
YoungHouseLove says
Haven’t hunted for them yet but I think I’ll ask some friends what they have/like. There have been some great tips in the comments too for places people loved getting them!
xo
s
Lindsey says
Are you guys concerned about your wood floors beneath the desk chairs? I work in an office and there is matted down rug areas and scratched up tile under everyone’s desk that doesn’t have some kind of protective mat. Not sure how much time you guys spend in the chairs but something to think about!
YoungHouseLove says
There were some great tips about this in the post about getting the chairs (from folks in the comments section!). They mentioned that you can get wheels that are safe for floors and switch them out to avoid scratching or even use glass floor mats under them (they looked really cool!).
xo
s