Roman blinds in the living room

FREE IMAGES Now that the walls have been knocked down between our living room and dining room, and a breakfast bar added between the dining room and the kitchen, we have to start thinking about light fixtures, and windows.  I really like the idea of using crisp, no-fuss roman blinds.

Traditional Living Room by London Interior Designers & Decorators MPD London

With a dog floor length drapes tend to get dirty and collect a lot of dust, so I think for us roman blinds will be an easier option.

Transitional Living Room by Chevy Chase Interior Designers & Decorators Sightline Art Consulting

via Pinterest via BHG

I'm leaning towards crisp white drapes, which I've made before out of mini blinds and a medium weight fabric.  Maybe a little trim at the bottom for color.

via Pinterest via Emily Henderson

via Pinterest via Pottery Barn

via Pinterest via Style Carrot

Do you like the idea of roman blinds in the living room/great room?

Inspiring window trends

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I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with our windows.  Right now it's just standard venetian blinds.  They are high quality as far as venetian blinds go, but I want something with a bit more character.  

I like the look of lush long drapes, but I don't like the fuss of them sometimes. I also really love the crisp no-fuss functionality of roman blinds, so I'm wondering if I should just do roman blinds or if I should layer them...

via Calling It Home

I feel like if I use a vibrant or bold pattern for a roman blind drapes would be overkill.
via Calling It Home

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via HGTV

I do like the idea of hanging drapes up at the ceiling to create a more open look.
via Pinterest via House and Home

via Pinterest via Decorpad

via Pinterest via Decorpad

via Pinterest via House of Turquoise

How are your windows dressed? Do you like any of these ideas?

Tour the home of one of my favorite designers, Angie Hranowsky

FREE IMAGES I adore the work of Angie Hranowsky. She has more than a knack for using vintage finds in a way that is never stuffy, but eclectic and colorful. Her Charleston, SC historic home is no disappointment, and features her trademark style and livability.

I can't wait to fill my home with kid art, and the large pinboard behind the dining room table is such a clever way to feature it and change it out frequently.

Angie gives great tips on making a rental your own, or transforming your home on a small budget:

1. Paint everything you can, event kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

2. Change out the light fixture.

3. Invest in window treatments ( or make your own simple drapes out of a favorite textile)

4. Hang artwork - Angie claims that incorporating the correct artwork is one of the most important elements of her design vision.

5. Add natural elements, like a large plant of vessel of cut flowers to add warmth to your space.

Angie designed the bookcase above and had a friend build it out of reclaimed pine.

This peachy pink bedroom is so serene. The chrome bed keeps it from being overly romantic.

If you're ever in Charleston, Angie recommends you check out:

Antiques of South Windemere

Hyams Garden Center

John Pope Antiques

Mac & Murphy

See the whole story and read more at Lonny Mag, April 2013

Simple Elegance ~ Decorating with Roman Shades

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ROMAN SHADES are both practical and beautiful.  They provide excellent privacy and light control, and are an easy way to add warmth, texture, pattern, colour and style.

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These lovely shades are mounted over the window casing at ceiling height, which creates the illusion of larger windows.  Their soft linen colour and blue-grey banding ties in beautifully with the room's serene design scheme.

Source: ashleygoforthdesign.com

Mounted inside the window casing, these relaxed romans match the fabric on the back of the dining chairs.  The effect is a custom look without being overly fussy.  I love the colours in this room!

Source: windowweardesign.com

A pleated roman shade is ideal for a narrow window.  The grey paisley fabric adds pattern and interest without competing with the other beautiful elements in this kitchen. (Designer: Sarah Richardson)

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com

Sheer roman shades and pleated curtain panels make an elegant design statement in this traditional bedroom.  The shades are mounted beneath the curtain rods and just below the crown molding, creating a sense of balance and flow.

Source: Cecilie Starin Design Inc.

A bathroom window is another great location for a tailored roman blind.  The woven texture of this simple shade provides softness in a room dominated by hard surfaces like porcelain and stone.

Source: Linda McDougald Design

If you love the look of a simple and elegant window treatment, roman shades are a beautiful and affordable option.

For those of you who know your way around a sewing machine, there are plenty of sites on the web providing tutorials on how to make roman shades.

Or... if you can't sew to save your life (like me!), check out Pinterest for some great no-sew tutorials.

Happy Decorating!

~ Wendi ~ xo