Yes, that is the question. Curtains or no curtains? I’ve been thinking of changing the curtains in my living and dining room for a while. When we put our house on the market, we decided to let the curtains convey with the house. I love the curtain fabric still, but I’m ready for a change. It’s just what I do.
As I shared last week, we’ve taken our house off the market and we gave away the piano and I’ve rearranged the furniture in the living room. We’re about to refinish the floors and repaint the ceiling and walls, so it’s a good time to revisit the curtains.
Hmmm…what to do.
While I still like the fabric, the curtains were simply made and I’ve become so much better at the sewing machine over the years. I was so put off by the idea of hemming these, that I just hacked them off. Yes, I did. I’m a rebel.
Now I want to raise the rods, move the curtains out to allow more light in and I’d love to have pleated drapes on rings. I’ve thought of reusing the fabric, but because of the infamous hack-hemming job, there’s not enough fabric to work with.
I ordered some fabric samples last week and was hemming and hawing over them. I felt like I needed to like one of them, but none of them were sweeping me off my feet. I finally decided that I didn’t need to force myself to like any of them. I’ll just keep looking.
Then, a thought occurred to me. I should look at my Pinterest boards to see what is catching my eye. Sometimes seeing what you love in a collage, helps you really see what you like.
And I saw a trend. A lot of rooms that I pinned on my Living Room-spiration board don’t have any window treatments at all.
(via Tone on Tone Antiques)
That sort of surprised me.
So, I’m going to listen to what I told myself I like through my pinning history and take down the curtains and rods. I am going to take them down to repaint, anyway, and I’m going to move where the curtain rods are hung if I put curtains back up, anyway, so I might as well take them down and see how I like it.
It’ll be a bit of an experiment, but that’s what a lot of decorating is. Taking down curtains is free and will dramatically change the look of the room. I love changes like that.
Of course, I now have a few hundred look books sitting in my living room at the moment, so the experiment may have to wait!
You might actually have enough fabric. If you are pleating and using rings, you won’t need the fabric pocket and gathering above the rod. I’d take the curtains apart at the top and see what you can do. You could also add a complimentary strip of solid fabric to the top or bottom.
If the window molding is interesting, I do like to have windows bare. But where privacy counts I still use them. I also change out the window treatments seasonally (or between warm and cold weather). I have light linen-ish curtains on now, but in the winter I’ll change them out for heavy, lined ones. Helps on the heating bills and it keeps things interesting.
i was thinking the same thing or you could go with a sheer curtains.
I was thinking exactly the same thing as the above commenter! You may be able to just rip out the rod pocket seams, and use the fusible pinch pleat tape, clips, and rings! The fabric is so lovely!
I’m sure whatever you do, will look great!
I really like the look of curtains and feel like it warms up the space and makes it look cozy. I think if I didn’t do curtains in a room, the window molding would have to be really chunky and unique, and I’d have to add some bamboo type Roman blinds.
I have no curtains and LOVE it. In my dining room I have a large pair of old shutters attached to the wall on each side of the window to frame it. I like that look too.
You might think this is unusual solution and you might not be able to picture it without a drawing. I have windows like yours in the living room that are very close to the corner. I wanted the curtains to completely clear the window when open, but there really wasn’t enough room with the decorative rod ends. First I got a longer curtain rod and uncapped one end. Next I screwed a closet rod holder on the wall perpendicular to window wall and close to the corner and rested the uncapped end of the curtain rod in it. The rod shoots across the window like a spear and rests on a regular curtain rod bracket, capped by the decorative rod end. My rods are the same color as my walls, so they blend in when the curtains are open. When I saw your first and second photos with their narrow corners, I thought of my living room.
I like my windows bear for its simplicity. But I think it all depends on the look you’re after and if you need privacy. You can always quiet the space by using something simple and light like solid linen for window treatments. Looking forward to seeing how you’re going to let the space evolve.
I have windows very similar to yours also. They are on both sides of my fireplace and because I wanted them to not “steal” the spotlight from the room, I went with a off white sheer curtain placed only on one side of the window with a decorative rod. It looks really cute and offers a little bit of decoration without overpowering the space.
Marian: Can’t wait to see what you do. I have been battling this for months but I also have, shall I say, rather unattractive woodwork…enough said. Keep up the good ideas! {{HUGS}} Joy
I agree with you- take them down, see how you like it and go from there. Most of my windows are bare- I don’t like the clutter or the dust factor. I have two windows in my house that have curtains and that’s enough for me 😉
I recently nixed my kitchen curtains and installed craftsman style trim and LOVE it. I initially removed the curtains to clean them but when I saw how much more light was let in I knew I couldn’t put them back up. There wasn’t trim around the windows so I added some and the difference is really amazing. I’m thinking about doing the same treatment in my office.
I am a curtain lover. I think it adds so much warmth and color to the space. I would re-use the material if you really love it. You could add trim to the sides to make it wider and a large 12 inch band to the bottom if you would like to make them longer. Maybe in a nice linen. You could also add a padded valance that would go over top so that you could hang the drapes a little lower and the valance could go to the ceiling. Hope this helps.
We don’t have any curtains in our living room, just nice blinds which we pull down for privacy only at night, and we love it! Some rooms don’t need that extra flounciness. Your windows are beautiful and removing the curtains might just put the emphasis on your gorgeous furniture/art/etc. which could be a great thing!!
In our previous house we used white wooden blinds which we closed at night for privacy only. Current house has simple white curtains that we only draw at night for privacy – will I go back to blinds only -maybe. Good luck with your decision – since I live in a tight neighborhood – some form of window covering at night is a must.
Just wondering if you would be willing to sell the panels? I LOVE the fabric and I have had to keep my outdated denim sofa this year instead of buying new because of a child’s acrobatic impulse that cost us my sofa budget to fix! 🙂 (He blew out three of his front teeth… boys!) Anyway, I just accepted the request to lead a youth church group here in my living room every morning, and those curtains would help me feel awesome about how things look in there. Could you email me if you’re willing to part with them and let me know what you’re asking, including shipping? Thank you for daily inspiration and for sharing beauty that deeds the eyes AND the soul!
G Woolwine
Katy, Texas
Where did you have your slip covers made? I am looking for one for a wing back and love yours.
I like curtains, just makes a home more cozy.
I like the no curtain look, but a few things to consider it is a more summer look and we are heading into fall. Are you keeping the blinds? Since you are painting anyway have you considered crown molding or adding corner blocks to the windows? Also, I would make sheers to fit the inside of the window frame with expansion rods on top and bottom. The look of no curtains but with light filtering and some privacy. Just my thoughts
I love your curtains. Love them. I fixate on them every time you post photos of them.
That said, I’m a fan of curtain-free design. Our living room is kind of dark, so we have nothing on the windows. Leave ’em naked awhile and see how you like it!
Some early American homes had interior shutters–not heavy ones like outside, but light, double folding ones, sometimes with louvres and sometimes only covering the lower half of the windows to block drafts but let in light. Up here in New England, we sometimes can find them in junk shops and architectural salvage yards. They’d be beautiful with a milk paint treatment!
Can’t wait to see what you do! Would love to see some before & after (with & without curtains, that is). I am having the very same dilemma – we don’t need the curtains for privacy, and for me, the more light the better. I also like an uncluttered look. Thinking about off-white linen panels, since that is what pops up in my Pinterest boards. Good luck – I’m sure whatever you do will be beautiful.
I did this a few years ago too, and I love the open airy light filled rooms. Since you still love the gorgeous curtain fabric, use it to recover a chair…or make new pillows, maybe big floor pillows for the kids. Whatever you do will be great! I’ll be watching for the new look.
judypimperl.blogspot.com
Are you planning to sell the panels? If so – I would be interested
in finding out the length.
Two considerations for the curtain debate: the windows will look like black holes at night and curtains not only soften the look but the sound in a room–without them the room might be echo-y.
You’ll make the best choice for you as your beautiful rooms demonstrate.
Ironic timing, I was just thinking the same thing today! I took curtains down in the kitchen/dining to paint, and I like how it seems more open and light. 😉
Curtains in fall and winter. Bare in spring and summer.
Can’t wait to see what you do! We just moved into a no old farmhouse, I’ve been admiring your curtains for some time now. If you decide to sell them, could you please let me know. Thank you!
Curtains!!!
two things – first, take out the blinds to get a better idea of how you feel about living without anything.. second, the curtains you have can be used with rings – either by using the ones with clips which you will clip around a small pleat that you create, or by using stitching in small pleats and hooks into the curtain. You can still raise the rods because they will be longer when they are hanging from the rings.
I don’t have any curtains in my house – only blinds. Used to drive my mother nuts. How can you have a windows without curtains. Easy. I love the simplicity.
Hi Marian – I love your curtains, but I can understand wanting a change. That’s was strong patterns do. As for the “no curtain” idea, I think it would also look great, but from a “photographing” point of view, I would be a bit concerned that your lighting coming thru your windows would look too blasted on very sunny days.
Mary @ Orphans With Makeup
I, personally, am SO in love with the blue fabric that I would like to see it stay. However, change is aIways good, and I can see a sheer on those windows to let in the lovely light. The pre-wrinkled sheers are gorgeous in an informal room with all your lovelies! These sheers always have a beautiful drape to them and can be made into a sheer pleated drape as well!! Can you tell me where you got the blue/white? I’d love to send for a sample piece. I need to make a table runner and a couple of cushions for my apartment living room/dining room. Many thanks, and have fun with your choice, Rhoda.
Don’t know here that ‘Rhoda’ came from, Marian – sorry about that!!
We’ve been in this house for 16 years and there are no curtains… It kind of makes my husband crazy but it’s really what I prefer.
Now – we live out in the country – there is no one to look in the windows and see us – if we lived in a suburban neighborhood – it might be a different story – and we do have roller shades in our bedrooms…
AND our house is really old and DOES have interesting moldings that I’ve never wanted to cover up. The base boards are over a foot tall – and (in the downstairs) there is a wooden “panel” under each window that reaches from the baseboard all the way up to the window sill.
-b.
Yep, I also thought that about perhaps having enough fabric. Even if it’s a small hem?? I really do like the curtains.
Marian , I understand not wanting too many curtains, as I have plantation shutters and just panels that do not close in other rooms. I do love your fabric though. You could reuse some of the fabric. As trim with a neutral panel such as off white. This way the blue is still there to tie the rest of the room together. It will be fun to try without and see what you actually decide. I like change too.
One possibility is to just swag fabric (maybe something gauzy?) over the curtain rods. It softens a window without obstructing a view or light. And, super-easy to install and take down!
Marian, I really like the no curtain look. Maybe you should try the barnstyle wooden doors. That is really trending now, and would fabulous with your decor. Have fun choosing!
I like the color. If you think panels on both sides is too much (or you may not have enough fabric), maybe swag a piece across the top and drop on only one side. Just a thought……
I think someone else mentioned this idea. I love windows with no curtains but you could hang floaty sheers on either side of the windows up to the ceilings and add a band of your current blue curtains to the sheers. Bet that would be very pretty and give you a touch more of blue to the room 🙂
I’ll so buy those suckers from you if you decide to do away with them 😉
I love it when someone else is on the same page as me! I took my curtains down a month ago to wash them and they faded. I didn’t have any to replace them and couldn’t decide what to put back up. So, I just left them empty. Now, granted, mine wasn’t a design choice on purpose, but I liked having all the light in the room and it didn’t look so bad. I still haven’t decided to leave them down entirely, but I’m in no rush to find more! It’ll look great whatever you decide.
I agree with Kate wayyy up top – if you move rods up a bit and add rings (you may have to spray paint rings and rods so they are same color)….put drapery pins – the long ones- directly into your fabric (yes- no pleats) at even intervals, so the top of the pin is about half inch below top of curtain panel…and hang onto rings. the fabric will fall into its own folds and not be as “stringent” as pleats….I had custom toile pleated drapes and traded them out for the soft folds and I love the somewhat more soft, updated look. i think your fabric will be long enough, even if you want to fold quarter inch under and sew or add iron on tape (desperate measure, i know) so you won’t have raw edge. I love your fabric and it really sets off all of your accessories. You might want to remove them for 2-3 months in summer but I would definitely keep them for the rest of the year. If you have just maybe one panel length of extra fabric(to split between the panels you have) you could add the fabric in without looking like you did, by using horizontal pleats across each current panel to lengthen them. I did that with panels from Marshalls and it looks wonderful – adds some texture and design feature to bottom…. there are 2 horizontal pleats at about 14 inches off the floor…I seamed at the first pleat. email me for pic and instructions if you are interested –
good luck! keep them!
susan in charlotte
I took the curtains down to do some painting 20 years ago and have never hung them back up anywhere in our home. I love the clean lines, the old white painted woodwork and the openness it gives to the rooms. Because our home is older -1910- the rooms are little chopped up and it really helps to keep and open feeling. Where privacy is needed I just us a simple cell shade, they leave a simple enough line for me, even without a valance.
Love love love the curtains. I think your room has an unfishished look without them. They are the icing on the cake and brings everything together.
We live in the woods. We have floor length windows in the living room and I made those
fish tail type of lined curtains that you just hang over the edge rods. In the back of the house we have nothing and this is fine too.
As another sideline I think you should go into the business of manufacturing those curtains
in that blue or some additional color combinations and laugh all the way to the bank.
No matter what you do I am sure it will be wonderful. Can’t wait to see what you do.3
Noooooooooo!!! Don’t lose those gorgeous curtains!!!!! I LOVE them!!! Although I understand wanting a change…sure no matter what you choose, it will turn out LOVELY as always!
Hey Marion, I design window treatments for a living and the first thing I notice is that you rod could make all the difference. First I would get a wider rod so as to allow more of the window to remain unobstructed, still covering the side moulding. Next, I would raise it closer to the ceiling to give the illusion of height and finally when you decide if you will use your current fabric reconfigured, make sure if using rings to return the panel to the wall. I would be happy to answer any questions, You have given me soo much information on your blog these past few years!’8
I had curtains for over 15 years and when we moved into a new house about 9 months ago I opted for none. I love the white trim around my windows and I didn’t not want to hide it. I have beautiful white silhouette shades (you can turn them for complete privacy or so that light filters through them like a sheer). I pull them completely up during the day or when it is really warm outside and I don’t want the sun baking the room I close them to the privacy direction and the light still illuminates and sort of makes the shade glow! SO pretty! It is funny I get a lot of compliments on my shades. I do not think I will ever use curtains again. Good luck with your decision. Sometimes I feel like decorating a house is tougher than raising children. 🙂
I just read an article on apartment therapy.com that the biggest mistake home owners make is not to have a window treatment.
Uggh. You’re the most discontent, unhappy, miserable person I’ve ever seen. To have had the things that you have and constantly be unhappy and BUYING MORE, then discarding it like it was worthless, is sickening! You go thru more stuff in a year than most people have in a lifetime. I’m thru with you. Yuck!
That was a mean spirited comment. Our miss mustard seed is very thrifty and can reuse the material.
Marian, how about making simple shutters for those living room windows, like the ones in your second “inspiration picture”? Those look like something you and your husband can make in no time, and I think they would enhance the look of the room. Completely bare windows might be a tad too bare.
Cool! I can’t wait to see what you decide on. Your house is so pretty, I think either way will look great. I do the same thing when i’m unsure about stuff i like, i go look at my Pinterest boards… and it IS interesting to see the preferences….
Cindy
Uggh. You’re the most discontent person I’ve ever seen. You are constantly buying and getting rid of stuff all the time. You can never be happy, can you? You BUY ALL THE TIME, then you brag and post about it…which is kindof the whole point of your blog…then you GET RID OF IT like “Oh, blah, it wasn’t good enough.” What a materialistic, unappreciative, spoiled brat you are.
No Draperies – They seem to overpower the room and take center stage – Love your idea without – or possibly simple wide wood white blinds.
I love your curtain fabric. Could you share the name? Also a big fan of no curtains in your inspiration shots. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show in Toronto. Will you have a booth or just a presentation?
No Draperies – They overpower the room – I love your idea of just the windows or maybe simple white 2 in wood blinds..
I just recently started subscribing to your blog after discovering you on Bloglovin. I have also purchased your book and have enjoyed it immensely.
We once lived in a house that had a bank of paned windows that ran along the entire back of our house. I loved all the natural light and the clean look of it so much that I didn’t want to cover them with curtains so I had two valances made one for the Great Room and one for the kitchen which was separated by a door going outside. I coordinated the fabrics to blend with each other and absolutely loved the look.
We have moved from this house and now live in a duplex that has mini blinds on all the windows. Two of the windows face the front and side of our duplex so the need for the blinds are for privacy. I decided to put up cotton shears for a free flowing look which covered the blinds and gave the room a light and airy look.
I really like the drapes you have up but certainly can understand how you might feel the need for a change…it is also what I do as well! HAH
I like this idea for privacy but a ‘free flowing look’!!
But what about when your home is right on the street and you don’t want people looking in at night – suggestions?
I like curtains especially with hard floors. They absorb sound. I find my house echoes too much without them. They look ok either way but with kids and a small dog I need the sound to absorb.
I like the room with the shutters. It makes the walls look expansive and keeps your eye on the furnishings. If you don’t need the privacy leave the curtains off.
I’m a drape girl myself. Sometimes it just doesn’t look dressed without the curtain fabric. However, this weekend we were looking at Parade of Homes, and I really was attracted to the windows that had a soft roman shade on each window, so it wasn’t a tight line and it wasn’t a balloon shade- it was somewhere in between.
Your old fabric would be perfect for pillows or recovering the seat of a chair . ;0)
We have blinds on all of our windows. Most of the windows have side pulled curtains, so I can pull them if the need arises.
I have a hubby who loves to “roam free” (sans clothing) and for the sake of my neighbors, I keep the blinds drawn when he is home.
LOL. True story.
I personally like to see the curtains as I love those pops of color. I’m anxious to see what comments you get.
P.S. Our home is on the market —- I am going to stick it out for 6 mos.
Hi, for awhile when the trend was in favor of murals, I had hand painted a faux swag above windows in the living room for a client. Sorry no pics, but it was a hydrangea and leaves with large acorns at both window corners that the hydrangea swag swooped and draped over. It was soft and elegant. just a thought.
I have always loved those curtains, but we all need a change sometime. If you like the look without then do it! The only thing I would worry about is the privacy issue, but if that is not a concern do what makes you happy!
I love the color your curtains add to the room. Maybe you could move the rods up and out, then add fabric and trim to the bottom or the top of these curtains, it would be a change for you without the naked look for the windows. With winter approaching, the room would feel cozier with curtains on the window.
I am a no curtain girl myself but my husband has been begging me to get some window treatments. Maybe you would sell me yours if you decide to go without 🙂
I love your draperies and thought “no, no…” until I saw the room without. Lovely both ways. If you decide to put them back up, adding rings to the top will buy you quite a bit of length, and adding a piece of the fabric to the bottom (straight piece sewn right sides together to the front and then under the hem and hemstitched to the back) should add as much length as you need. If you decide not to use them as drapes, they would look great as pillows around your room as they match the blue furniture so well!
Marian, I see you have lots of feedback on curtains or no curtains. I certainly understand wanting to do something different. I change things in my house all the time. I have no curtains in my living room or family room, I also live in Gettysburg and not out in the country. I do have shutters on the lower half of my living room windows for just a little privacy. They can be opened or pulled completely back to have the spare look. With all your travels i bet you could find some great shutters to use. I also think with all the accessories you have on hand for photo shoots you might find it is a bit different making your vignettes that completely take center stage with the curtains down. It’s fun to move things and create a different look with doing something as simple as taking down curtains. I realize YOUR curtains have almost become symbolic of your style BUT….keep inventing new spaces, even with the ones you’ve got. Love your ambition and your example. Can’t wait to see your experiments!
I house with no curtains and no floor coverings can be too cold and echo prone. I guess if you don’t use the room much it will work, but I can’t imagine how it will feel in the middle of winter. I have a couple of rooms that I take the curtains down in the summer and put back up in the winter.
I vote no draperies ! Heavy looking . I have some beautiful soft metalic81 blueish linen roman shades that I pull up to any length I feel that day , and then lower them if I want the privacy . I love them .
I am a huge fan of plantation shutters myself and hope to have those in my next home! I do not like drapes at all! I currently have lace curtains on my living room windows to allow for some privacy, yet allow the light in. If I lived out in the country, there would definitely be no window treatments on some of the rooms windows!!
Curtains tend to soften up a room..but I live out in the country with no neighbors. The only room I have drapery in, is the bedrooms..I have blinds, usually pulled all the way up ,every room…and a cornice in the living and dining rooms…In the winter I do have a very plain off white curtain I put up on the south side of the house..the glare of the sun needs controlled some wintery afternoons to watch movies. We have house dogs and they like to look out without slobbering on fabric. After all it is their home too.. DO what you wan,t it is your home and knowing you it will only last a few months anyway..HA…love you. Maybee’s Mom
Draperies depend so much on the room, what the woodwork is like, how much light you want in your rooms, as well as the privacy issue. We just extended the back of our house to make a new living room and have no window treatments there. The sunshine comes flooding into the room, and the last thing I want is to keep any of it out. We have hardwood floors, one area rug, and soft slipcovered sofa and chairs, and there is no echo. The room is warm and comfy and welcoming, even in the midst of our very cold central New York winters. I can’t imagine putting up curtains, or even shades–they would get in the way and distract from the beauty of the room.
The only room where we do have curtains is in the dining room, which faces the street (but is one story above it). They’re very simple, do not obscure the window, and go well with our Stickley furniture. Because of the height above the street, we really don’t need them for privacy.
Your living room will look lovely without curtains. Go for it!
I love your living room and I normally am not a blue and white fan. Your curtains are beautiful and they are the perfect accompaniment!
I too, love switching things around constantly, so I get what you are saying!!
Here’s a suggestion…before altering the curtains or selling them to an enthusiastic admirer, try using one curtain artfully wrapped around each curtain rod as a valence draping fairly close to the rod. If you like the look you have 2 curtains left to use for pillows, or to cover the back of a chair- I like chairs covered in 2 fabrics.
I tried this with 2 Pottery Barn table runners in my dining room and I like it – a pop of color at the top of the window but not heavy.
I love your work and your blog…you are a huge inspiration and blessing to so many women. ( Where do you get your energy??!!!) God has richly blessed you!!
That’s a great idea. We’ve done that on the smaller pair of windows in our dining room, with a length of fabric. All you need are a few pins to anchor the ends.
Didn’t get to read every comment, but did you ever think of just using the fabric you have while still making new drapes? You could either use the blue print as an accent, or as the main body, using another cooirdinating fabric (airy white?) You could use it as a band of some sort, on the top, bottom or on the inside edge. I think this could create the calming effect your seeking, but still giving you the color punch.
Have you ever seen a Virginia Swag curtain? You can control the amount of coverage you want by pulling the strings…they really soften a window and if you line with a pretty contrasting material, can look really nice. Just a thought…
Personally, I really like the look of no curtains as it allows you to spotlight the architecture of your home and lets in tons of natural light. Of course, curtains do provide the privacy that so many people desire…and with houses being built so close to one another. However, I think that if you live in an area where you have a bit of privacy already, then no curtains. 😀
As for the fabric, you could possibly make pillows or something like that with it. That way you still have the pop of color, pattern that you like.
I’m liking the look without curtains. Your room appears bigger
and brighter without them.
Are you sure you don’t have enough fabric? – those ruffled headers & rod pockets would surely be enough… OR – Roman shades, either made of that same fabric, or white linen (lined) with “stripes” of that fabric running the length of them would be gorgeous. You need something for privacy/light filtering. But, I know, that, whatever you come up with, will be beautiful. And, maybe… temporary! 😉
I love it either way, would depend on privacy. But I wanted to comment on the hacking off of the curtains, it made me laugh because that is exactly how I sew (or don’t sew) if I can get away with it. I have skirts with no hems, curtains with no hems, etc. I could sew better, but I’m not a perfectionist and if it pleases me that’s all that matters. Love your blog!
I recently replaced a roller shade with a custom bamboo shade. I can’t tell you how much I love this type of shade. I love the look of them with the light softly filtering through. I think your windows would look fabulous with bamboo. The look is casual but sophisticated as well. Your curtains are very nice by the way but sometimes we’re just ready for a change. Just read in someone’s comment that you are going to Toronto. When is that?
What about a natural linen in a neutral or white?
I liked the draperies in your home, but I LOVE not having draperies in my home. I love woodwork and the architectural aspects of a home. It will be interesting to see what your experiment reveals. It only matters what you think!!
I’m not going to read the others comments yet, so that I am not persuaded by their thoughts and opinions. However, I love the fabric as well, and if you are ready for a change, I would have two suggestions. First choice is to use the fabric and make a tailored roman shade for each window. Second, leave the blue fabric to chair covers, pillow accents etc. in the room, and add a shear looking white cellular shade so that you can have privacy when needed, but not adding any color, keeping a simple and clean look. Keep the shade color the same as your window framing.
Now I want to go back and see what your other readers think.
The fabric is beautiful and since there is no harm in trying the windows without, glad you are going for it. If I lived in the country, I’d go without but I am a fabric junkie that lives in the city so I have drapes. (And Raleigh has so many great fabric stores!) Before you toss them out, consider adding an extra panel at the bottom to extend the length and give them an updated look. Mine are three solid panel horizontal “stripes” in my den/living room…white at the top, then spa blue (like Benjamin Moore’s Palladian), then a soft, silvery brown. They modernize my antiques and add a little coolness to balance out all the warmth of old wood, the same way painted pieces do. I love mixing old and new.
I live in Appalachia and there’s something about going through the house as dark approaches, pulling the thermal curtains/drapes against the cold night. It reminds me of a Rosamund Pilcher book (whom I adore). In the sun room and bath room, there are no curtains, drapes or blinds…I despise blinds…hate them with a passion! When someone visited and complained about “people seeing in”, I asked, “Who? The next neighbor is 2 miles down the road! Cows, horses, alpacas and sheep are too busy grazing to look in the windows…unless there’s sweet feed involved.” _lol_ Life is short, do what makes you happy as long as you can look God in the face on judgement day.
Plantation Shutters? I have to say that I really do like the way the drapes frame your windows. Love the rods as well and the print is so you.
Hi Marian,
If you decide to remove or change the curtains, I would be interested in purchasing your old ones…let me know if you are willing.. Thank you and I hope you find what is best for you and your family. Have a great blessed day!
Not only do I love your curtains…but recently at a thrift store, I found IDENTICAL
homemade ones for a dollar!!! Talk about excited… I was suddenly MISS MUSTARD SEED!
I have washed and ironed them and they’ll soon be in my dining room…I know!!! 😀
I like no curtains…..just moulding around the window.
Reading the things that are inspiring you, why don’t you use a sheer pure white linen for fabric, this will then almost give the appearance of no drapes and will help create space, not draw the eye in towards a pattern. Plus white would also allow you to introduce any other color whereas the blue patterned curtains can be a little more limiting….You could then have a lovely narrow, black or dark bronze/black, round iron pole with simple ball finials and small, black iron rings. You can still use a pencil pleat heading on these. I have this style in my living room. You could extend the poles beyond the windows so that the curtains don’t block any view, they pull back to reveal the entire window frame.
This incorporates a lot of what your looking for. No curtains are ok but in the winter, loss of heat through the windows will happen. Even gauzy curtains will help trap the heat a little…..Just an idea
Lee 🙂
I have to have curtains on my windows; especially with neighbors all around! To me a room feels naked without something on the windows. Love your new hutch in the living room 🙂
I like the room with curtains, and I like it without (helpful, huh?). If you decide you want to keep the clean look of the bare windows while still having a curtain of some kind, I think a sheer cotton voile would be a nice third option. It would soften your windows, but let plenty of light through. I bought a set of Pottery Barn white voile sheers that were smocked on the top, and hung them on bamboo rods. They add a bit of softness and texture but don’t have a lot of impact otherwise, if that makes sense. 🙂
What about 63″ with a hold back? Soft and drapes with over the window to show off the color and design. I love that look with the older homes and wide trim.
Tradtional pull down shades are a clean simple option too.
I vote no curtains for the summer. But put them back up for the winter. They warm up a room.
I had a large combination living/dining room in an older home with large windows. I was sold on the “no curtain” look for what I think was a late spring through winter season. In the middle of winter, I got up one morning and was struck by how bare the room seemed and I noticed hard edges that I hadn’t noticed before. I couldn’t get drapes up to those windows fast enough. Then, I went through the stage of not liking any of the swatches I saw (that took about 2 or 3 months). While surfing the net looking for curtain fabric for my bathroom, I came upon some very neutral drapery fabric with a great medium sized neutral pattern. I loved it, ordered it and had drapes with kind of a fat pinch pleat (I can’t remember the term) with rings, hung them higher than I would have usually and let them puddle on the floor, just a bit. Well, the fabric ran out with a small puddle and I just left it that way. I never regretted putting those drapes up, the room was softer and not overwhelmed by color or pattern.
Keep the concept of curtains but lose these particular ones. Replace with light and airy ones. White. Double layer of shears, maybe…
this.is.a.great.idea….the.print.of.the.curtains.is.a.cozy.look.for.the.room…I.also.like.the.idea.of.london.shades,but.really.don’t.leave.the.windows.naked…it.looks.unfinished,as.well.as.creates.”echos”in.the.room…
I’m a no curtains girl for the most part. Especially when the windows have nice chunky mouldings. So, not that you are asking for advice, but… I would beef up your windows a bit with some additional trim and then locate the missing valance piece for the top of your blinds. Or maybe take them down and put up new ones. Or put up bamboo blinds instead. Or plantation shutters. 🙂
I would use the fabric and make swags or valances. I would mount the boards or rods almost to the ceiling and have the window treatment come down just far enough to cover the shade rail.
I also like the look of bare windows sometimes…..but, get so concerned with privacy. How do you get around that ? You could put blinds, but that doesn’t look good on a bare window. Love the fabric that you had hanging in the living room.
I think you have your mind made up already and are really not looking for opinions. But since everybody else is chiming in, I thought I would do so also!
At first glance I just love your curtains, but then seeing them down, I really do like that look now in your room. I am a fan of naked windows myself. However….when winter comes you may want them back they will just make the room feel warmer whether it is something real or just a feeling.
Can you leave the rods up, and just put sheers on them for now? And when winter comes if you miss the fabric (this one or another) you can just put them back up? I suppose reinstalling the rods wouldn’t be such a big deal later if necessary.
(PS-I can’t believe nobody came to see your house! What is wrong with people in S.Central PA?)
I would have your blue print curtains in the Fall and Winter and no curtains in the Spring and Summer. BUT then you have the problem of the curtains rods so I would do as the one comment said and do valances in the Spring and Summer in a WHITE.
No curtains. You can certainly change your mind later 🙂 If yes, some simple neutral ones with an understated pattern, or no pattern at all. I love textural fabrics, but tone on tone. If it were my house I’d be going with shutters. I simply adore them! Whatever you choose I’m sure it will be fab!
I am planning floor length fixed pleated curtains on rings for my living room that will be pushed to each side of the windows and will only cover about one inch of the side of the window. That way, the light is not obscured, the room looks finished and there is an extra pop of color for interest. Plus, this type of window treatment is something I can make myself and the end result will be professional. I have already purchased the fabric, as well as the rods, plus wide white wooden blinds for some privacy. The curtains will be easy to change out with the seasons if/when I choose to do that.
what does fixed pleated curtains on rings look like?
are the rings on the rods showing? with clips on the curtains.
or are the rings on the back somehow and not showing?
thanks for yyour reply!
Those curtains have a rod pocket, so they weren’t hung on rings.
Some homes and windows say no curtains and others say curtains. I feel from the picture your home say curtains. The windows are small and it would give more depth and color to your home. The eye would travel through out the rm. From the picture without curtains a persons eyes stops at the windows.
When you choose what you feel would make your home say “you” then you know you made the right decorating decision.
I have no curtains, just white Venetian blinds that have a cap at the top to hide the workings. I have had that look for 20 years and love it.
I love your blue and white curtains! To me, they really make your room. I am a big fan of colorful patterned curtains- they add so much ‘oomph’ and floor to ceiling interest to a space. You have such great taste that I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be beautiful. Looking forward to seeing what you choose.
I love your curtains, I’ve actually decided to make some just like yours 🙂 So, let me know if you’d like to sell yours! Where did you purchase your gold curtain rods? I bought some really cute glass knob tie backs that have that same gold color to them and have struggled to find a rod to match.
no curtains in a room is like leaving the house with no make up. It may work for some but it looks better an all. I vote for leaving those beautiful curtains up. Unless you move to the beach. In that case take them down and don’t obstruct the view.
Please do not keep the horizontal blinds whichever way you go. They are just not in keeping with your decor style. Perhaps Jeff could whip you up some lovely white (or grey?) wooden rustic shutters which in my opinion would be perfect!
Yeah, I don’t like the blinds much, either. We bought them years ago, because that’s what you do when you buy a house. Privacy isn’t a big issue in the front of the house, since we’re not up there at night, so I will probably take them down.
I vote curtains. They finish the room and add warmth. I live in a 3rd floor condo with a huge tree in my front yard. I look out into a leafy green oasis. It’s wonderful. Since privacy wasn’t a concern I didn’t have curtains for the first few years I lived here and my room never felt “done”. Once I added curtains it all of a sudden felt completed. Its like the room was missing its eye brows. My curtains now frame my great windows drawing more attention to the spectacular view. Its also a way to get color and pattern into the room without a ton of messy throw pillows. I can’t imagine ever being curtain-less again!
In the words of The Brady Bunch- When it’s time to change- you’ve got to rearrange – move your heart into what you’re going to be! sha na na na na!
You could add a contrasting fabric to the top and bottom to get the “new” length. I would go with white rods to minimize cutting up of the vertical look.
Curtains please! They are the finishing, polished look required to complete your rooms. The environment you’ve created calls for them. They warm the space and add color/pattern and warmth. My vote is FOR curtains!
I got rid of curtains probably about 20 years ago. It’s just something else to have to keep clean. Plus I want as much natural light in my house as I can get. 🙂
I smiled when I read your discovery, because I just realized the same thing this past week!! All of my favorite decor rooms are curtain-less too!! My nemesis isn’t rugs it’s curtains. I think I’ve had a half dozen in my living room, and I still don’t like what’s there. And I can’t find what I do want, so maybe I just need to take them down….. thanks for the post, very inspiring.
I love the living rooms you pinned too, but they are missing one thing, YOUR GORGEOUS CURTAINS! IIf you miss them after you paint, unsew the top and start over. Since you won’t be using the rod pocket anymore… you will gain several inches! Can’t wait to see which you decide!
Love the look of windows without curtains, but also thought your old curtains were so lovely that maybe now you’ve improved your sewing skills you could add a strip of plan blue fabric to them to make them long enough?? Just a thought, and I’ll look forward to seeing what you decide on.
Judi in the UK
Oh the curtain dilemma! We moved into a home at the end of February that had no window treatments, although it does have a gorgeous view of the Smoky Mountains. I left the windows bare instead of rushing to cover them (privacy is not an issue). But they just look too stark. I love your living room curtains! But I understand your indecision. I just wish I lived next door to you so you could critique my room and let me know if my windows are just too bare! And then, if I do get curtains–patterned or neutral!
How about this idea. Take away the blinds. Use whatever fabric you select. Go with the rings idea but do a short rod over to the side so that you don’t have a rod running across the top of the window and the wall. It gives you a more clear view outside and the cleaner lines that you like in the inspiration rooms that you like. We have white plantation shutters and I like the look without curtains. They also look good with curtains but the rod seems to catch my eye too much. For me anyway.
I just love your drapes! They are quite stunning and are a beautiful addition to your room. However, I have to say that I am one who has just recently gone through the same dilemma and finally decided on plantation shutters, and I am so glad I did! They add such a cozy atmosphere to the room, I can control the light, or open them completely. Good luck in your decision making!
Hi Marian.
I remember when you got the fabric and made your curtain panels. I’ve adored them from day one. We are in a very rural area and have no curtains on our windows downstairs. I prefer looking at the beautiful landscapes surrounding our old Victorian farmhouse. I think it depends where you live. {I could never do this if I were in a development. I’d feel as if I were living in a fishbowl!} Looking forward to reading your decision.
Happy New Year!
Deborah
Can you tell me where you got your curtains? I love them and cant find anything in stores similar. Thanks!!