Free Advice - Difficult Drapery

This reader wrote:

	Pictures for you! Hi! We emailed last week. Thank you so much for agreeing to help me with my "problem" window. We have been working on remodeling our 13 year old house that we bought last year. We just don't know what to do with our big sliding glass door in our family. We have a new sofa that is neutral (we are still awaiting our throw pillows that have turquoise elements). Our window is near our kitchen window, which we like but have RED curtains. So we are at a loss. Any advice you can give about height (I think probably 127" to be at the same height as the kitchen) and ESPECIALLY fabric, will be greatly appreciated! We love your site and are so grateful for your help!

Solution:

 

What makes this situation difficult, is not only the Red kitchen valance and new Turquoise Blue, but the different adjoining room elevations and the built-in bookcases.  To try and keep a nice linear balance, I would hang the drapery hardware at the same height as the top of the bookcases.  Since the new sectional, carpet and paint are all neutral, I would start with a pretty color for the drapery.  They have a floral in the the kitchen and the new pillow fabric also has a pattern, so I would begin with a solid.  I chose the new Turquoise Blue because there is a pool outside those sliding glass doors and it would blur the line between the two spaces.  The Red window treatment in the kitchen is pretty dominate and right next to the sliders, so  I suggest adding a contrast fabric leading edge to the drapery that incorporates the Red.  I would then probably have a pillow made for the sofa, using the same fabrics. To complete the space,  I would then add a few red accessories to the living room.  Any fabric incorporating both colors would also be a very nice alternative for the leading edge.  I know that finding Red and Turquoise in one fabric is difficult.  Trust me, I have those colors (plus black and cream) in my house and I have scoured the fabric companies looking for that combo.  Every time I come across one, I order the sample.  I tried to show in the illustration, how a reader who doesn't have a fabric library at their disposal can combine any color combination to customize their personal palette.  The last element to mention is the style of drapery.  In the rendering, I've shown a double width pinch pleat drapery hung on 2 1/2 - 3 inch (in diameter) hardware in the wood tone of the built in bookcase (which they have since stained darker than the picture shown).  When you have a large expanse of window or door that doesn't require privacy, it is nice to do the panels in a double width.  It is important to note that the hardware needs to be substantial enough to hold the weight of the panels.  Otherwise, it will bow in the middle.  This also looks nicer when you have long drapes.  Hope this helps.  I'll be joining the Hooked party on Hooked on Houses today.  Check it out.

Comments

[cristin]

Adding some red accents to the living room is the right call! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Your blog is great!!!

xo,
cristin

[Julia @ Hooked on Houses]

Love your solutions. It does look like a difficult space with the different elevations between the rooms--I can see why they needed your help!

Have a great weekend, Kristin!

[Laurie @ My Domicile Style]

I think it is great that you have Free Advice Friday. So often, designers are intimidating for the public, but your solutions make sense for when you have a difficult area to decorate.

[Paula Grace]

Great advice. Very thoughtful and thorough. Its funny how the client's colors are similar to yours. I recall your scour :)

[Melissa]

Thanks for the great advice Kristin!!

[Sharon]

I have no design talent at all, so my comment isn't worth much, but my sense is that the person with the question is moving toward a more contemporary space. I love the suggestions for the drapery for the family room, but am still wondering if the kitchen curtains should be retired? They are lovely, but just not as contemporary as the furniture in the family room.