Friday
Sep092011
Decorology meets DWC
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 08:28AM 
Today's question came off of Decorology. The gal that does Decorology is a web designer and is currently in the process of re-doing my site. It is really going to look fantastic.
Anyway- back to her- this photo and request came from her site:
Help! I need to pick out a color for curtains in my new living room!
So, I moved into my apartment about a month ago - and there is still SO MUCH work to do. Coming up on the list is to make new curtain panels for the patio doors in my living room. My inclination is to go with white and airy - because that is probably my favorite look. However, I also feel like maybe I should explore some other possibilities.
Since I know many of you are super creative and have a great eye - I'm hoping I'll get some fab suggestions! Also, I'm not adverse to pattern if you have any ideas pattern-wise!
Can't wait to hear what you guys come up with!
Photoshopped "white" curtains...
Since I know many of you are super creative and have a great eye - I'm hoping I'll get some fab suggestions! Also, I'm not adverse to pattern if you have any ideas pattern-wise!
Can't wait to hear what you guys come up with!
Photoshopped "white" curtains...
Ashley,
First of all I want to say how super amazed I am at the photoshop job. That is pretty cool! I wish I could do that. I had two semesters of photoshop in college- but it didn't stick. However- the solid white curtains are not so cool. Why?
1. There is a disconnect between the rug, furnishings and curtains. Nothing is bringing them together. You need a unifier.
2. You need more pattern in the room. The strong pattern in the rug is off balance when it is the only pattern around.
3. You need more color in the room. Add color in the curtains, and also some throw pillows. There needs to be repetition of color here and there.
The good news? You can be done by this afternoon. I selected everything form West Elm.
You can still have your drapes light and airy- but add pattern and color.
I would add to these a black canvas tape on the edge. Keep in mind that when I say "color" beige is a color. ;-) Your window treatments should also be layered. Add some black woven blinds to be the first layer.
Another exercise you can do is visually draw a horizontal line across the room. Do you have balance? Balance with color? Balance with pattern? Notice how in the room shot above, (and I know there are many angles we don't see)- there is a lack of balance. All of the color and pattern are on the bottom of your horizontal line. Another good reason to use patterned drapes. The black woven shades will also bring more visual weight into the upper portion of the room, improving your currently bottom heavy lack of balance.
Now- bring in more of your rug colors in some throw pillows.
Use one of these. See the one on the right that is cut off that has the red and black in it? I thought that would go great with your rug.
You have white walls and that white needs to be brought into your room more. (Except not in solid white drapes. ;-)
Add a white pillow to the mix.
There you go- Add a couple other random pillows- we don't need to go for matching, but there needs to be some matching for a unification. See what I mean- an hour or less of shopping and you are done.
Reader Comments (8)
You are amazing Christine! What's funny, I was actually looking at an Ikat in white and blue. I knew the solid white didn't work, but I was hoping it would fuel some great suggestions - which it did. I'm going to search for a similar fabric and sew the panels myself I think. And those pillows are GORgeous and definitely my style - unfortunately though, they don't let you pick what color you want. So I might see if they have them in store. I was going to do some pillows in robin's egg blue, too. It's hard to tell from the pics - but my walls are a robin's egg blue.
I'm going to cross post this on Monday! Thanks again!!!!
Ashley - if your store doesn't have them, let me know- I will check mine. Thanks again for being such an amazing web designer!
Thought your suggestions were excellent. I happen to have these same West Elm curtains and love them. They are the right amount of pattern and texture mixed with a nice "neutral". I am a huge supporter of layering with texture as well. Your ideas were perfect for the space. Fun to see Ashley's room coming along!
I am over from Decorology. You'll probably see my comment there -- I picked the exact same West Elm Ikat curtains for a client with a similar room. I think your advice was all spot on. I am so glad to be a new follower here!
Stacy @ www.conspicuousstyle.com
WOW...you are certainly a woman of influence. I love the West Elm Ikat curtains you posted. They are the first I have seen in a long time that I love....and finally made a deciiont they were "the ones" . Sold out in every size today!.....I am thinking they owe you a commission!
Let me know if you see anything else like them!
Cindy
p.s.(I still owe you a southern Louisiana goody basket...haven't forgotten!
Cindy- you made my day! ;-) And yes- I think you are right- I should be making a commission....
As of today, the Ikat window panels are available on line at West Elm. Not only that, but they're on sale.
Christine - I have finally made some progress - http://decorology.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-curtains-are-finally-finished-some.html
I cannot thank you enough for all your excellent tips. Without them I would never have thought to go with a pattern (because I'm a scaredy cat)! Thanks again and let me know what you think!