Habitude

By JJ

July 7, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

All window “dressing” in my house is in the form of mini blinds. I want to upgrade to the 2” faux wood blinds. Seeing how I have 17 windows, 2 bays, and a rather large window in my bedroom, that will get very expensive. However, I shop the sales, and can get by with doing one window at a time.

Overstock.com has some really good prices. I’ve never ordered anything from them, but my friends have, and have been pleased.

I think window dressing is up to the individual. I don’t like trendy things, and refuse to have my house look like everyone elses. And I certainly WILL NOT pay $300 for ONE panel. I can find them at Target MUCH cheaper!!!!!!

By Target

July 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Target has the best drapes for the money. Look at the Waverly or Woolrich brand. No way could I pay $2000 for drapes. At Target prices, you can enjoy now and redecorate later and not lose money. I looked at the Bed/Bath/Beyond also, but found a better selection at Target. Look at Target’s online shop too. If custom drapes are needed, check out Outrageous Bargains. There are also some of the Asian owned drape/upholstery shops around town. There is one on Lower Roswell Road/East Cobb near Ritters that does beautiful work and hear is reasonable.

By Jen

July 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

My house is old, built back before most people had electricity. As a result I have windows where most people, in newer homes, don’t…like in my closets.

All in all, I have 42 windows in my house. The good thing? You feel like you’re at summer camp because my neighborhood is treed and with all those windows you feel like you’re outside when you’re inside.

The bad thing? $$$$$$

At the tune of $1,000 I covered my dining room windows with a handmade get up (my wonderful seamstress mother - free labor). I’ve got lace sheers that are hung from a wire and loop hardware set I got from IKEA. I got the lace fabric to make the sheers from there, too. On top of that I have a pewter/silver colored sheer fabric that’s doubled up and sewn with a panel at the top. The panel is rimmed with a crystal drop trim. They’re hung from pewter metal rods with rings and metal tiebacks. The rods/rings aren’t substantial because I didn’t want the focus to be on the hardware but on the fabric.

It looks really awesome and does a good job of giving privacy without totally blocking light.

Now…for the other 36 windows I’ve either gone with temporary vinyl miniblinds or plain cotton roll up shades. The office has cafe length (on the bottom panes only, leaving the top panes free) lace sheers.

I will EVENTUALLY cover them all with something nice but maybe just one room a year….

The windows in the closets will just be plain cheap cotton panels - easy to wash and replace.

By Miller

July 7, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I’m fortunate that I sew and make my own window treatments, but I don’t do anything fancy or complicated (don’t have time or patience). I like simple elegance and you can do that with without spending a lot of money. I suggeset you visit fabric/upholstery stores to find a fabric you like and have someone make the curtains. Many of the stores also have displays of different window treatments. I used to live in Atlanta and truly miss the fabric selection. When I can’t decide on a style, I look in magazines and also sewing pattern books for suggestions. I have a rather wide and long window with an arched transom in my living room and can’t figure out what style of window treatments would look right. I don’t want anything heavy and fussy. Is there a website you can submit a picture for suggestions?

By Homeschool Mom

July 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

combo of 2” faux wood blinds in my boys rooms & bathroom/Target curtains in the living room/homemade cafe curtains in kitchen-dining area and homemade roman shades in bedroom(which are actually very easy and look great!

By Beck

July 7, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

3 words:

overstock dot com ;)

By Would Be Designer

July 7, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

I typically cover my windows with curtains from LNT. The pricing is somewhat reasonable for the quality that you get. What I have done in the past is purchase on panel and make two out of it. Nowadays, you don’t cover the entire window with the curtain, you just flank the sides of them. So, I can dress one window for $40 instead of $80.

By kt

July 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I have a sliding patio door in my living room. I got the curtains and curtain rod from Bed Bath & Beyond on clearance sale. Like Would Be Designer I didn’t cover the entire door, I just flanked the sides. I bought the tie back hooks from Target. In my kitchen I have a valance that I also got from Target. I have yet to dress my dining room and bedroom windows the blinds are serving their purpose for now! :)

By LoveItaly

July 7, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

JC Penney has the best selection and price. My house is a mixture of custom wood blinds, drapes and decorative roller shades. Its more imaginative than having the whole house the same way. It adds character to each room.

By Peter Bengelsdorf

July 7, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Coincidentally, the Smith + Noble catalog showed up in my mailbox the same day I happened on this column. Their stuff can be on the pricey side, as are most things that are made exactly to fit as opposed to ready-made. One trick is to find something ready-made but perhaps a bit too long or wide, in a place like Target, and then commission a seamstress (or, perhaps just as capable, a seamster) to make it fit your nonstandard window. I’ve found such people working in places like dry cleaning stores, where their typical work is altering clothes, charging very reasonable rates. But I started this comment with Smith + Noble because it’s a rich source of ideas for decorating windows, and it’s worth a look at their web site before you start the search for economy. (I have also bought from them and found them to be excellent.) And speaking of excellence, what a coup it was for the AJC to have landed such a talent as Nedra Rhone!

By amy

July 7, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

JC Penney-A lot of times they have real good sales ONLINE.

Anna’s Linens-no need to wait for any sales, beautiful stuff, discount price everyday.

Pottery Barn-Wait for the Sale though!

By JLM

July 7, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Lowes carries great curtain panels. I got some beautiful panels for my dining room from Lowes.

By Mike

July 7, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

All of my windows have sheers - $10 a panel at Target, on plain rods. I got a quote of $1,000 per window to put custom drapes in my living room, and decided that it would make the room too small (and make me too broke!).

It seems like the big old mansions in Buckhead don’t have anything on their windows - no blinds, no shutters, no curtains, no sheers. When you drive by at night you can see everyone’s living and dining rooms.

By gmd10ms

July 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Try sheets….they always work well. They can be gathered on a rod or use clips…can easily make tie-backs and throw pillows out of matching pillow cases. If they have to be hemmed use iron on hemtape.

By frann

July 8, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

I have covered all my widows from Garage Sales. My most recent find was 6 gorgeous silk lined drape panels. My living room has 5 connecting windows and it would be a lot of money to have them custom made. When I saw these stunning panels at a garage sale my heart started to increase. When I asked how much for the panels she told me $5.00 again my heart started to go up, I thought wow $5.00 per panel but she said no it was $5.00 for all. It was amazing. Apparently when she bought her house they came with the house. The previous owner had them custom made and it wasn’t what she wanted. I felt like I just won the lottery. They are hanging in my living room and look like I had them custom made to fit my decor. Lucky Lucky me.