As much as I like breezy white curtains and natural blinds, sometimes you just need a little more color or pattern — or both. Here are ten instances where colorful, patterned curtains liven things up and pull the room together. More

There are some household duties you can get around. And then there are others that really make a world of difference. When I took these drapes out of the package last night, I saw a lot of steaming in my future. As you can see after the jump, the difference is huge! More

It's no secret that from an insulation point of view, windows are one the weakest links in your average home. Even when they're closed most of the heat loss and gain will come through windows. Double glazing is a fantastic option, but what if you're renting, need something quickly or the budget just doesn't extend that far? More

Made from a variety of material (rattan, straw, grass cloth, sisal or bamboo), woven wood shades and blinds can give a room an earthy texture and character. They can look rustic and rugged or more neutral and tailored, depending on the weave and the materials used. More

Shopping for curtains and blinds — especially for small windows is one of my absolute least favorite things to do. I typically have an exact style in mind and I'm often disappointed at the lack luster findings at local stores. More

I've been searching for months for ideas for simple window coverings that fit inside a window frame. So, when I saw this tutorial over at Design*Sponge I thought it might work for our small bathroom, but I wanted to ask...even if I was able to find an alternate use for the vinyl that would be *displaced* by this project (like lining the cat litter box or lining the space under our kitchen sink where our cleaning supplies are kept)...

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We found a clever fabric design that would make darling curtains or bedding for the right kid. It comes in a range of colors too. As an extra surprise, when you look up real close, you see one important difference between these bricks, and the toy LEGO itself. More

I knew from the moment I bought my home that I'd want top down/bottom up window treatments. I don't want folks being able to look in my windows, nor do I want to necessarily look at my neighbor's roof. So, the task was to find shades that fit. For most of the windows, I made do with mounting them on the outside of the windows (partially to accommodate the cats wanting to sit on the sills). But one window was a really odd size and I didn't want to spend nearly $200 to cover it. So, for nearly two years, it has worn a temporary paper shade. Sad, but true. More

Did you know that up to 40% of a home's unwanted heat comes in through the windows? Sure, most of us realize that keeping interior shades and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day will help keep a home cooler, but for many climates there's a more effective solution.

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The beautiful stenciled kitchen in Liz & Joe's Cute & Crafty Coach House got a lot of attention yesterday. If you love the look but you're not quite ready to commit to a pattern on your walls, consider stenciled curtains! More