This year, when I took down the curtains in my living room for their annual spin through the washing machine, I found that I rather liked the naked windows. That little act of removing the curtains suddenly made the room feel much larger. I couldn't exactly leave the windows uncovered so I decided to finally make the leap to cellular blinds.
It turns out that cellular blinds (or honeycomb blinds, as they're also called) have more benefits that I realized. The blinds are much more energy efficient than curtains. On the few hot days we've had to far, the new blinds have done a great job of filtering the sunlight we get in these west facing windows. With the blinds closed we still get some light but only a fraction of the heat.
In addition to the energy efficiency, the new blinds are also adding some privacy. With the top down, bottom up blinds we are able to block the view of the neighboring building while also allowing ourselves a view of the treetops and sky.
(Images: Jason Loper)
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I like the new look!..it's fresher and keeps you cooler!...just seeing the treetops also makes it look fresher and cooler..;)
I like the new look better. I love how those blinds are opposite of most with them going to the bottom of the window and the opening at the top. Let's the light in but keeps your privacy. Brilliant!
I like both versions, but think that perhaps the problem with the curtains was their length. The feel juuuust shy of being long enough for the windows.
Love your wall color.
Those look really good, thanks for this post! I have considered cellular shades before to block out sunlight (I live in Phoenix), but was skeptical as to how they would look.
I think the reason that your room felt immediately larger without the curtains is that their pattern and color had no relationship to anything else within the room.
If you had curtains that contained the same color of blue that is on your walls or had a greater amout of the white that your trimwork is painted (just as your cellulars do now) your room would have been more cohesive and felt more "spacious".
What color is that on your walls? It's a fabulous color.
Yes! Burns the curtains! Destroy all window treatments! Free the window frames! Expose those gorgeous bones, baby!!!!
If the curtains were white and went all the way down to the floor, it would make the room look more spacious too.
Anybody have a favorite source for affordable cellular blinds? I found a pretty good selection at overstock.com and jc penney, but I didn't seen any there that would fit my old house's large picture windows. I need ones with the enclosed cord, for child safety.
Where did you get your blinds? We're interested in replacing our curtains with honeycomb blinds, too (especially the top-down version.)
love the bottom up style and how much light still comes through them... where did you get these?
I agree with suzy8track, floor length white would have worked just as well as the blinds. That said, I think your artwork seem kinda "lost" on those walls. Maybe stronger frames i.e. black would make them pop.
I like bepsf's point about the curtain color.
I usually feel that curtains are more attractive, warm and homey than blinds.
how do you clean cellular blinds? I want to get some, but am not sure how they would hold up?
hyzen - Overstock sells some pretty well-reviewed (but top-mount) cordless cellular honeycomb blinds in a large range of widths. We bought some for our bathroom and are totally pleased with them, but they don't get a lot of use in terms of constantly moving them up & down so I can't assess their durability. They were by far the most affordable I found in my search.
Dur, I see now that you checked overstock. Maybe you could get two narrower blinds and mount them next to each other, rather than trying to find a single really large one. The ones we have, the blinds go right to the edge of the mounting hardware so there wouldn't be much of a gap with two side-by-side.
justblinds.com is a great source for custom size cellular blinds - and all other blinds, too!
blinds.com is great! I just bought 2 more Hunter Douglas Duettes...top down, bottom up. I think they had to stop selling HD as of June 1, but do check b/c their prices are much better than retail stores.
A change in window treatment definitely makes a huge impact! We added curtains to our windows which already had double-cell blinds and we like the windows more than, for sure.
http://donkeehouse.com/?p=1011
Looks great!
I am in the market for TDBU cellular blinds for a window that is over 85 inches wide...anyone, anyone?
so different and so much the same - amazing!!
I did the same thing last year in my living room. I have blue walls, and I had beautiful floor length blue curtains, which I replaced with white roman blinds. I also applied sun control window film for privacy. The place feels bigger and brighter. I’ll never go curtains again.
i like the blinds better. I usually like curtains more but I think the pattern and length of your curtains is what was holding them back from their full shining glory!
Big improvement - the blinds look much cleaner and more modern. However, if you're ever moved to go back to curtains, I could also picture white sheers in addition to the blinds - but floor-length.
"how do you clean cellular blinds? I want to get some, but am not sure how they would hold up?"
If you vacuum them periodically, you shouldn't need further maintenance.
http://www.howdididoit.com/home-garden/cleaning-window-blinds-and-cellular-shades/
I got cellular blinds for my enormous windows (88" high x 36" wide) a few rooms at a time at SymphonyShades.com (they're in VT, the stuff is touted as being American made). They might be able to make the 85" wide ones a poster asked about. I got them mostly for energy efficiency reasons and they make a HUGE difference on my drafty old windows in the winter. I got the energy saving track that mounds on the side of the frame. They're great in the winter. I didn't get the light blocking ones for summer, but have light blocking drapes in all my rooms (handmade, 'natch) that keep the pesty sunlight at bay.
I've had mine for between 5-8 years (I got a few each year), and they've held up very well so far.
The shades look great. If you want a touch more umph to the room you can add drapery panels on the sides. Just attach the rod higher, above the window trim and make the panels longer, floor length. You can have them stacked and stationary, just to add a little warmth and intrest to the room.
Dang, I love those top down/bottom up! How's the privacy with cellular blinds? I've got a few windows on two sides of the house that open up into neighbors' spaces... are you able to see through these at all at night when the lights are on?
of course the shades look great, but the curtains that were in the before shot were anemic. linen floor to ceiling drapes would look good also. btw, sissy hate is such a strong word.
I have these, I love them and are going to use them in my den.
They go up to 86". I will have to use the plain ones- for my 96" long windows. I got mine from www.Budgetblinds.com.
http://www.budgetblinds.com/window-coverings/shades/features/#top-down-bottom-up
Tho' I have a lovely view from my bath- I do not want my neighbors to have a lovely view of me in the buff. I have a similar cellular- the opaque part comes up from the bottom- I can keep all the way up or down or halfway up. The sheer part will soften any view while letting in light and the opaque part when all the way up, creates total privacy.
There are quite a few brands out there that make similar styles.
http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,8772
Yes curtains collect duts too, glad to be free of them.
I've always found that I've enjoyed blinds much more than curtains. If you get the right kind they can help insulate the house and keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out during the summer.
This is a very common question and my advice is that you have to first consider the space available. Generally larger windows are better suited to curtains and narrow/tall windows are more suited to roman blinds. Ultimately its your choice but why not get the help of a professional interior designer who will also be able to show you all the latest fabric colours and textures?