apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Can you hang a header thingy (sorry, forget the proper term) right at the ceiling, hang the mini blinds up high as well, and use drapes all the way to the floor? Might look odd still, like the miniblinds are only halfway open, but it might fool you into thinking the window goes up higher than it does.

Curtain rod within a couple of inches of the ceiling, simple not-ruffly valance that falls to just below the top of the window. Curtains that fall from the rod to the floor. Since the dining room and living room is basically one big room the window treatment should be the same at both windows.

ditto catspajamas.

I don't know about the curtains... if you hang a rod along the ceiling line and then open the curtains it will look strange because it will expose the bare wall above the window and the window. What you need is something that will always cover the section above the window, maybe some sort of simple fabric valance...? Do you usually keep the blinds shut or are they open a lot?

BlindFINDER.com
"All you could ever want to know about window treatments"

Valance! That's the word I was looking for.

To cover that bare area above the window when the curtains are open, also hang some sheers at the same height as the curtains. They will stay closed all the time and will minimize that blank space nicely. That's what I've done in my house and it looks quite nice if I do say so myself!

I agree with Monica, and I did the same thing in my bedroom. I hung the rod almost at the ceiling and have sheers that stay closed most of the time, softening the appearance of the 12 inches of wall between the rod and window. On the occasions that the sheers are open all the way, I guess it looks a little funny, but whatever...apartments aren't perfect.

IMO the space is too tight for curtains....there is little to no room with the wooden cart, plants, and the one chair.

I'd hang a roman shade from near the top of the wall. If you don't raise it open to above the window, it will always look like one big window.

Surely your husband will agree to removing the mini-blinds from ONE window?

why not put a shelf up there and display your wonderful collection?

I don't think you should try to make the window seem taller than it is. It's what makes your room not so "cookie cutter". I like the idea of a shelf above.

Perhaps you could hang a nice piece of horizontal artwork above the window?

Floor to ceiling curtains hung from the ceiling would also look great and dramatic although they might displace some of your furnishings.

i agree with the idea of putting something (shallow shelf, artwork) above the window instead of curtains or blinds. it's not easy (for me, at least) to find suitable spaces to put little shelves for little items, so this could be your answer :)

If you can paint the wall a darker color as a focal point, and get a fabric window shade instead of the plastic blinds- I think it would look great.

It is a unique window. I like it.

roman shades hung a few inches from the ceiling.

I like the idea of a pleated or roman shade that just covers the window area. I wouldn't necessarily duplicate it across the room, but I would pick up colors.

http://www.theshadestore.com/product/aventura-roman-shade?prcid=2640
http://www.theshadestore.com/product/tulip-roman-shade?prcid=2779

You could get the slightly sheer linen shade as well. FYI, these are SIMPLE to make.

Ikea has a window treatment system that might work for you. It's called Kvartal and it's compatible with traditional curtains and panels. I have it in my kitchen window; I used used the three channel rod and hung it inside the frame. If you did the same, you could ditch the blinds. By placing one panel in each channel (as opposed to two panels in one channel and the third panel in one of the remaining slots), you can slide the panels over to alter lighting/privacy.

Panels would give yo a shot of color and keep things streamlined, which you'll need since you're working with a tight space.


http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10374/13289/

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10374/10702

Since you mentioned your furniture, maybe you can do something about those too. Paint the dining set a lighter color. Put your dining set right next to the wall. Hang a collection of neatly edited framed pieces (in white frames) so as to take attention away from the low window. Take the wine cooler and the table it sits upon out; it clutters the space. Floor looks great, but an area rug (khaki colored) emphasizes the focal point to be that wall, not the window. Hanging plants are great, but at that height it makes the room more dwarfed than it already is. A light colored pot and a less noticeable rope would make it appear as if it is floating. Sheer curtains that hang almost to but not touching the floor can cover up the window. (And hey, having mini blinds doesn't mean you have to live with them; pull the mofo up and make it disappear.) Essentially, you're using light shades to expand the room and make it less busy. Unfortunately, with the one-room space that you have, it would look disjointed if you don't do this for the entire room. Fortunately, "light-shade" doesn't mean the same color, just a lighter shade of everything.

I think the Roman shade idea is good. Or why not hang the hanging plants right over the window, except for the whole 70s fern bar reference?


But I'd get the pub set cut down--I hate being perched, personally, and if you have guests, it's even more awkward.

Roman Shade and/or display shelf. They're right.

Hello everyone ~ thanks for all your suggestions.

I do open those blinds (mornings only in the summer - it faces west - and definately not for the view, which is the neighbor's house where they did an addition and didn't finish the outside wall) and had figured that whatever translucent thing I put there would stay closed.

I am planning on putting a woven wood shade in the bathroom soon - hopefully once my husband sees how nice it looks he won't be so opposed to using other treatments for the rest of the windows.

I do like the idea of putting a shelf up there, and I also like the idea of painting that wall a darker accent color, and using the sliding panels. I'll have to play around with those ideas to be sure it won't end up too busy looking - it is a REALLY small space!

The pub set may be on it's way out - it's not welll made - and I was thinking of getting something with slim legs and a glass top - maybe wrought iron. I think the placement of the window wouldn't bug me so much if the table was normal height.

Again - thanks so much for the great suggestions! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.