apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

You could also simulate trim by painting around the window in white. I like the way white looks against aqua more than black/aqua. I agree with Maxwell - bring that rod down (and maybe get a thicker rod ... that can add architectural interest as well).

I know you wanted to make it seem like the window was larger but I think the rod is way too high. You should lower it like Maxwell said to between where you have it now and the window.

I know you just made those curtains but i think long panels that go to the floor also elongate the window and will visually connect it to what you have going on below it.

A roman shade behind the curtains will tie it all in. Find something that has a finished top so it looks ok being exposed behind the rod.

can you tell me what that peacock-ish fabric is in the 2nd picture? i love it!

I had a similar situation with tacky, but still functional, window blinds in my living room. I wanted to be hide them without reducing their functionality, but without using some oh-so-tacky ruffled valance (my apologies to any ruffled valance lovers out there).

I'm not very adept with sewing, although you appear to be, but I found that hanging a loop of fabric adhered to the top inside frame of the window and weighted with a dowel to keep it hanging straight. It hides the top of the blinds when they're pulled up, and also defines the top of the window. The bottom would still look unfinished, but it's a start at least.

If you're not renting, I would really recommend just getting the trip to finish out the window, even if you don't install a sill. It's pretty easy to do, even without power tools.

Love the colors, btw. I'm not entirely sold on the "punch of red," because I feel it might swing the room too far towards warm colors (even used sparingly) and create a competing theme. The yellow is already a lot of contrast. If you wanted more color, I'd consider picking up the green from the rug. It adds depth to the aqua, I think, and helps ground it. A green stripe along the wall and around the window (like robyn suggested) might look pretty cool.

I'd lower the rod so the white band of the curtains hits the sill line.

Then I'd install something looking like a faux opened Roman shade (although you could also install a real one) that started directly behind the curtain rod and extended just slightly past the top of the window frame. I'd find something like a black matchstick material to play off the black but not compete with the fabric.

Lychee - the "fabric" you are referring to is a rug from Urban Outfitters.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=27011&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=336&iSubCat=297&iProductID=27011

Thanks for the advice everybody! The picture I gave doesn't represent what my future plans are: There will be a piano in the place of the couch with only a few inches to spare from the bottom of the window to the top of the piano. I initially thought I should do shorter curtains because otherwise they would hang behind the piano. But I do so love floor length panels...

an idea would be to sew solid, sheer, solid horizontal stripe curtains. the top solid stripe would hide the wall from the ceiling to the top of the window, the sheer would be over the window and the bottom solid stripe would be from the bottom of the window to whatever length you want. this gives the illusion of having a long window without losing any light.

I think that P2's suggestion of lowering so the white stripe is at the window sill is excellent.

Furthermore, i think that I would create a cornice of white-painted wood to go above the window, which would heighen the look of the window without covering the actual window, because I need to see some of the wall color above that, and yet, I don't really need to see wall color between the top of the window and the rod.

Lowering the rod to half the space between the ceiling and the top of the storage baskets/bookcases, this will make these 3 elements seem more in scale with one another. I agree with Patrick in mounting a fake or real woven wood shade below the rod and covering the top window trim. It gives the appearance of a larger/taller window and adds a bit of visual/material texture too. Also taking the curtains to full floor length would make it feel more generous.

Even if the piano is in front of the curtains, I still think having them floor length would look alot better. The short style doesn't really work on a window that high with that much space below it. You're really making it look even smaller.

What about a valance over the rod/curtain top ala "Ron's Hotel Sweet" at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2007-entries/30-rons-hotel-sweet-021934

Or would I still need to bring the curtain rod down some?

A valance would work too but you really need to bring that rod down. It's just not supposed to be that high.

Laura--

Rods are frequently hung that high, but when the gap is covered, you don't notice it, and it does a way cool trick of making the windows seem ginormous.

I do agree that even with a piano there, she could get away with to-the-floor panels.

Here's how I think it could look with a lowered curtain and a cornice. This way, even if the curtains are open like they currently are in the photo, it's just not that obvious that the window is so short:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/479915704/

Have a look and see what you think. I think the cornice could be white-painted wood, unless you'd just rather cover the wood with batting and then cover it with the same white fabric as the stripe. Since that would be hard to keep clean in my city, I'd prefer to have the white painted wood.

I like the color combo you choose for this room.
I'm not sure what you mean by the window not being finished. If it is actualy not finished with the proper trim boards (are the insides of the window frame somewhat exposed?), then that would be my first suggestion, to have the window finished. That will improve the situation a lot. It should not cost alot to have tha done correctly.

Lowering the curtain a bit is good, lowering it so the white ends of the curtains hang below the window would perhaps 'balance' the window. also painting the curtain rod the color of the wall would lighten up the space.

Be careful of installing too much stuff to try and affect, or change the space... it will just make that area heavier. It has a nice light (as in mental weight) feeling to it now.

I think I'm sold on lining up the panel so the top of the white stripe hits the sill. Curtis, I love the mock-up. I think that may be just the thing for me! Thanks for the taking the time to do that! Good answers, everybody!