apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why not keep the roman shade, but add some floor-to-ceiling brown velvet draperies to either side?

Run the rod slightly wider than the full width of the bed, but put one panel on the left and two on the right give the illusion that the window is centered as well as create a "headboard" effect.

If you're feeling even more dramatic - run the rod the entire length of the back wall and add more drapery panels to complete the "wall of windows" effect.

Do floor to ceiling curtains hung wider than the window, and then maybe like a woven/grass roman shade underneath. Re-center the bed under the drapes, and the whole thing will visually act as a headboard. Of course this means the floor lamp will have to find a new home, but you know... who cares?

What paint color is that????


Also: I like the roman shade as is.. Maybe some nice decals on the wall on either side of the window would dress it up a little more and give a faux headboard feel.

You could do drapery panels and run them from the ceiling. Or you could add ribbon to the roman shade itself - in the brown or else blue. That would personalize it and is easier than adding panels.

Check out the image here...
http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/ab/images/p2/products/200909/0066/img33m.jpg

i am pretty sure you could adhere the ribbon using hemming tape/stitch witchery - which you would iron on instead of sewing. a 3" wide ribbon/tape would look nice. Good luck!

Maybe consider adding a border of brown grosgrain ribbon on the roman shade if you really want to add color without being overwhelming.

Beautiful room, by the way. I'm totally jealous!

I also like the roman shade and I think you are on the right track. You can lose the lamp but to me it makes the room look smaller...maybe go with the ceiling-to-floor drapes everyone else is suggesting.

And later, maybe some molding on the ceiling? Or something to "frame" it all? Know what I mean? Anyway, good luck.

I have used a window as a "headboard" in the last two condos I lived in - I actually quite like the effect.

I agree with everyone who sugggested hanging a rod that is wider than the window. I would then add some sheer white curtains that would billow and hang softly on either side of the bed. Sort of mosquito-netting-ish and princessy.

(Is it possible to center the bed on the window to better create the "window-as-headboard effect?)

I have to agree that I like the roman shade- it makes the room feel clean and crisp, BUT, if you want to dress it up you could probably easily add some ribbon to it like http://www.pbteen.com/products/p3795/index.cfm?pkey=cwindow%2Dcurtains%2Ddrapes%2Dsheers or this http://www.pbteen.com/products/p2108/index.cfm?pkey=cwindow%2Dcurtains%2Ddrapes%2Dsheers. You could also add one of those solid square valance-like things (I forget what they are called, anyone?) at the top of the window.

The PB lamp you linked is gorgeous! I think a floor lamp is fine, but maybe find one that goes with the room better. Or get an affordable Ikea ceiling pendant.

The room looks great though.

What about a bamboo shade?

i must say that i think that roman shade is perfect for the room just the way it is.

I like the shade just as it is, though I also like the suggestion about adding draperies. But if that is a heavier look than you'd like, just add a picture or other wall decoration above the nightstand.

You really don't need anything more. It's nice and airy like it is. You might even consider removing that rug from the floor to make it even more light.

pick a pattern that uses white and your dark bedding color and line the entire window wall, floor to ceiling with them.

Looks like you've made some great progress! I would echo a previous comment to add gauzy drapery -- this would emphasize the height of the room, and would be pretty, without being too frilly. Perhaps use matte nickel finish hardware, since you don't seem to have gold anywhere-? Also, I would change the color of the black picture frame and the black floor lamp. Try a white frame or something matching your bedding. I also like the height of the lamp, but I find the black distracting from the rest of your color palette. Also, you might want to consider a single-color throw rug, since busy patterns tend to make small spaces look smaller. Also, where is the nature, or hints of it? You can find little shade-loving plants even for rooms without much light or space. A bit of green adds a lot of life. Good luck!

I second the question about the paint color. This is exactly the shade I want to do in my living room.

As for the curtains, I would say that you should do something just to make the window look more finished. If light control is not a problem, then I agree with the previous commentors about white airy curtains that are floor-to-ceiling. If you do want something a little bit more likely to block light when closed, then I think you could do a light blue curtain with white backing to filter the light. The light blue next o your walls could give a cool tone on tone effect.

I like the Roman shade in theory, but you have an off-balance room because the window is awkwardly placed. Drapes that extend beyond the width of the window could help "center" the room.

a simple roller shade
maybe something like:
http://www.theshadestore.com/category/chilewich/chilewich

I have top down bottom up blinds. At night it is nice to see the star while laying in bed without others seeing you.

I think the window is great the way it is since it's behind the bed... nice and clean. I'd lose the floor lamp, and replace the table lamp with something a little more compact. Then I'd get a nice large dark wood frame that you could switch out the art to match an accent color. I'd use bold images that make it a focal point instead of the window. On that right wall you could add multiple smaller pieces of artwork too or put some dark reeds in a standing vase behind the bed to add some height. =)

i would put up a curtain rod the width of the bed and hang long drapery panels. i would stick with something white to keep the airy feeling.

I like the crisp look of the roman shade as is. A hanging drum shade lamp to replace the floor lamp would be great, perhaps the long, thin Ikea SKIMRA. And get that really cute lamp from the link to replace the table lamp you have now.

A roman shade in another color would look nice - maybe some kind of neutral color that would look decent even if you changed out the bed linens.

We are unlucky enough to have an apartment that is probably about 20 feet from a house whose inhabitants are rude enough to keep fog lights on all night every night, so we are stuck with the typical blinds in apartments and then a heavier curtain over to block out the light.

Poster here...thank you, all, for your comments--you've given me a lot to think about, all good. It's interesting, because I think I've gone from white sheers to heavier draperies to nothing on my own, so I'm guessing that I probably can't go truly wrong--just a matter of figuring out which one will work best. I'm liking the idea of a wall of curtains...such good thoughts all around.

For the record...the frame on the print is dark brown (hard to tell in the photo). And the floor lamp IS black and cheap, from Wal-Mart, out of sudden realization I needed more light. It's strange how when you change a room around, suddenly, more light might be needed. Previously, the bed was immediately to the left when you walked in, and the armoire was to the right of the window, the dresser on the wall to the left (where the print is). Awful, but once it was done, it was DONE, because draining a waterbed is annoying. But--two lamps were enough that way.

Anyway: for those who asked, the paint is Ralph Lauren, Impressionist. (I think it's the Vintage Masters collection.) It's not in these photos, but I did one wall in that with the candlelight glaze in 7-inch stripes over it, and it's subtle and fantastic.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Um--wasn't clear. The floor lamp is now my third in this room. There's another one on the dresser--you can't see it. For a smallish room--about 8' x 16'--it needs a lot of lamps.

i have the same window treatments that you have, and they're great... but if you want a change, try a natural shade (grass, bamboo, etc)... it'll add some texture, weight and subtle color

I use a double treatment on windows near sleep areas.
In back is a black-out shade, pulled down only at night.
In front is a Silhouette by Hunter Douglas. I love it because it offers a couple of translucency options. Light is precious and this maintains it but cuts glare when open and becomes
more opaque when closed. It's not inexpensive, but I don't
use the remote control or Power Rise version. The fabric
slats come in a multitude of neutrals, which I think you should retain for this room as well as a variety of opacities. There is a little light "bleed" with any set-in treatment, but it's tolerable. When you remove the floor lamp, soon, you can add a single horizontal piece of wall art to counterpoint the verticality of the window. No chatchkas needed. Nice job.
Sandra Handloser
Art and Interiors

P.S.I wouldn't use drapes or Roman's here. Keep simplicity.

keeping in mind light and airy I'm thinking 2 things;
double curtains,light sheer then a thicker curtain over top for when you want darkness.
I can't help but see also exaggerating that window,either hanging the curtain rod much higher to give the illusion of length to the room or even hanging a double width curtain so you think there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
The upper part of the room needs detailing just as much as the bottom...

We are leading parallel lives. My bedroom is the same color as yours, quite small, and my bed is in front of the window.
I used these drapes http://www.target.com/Modern-Home-Velvet-Grommet-Window/dp/B000MVK91W/qid=1237445488/ref=br_1_2/182-7877589-8637429?ie=UTF8&node=3435811&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1 extending them beyond the window and centered behind the bed. It makes the room look more balanced and creates the illusion of a headboard and a larger window. The velvet gives texture and weight but the soft color keeps it looking light and serene.

Assuming I go with floor to ceiling drapes of some kind, any advice on what kind of rod to get? And...would I put a valance of some sort on there, or would the painted area right above the window simply be exposed? Thanks much.

I've read here forever but never paid attention to etiquette, so if I'm doing wrong, let me know. Thanks much to those who suggested the floor-to-ceiling option. I just hung them, semi-sheer white, and they look great--really draw the eye up, makes the whole room look bigger. Thanks again.

PS--Sorry--did the whole wall. Love it.