NY Good Questions: Window Covering Ideas?

6.3window.jpg Dear AT,

For months, I have been trying to figure out a way of attaching some sort of shade/drapes/curtains/blinds to our three living room windows.

The trouble I am having is with the shape of the windows.

They have an arch shape.

We want to add a shade to it, but cant decide best option...

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6.3window1.jpg

We really like the shape of the windows so we don't want to lose them completely.

Ideally, whatever we add will provide slight shade obviously as it will likely get warm in the sunny living room in the summer.

We saw an image once where they had added a sheer roller blind above the arch so that when it was lowered you could still make out the nice shape of the window, but not quite sure this is best option.

Thanks! Addi

Comments (12)

They look deep, so I would install the rod inside the window, just below the arch, leaving a half-circle open at the top. It looks like you need not cover the entire window for privacy.

posted by ValHalla on June 3rd 2008 at 8:38am
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Hang a drapery rod close to the ceiling and hang drapery panels from there between each window. You can have a double rod and have a layer of sheer as well for light control.

I found this image that illustrates this idea.
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub_test/07/42/04/slideshow_204427_private.0930_06.JPG

I really hate those blinds that they make for arched windows.. it's so dated. Just treat it as you would a regular window.

posted by Laura on June 3rd 2008 at 8:41am
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I used to have arched windows just like these in my old apartment.

What I did was buy one of those rods that extend and use a sheer curtains as ValHalla has just recommended. It gave me privacy enough privacy and allowed for lots of light.

(Unfortunately the wall was angled as I was on the top floor of the row house so what Laura mentioned was impossible to do)

posted by CraftyAngie on June 3rd 2008 at 9:15am
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It would sure be nice if these pages could render correctly so I can view them without having text on top of text.

posted by Devyn on June 3rd 2008 at 10:15am
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I JUST saw an HGTV show called Myles of Style, and she tackled the same issue the home owners had with their master bedroom's arched windows.

Unfortunately I cannot find pictures online of a before and after, but if you click on this link ( http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2008/05/08/hmofs109-water-feature_w609.jpg ) you will see a wood bamboo panel on the left of the picture. Basically what she did was make sliding panels for each window (and tracked it on the top of each wall) to dress the windows, which could be to the side of each window if they wanted light in the room, or over each window for when they were sleeping.

It looked really pretty and balanced the room well, as well as the shape of the windows. Maybe you should try something similar with curtain panels.

posted by ckayindc on June 3rd 2008 at 10:22am
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I vote for Laura's suggestion- this will accent the windows and lend to the ceiling height.

posted by TracyJ on June 3rd 2008 at 11:08am
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It would be really nice to have rounded curtain rods. A great source for powder coated custom window treatments is www.highlandforge.com.

posted by lanta on June 3rd 2008 at 12:06pm
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Hi, this is Addi, owner of the arch windows that need help. Thx all for your kind suggestions. We are considering them all. As for Laura's suggestion of the high curtain rod, we like this solution but what about the area in between the windows? Right now we have some artwork up and I feel like when the drapes are open, they would obscure the artwork. I guess we would have to move the artwork? But we like the artwork there!

Here's a flick link to slightly larger photo of the windows:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80108606@N00/2533941753/sizes/o/

Best
Addi

posted by adease on June 3rd 2008 at 12:45pm
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Yes, Addi move the artwork and go for the high drama that the tall curtains would lend!

posted by sarahjam on June 3rd 2008 at 1:15pm
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Heres 14 different ideas
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/basics/arched-w

posted by citygirlincountry on June 3rd 2008 at 2:24pm
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citygirl's link was chopped off, I'll try posting it:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/basics/arched-window-treatment-ideas/

posted by TRUE BLUE on June 3rd 2008 at 5:34pm
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Good, that worked.

I like the ideas on BHG for covering ONLY the lower portion, leaving the very top of the arch open.

What direction do those windows face? East or West will get you sun over the top of anything and that could be TOO hot.

The sun will reach it's highest point in the Northern Hemisphere towards the end of this month, then it starts to get lower on the horizon again. That may also be good or bad, depending on the direction of your windows.

I see a kitty in the picture, and kitty will still want to look out. Curtains can be pawed aside. Blinds might be a bit harder and kitty might try a little TOO hard to get around them.

You don't want cats tangled in blinds or shades or pushing against the base, as there is only a screen between kitty and plummeting.

One thing no one has mentioned yet are shutters, for the lower portion:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/basics/single-window-treatment-ideas/?page=14

And paper (I was looking for another one at BHG, but this is one idea):
http://www.bhg.com/crafts/shades-of-summer/