apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I, too, am in the process of replacing fugly vertical and metal blinds. For some reason I didn't think of checking out west elm - so thanks for the tip, Leslie!

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for elegant double curtain rods that aren't too expensive and extend to a length of about 100 inches?

I would love to see a paleish pink accent wall behind your sofa-say Benjamin Moore 2079-50 rhododendron-
leave the other walls netral like BM 2113-70antique pearl-
lose the table and chairs please'they do nothing for your space-then hang curtains in a similar shade as your sofa at almost ceiling height to floor,extending about a foot past the width of your window on either side-actually you d table isn't bad -you could stain/paint it a dark chocolate or black and maybe pair it with some white or cream chairs in a more contemporary style

Wow I had an idea, but never mind. Do what bball says! Now!

Ann - the wooden blinds that Leslie mentions from Ikea are pretty nice, I think the darker wood color would contrast nicely in this room.

I too am on the hunt for good blinds or curtains. Unfortunately the Ikea blinds don't have enough flexibility in their sizing, and the restoration hardware linens add up to be pretty pricey. Does anyone have other recommendations for stores online or around the Bay Area?

thanks jennifer-I like the d wood blinds mixed with fabric curtains-when you just want to control the light!I love those benches as cofeetables!!

Potterybarn curtains are cheaper than Restoration Hardware, so is West Elm. I've found some really nice curtains at Linens and Things and Target. You can also order off ebay. For wood blinds, you can get affordable ones from Lowes. I live about 5 hours from Ikea so Ikea suggestions are never helpful for me.

I like Bball's idea with the pink accent wall with a pale brown on the other walls. I like the idea of brown curtains, from West Elm or Potterybarn. I most definitely paint your dining room table black and get some new chairs or try painting them black and see how they turn out.

I've found some great affordable long curtain rods from Lowes and Target.

i'd totally go for bright pink. if you still want blinds i'd go for wood ones and 2 rows rather than one--the one row of mini-blinds is too much 'horizontal' for the room. you need some more vertical lines and bright pink (maybe with bronze/amber hardware) would look great.

thanks for all the suggestions. i've decided that the immediate is to paint an accent wall (behind couch) pink & add some chocolate brown curtains. next on the list will be a new dining room set, which is something i've been meaning to do for a while.