+ Follow

Rita Konig's diary of a farmhouse renovation: curtains and blinds

The author shares her experiences and considerations regarding window treatments during the renovation of her farmhouse, specifically focusing on curtains and blinds. A primary challenge identified was the necessity for screening at windows in addition to traditional curtains, due to the brightness of south-facing rooms and occasional traffic, such as a tractor passing by. To address this, the author opted for Indian split-bamboo 'Chik' blinds from Joss Graham. However, these blinds become sheer when interior lights are on, compromising privacy and aesthetics. To counteract this, off-white Scottish Holland roller blinds from The SH Blind Company were installed behind the bamboo blinds in rooms where they serve as the main window treatment. This combination ensures opacity when needed and offers a warmer aesthetic. For other rooms, the author planned for substantial, heavy curtains, acknowledging the significant financial investment this entailed. To manage costs, a strategy of acquiring discounted fabrics was employed, including Jean Monro 'Hydrangea & Rose' chintz from the Stead McAlpin mill shop and 'Bowness' linen from Fabulous Fabrics. Another cost-saving measure involved using inexpensive cotton mattress ticking from The Cloth Shop for curtains in her daughter’s bedroom. Despite the initial intention of thriftiness, this was complemented by a more expensive red pom-pom trim from Samuel & Sons to create a contrasting effect with the chosen wall color. Additionally, blinds made of Howe’s ‘Little F’ linen with a chintzed finish by The Blinds Company were hung behind curtains, serving the dual purpose of privacy during dressing and blocking out gloomy skies while preserving views of the outdoors. The most challenging windows to dress were the arched ones in the kitchen, which were formerly garage doors. Given the kitchen's function as a dining area, the goal was to enhance coziness in the evenings. Initial concerns about the difficulty of fitting blinds or curtains to the arched shape were overcome by installing thin metal rods and unlined curtains made from Lee Jofa’s ‘Entoto Stripe’ cotton mix by GP & J Baker. For a tall sash window with a window seat in the same room, shutters were chosen instead of curtains, demonstrating that varying window treatments within a single room can be effective. A notable oversight was the windows on the staircase, particularly one that was high and out of reach. Initially left bare, the desire to eliminate the nocturnal blackness prompted the order of remote-controlled roller blinds from The Blinds Company, featuring a ‘Dans la Forêt’ print by Décors Barbares. The author notes that sorting out the electrical connection for the remote-controlled blind would have been simpler if planned during the initial electrical work, acknowledging that such details often work out despite initial missteps. #FarmhouseRenovation #WindowTreatments #CurtainsAndBlinds #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FabricSelection #DesignChallenges #RitaKonig #FarmhouseRenovation #WindowTreatments #CurtainsAndBlinds #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FabricSelection #DesignChallenges #RitaKonig

76 months ago

Read Full Article