One of my favorite parts of decorating a room is hanging new window treatments – I’m continually amazed by what a difference they make even when you keep them simple. And simple is what I usually do – give me a beautiful rod and simple full length drapery panels in a favorite fabric and I’m a happy girl.
But what about those tricky windows where a typical drapery rod and panel aren’t going to cut it? You know which windows I’m talking about – bay windows, corner windows, recessed windows, and even those window-like french doors. When I was visiting my parents this past weekend, I realized that their house is full of tricky windows. It’s also full of beautiful window treatments that solve the you-can’t-use-standard-drapery-panels-with-this-window dilemma. I thought I’d share a few of my favorite with you guys.
Their dining room is one of my favorite rooms in the house – it’s open to the rest of the house on two sides and has a long wall of windows on the third side:
Using standard drapery panels on these windows would end up covering up way too much of the windows since there’s no space on either side to stack the panels back:
So instead, simple pleated treatments are mounted on a short board on each end of the window. You don’t need as much fabric (in width) for this type of window treatment as you would for standard panels so it might give you some room to splurge a little more on your fabric.
My parents’ dining room drapes have a 2″ break at the floor, which is a great look for this type of treatment, especially in a more formal room:
Moving on to the master bathroom, this window is also recessed with walls flanking it on each side. The window is beautifully treated with a layered valence:
I love the mix of the tailored top layer with the more decorative tasseled bottom layer:
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The master bedroom has a large bay window, which is treated with four faux shades and full length puddled panels on the ends
which are each topped with a short, trimmed ruffle:
And finally, the family room and kitchen (which are open to one another) have the same tailored valence on each of the windows to unify the space, including this recessed window under the family room bench seat,
the french doors leading from the kitchen to the patio,
and the long window above the kitchen sink:
At some point I’ll have to take you all on a tour of my parents’ home that includes more than just the window treatments. They have some drool-worthy furniture pieces, which you may already know if you follow me on Instagram and saw this weekend pic of their couch that I fawn over every time I’m there:
I just flew back home yesterday and am not quite ready to get back to the reality of my to-do list that grew to epic lengths while I was gone. Better go knock some of that sucker out! See you all later in the week,
Rosanne Stallworth says
I would love information on the faux Roman shades in the master bedroom. Love them!
adina wood says
Could you please tell me the name of the fabric that the long panels are made of in the master bedroom?
Carol says
My apartment has triple windows and high ceilings. The problem I have is , my steam heat registers are located , just below the 3rd window panes. I love the extra large windows, but need ideas for window treatments.
Kathy Quinn says
I have a sliding glass door (not used) that almost butts up to the corner of the wall with an approximate 46″ w x 50″ l window that nearly butts up to the corner by the slider. Unfortunately, I have a TV in front of the sliding door. I would like long panels on each corner of the slider and the window and in the corner separating the two. I need to put something covering the glass. The slider completely and the window partially as it overlooks the water. Tough windows…any idea???
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Kathy – this is pretty tough to visualize unfortunately. If you’d like to join my Facebook community, you can post a photo and ask the rest of the group for advice! https://www.facebook.com/groups/drivenbydecordecoratingcommunity/
Shirley says
Kris, I just love the stationary panels in your parents’ master bedroom.! I have narrow windows in our master bedroom and would love to make those. I am an experienced seamstress and have always made the window coverings in our homes and have always interlined all of the fabric. Would you please tell me if the panels in your parents’ house are interlined, and also how they are mounted to the wall? I am thinking they look like they are mounted on a board. I am also contemplating omitting the interlining since it adds bulk and I can get a fuller panel with more gathers without the interlining. Would appreciate any info you can give me. Thanks so much!
Kris Jarrett says
Yes, those stationary panels are mounted on a board. Unfortunately I can’t remember if those have interlining or not and my parents no longer live there so I can’t double check 🙁
Nancy Kirkbride says
I am having trouble finding a site that is simple to “work” to plan the placement of my furniture in my new LR. The LR is open
on the waterfront and is adjacent to my kitchen. It is surrounded with windows on all sides with a floating fireplace that is between the kitchen and LR and can be seen from both areas. Any ideas on placement of the furniture ? I am also looking for ideas for corner drapes in the LR. Thanks. I am enjoying your site….
Kris Jarrett says
That sounds amazing Nancy! Unfortunately that level of advice would require drawing out an entire floor hand and spending some time figuring out what works best and I no longer offer design services like that. Sorry I can’t help!
Cheryl Huff says
Hi I love your ideas. I wanted to know how you did the valance in the master bed room? How did you attach the valance with the blinds?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Cheryl! The blinds are mounted in the typical inside-mount way (header is screwed into the wood framing the inside of the window) and the valence over the top of them is on a small spring loaded rod.
Laurie says
I would love to see the full picture of the couch with nailheads that you show a portion of on your site. It looks elegant but comfortable. Who is the manufacturer?
Thank you-
jill says
What is the paint color in the dining room? So beautiful!
Lisa B. says
What truly unique window treatments. I got lots of inspiration from the mini tour. Thanks. I’d really love to know what the fabric is on the dining room chairs (not the kick pleat ones). That print is gorgeous and I love the scale of it. I’ve been looking for something similar for a very long time.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Lisa! The side chairs were special ordered from Hickory Chair and the fabric was one of the fabric options that Hickory Chair provided so unfortunately I don’t have a name or source for you on it. My mom wishes she could get her hands on the fabric too for some pillows but hasn’t ever found it. Sorry I couldn’t help!
Tracy Laverty says
Kris, your window treatments are amazing along with your parent’s house and curtains too. Great inspirations for tricky spaces and windows.