We've just moved into a very 60's house and I could use some help. Most of the windows have Hunter Douglas silhoeutte shades. The walls are all architectural white and the windows are all without moldings. Unlike our previous home I think I'm going to stick with an all white look so it's important to me to inject some personality with fabrics. I'm not a big throw pillow person so the first consideration is that I'm not sure how to tie in any fabric used in the windows to the rest of the room. At some point I will need a few area rugs but I just can't commit. I've already purchased some Alexander Henry mod fabric that was very reasonably priced. The very large picture window had a scary 80's fabric cornice board when we moved in. I could simply use my fabric and some batting on that. I'm wondering if anyone has some retro ideas to share that might not be occuring to me?
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If most of the windows have shades, I'd do simple panels flanking the window(s). You can bring in a little color and retro flavor with the choice of rod and fabric, but the look of panels keep it up to date. If you can, buy extra long ones so you can hang the rod right up at the ceiling - then you have a panel of cool fabric going all the way from floor to ceiling, which adds to the graphic quality favored in the 60's.
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I couldn't agree more, I love the idea of panels. I forgot to mention one key concern though...we have baseboard heating. I'm worried that the panels will have to be awkwardly short to make sure they aren't hazardously close to the heating. The largest window in question is a box bay that is only about 10 inches above the baseboard heat unit. I'm thrilled to be able to get some feedback!
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I couldn't agree more, I love the idea of panels. I forgot to mention one key concern though...we have baseboard heating. I'm worried that the panels will have to be awkwardly short to make sure they aren't hazardously close to the heating. The largest window in question is a box bay that is only about 10 inches above the baseboard heat unit. I'm thrilled to be able to get some feedback!
We have the same issue (also a 60's house) - as long as you have those integrated shades for privacy, the panels can be purely decorative. We installed rattan roller shades inside the window frames, and hang the panels so they just barely cover the side of the casing when they're drawn back. Makes the windows look larger and more important visually, and you don't ever have to draw the panels closed if they would interfere with the heater.
Is there a shelf/window seat in the bay you have?
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Yes, there is a seat in the box bay window. I should take a pic so you can see what we're trying to work with here. *scratches head and wonders if I can find camera or have to go buy a new one*
I'd love to see pics of your house and how you've dealt with some of these modern needs and retro dilemas.
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Unfortunately, our house was bad 60's instead of cool 60's like yours! It lacks some of the cooler defining 60's elements, but has many of the 60's problems (odd windows and baseboard heaters and low ceilings, etc) still to deal with. Because it was so wishy-washy in style to begin with, we wiped the leftover 60's off the house entirely and gave it a more 40's cottage flair. I love the look of a more updated decor on a distinctly period style house though, and the idea is still the same!
This is like what we've done, and this room's even got a bit of 60's flavor to it! Long curtains flanking windows, shades in windows to actually control light/privacy. I think a baseboard heater could live it's clanky little life quite happily under a big window like this . I'd probably go with a panel w/grommets to hang it like the pic below, as opposed to a tab-top shown above.
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}