A client in Buffalo Grove, Illinois contacted me to create window designs for a few spaces in their home that needed some love. Their brand new home had a lot of potential – a beautiful breakfast nook with large windows, a sliding glass door in the master bedroom, and a gorgeous arched window in the living room. The space definitely had great windows that let in a lot of light, but each space represented its own challenges. They needed to make the most of their light while protecting their privacy, and wanted to avoid the scattered look of mismatched window treatments.
Breakfast Nook – Before
The breakfast nook had a set of existing shades covering the skylight-style windows, but nothing covering the low-lying casement windows. The casement windows look out onto a popular golf course, and although the rolling green grasses and collection of trees is a lovely picture to look at while sipping morning coffee, in the evening more privacy was necessary.
Breakfast nook – Designer Roller Shades with matching valance
To solve the bare and revealing window issue, we decided to go with Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades in Brighton Bay fabric. These semi-opaque shades merged with the colors in the surrounding breakfast nook and living room to create a subtle, yet substantial change to the space. With the matching headrail, the shades are tucked out of sight during the day to allow ample sunlight to wash over the dinette set without obstructing the natural scenery.
Breakfast nook – After
In the living room, my client had existing wood blinds on the bottom windows, but was faced with the complicated task of dressing the large transom windows above. Being a collector of several glass, three-dimensional, and wall art pieces, my client needed protection from harmful UV rays that could damage the art, floor, and furniture over time.
We opted for the Designer Screen Shades which allow light to pass through, but also control the UV levels so that the furniture, artwork, and floors wouldn’t fade from the harsh rays. The semi-opaque Screen Shades were installed with custom cords so that the high windows could be adjusted from ground level with ease.
Living Room with wood blinds and Designer Roller Shades
In the master bedroom, my client had unfortunate vinyl shades covering a large sliding glass door. As with all bedrooms, privacy was an important factor. So as not to compromise style for security, we chose Skyline Gliding Window Panels. To maintain a sleek profile, in the minimal amount of space we had to create a new window treatment, Skyline was the perfect fit.
Master Bedroom – Before
Much like the living room and breakfast nook, the panels installed were semi-opaque to allow light to come in during the day. My client’s doorway had an overhang outside that cut down a lot of the light that would otherwise come into the room. To design for privacy, style, and light, the Skyline panels in the semi-opaque Nature’s Walk fabric catered to all of my client’s needs.
Master Bedroom After – Skyline Panels
The coordinating window treatments throughout the house really brings a sense of cohesiveness.
