Anonymous wrote:I bought my curtains and rods at HomeGoods. They're beautiful and cost about $50 p/window.

Hang them high and wide meaning hang as high and close to the ceiling as possible and as wide across as possible so that the windows are nicely framed.

My curtains don't puddle/pool but do hit the floor.

Got blinds, we did honeycomb pull down/pull up shades (Real Simple brand at BB&B).

House looks beautiful; first time buyer so my budget is modest. It's about designing writhing a budget and shopping at HomeGoods or Target.

Indeed! http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2012/04/a-public-service-message.html

High and wide really does make a difference.

I bought my curtains and rods at HomeGoods. They're beautiful and cost about $50 p/window.

Hang them high and wide meaning hang as high and close to the ceiling as possible and as wide across as possible so that the windows are nicely framed.

My curtains don't puddle/pool but do hit the floor.

Got blinds, we did honeycomb pull down/pull up shades (Real Simple brand at BB&B).

House looks beautiful; first time buyer so my budget is modest. It's about designing writhing a budget and shopping at HomeGoods or Target.

Has anyone gone for the semi-sheer look in the kitchen and family room using a mix of curtains and shades?
How does it look and do you get a reasonable amount of light filtering and privacy?

Thank you everyone. This is all great advice.
I will try to make a go of it. Somehow, I was able to pick out our kitchen, bathroom tiles, paint but feel very intimidated by window treatments.
They are expensive and I need to get them right the first time as we don't have any extra cash right now.

Anonymous wrote:Piggybacking on this post. Is Calico corners good for window treatments?
I do not want a traditional or formal look. My taste like the OP is simple, unfussy and contemporary.
Am I wasting my time visiting Calico Corners?

They are pretty expensive.

Calico Corners makes custom window treatments. Custom=expensive. Shop for ready made panels at IKEA, Pottery Barn, Ballard, Overstock etc. A simple 36 inch window width requires 2 panels, one for each side. A triple window would need 4 panels, 2 for each side.

dupioni not duping.

I got 10 silk duping panels for 5 windows just recently. We also got rails and brackets and finials at the same time. Came in just under $2000 with sales at Pottery Barn.

I am sitting here looking at the panels about the hang them.

You will probably get a better deal with plantation shutters if you get more than one room done. There is also something very appealing about the continuity of having them in say all the bed and bathrooms. But I would recommend getting real wood not the composite because its a lot heavier and less wieldy.

Anonymous wrote:Certainly visit calico corners. For curtains, hang the rods as far above your windows as possible for a good look. You want to do a tiny poop at the bottom, so they are just resting on the floor. You want the total panel width per window to be at least twice the width of the window to have it looking good pulled open. You can get a good deal on good curtains at Marshall's and home goods. You have to stake them out but I've seen sets of 6 and more panels from places like Bloomingdales end up there and I just buy the lot.
Costco has a deal with Bali blinds so I used them for honeycomb blinds but they have other options.
Curtains are expensive from w designer so I would exhaust other options first. Get lined ones though; they will hang much better.
Pottery barn and west elm have window treatments on a good sale sometimes so I waited for those as well.
Iron them or have them steam dry cleaned before you hang them to get all the wrinkles out.
Those are my secrets.

Please do not poop on your floor

The best set I ever got was from Overstock of all places! I double hang, with sheers under a lined (blackout) chocolate satin. Beware getting too many panels. You don't want to crowd the line. I ended up editing the windows in my bedroom, removing the extra panels to give an airy feel. For example, with a greige neutral, heavyweight panel, turns out I only needed a single to fill the small side windows. You know how typical DC townhouses have the three front windows: one large, then two smaller ones on either side? Well, those side windows don't need a double panel--at least in the width mine came. It have a nice ripple with only a single. So, I made use of the extra panels elsewhere in the house. I added them as a central feature in DS's room, which sits at the back of the house. It gets so much sun and the heavy drape of the blackout curtain does a fantastic job re temperature control. They are decorative, of course, but also a tremendous value when it comes to heating/cooling and dust (believe it or not). Even with new windows put in, a lot of dust blows into the house. I thought it was just me, but then the neighbors chimed in with similar complaints. It must be the neighborhood.

GL with this project. It can be a lot of fun. It certainly makes a lot of impact.

Google Emily Hendersons advice on this, it's called curtains that are too short or something. Top 10 design mistakes. It's good advice.

My curtains come down to the floor but I detest the 'puddled' look. It always reminds me of too-long skirts sweeping the ground. Do it if you like how it looks, not because it's how it's supposed to be.

Certainly visit calico corners. For curtains, hang the rods as far above your windows as possible for a good look. You want to do a tiny poop at the bottom, so they are just resting on the floor. You want the total panel width per window to be at least twice the width of the window to have it looking good pulled open. You can get a good deal on good curtains at Marshall's and home goods. You have to stake them out but I've seen sets of 6 and more panels from places like Bloomingdales end up there and I just buy the lot.
Costco has a deal with Bali blinds so I used them for honeycomb blinds but they have other options.
Curtains are expensive from w designer so I would exhaust other options first. Get lined ones though; they will hang much better.
Pottery barn and west elm have window treatments on a good sale sometimes so I waited for those as well.
Iron them or have them steam dry cleaned before you hang them to get all the wrinkles out.
Those are my secrets.

Piggybacking on this post. Is Calico corners good for window treatments?
I do not want a traditional or formal look. My taste like the OP is simple, unfussy and contemporary.
Am I wasting my time visiting Calico Corners?

Hi everyone, I have never done curtains before and would love some advice.
I know it would be ideal to use a designer but we just bought a house and are pretty cash strapped right now.
Do you think I can figure this out on my own with good results. I have bought some furniture and am happy with how it is looking in our new house.
I am also happy with the paint colors I chose and the wood floor finish so now the main thing that is left is window treatments.
I want to do wood blinds in the kids rooms, faux wood blinds in the bathrooms and plantation shutters in the master bedroom.
I would like to do curtains in the family room and living room. Does this sound like a good plan?
Regarding curtains, I know they should be full length and pool on the floor by an inch. How do I know how many panels to buy?
I want to do sheer curtains in the family room for a lighter and more informal look. Is that ok? It would be good to have some privacy there but we don't need a lot of privacy
as the backyard is fenced. In general, my style is contemporary/transitional. Thanks!