Somebody help me . . . please!!!
I need advice on what to do in my kitchen now that I’ve taken down the curtains . . . that matched the chandy . . . that I didn’t really like . . . but almost left in place . . . because I didn’t want to hurt the previous homeowner’s feelings . . . because she is the nicest lady in the world . . .
‘Nuff said, you can read all about that dilemma HERE!
These are the curtains I took down from the kitchen windows in my new house.
Just like the old light fixture, they weren’t bad. In fact, they were kind of cute, just not my style.
This is the AFTER picture.
I like the look of the window panes that were once hidden. I like that more light comes into the room. I like seeing more of the trees in my back yard. But does it leave the area above the window looking too stark? What’s your opinion? Do you think this space NEEDS curtains?
Take another look at another BEFORE
And another AFTER.
Since I’m no longer living near friends who were always willing to give me opinions I asked Mr. OTN. He didn’t even notice that I’d taken them down so I’m not sure if he ever really noticed that they were there in the first place! Okay, so he was eagle-eyed at finding my new chandy in the great sea of chandys at Habitat for Humanity but that doesn’t mean he notices everything that’s going on at home.
My kitchen is a nice sunny yellow color which was professionally painted just a few months ago so I don’t think I’ll paint it for now even though it isn’t the color of my old kitchen.
Here I go again . . . wrestling with what once was . . .
I loved the colors in my old kitchen! I designed it myself and it was a kitchen I really hated to leave! You can see that makeover (my most popular post ever) HERE. So of course I’d love to create the same exact kitchen in my new house. The problem is that this kitchen has also been recently remodeled so I really can’t justify a complete remodel. In time I will probably add a taller back splash and do something different with the hood over the range but that’s about it.
So, moving on, my everyday dishes are blue and white Spode Italian which is very pretty with the yellow walls and the golden granite. So I could go with blue and yellow for my kitchen colors . . .
. . . and add curtains something like this in blue toile.
I also love the look of red and yellow and I have several red accent pieces so I could do something like this with red toile.
Or a bolder Buffalo check like this!
Or I could use all three colors, yellow, red and blue. In this picture you’ll notice that there are no curtains. Probably because it’s colorful enough without them.
Maybe these photos of the kitchen from the original MLS listing will help you envision better what I am working with . . .
. . . even though they don’t show much of the windows. As you can probably tell from my fabric choices, I love French Country kitchens and that is the look I’d like to recreate without getting too busy.
Like I said, I need help and I value your opinions.
To see more pictures of curtains I’ve pinned to Pinterest to help in this decision making process you can click HERE. If you see something that you think is an even better choice for my kitchen please, let me know as I’ll take all the input I can get!
Blessings,
Patti
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
I like it without the curtains, very pretty and gives your sign and the outdoors center stage!
Well, I love a palette of red, yellow & blue.
I am also in favor of light pouring in. I only have curtains in one room of our house. The way we are situated, we have privacy with no curtain.
I don’t think your kitchen looks stark without the curtain.
I like it without the curtains, it feels more open to me. Good luck with the curtain dilemma.
I vote for all three colors but I wouldn’t put a curtain above that sink. It’s too pretty as is. 🙂
I would say, that with privacy not an issue, leave the windows uncovered. You have nice wood trim which helps frame the view. If you’re not loving the yellow go ahead and repaint, it will make you feel more like it’s your kitchen which is important.
Patti,
The view from your window is lovely, dear friend!!!
Fabric adds softness to the hard surfaces within one’s kitchen.
I think you’d like something “custom” for your kitchen window.
A touch of softness, tailored~of course, without blocking the light or the view.
Without seeing the rest of your kitchen it is hard to suggest further. . .
Had you considered a textured roman shade???
Do let us know what you decide!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Hmmm, tough decision, Patti. I’d live without while you decide just what you want to do. I do like some fabric around a window to soften it, but I also like as much natural light as I can get. I love toiles so my vote would be for that and since you have the blue and white transferware, I think blue and white toile would probably look great. Maybe a faux roman or a faux roll up. You could also do curtains on clip rings and then you could just slide them open and closed. It doesn’t look like privacy is an issue, but at our old house I had a roman shade and a soft valance over the window by the sink because I didn’t like the idea that someone could be in the back yard looking in. But that’s just me. : )
I like without curtains, but I agree, it is too stark, how about some vintage corbels on either side to soften it a bit. Good luck.
I like the window without curtains. Pretty mullions and great view.
i would use curtains in the winter time and no curtains in the summer.
I am always switching my kitchen window curtain. I don’t like to block any natural light. Your chalkboard looks cute there. I have one in my window too. 🙂
I personally love the open and ckean window lines, but I don’t know if that fits your French country look. I would choose the blue and yellow colors, they are both comforting, warm and sweetly romantic. I always love your designs and color choices. What about some art, decorations, plate shelf or something in that space above the uncurtained window?
Popping over from Savvy Southern Style! I think your windows look lovely as they are, what with your sign and the lovely view. Why not live with them this way for a while. Then, when you’re ready for a change, consider a valance. It’s nice to be able to change things up!
Just about once a week, or at least every month, my husband compliments my “brilliance” at having selected top down/bottom up blinds for all the windows in our home. They were custom, but might be available ready-made now (it’s been 9 years since we got them). What we like about these is that 1) there’s a valance, so the window doesn’t look completely bare at the top, and 2) we’re able keep the blinds at the bottom of the windows (so top down) for some privacy. We hardly ever raise them more than the halfway point, even in our first-floor master, because the house sits up high enough that it’s not necessary. We also had them lined with a light fabric that allows the light to filter through, as opposed to say, a room-darkening liner; there are several choices on that. Ours are a natural woven (wood reeds) that we like because it has some, but subtle, texture. Your window is high enough that you wouldn’t have to worry about splashes from the sink. You might want to look into these. I’d be happy to send a picture if you’d like to see them. ~Zuni
I can see the comments are all over the board on this one, so I won’t add my two cents, but suggest you live without the curtain for a while and see how you feel. That gorgeous view and the mullions with your chalkboard are perfect in and of themselves, but if you feel exposed or uncomfortable at night you might want to add a pull up shade, perhaps covered in blue toile, that can disappear during the day. Something above the window might be nice and a great place to showcase interchangeable decor like pictures, a wreath or sign. Your kitchen is really very wonderful with what looks like tons of storage. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!
Blessings, Deborah
Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party. We hope to see you at tonight’s party.
Debi
I think that some beautiful toile or buffalo check cafe panels would look beautiful. What a wonderful view while washing dishes!