I am in the process of whipping up some curtains (meaning I have the fabric and an idea so far), but you have probably gathered, we really like the blind+curtain combination. Especially bamboo blinds. We have used them in our dining room, guest room and Greta's room and weren't about to break the trend when it came to the family room.
The good folks at Blinds.com (hence my cheesy and, maybe, outdated title) graciously offered to send us a pair of our choosing. They have about a billion choices which made my head spin. Then, they clued me in about their free samples. I think you can order up to ten free samples so you can see, feel and compare the blinds in your home--they even send a $20 coupon with the samples! I rounded up six of my favorites (which I definitely plan on using in a doll house down the road) and when they came, Chris and I narrowed it down to THE one, pretty quickly--Jamaica Walnut (the top middle one).
I haven't been too worried about making all the bamboo blinds in our home match. They go. Like differing paint colors, they flow. But they aren't the same, and for us, that's a-okay. So when looking at the samples, I was looking for one that felt warm, would flow well with the dining room blinds and would blend in with the decor of the family room. The Jamaica Walnut isn't as orange as it looks here, but it does have great, rich undertones.
Once we made our choice, it took about two weeks to arrive, bringing us to yesterday. I waste no time, so last night we put them up. We hung them outside of the window boxes and about 9 inches higher on the wall to cheat the window up even higher.
We've installed bamboo blinds before, so the whole process took us about 45 minutes and the results are just what we were hoping for:
Although the windows are definitely still crying for curtains. They're coming! They're coming!
Here you can see how nice they play with the dining room blinds:
And when they're closed, a little light can still come through, but none of that blaring heat. Bomb dot com.
To save you from scrolling, here's pre-blinds:
And now with the blinds:
Which means we're one step closer to making this room feel lived-in. Next stop--curtains! Here's hoping I can have those for you by Friday. Anyone else love bamboo blinds? Am I the only one that doesn't mind them not perfectly matching? Care to play a non-intentional, random game of I Spy? A lot of thing were added between the last two photos: the pre-blinds to post-blinds, but can you spot what's missing from the post-blinds picture?
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[…] And boy did they do it right! They selected our great woven wood shades in Jamaica Walnut to great effect. The natural-looking shades add warmth to those pretty gray walls and white trim – all while blocking out the glaring sun. […]
So we are seriously considering putting up some of these lovely bamboo blinds in our living room. I think I want to go with Blinds.com since we have such huge windows and it's been hard to find anyone else who will make them that big. Question for ya: How is the privacy on these?? I really don't want to fork out another 35% just for the privacy liner but we do want some privacy when the blinds are closed :) Any thoughts for me?
Jules it looks SO good between the bookcases, you just upped the sophistication even more!
I'm a huge fan of blinds because, as you pointed out, they are visually warm and rich; functionally, they block the heat and let in almost all of the light. I've played around with many different window covering strategies over the years, but the only things I've kept for the long haul are natural bamboo blinds. Love them.
Also, I'm loving how your brown blinds play off the grey of your walls, and tie into the baskets in your room. It's coming along nicely!
Lauren,
We got the Jamaica Walnut in the Budget Woven Wood Shades Department. (http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,8331) The quality and color are outrageous. We have ordered bamboo blinds from a few different places (overstock, jcpenney), but these are our favorite, hands down! We are doing a giveaway next week, so stay tuned for that!
Love the bamboo shades. Which style did you go with. Did you go with their brand? Basic? Premium? Sorry...we are contemplating getting these to cover some of the 22 windows in our house :) Just wanted to check which ones you got and what you think of the quality of them. Thanks!
They add so much warmth to a room! Just like hardwood floors do.
You said "cruise" and I went of to la-la land.
Thanks Lyndsay. I was so relieved to hear about the free samples! It's a game changer, for sure.
Good eye, Peg!
Love them! I first saw the bamboo blinds/curtains combo over on young house love. The bamboo looks AWESOME in your family room, can't wait to see what curtains you go for.
As for what's missing in the post-blinds picture, I see a little woven box missing from the top left shelf of your new built-ins ;)
Love them-- I'm a bamboo and blinds girl myself (YHL style). I haven't been too daring to venture outside of white curtains though, so am eager to see what you have in mind. Also, overstock.com is my source for blinds (when a custom size isn't needed)-- I think that I got 2 blinds for less than $20 each, and they are also a really rich, warm tone.
Like the blinds! Can't wait to see what blinds you chose!
i love these blinds! the color is really beautiful and i think the samples are so helpful so that you can check everything out IRL! i can't wait to see them paired with the curtains you choose :)
Thank goodness for blinds. When we have a day off (once a year), we like to pull the shades all the way down and sleep until we wake on our own. It's like sleeping on a cruise ship. Thank heavens for the man who invented blinds. He made my life.
I am diggin' the bamboo. I think they fit your home so well. And as for the additions in the pics: I see cute lil' Greta, some stuff on the couch, and the TV is on. I am good. :)
They look beautiful!! I am loving all the texture you've got going on in the room...it looks so inviting! I've never used bamboo blinds, but I think you are converting me!
Good eye, Michelle!
Hahaha. We are really thinking about doing something to block out more light in Greta's room, too. She slept so well for her naps at my mom's over the weekend and I think it had everything to do with the light-blocking curtains. Hmmm.
As for the mis-matched blinds, I've toyed with the idea about staining the DR ones a little darker so they blend with the family room ones more, but right now, it honestly doesn't bother me. If they were in the same room, it would be different story for sure.
I can't wait to see your house one day. I am sure it will be filled with southern charm.
Really loving the way this room is coming along. Especially LOVE the ottoman!
Oh, and I Spy...the missing box on the top left shelf!
I'm used to all the blinds AND carpet matching (it's the new built home screaming in me), so to see you guys do different shades (still the same type) of carpet and different blinds, it confuses me a biiiiiit when it comes to potentially selling your house one day, BUT it also opens my eyes to some different possibilities. My parents installed these wonderful blinds that fasten to the inside of the window and it is like a spring loaded thing that you pull down and it stays put- but what is great, so when you have them up, you can barely see them, and also, it blocks of SO much heat. THAT is essential in this intense southern heat.
I have no idea what we are going to buy someday, but these blinds excite me! They look so beautiful, and rich.
Can't wait for the drapes!!!! I am planning on doing some new drapes in Brinley's room that still are cute but also block out the sunlight for nap and bedtime. Right now, we have a plaid blanket over her window....TACKKKYYYY!
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