Window Treatments

Window treatments have "suffered" the most from the costs unanticipated at the start of the Bungalow renovation (plumbing, basement steel beam, HVAC, electrical box) as they represent the last bastion of discretionary spend.  I had originally hoped to use shutters in most rooms, but this has proved cost prohibitive.  There are seventeen windows and three paned-doors requiring outfitting.  My goal is to average $250 a treatment - a fairly tall order for custom window treatments.  

The solution:  Shutters on the front windows, so the rooms most utilized receive the most luxe attention, and the look is consistent from the street.  Less expensive (but still lovely) roman and roller blinds on most other windows.  Draperies will be used in concert with the shutters/blinds in some rooms, providing an opportunity for another textile, and a bit of sparkle via the rod and finials.

Two windows will now be left bare - both are along staircases that run very close to the neighbor's walls, and there is no need for privacy.  And one (a small angled window in the master bathroom) will now have a simple "frosted" appliqué.  So, that's three down for $5.

I've had some terrific support from Lisa Dujlovich @ National Window Shade Co for the shutters, and from Adrienne Duncan @ The Shade Store (Merchandise Mart, Chicago) for the shades and master bedroom draperies.

As soon as the drywall and window casings are complete, final measurements and costings can be taken.  The figures below are estimates, and factor in available sale prices.

Living Room and Kitchen Window:

The living room boasts two windows, the largest in the home  (Planning: Living Room Furniture.)  These will be covered in Aspen Basswood 3 1/2 louvered shutters painted the same bright semi-gloss white as all of the trim and millwork in the home.  Given space constraints, it is unlikely I can hang a drapery rod between the crown/window casings, so the shutters will stand unadorned.

I wanted all of the front windows to have a similar treatment so the look from the street is harmonious.  The white "backs" should look good with the white window panes and the new house colors (Exterior Accent Color - feedback received!)

The Upstairs Guest Room:

The upstairs guest room (street facing) will also feature the shutters, above, but given the smaller size of these windows, the shutters will be single pane.  A simple polished nickel rod will span both windows, and white cotton RH drapes will hang from the rod.  The white window treatments are deliberate - so to "pop" against the navy walls.  It isn't a large room, so the navy walls will require a lot of white and the TBD accent color to ensure it isn't "cave" like (see Planning: A Navy and White Guest Room.)   I also own the rods and the drapes - no add'l cost.

an old photo - NYC 2010 - of the white drapes on the polished nickel rod

The shutters for five windows (kitchen, living room, guest room) come to roughly $2200.  

The Master Bedroom:

Budget-friendly roller blinds will span the two windows (one large, one small) and the door in the master bedroom.  Adrienne showed me a gorgeous white/grey paisley that will work for all three, and be the perfect complement to the muted color scheme for The Master Bedroom.  Additionally, the large window will feature black out draperies in a grey/white herringbone with a french pleat hung from a RH polished nickel rod with crystal finials that I own.   It is anticipated that once final measurements are taken, the cost to outfit three windows from head to toe will be about $1000.  Still TBD - what the heck to do with the large skylight over the bed.  

The Powder Room:

Those following the earlier posts know that the Powder Room (Update: The Powder Room Final Selections) has a decidedly black and white vibe.  The roman blind selected in black sateen will be the only textile in the room, and the only bold hit of black (excepting the small ceiling).  Estimated cost is $300 for the large window.  

The Basement Family Room:

This room's "bones" will be light gray (carpet, paint).  (Basement Furniture and Layout, Planning - color scheme and layout - the basement ....)  But the vibe will be fun - with bright prints on the walls, and some turquoise 1960s painted furniture offsetting the grey and white mid-century-ish upholstered pieces.  The flat, mod roman blinds selected will likely never be closed, but the solid backing means that I can hang them at the same height, camouflaging the fact that the windows are hung at different levels.  Estimated cost for two windows is $450.  

The Basement Bedroom:

As noted in The Basement Bedroom, this room has black and white accents…stemming from the black/white old-fashioned tile in the bathroom.  The walls will be a pale grey.  The new windows that flank the bed will be covered in a flat roman blind with a complementary black and white pattern.   Estimated cost is $300 for the pair.  

So, I'm on track to custom outfit the windows in some beautiful treatments for an estimated $4400 - or $220/treatment before tax & installation factored.  But - I still need to sort that pesky bedroom skylight...