Sheers + drapes = modern and versatile window treatments

Poor master bedroom. So often, so neglected.

And yet, it's important, isn't it? I mean, this is supposed to be our sanctuary. I have yet to have a client say to me, "Y'know, my bedroom's a little dead. Could we maybe take it up a notch? Make it a little more, I don't know, energizing?"

These clients had the sanctuary part down. Lovely wall color, neutral palette, nice comfy chair.


But they needed help on the practical side. Their window treatments just were not cutting it.


Too flimsy, too insubstantial, not enough privacy...you can't quite see it here, but too short...and the gromits were ill-advised.

They knew all of that. Which is why they called me :)

Here's where we ended up:


Oh-ho! Subtle, isn't it? We installed linen sheers underneath a heavier textured linen-y fabric. Both are from Robert Allen. The panels are Audrite in Ivory...


...and the sheers are Curtain Call in Pearl. They have a very faint, occasional, vertical stripe, which adds a bit of interest.

The new window treatments give them three degrees of light and privacy:
- Light but privacy (sheers only)
- Maximum privacy, no light (sheers and curtains)
- Maximum light and view, no privacy (everything open)

We looked at some edgier fabrics, including Stoney Path, at right. But there is a LOT of window action in this room, and ultimately, subtlety won out over potential seasickness. The clients also thought the solid linen would age better; less chance of them tiring of it. I thought that was a great point.

The hardware helps keep the overall look clean and contemporary. It's called Tribeca, also from Robert Allen.


When you're using a double rod, minimal, clean-lined hardware will make the overall effect modern, not stodgy. We took the modern one step further by using elbows to connect the rods in those soft bay corners. Now there's a sense of continuity rather than: curtain, wall, curtain, wall, etc.

The client had expressed concern about the number of rings involved in FOUR windows' worth of double-layered drapery. Totally valid.

But it doesn't look messy, in part because the rods are lined up one behind the other, at the same height. Often, the rod for the sheers is hung below the rod for the drapes.


From a practical standpoint, Tribeca rings slide really easily, so you're not dragging the drapes across the rods and putting pressure on the brackets. Old plaster walls don't take kindly to that kind of abuse.

The clients are delighted, and so am I. Score one for the sanctuary.