Simple Elegance ~ Decorating with Roman Shades

ROMAN SHADES are both practical and beautiful.  They provide excellent privacy and light control, and are an easy way to add warmth, texture, pattern, colour and style.

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These lovely shades are mounted over the window casing at ceiling height, which creates the illusion of larger windows.  Their soft linen colour and blue-grey banding ties in beautifully with the room's serene design scheme.

Source: ashleygoforthdesign.com

Mounted inside the window casing, these relaxed romans match the fabric on the back of the dining chairs.  The effect is a custom look without being overly fussy.  I love the colours in this room!

Source: windowweardesign.com

A pleated roman shade is ideal for a narrow window.  The grey paisley fabric adds pattern and interest without competing with the other beautiful elements in this kitchen. (Designer: Sarah Richardson)

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com

Sheer roman shades and pleated curtain panels make an elegant design statement in this traditional bedroom.  The shades are mounted beneath the curtain rods and just below the crown molding, creating a sense of balance and flow.

Source: Cecilie Starin Design Inc.

A bathroom window is another great location for a tailored roman blind.  The woven texture of this simple shade provides softness in a room dominated by hard surfaces like porcelain and stone.

Source: Linda McDougald Design

If you love the look of a simple and elegant window treatment, roman shades are a beautiful and affordable option.

For those of you who know your way around a sewing machine, there are plenty of sites on the web providing tutorials on how to make roman shades.

Or... if you can't sew to save your life (like me!), check out Pinterest for some great no-sew tutorials.

Happy Decorating!

~ Wendi ~ xo

Classic Dining Room Decor Update

I have to confess... I'm a TRADITIONAL GIRL at heart.  I love a tailored, classic design style, with a few chic and modern touches thrown in for a bit of sparkle and interest.

I purchased these suede grommet panels almost five years ago when we first moved to our newly built home.  I wanted them to blend in to the existing wall colour, and allow the view to take center stage.

To soften their vertical lines, I made and added simple tiebacks from leftover fabric.  The look is a bit more traditional, but without appearing too formal or stuffy.  What do you think?

I also made a few changes to my dining room tablescape.  This is my lovely new orchid.  Our home has at least one live plant in every room.  For me, fresh flowers and greenery make a space so much more inviting.

Even though the pics are terrible (the sun refuses to come out and play), I wanted to share these little updates with you.  The space feels softer and more elegant now.  Isn't it funny how small changes can make us feel happy inside?

As a Mommy's Day gift, my son and hubby are installing crown moulding in the kitchen, dining room and living room for me.  I can't wait!

Have you made any small changes in your home lately?  I hope they make you feel happy, too!

Wendi xo