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Emily A. Clark

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Painted Bamboo Shades In Our Living Room

April 9, 2013

I’ve loved this picture from Lonny for a while now and knew I wanted to do something similar on the windows in our living room:

bamboo shades with ribbon trim

We didn’t really need any window treatments for shade or privacy, but I felt like it looked a little bare with nothing.  Curtains were out since we use the door to the left of the fireplace on a daily basis.  And, I didn’t want anything that would cover up the transoms.  So, I ordered these shades from Overstock a year ago. (Yes, a year ago–and just hung them within the last month.  Does that make you feel better?)  They were cheap enough that I decided I could try painting them to replicate the look of the Lonny photo.

 transom windows before

 windows with bamboo shades

We’ll never actually pull these shades up or down.  They’re just to make the windows look “finished.”  But, I wasn’t sure if I could attach ribbon to be perfectly straight, and if it would “bunch” right when I pulled them up.  So, I went with paint.

painting bamboo shades via emilyaclark.com

I started by taping them off with Frog tape, which was pretty easy since I just followed the lines already on the shade.  I used the high gloss black because that’s what I had in the garage.  (Do you love my well thought-out design decisions?)

painting shades 1 2

I took an almost dry brush and painted the edges of the tape first to prevent bleeding, and then I “smudged” on the rest of the paint so that it would go on pretty thick.  (The shade kind of soaked it up.)

painting shades 3 4

I pulled off the tape while the paint was still wet. 

painting shades 5

painting trim on a bamboo shade

Why this project isn’t perfect: 

I like the way it turned out, but I don’t want to lead you astray.  It looks great at night, but you can see that the sunlight breaks up the black stripes during the day because it is a bamboo shade, after all.  I did attach a white liner to the back with spray adhesive, which helps a little.  It doesn’t really bother me, but I wanted to give you a heads up if you plan on doing a similar project.

bamboo shades with trim on living room windows

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Filed Under: DIY, our home, window treatments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimber says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    They look great! I love your “real life” style. You’re so inspiring. :)

    Reply
  2. Grace from AStoriedStyle.com says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I think these look great, Emily! I especially appreciate all of your little projects, this is sooo hard to get done with lots of little ones! xoxo, G

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      Too bad you don’t live closer and we could tag team :)

      Reply
  3. Abby says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Pain the back side black, also. I would think that would help your issue.

    Reply
  4. Samma says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    I love these- they look great. So nice to know that you have projects that sit around for ages too!

    Reply
  5. Melissa from the Blue House says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    Good idea. I love the look of bamboo shades; I’ll be checking overstock for myself!

    Reply
  6. Kristin Cadwallader says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    I love that! Looks great Emily :)xo Kristin

    Reply
  7. Lindsay, Xo Lindsay says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I’ve always adored your living room, and adding these shades makes it even better. Great job!

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    I learn so much from your blog. You see the intricate details that make a room complete. I never would have thought to use shades, but it adds such a beautiful detail. Love your work and honesty.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    So smart! The shades do give your room a finished look, and it’s even more beautiful now than before!

    Reply
  10. Jenna says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    Love the mirror over your fireplace! Where did you get it? I have been looking for something just like that but to no avail. :(
    Keep up the great posts. Love your blog.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Ballard but not sure it’s still available: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2012/12/sale-alert-sunburst-mirror.html

      Reply
  11. Karen Albert says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Sometimes the best ideas come Spontaneously!! looking good Girlfriend!

    Love and Hugs,
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    I had the same image as inspiration for my bedroom windows. I used some old blinds from Target and then added grosgrain ribbon to them. A little bit of time with my hot glue gun and they’ve held up really well!
    http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/05/now-i-can-lay-down-bedroom-reveal.html

    Reply
  13. Cheryl Luckett says

    April 9, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Love it! Great idea! May have to try it out…

    Reply
  14. Anne says

    April 9, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Bamboo blinds were the perfect choice for your doors! Love the texture, and you can’t go wrong with a dose of black in there too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  15. Jenny says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    What a perfect embellishment to make a classic element even more classic! Love it!

    Reply
  16. Pam A. says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    What did you use to line the shades with? I would like to line the two in our living room.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      It was just a white fabric liner they had for around $4/yard at my local fabric store.

      Reply
  17. Anna says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Your living room is so elegant, collected and sophisticated. So many pretty elements in there. I love the mirror, the bust/statue on the mantel, the elegant black table and the elegant gold lamp. So perfect! I love your inspiration image too. Thanks for the tutorial on painting the stripes. Have a great day!

    Reply
  18. Amber B (Simple Dwellings) says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    I have always loved that inspiration image, too! I love that you decided to paint instead of trying ribbon. It was always my worry that it could bunch up, too. I love the way it looks. Fast and beautiful updates are always the most fun! :)

    Reply
  19. Kelli @ Life at 818 says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    Bamboo shades are the best. they give just the right amount of a natural element.. thanks for sharing the painting idea!

    Reply
  20. [email protected] says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    Those shades really do give the room a little extra texture. It sure does make the room look finished! What color paint is on the walls? It really brings all of the elements together. Thanks for sharing your awesome ideas as usual!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      Amy, it’s Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams.

      Reply
  21. Becky {This Is Happiness} says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    The shades look great Emily!

    Reply
  22. Newton Custom Interiors says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    These shades really turned out great! Love the new stripes.

    Reply
  23. Kim Lubs says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    The blinds look great! I love the stripe!!

    Reply
  24. Katie Peters says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    They look great! And this post is to timely…I was just messing around with black grosgrain on the shade in our bathroom the other day.

    If you didn’t have a liner on your shades, I was going to suggest putting a couple lengths of black tape (maybe electrical?) on the back side right along your painted lines to keep the sun from shining through. I don’t know how well it would work…just a thought.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      That’s a good idea. Probably too late for me, unless I try to remove the liner…. I should’ve asked my readers first :)

      Reply
  25. Heather says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    Just found your blog. Love your style! In search of the perfect natural fiber rug for our busy (4 kids) family room. Where is yours from? I like the color and texture it has!!!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      Thanks, Heather. Here’s the scoop on the rug: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2013/02/natural-area-rugs-and-kids.html

      Reply
  26. [email protected] says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:45 am

    The shades look great. I’ve been thinking about bamboo shades for my home and I really like the idea of the stripes. I’ll have to give it a try. Great look.

    Reply
  27. Tiffany says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:39 am

    Great idea. I love that you are always very honest about how the projects turn out.

    Reply
  28. Jesse B says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:54 am

    This is so smart, Emily! What a great idea…I’m totally going to pin this. Plus, I loved seeing your chiang mai dragon pillow next to the animal print! I literally just paired the two (my dragon is in aquamarine) in my most recent post and kept wondering if the two went together…or if I was crazy. Now I know I’m good since you did the same! Love love love your sense of style so now I feel reassured! Thanks! ;) Jesse @ Scout & Nimble

    Reply
  29. Lisa Hamel says

    April 10, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    I love your honesty! This was a lovely solution, and I love any opportunity to peek into your beautiful abode…you know, in a “I love your design esthetic” way, not a “Hey! I’m your newest stalker” way.

    Reply
  30. www.carolynsmithdesigns.com says

    April 10, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    I kind of like the way the light filters through the black. Great post.

    Reply
  31. Jen of MadeByGirl says

    April 10, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    nice job – makes it much more interesting- as i always thought bamboo shades were boring!

    Madebygirl.blogspot.com
    MadeByGirl.com

    Reply
  32. Lauren (The Cottage Mix) says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:23 am

    Great idea. Love how it looks!

    Reply
  33. Monica says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Impressive…I have a kitchen door that I cannot figure out what to do with and this post says (shows) it all.

    Reply
  34. SHERRY HART says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

    You are pretty clever aren’t you :) Might have to try that sometime…..I like the texture it adds…..

    Reply
  35. 57a3c684-01c9-11e3-928a-000bcdca4d7a says

    August 13, 2013 at 2:01 am

    I really love the look of the bamboo blinds but several years we spent a lot of money on faux wood blinds. would it be possible to hang the bamboo on the outside just to give texture or would that not look right?

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      August 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm

      I probably wouldn’t layer shades on top of blinds. I would bring texture into the room in other ways (a rug, baskets, etc.).

      Reply
  36. nanasewn says

    November 23, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    thank you:)

    Reply
  37. Renee says

    December 9, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Emily, can you please post the link of the blinds on Overstock,k (assuming they are still available). You did an awesome job. Love your new website.

    Reply

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