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:
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.
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.
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?)
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.)
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.
They look great! I love your “real life” style. You’re so inspiring. :)
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
Too bad you don’t live closer and we could tag team :)
Pain the back side black, also. I would think that would help your issue.
I love these- they look great. So nice to know that you have projects that sit around for ages too!
Good idea. I love the look of bamboo shades; I’ll be checking overstock for myself!
I love that! Looks great Emily :)xo Kristin
I’ve always adored your living room, and adding these shades makes it even better. Great job!
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.
So smart! The shades do give your room a finished look, and it’s even more beautiful now than before!
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.
Ballard but not sure it’s still available: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2012/12/sale-alert-sunburst-mirror.html
Sometimes the best ideas come Spontaneously!! looking good Girlfriend!
Love and Hugs,
Karena
Art by Karena
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
Love it! Great idea! May have to try it out…
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!
What a perfect embellishment to make a classic element even more classic! Love it!
What did you use to line the shades with? I would like to line the two in our living room.
It was just a white fabric liner they had for around $4/yard at my local fabric store.
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!
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! :)
Bamboo shades are the best. they give just the right amount of a natural element.. thanks for sharing the painting idea!
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!
Amy, it’s Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams.
The shades look great Emily!
These shades really turned out great! Love the new stripes.
The blinds look great! I love the stripe!!
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.
That’s a good idea. Probably too late for me, unless I try to remove the liner…. I should’ve asked my readers first :)
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!!!
Thanks, Heather. Here’s the scoop on the rug: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2013/02/natural-area-rugs-and-kids.html
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.
Great idea. I love that you are always very honest about how the projects turn out.
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
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.
I kind of like the way the light filters through the black. Great post.
nice job – makes it much more interesting- as i always thought bamboo shades were boring!
Madebygirl.blogspot.com
MadeByGirl.com
Great idea. Love how it looks!
Impressive…I have a kitchen door that I cannot figure out what to do with and this post says (shows) it all.
You are pretty clever aren’t you :) Might have to try that sometime…..I like the texture it adds…..
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?
I probably wouldn’t layer shades on top of blinds. I would bring texture into the room in other ways (a rug, baskets, etc.).
thank you:)
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.