• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

January 31, 2017

Window Treatment Ideas

Hello At the Picket Fence friends! It’s me Julie from redheadcandecorate.com and I’m stuck indoors these days due to the frigid temps, how about you? I thought it would be a perfect time to show you some of my “Window Treatment Ideas”. I warn you though, some of my window treatments are a little outside of the box, or should I say “off the window”?

First, let me explain that I am actually not a big fan of window treatments for a couple reasons. As we all know window treatments are extremely expensive, difficult to install, and attract dust. In addition, if you have a beautiful view, they block it and the sunlight that comes with it. Let’s face it though, we need privacy, and we need to be able to block the light if we don’t get up at the crack of dawn, or if we enjoy taking naps-like me.

I am lucky enough to not have to worry too much about privacy because of the distance between our homes and the privacy the trees give. However, I am not a morning person, so I need to block the light. Let’s get started and I’ll show you what I’ve done to solve these issues…

The kitchen is definitely one room where I do not need privacy. Our windows face the back of our deck/property, and there is nothing but trees, water and wild-life creatures. I assume the people that built this house thought it would be a great idea to put the sink in front of the window because we spend so much time there doing dishes. I completely agree and love that I can look out at the water and trees while I’m scrubbing with my S.O.S pad. So, I decided to leave the windows plain and without window treatments. Then, one day I took it a step further and removed the dated muntin bars and added flat 1-1/4 in. “pine stop moulding” to form a big X in the window. All I had to do was measure corner to corner and have each piece cut to that exact measurement. Then I painted them black, and stuck them in. That’s it. I didn’t use any adhesive. The trick is to get your measurements right so they are snug. Of course not all windows are capable of this design depending on how they open.

When we moved into our home I immediately knew I didn’t want to cover up the beautiful windows in our bedroom with curtains or blinds. However, we obviously needed full privacy and to be able to take a nap during the day with low light. Plantation shutters were ideal because they actually enhanced the look of our windows and wood, and keep 99% of light out. They are also a breeze to clean. All you have to do is wipe with a damp rag. The downside is that they are pricy and once they are up, they are up to stay. We ordered ours through Home Depot and they came and installed them in one afternoon.

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.

Another room that definitely needs privacy is the bathroom of course. I opted for bamboo roman shades that have full privacy. I see now how it looks like you can see through these in the photo above, but I assure you I have pretended to be a peeping Tom several times to check, and they cover well. I love the rustic feel of these shades and they are very affordable and easy to install. They also go with all decorating styles.

Here’s where you can find some like ours: Bamboo Roman Shade. I opted for 2 small shades instead of one large even though that is one window.

Here’s a fun idea that I came up with for our sidelight windows in our foyer. My husband and I stained pine wood boards from the local lumber yard and created these rustic wood shutters that slide back and forth on an actual pipe. At first I wanted to do shutters that are open & close on hinges which is another fantastic idea, but as you can see my console table would get in the way. The best part is that these only cost us $75.oo total. Here is our full tutorial if interested: DIY Rustic Wood Shutters.

Okay, so this may seem a little odd to have ruffled curtains hanging in our kitchen/office doorway, right? Well, the main reason I put these here was to help keep our kitchen warm in the Winter, and it totally worked. The adjoining office has a lot of windows, so it gets very cold in there. When ever I was doing the dishes I could feel the cold air coming from that room. So boom. Now It’s gone. Keep in mind, I do not keep these up all year long. I also switch them out with other curtains. I’ve used the ruffled curtains in several other areas in our home including my daughter’s bedroom, our laundry room, and even as a cover for our shower door. They are really versatile, come in many colors, and are very feminine. If you would like more information on them, here you go: Ruffled Curtains.

One more idea and this one is very crafty. I used “Gallery Glass” paint to add a little privacy and charm to our side door. This is something that you can get very creative with on doors, windows, or even mirrors. It is not permanent, but stays on until you remove it. First, I had to apply the removable black leading (this was my own design that I drew on the glass first with an erasable marker and ruler) that sticks on easily. It reminded me of string that sticks. Then you finish off the lead by connecting the ends with liquid lead. Once that is all in place and dry, you apply the crystal clear paint straight from the bottle tip or apply with a small paint brush. It goes on white, but dries clear (supplies are high lighted).

Of course the easiest and most beautiful window treatments of all is when you don’t use them at all…

Please let me know if you have any questions on any of these “Window Treatment” ideas. See you next time~

Subscribe to Redhead Can Decorate


4 Comments Filed Under: Budget Decorating Series, Decorating, DIY Tagged With: budget decorating, decorating, DIY, window

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « New Door Reveal!
Next Post: My Television Debut! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 31, 2017 at 5:31 PM

    I so love your home Julie and you certainly have the the perfect solutions for windows treatments in each room and they are so beautiful yet, they also serve a specific function/purpose…so you have so achieved the fact of beauty vs. function…you have them both! My fav?…those sliding shutters on your front door! Genius!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 1, 2017 at 9:21 AM

      Hi Shirley! Every morning my cat waits for me to open them! lol Thank you for your nice words my friend! ~ Julie

      Reply
  2. Bonnie says

    February 1, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    Thanks so much for all of the great window treatment ideas. I especially like the way that you and your husband planked the ceiling in your bedroom and the wall in your bathroom.

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    February 2, 2017 at 2:57 PM

    Thank you, Bonnie!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence