After much research, I bought Smith and Noble roller shades for our two bedrooms when we first moved into our 1951 colonial-ranch 6 six years ago. I’ve always been very happy with the choice.
I used the roller shades on all the windows (2 per bedroom) — then, importantly, added a decorative wooden curtain rod fit with pinch pleat draperies on wood rings, to finish the window. This ‘layering’ makes a huge difference – and if you look at the photo to the left, you can see how adding pinch pleats would really complete the window, it looks unnecessarily bare with only the shade. Layer! A couple of other details I recommend:
- I tend to favor a neutral colored roller shade, ala a creamy linen. Then, you can easily change the pinch pleat draperies. I have two sets of drapes for our master bedroom, for example, and it’s nice to switch them every once in a while. Note, I also like 2″ aluminum blinds for retro windows; this alternative is a ‘softer’ way to go and preferable in particular, I think, for bedrooms where metal is too harsh, too cold, bad feng shui for the purpose of this room!
- I like the decorative Diana and Wave hems, these are the most traditional mid century styles. The petite ribbon loop or twisted loop trims add a nice decorative touch.
- You can order ‘blackout’ material if you want to keep the room totally dark including into the morning. We didn’t get this, though — we like the sun filtering through our shades, it’s a nice way to wake up slowly.
- Finally, it’s worth it to get the special lifting cassette. It makes it much easier to open and close the roller shades without them getting all off kilter.
SmithandNoble.com seems to have a good website for building your own shade. Measure carefully.
1959 instructions to make your own fabric roller shades 
Make your own fabric-covered roller shades, plus I do research to cut the kit price 30% 
Become a fan
We have a roller blind from Smith & Noble in our bathroom. It’s white and has a slight hash cross pattern. We really love it.
Yup – these are great for window treatments you really open and close daily – very sweet for a bathroom!
where can I purchase roller window shades with fringe?
I was just wondering the same thing…these would be perfect for a bathroom…where can you purchase them?
Peggy, Smith & Noble offers them with fringe. Other companies that sell window shades sell them. And, I also think you can get plain white or ivory ones with fringe at most hardware stores. Bottom line: They are around.
Country Curtains offers a good selection of roller blinds, too, including one with a narrow ruffle that I think looks very sweet for a bedroom. Their price point is pretty low. I’ve only ordered the basic fabric blackout shades from them, and the quality was excellent. They don’t carry the spring-loaded type; only the one with the chain to raise and lower.
If you are really on a budget try Overstock.com. Though I didn’t actually order any yet they have an ever-changing selection of nice looking shades sometimes dirt-cheap.
On the fringe: that sounds like a very easy project if it is too hard or too spendy to find a fringed shade you like. Get a plain one and glue on the fridge. Voila.