John’s basement is a little bit tiki, a little bit rock ‘n roll — it’s pretty fabulous, actually. Now, John needs to finish the room — with some cheap, cheerful, effective and aesthetically pleasing window treatments for his small basement windows. I bet the design of these windows looks familiar to a lot of people; classique. So –what do you think that John should do for window treatments? Read on for his complete question and more pics, and then, let’s hear your ideas. John writes:
hi pam,
a few friends and i have been facebook fans of yours for a while now, using it for inspiration. i have a 1968 ranch in a suburb of boston. we’re putting the finishing touches on the two windows.
they’re nearly side by side and measure 32″x16″.
we were hoping to find this kind of shutter (above), but haven’t had any luck finding them in the right size. we are completely open to a different way to go. we’d like them open by day and closed by night. we can’t justify spending the $ on custom built for the basement. any ideas for a manufacturer or a different solution?
thanks, john
pam kueber says
Hey John, Did I not get this story published soon enough? Did you buy these? Seems like the RDGs made them to order for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item19cf8e3463&item=110856385635&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=UhQRfIKrPfPEjcvsXmVvV1lgxIc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_2127wt_1270
Cindy says
I’d go with matchstick roll up blinds, which are fairly inexpensive. But instead of natural, I’d spray paint them for a pop of color in the room. Go with something tropical like palm green, ocean blue or hibiscus red. Follow up with some throw pillows in the same color and you have a nice little tropical escape in the basement.
Anne Schoenneman says
How about reclaiming some shutters? There are reclamation shops all over the Chicago area, and I’m positive that you’ll be able to find similar in the Boston area. Check under “restoration” “reclaimed” “demo”…you get it! There’s almost nothing that you can’t find there.
pam kueber says
My classique story, 7 places to buy barkcloth: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/01/15/where-to-buy-barkcloth-places/
Pier One for ideas?
Bud says
Bamboo blinds…. can go right to the home depot and pick them up
Dana says
Barkcloth!
Nancy Stevenson says
I like all the suggestions, for practicality, design, and authenticity. The only thing I might suggest, is a pop of color on the windows. I too love the textured walls, but there is a lot of neutrality here, and could be dark with window covers. A pop of orangey-red, or a bright golden color maybe? Even something in a hawaiian print, bright , would be fun! I remember some palms, and large flowers on some of my aunties windows! :o)
Nancy says
The room needs some more color and pattern. I like the idea of the cafe curtains in a retro bark cloth. Also try fullswingtextiles.com. Their fabric is expensive, but you don’t need a lot.
Brneyedgrrl says
The room screams barkcloth. Check these out:
http://www.jandofabrics.com/products.asp?id=182
Miss Wynonna says
My Grandparents had their basement finished off in 1957, Yes, Knotty Blonde Pine, Full wet bar in the corner, funky pea green and light mocha floor tile in an odd pattern. The company finished off the windows on the inside by building simple secondary wooden frames that were hinged to allow them to open, and they were set with bathroom privacy glass to allow maximum light in during the day, yet allowed privacy at night.
It was not until the 1970’s that my Grandmother decided to add curtains. when she did she used the thin rods on the tops and bottoms of the inside frames and made the curtains with the pockets on the tops and bottoms, like you would do on a french door.
You could easily build the same kind of window frame today, and use the con-tact brand privacy window coverings to copy the look of the old bathroom window glass.