Before and After: Kitchen Window Treatment Upgrade

Looking for a way to upgrade your kitchen without spending a ton of money.  Read on for a peek at what I did in my own kitchen recently…

This is my kitchen “before.”  Not completely “before” – you should have seen the avocado green appliances and retro tile backsplash we inherited!  But, this is what it looked like this summer, before I removed the fruit wallpaper border and replaced the window treatment.

There’s nothing wrong with the valance we had.  In fact, I’ve lived with them on both of my kitchen windows for nearly 11 years.  But, I wanted a shade on the windows in my kitchen – something we’ve never had.  The morning sun always seems to get me in the eyeballs as I make my toast, and it would be nice to have a little more privacy when it’s needed.  Not wanting to give up the softness of fabric, and knowing I would likely keep the shades open most of the day, I chose a relaxed Roman shade from The Shade Store.  It’s casual, offers privacy and light control when needed, and creates its own valance when it’s fully raised.

I love the result – what do you think?  The blue fabric adds freshness to the room, without overpowering it with color.  And, the birds on the fabric…love them.  (It’s a Robert Allen fabric called “Vintage Plumes,” available through designers and at The Shade Store).

So, here’s the bottom line.  I removed a wallpaper border and painted the kitchen walls in “Biltmore Buff” by Sherwin Williams. I removed the valances and rods, and replaced them with Roman shades, custom made for the space.  Voila!  Definitely an upgrade, and definitely budget-friendly.  Win…win.  🙂