Order: placed!

Nearly four months after moving back in (four months!), we are finally getting around to window treatments.

But first, let me tell you, whoever conceived of paper shades was a genius. We've had them up since we moved in. They've lasted that long! Six for $20! Genius!

Still, after a while you think, well, it would be nice to lift the paper shades. Catch sight of the view. And, you know, not have them be made of paper. When even the kids start wondering when they're getting 'real' curtains, it's time to get serious. So, we bit the bullet and ordered window treatments today.

We're going with cellular shades just about everywhere. When we bought the house, the previous owner had installed plantation shutters on all of the front-facing windows save one (the kitchen). They're lovely. But a house full of such shutters was never on our wish list.

I love cellular shades mostly because when they're all the way up you can hardly see them. I tend toward unfussy windows. In the upstairs we're going with three different shades: Storm Marble for the girls (it's sort of a pinkish-white, or maybe a whitish-pink); Northern Lights Charcoal for most of the master windows, the hall window, and the master bath; and North Lights Glacier (a silvery-grey) for the master closet and water closet. On the main floor, we're going with Dirge (a grey-brown) in the kitchen, family room, guest and hall bath; and Northern Lights Navy in the office. Here's a link to the Bali site so you can check the colors for yourself.

In our dining room, and for our three large master bedroom windows, we're going with drapes. No, we haven't chosen them yet. The only windows we're leaving uncovered are the ones that look out over our back deck.

That's 30 windows getting cellular shades, five windows (representing two 'sets') getting drapes, and three windows left uncovered. My best advice: wait for a sale somewhere if you're covering this many windows.

With fall in air, now is the time to get these windows covered. I think it will add a nice, subtle touch to the rooms. They'll be here in three weeks, and I'll post pictures when they arrive!