Stripe Curtains with a Print Bedspread?

Today we’re turning our attention to a Reader’s dilemma. Each week we post one of the many communications between Your Decorating Hotline and our readers. Most often we receive requests for help, as is the case today, but we would be happy to share a project, a decorating success or an “oopsie!”. Why not write to tell us about yours?

Meanwhile, today we spotlight a Reader needing help with a bedroom – specifically the window coverings. The key to the solution is to know when matching decor is too “matchy-matchy!”

Here’s the Dilemma

: Photo jcpenney.com

Hello,

I’m decorating my bedroom and I’m having a hard time finding draperies to match my bedding. The bedspread is a dark color with flowers. The main color is a deep chocolate close to a deep wine. The other colors are a sage green (very little) but this is the color of the walls. The other colors in the spread are wine, gold and sage. I can’t seem to find drapes for it. The spread is very beautiful!!!

Can I use striped curtains? I think the drapes that match would be too busy for this room. Please help me!!! I’m about to pull my hair out! The bedding came from JC Penney online. It’s by Croscill and the group is call Seraphina. Thanks for you help! Hope to hear from you soon..

Bettina

Your Decorating Hotline’s Solution

Good news, Bettina!

The answer is “Yes” – you most certainly can use stripes with your print bedspread. In addition to coordinating the colors you’ll want to consider the scale of the stripes with your print bedspread too. Terrie recently wrote a great post on “Working with Patterns” that you can read -click here. Take a look at it and I think you’ll be better able to imagine how beautifully striped curtains can work with your bedspread.

I like the idea that you’re looking for other window coverings other than the “matchy-matchy” drapes that come as a set. There are so many other ways to have a coordinated look than having everything match. I agree with you that using those drapes with the bedspread is “just too much.”

Another idea to consider is to buy just the valance or just the pair of drapes and cut that fabric to use as an edge (either top, bottom or down the vertical sides) of a solid curtain panel – that way you have the color and print tie-in with the bedspread – but without an overwhelming amount of fabric.

Stripe curtains or solid curtains with print trim – two ideas that I think you can make work. I hope this information is helpful. I’d love to see a photo of the finished room!

Another Reader Needs Your Help

Reader Carol made a linen window shade that has a cotton lining. There is a water spot on the shade and her estimate from a professional cleaner was quite expensive so she contacted YDH for help. I have no personal experience with spot cleaning linen and wonder if anyone in our YDH community has some suggestions or experience to share with Carol?

Have you any products or techniques that would reduce or elminate a water spot on a linen blind with cotton lining? Please leave your input by clicking the Comment link below. If you’re reading this post via email, simply click on the Your Decorating Hotline header at the top of the article and it will take you directly to the YDH website where you may use the Comment button to leave your suggestion. Thanks for helping! I apprecite your time and I’m sure Carol will also.

P.S. Remember, if you’ve got a decorating project involving color then you need our new e-book How to Successfully Use Color in Home Decorating. It’s 100 pages of tried and true information regarding color. Buy it and download it today -you’ll be on your way to conquering your color dilemmas.

For more information about this great resource click here.