Rolled Fabric Shades

I stumbled across some of Katrin Cargill's work and I noticed that she uses these rolled shades a lot.







As an aside, I love seeing photos of a space we all know from a magazine, but unstyled and less perfect. This first image is from House Beautiful, the second is from Katrin's website.



This image is less pretty, but you can see a lot more details of the room when the photo isn't so blown out and bright. I would kill for that blue pendant.


Anyway, this rolled look is so fresh to me! I love it and am wondering how practical they actually are. Any readers with personal experience with these?

I ordered her book, Katrin Cargill's Curtain Bible, for about $7 on Amazon and I'm excited to see her suggestions for recreating the look. I'll be sure to report back.

on

48 comments:

  1. meenal @ maison marigoldFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    In my previous home, I had rolled bamboo shades which worked pretty well...don't have any experience with fabric ones though...I too love the pendant in the kitchen...such a gorgeous blue...thanks for sharing, Jenny!!

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  2. DarijaFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    I have rolled shades in my kitchen, inspired by Katrin. I made them with fabric ties, so they pretty much stay fixed which works for me in this situation. In a bedroom or something I would want to make sure they were more practically adjustable.

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  3. {darlene}February 23, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    ooooh! I would LOVE to see how to make these!
    -{darlene}
    fieldstonehilldesign.com

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  4. LiveLikeYouFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    It' such a low key & simple yet chic look!

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  5. AndreaFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    It's nice to see an un-styled kitchen. Love it just the same!

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  6. KristaFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    I've been considering some rolled shades for my mudroom. They don't really seem very practical to me, but would still be pretty in a place where they don't get much action. Can't wait to see the rest of the feedback you get.

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  7. Jordan@the2seasonsFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Thanks for sharing I enjoyed seeing all the photos of the rolled curtains with the different fabrics.

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  8. NancyMFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    My parents have rolled "matchstick" type blinds. They work quite well actually. Just as easy to roll up or down as a traditional blind. Theirs aren't fabric, so they aren't 100% perfect at blocking light, but they do well enough.

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  9. lizziefitzFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    The blue pendant is fabulous! I look forward to your full report on the roller blinds. i might use the idea on an outside porch ( indoor /outdoor fabric)?

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  10. Kim@ChattafabulousFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    I had something very similar years ago in a bedroom - it wasn't very practical though. Too much tying and retying!

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  11. casey at loft and cottageFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    I love how casual these look. The fabric is soft and natural and pretty.

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  12. LaurieFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Actually, they are not too hard to put together. Maybe I'll do a tutorial!

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  13. Brandi@ Flights of WhimsyFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    They seem like they'd be a pain to roll up by hand unless they have some trick that I can't see in the picture. You're right about the detail between the two pics. I always wonder why the windows in home shots are always blown out, can't the photographer do something about that?

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Jenny, As a follow-up to your BH&G page, would you discuss layering and depth in design. I often hear these words used to describe a room. Would you consider doing a post on some design principles?
    Thanks!

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  15. Jenny at LGNFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Anon - I'll add that to my post list. Thanks for the question!

    xx

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  16. JenFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    These are a great solution, and I think it would be fun to make. Excited to see how it turns out!

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  17. Brilliant ChicFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    I love the idea of rolled shades. I've never thought of that before. I'm working on shades for my kitchen right now..perhaps this would be a good option. I REALLY am loving the blue pendant with the silver inside the shade!

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  18. caitlin wilsonFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    great tip...i'll have to order that. thanks!

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  19. Jodi AnnFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I absolutely love these rolled fabric shades. I have been wanting to try them in our kitchen, but haven't gotten around to it. I'd love to see what you come up with and if it's easy to make yourself.

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  20. Danielle Sigwalt InteriorsFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Very simple to make, but you do have to be careful when unrolling and rolling up. Love the look though!

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  21. Rachael AnneFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    We have bamboo "matchstick" blinds and they are rollers. They can be a bit wonky to work with. (Wonky is a very technical term, I know.) They rarely roll up straight and it is near impossible to roll them to the same height because of the catch mechanism. However, we do not commonly unroll them.

    I've seen shades made (and made one myself) to be faux-romans that are kind of like roller shades. The fabric is held up by tied ribbbon. Therefore, it's not so much rolled as gathered.

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  22. UnknownFebruary 23, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Wonky is such a great word. Thank you Rachael Anne. We had these in our last home. We used a washed linen and they were great. Perfect amount of light to the room and loved the rumply,wrinkle look. They pretty much stayed at the level we put them at so I'm not sure how much of a hassle it is to move them up and down. Have fun and show the final pics yes?

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    I have a roll shade on a small window in my kitchen. I like the look of it, but don't find it very practical since I roll it up and down daily. The cord has a tendency to get tangled up and the fabric sometimes slips out of the string that pulls it up if I'm not careful to make sure the bottom of the fabric stays level.

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  24. flip flop and fancy freeFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    I had rolled shades years ago in a home in Nashville, hadn't used them in forever. And then, all of a sudden I am seeing them again. So, I just made some for a nursery project I am working on. I'd love to send you some pics...respond with your email, and I will send you instructions!

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  25. rosa @ flutterflutterFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Oh!! Perfect timing!! I'm going to do this in my kitchen. I can just picture a stripe fabric underneath with a beautiful natural organic print on top... thanks!!!

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  26. elizabethFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    that blue lamp shade is to die for! and that kitchen is totally my style... love all the white with the pop of the blue shade.

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  27. HallieFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I love these rolled shades--especially those little glass loops to hold the strings that I've seen. Please let us know what you think of these functionally--loved the last post too.

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  28. LaurenFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Funny, I made something a rolled shade for our kitchen door several years ago. I just used fabric ties, so it tends to stay in one position. But I am still really happy with them, and plan to make them again for the door and the windows this time, after the room is repainted.

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  29. Amanda {a j cooper design}February 23, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I love these! There are so many possibilities--especially with a contrasting fabric on the back.

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  30. TaraFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    I love her Florence Knoll style sofas in that big gingham/check! Modern Country looking. I think I'm buying the book. Thanks.

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  31. Amy K @ Chestnut Tree LaneFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Oooh! I am a fan of this shade. I just like the looks of it, clean, not puffy... and not mini blinds. Some pictures look like there is some kind of string mechanism... but if this is hand rolling I am off the wagon.

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  32. ErinWBFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Jenny,
    I just wanted to say that I love your blog. My husband and I are renovating an old home in Arlington and I have been getting a ton of inspiration from your blog :) I'm actually blogging about our progress if you're interested: http://chiccottagecharm.blogspot.com/

    Thank you!!
    Erin

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  33. The Imperfect PieFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I would love some of these for my kitchen! Looking forward to the tutorial.

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  34. Lilly from Lilly's NotebookFebruary 24, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Obsessed with the checked sofa!!! I am going to do mine!!!!!!

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  35. UnknownFebruary 24, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    I love the simplicity of these roller blinds, & yes the pendant in the kitchen is lovely

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  36. Jan JessupFebruary 24, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Jenny, please let me suggest that these rolled Stagecoach Shades work best as VALANCES where they can remain stationary and do not have to be hand-dressed every time you want a little privacy. Calico Corners makes them and here is a link to two styles of valances--a Stagecoach Valance Pleated and a Stagecoach Valance Rolled:

    http://www.calicocorners.com/category/custom+window+treatments/valances+and+swags/board+and+pole+mounted+valance.do?page=2&sortby=&ViewX=12

    There is a very critical matter that has not been mentioned in any of the comments and I think it's worthy of another posting: while you may like the style of these rolled fabric shades, THEY WILL NOT MEET CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REGULATIONS ON SHADES WITH CORDS. Valances remain high on a window and are different. Shades that may come out of a cord, string or band to create a loop are a safety hazard to young children and are not permitted.

    Here is a link to information on Shade Safety from the Calico Corners website:
    http://www.calicocorners.com/category/custom+window+treatments/child+safety.do?leftnav=1

    All the shades made by Calico have a shrouded cord system so that they cannot cause a strangulation accident. We recommend that a Stagecoach Valance be used with a Roman shade or blind or shutter for privacy.

    Yours for great decorating and safe shades,
    Jan Jessup, Calico Corners

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  37. Jan JessupFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Hello, again from Jan at Calico Corners! I noticed that in my previous comment, the links to the Stagecoach Valances and the Child Safety issues on the Calico website only partially printed.

    Here's how to get to them: For the VALANCES, go to www.calicocorners.com and click on WINDOWS. Then click on Valances & Swags, then click on Board & Pole Mounted Valances. Go to the 2nd page to see the Stagecoach Valance Pleated and the Stagecoach Valance Rolled.

    For the Child Safety guidelines, click on the link on the WINDOWS page--it's at the bottom of the left column.

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  38. Brittany H.February 24, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    All of these interior spaces look so bright and happy. The shades look great. I love reading your blog!

    PS- I'm hosting my first GIVEAWAY on my blog. Please come and see!
    X

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  39. EmmaFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    I have rolled shades covering my six windows in my studio. They are way laid back and I love them. I haven't had any of the tying/retying problems mentioned.

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  40. Interior Design MusingsFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    I love that kitchen shot. The island is surprising narrow, but it looks like it works in the space. As for the rolled blinds, I have never used these in a space. I do love the look, reminds me of the beach! M.

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  41. bazaarofserendipityFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    We have some and they work well, they are on our doors in the beach cottage. so its fun b/c you can add cute fabric to them :-)

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  42. AlyAnnFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    I like this simple look for window coverings, but with three small children, I need a cord-free option. I've made DIY fabric roller shades as described on Apartment Therapy and while they look pretty, the fabric tends to come off the roller when pulled too hard and sometimes they don't roll up evenly. I am anxious to see what you choose for your home, Jenny!

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  43. cotedetexasFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    this is a friend of mine's house. she wants to talk to you about her shades (the kitchen and the blue family room). Katrin Cargill designed her house with Carol Glasser. i'll tell her to email you!!!!

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  44. Darcy from The I.Design BoxFebruary 25, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing! I was just in the process of searching for inspired ideas for a shade in our kitchen... in fact I just did a post about kitchen window coverings today! Thanks for the ideas...

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  45. Kate CollinsFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I miss you. :) Hope your technical difficulties are fixed soon!

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  46. Tammy@InStitchesFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    I use to make a lot of these as fixed valances, rolled them up on fabric tubes. I was talking with a photographer and he said they blow the windows out like that so your eye doesn't look at what's outside, it focuses on the interiors.

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  47. Paige @ Mudroom BostonFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I own Katrin's Curtain Bible and absolutely love it! It's the perfect combination of total eye candy, inspiration and easy-to-use.

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  48. amish baby cribMarch 1, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    These are really great inspirations you have there! I have now ideas for my kitchen! Thanks a lot.

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)