Well, we’re back in Tennessee after a quick trip to Oregon that left me feeling equal parts exhausted and nostalgic. We made the trip to Bend to take care of some work and finally clear out a storage unit we’d been hanging onto for years.
And let me tell you, as I started opening boxes, I realized this wasn’t just a storage unit—it was a time capsule. Tucked between the things we no longer needed were pieces of our family’s story: kids’ artwork, old notes, cards from loved ones, and little keepsakes from trips and milestones over the years.
I’ll admit, there were a few moments when I got emotional. Not because of the stuff itself, but because of what it represented. The memories. The seasons of life. The reminder of how quickly time moves. While we let go of a lot, we also packed up quite a few treasures and brought them back home with us. Some things are simply too special to leave behind.
Looking through all those keepsakes also had me thinking about home and the layers that make it feel personal and complete. While memories are certainly the most important layer, thoughtful design details play a role too.
Which brings me to this week’s topic: window coverings. I thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain (literally) and share some of the window treatments we’re using throughout our Sixth Street Bungalow renovation and why they’ve become some of my favorite finishing touches in a home.
I think window coverings have one of the biggest impacts on how a room feels. The difference between a room feeling finished versus unfinished. Cozy versus stark. Relaxed versus rigid.
They’re also one of the most misunderstood categories in design. People spend thousands of dollars on furniture and then hang curtains that are too narrow, too short, or mounted too low. Or they skip layering altogether and wonder why the room doesn’t feel complete.
I pay attention to window coverings the same way I pay attention to lighting. They aren’t necessarily the first thing people notice, but they influence how the room feels.
Today I’m sharing the exact products we’re using in our own home, how we’re specifying them, and some of the little details that make a bigger difference than most people realize.
The cafe curtains filter the afternoon sun in the kitchen and I couldn’t be happier with the fabric I went with!
Before I share sources, I want to talk about one thing that I think matters more than the actual fabric.
Fullness.
This is where I see people get window treatments wrong more than anything else. A beautiful fabric shouldn’t have a skimpy curtain panel. The reason designer drapery looks expensive is because there is enough fabric to create soft folds and movement. Whenever possible, I prefer curtains to feel generous. Not stretched. Not flat. Not barely covering the window.
If you’re looking at inspiration photos and wondering why the drapery feels luxurious, it’s usually because there is significantly more fabric there than you realize.
In fact, I like to do 2.5x the width of your window.
The other thing I’m always considering is layering. Especially in older homes. Very rarely do I rely on one window treatment to do all the work. I love combining woven shades with drapery panels. Cafe curtains with trim details. Natural textures mixed with soft linen. It creates depth and solves multiple functional problems at the same time.
In our living room, kitchen, and several other spaces throughout the house, layering has become one of the defining design decisions.
And honestly, it’s one of the reasons the home is starting to feel more pulled together.
Below are the exact products, fabrics, vendors, sizing specifications, and installation notes we’re using throughout Sixth Street Bungalow.
Because if you’re investing in window coverings, I want you to avoid some of the trial and error we’ve already done for you.
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