Are These Curtains Better?

Erin

YES!!! The new curtains are GREAT! They add just the perfect “punch” the room needed! The before curtains are nice too, but they dont do as much for the room like these new ones do! LOVE them! :)

esther

I vote for…the geometric option you mentioned at the end. The light fixture looks great, btw. I think a more modern line would really bring your room to another level. if you have to pick one or the other…my vote goes to the 2nd set (original~) :)

Kimbydee

I definitely like the before curtains, they aren’t as busy. As for the Orla Curtains, I think they’d be PERFECT. They have a geometric feel compared to the floral and would bring in the additional colors you love. Stick with the Orla!! :oD

LuCia

Hi. The “before” curtains fits better with the colours of the room. I think that the “after” curtains era nothing to do in the room, the colour seems to be out of place.

Sarah

I like the curtains that you have up in the library right now, but I do understand your desire to make a change! I agree that some more masculine curtains (in brown and white?)would look good in your space. Ikea (at least in their Bolingbrook store) has some nice brown and white fabric and The Needle Shop in Bucktown has lots of funky fabrics to choose from. Good luck with your search!

ewogirl

I think you have two options…go floral in more earthy and subdued colors (like the panels you hate)

http://www.kiitosmarimekko.com/gi621gr.html

or go geometric in a color way that pops. Beware of stripes though, your paneling already reads (or photograhs) stripes.

amyrks

I love the second pair…they are so perfect or summer, bright and cheery… they would make me smile whenever I walked into that room.

Kari

Although I like the newer set of curtains more than the original, I think you may be on track with some brown (and white) geometric vs. a floral pattern here. You already have a lot going on in this room, and something a bit more simple would really speak volumes and compliment the rest of the room.
And.. if brown seems to dull or not fun enough, why not try a bold yet solid red – even dressed up with some fun embroidery in a similar color (darker red or even pink) for accent? I had some taffeta fabric I made into curtains that, from a distance look solid, but when you get close you see embroidery and pattern. So it doesn’t look too busy from afar, but upclose is some fun eye candy when walking by! Have fun! :)

Jena

I agree with Kari, especially if your library is a room with a lot of shelves and books, that oh-so-comfy-looking chair and maybe a writing table? (Well, if I had a library room, that’s what mine would have.) I like my books to be the focus of a room, so my taste dictates something bold and simple like a solid or what Kari described.

If books and shelves aren’t the prominent features of the room, though, I’d prefer geometric prints over floral. I like the sound of the brown pattern described earlier, but maybe a red and brown or pink and brown (a masculine print, a splash of feminine color?) so you still get a splash of color in the curtains?

Ferienhäuser Sardinien

Those 2 sets of curtains are good, since these curtains will be used for your library, the both fit, if i will choose which curtain, I like the original one, for I can read peacefully with it, the floral one is nice too, it brings happiness to my eyes.

Sara McGinness

I thought I liked the curtains you had in the library until I saw the new ones and I LOVE the new ones, I say keep ’em.

Ann

I really like both curtains, but I gotta be honest. Not for your library. They are a little bit on the feminine side. I am really diggin’ your new light.

Mell

Hi,
I’ve just stumbled upon your blog, wow! you have such beautiful taste. Your home is a dream. I just had to commment. As a Librarian myself (and one that specialises in designing libraries) I’m so jealous of your library, it looks so peaceful. Now, my thoughts….I LOVE the floral curtains perfect for the summer but not so sure about on a cold winter’s night.

Blondie

I like your new idea, a crisp geometric. Especially with the new ceiling light. I still think something with a light lining in it would be great so you don’t see the difference between the window and the wall.

Sara

I do think the new curtains are better!!! Fun! (the old were fun too, but maybe too much beige?) The new brighten the space. Love it!

Nichole loiacono-young

I love the new ones. I love me some color.

Erin

I think the flowery curtains are way too busy for that space. I like your idea about a geometric pattern.

Meg

I love the curtains you’ve just moved in. But I’m really on an Orla train as of late and think the pillow fabric you featured in a previous post would be perfection.

I used your site for a blog spotlight on my blog! http://thecottageapartment.blogspot.com/2009/05/sunday-blog-spotlight.html Love your work!

Amber

I think for your style you need a bigger bolder pattern. Something with a dramatic dark graphic and bright colors. That being said, I think both of these work too.

Eileen

I like the floral print. It makes me want to grab a book off the shelf and snuggle in that great chair.

Nicole RJ

I love the big bold flowers… everything else in the library has clean crisp lines, I think they add a nice break to that! Of course you have to be happy with it though.

Clair

I prefer the before.

LaNa

Hi,

I love the curtains! I was also wondering where you got the light at the top of your stairs? I’ve been looking for something to replace the awful brass fixtures in my home, but haven’t been able to find something I’m in love with.

Cheers!

Lua d'algodão

I like more the first one,I guess they go better with all the room!! And they are less floral!!

I come here for a long time, but usually never leave comments! I really enjoy your blog and your daughter is really cute!!!

***
M

Fernanda

I think the before curtains are better for the library.

Daniela

I agree with you.
I think the other curtains worked better than Orla´s.
Keep looking for your dream ones.
I’msure you´ll find them soon and amaze us.

Love

abbi

I like the bright punch of color of the new florals but I think a masculine, geometric pattern would be much better! I think this is the perfect idea. Now let’s hope you can find them! ;)

Laura

Have you thought about finding a curtain you like and then changing the yellow on the stairwell? Maybe you are ready for a change there!

Ed

the new curtains are really yummy , i way prefer them !!

Kickymarcia

I like the look of the original curtains on screen. However, I do agree with an earlier poster about the room not really being a “Nicole” room. Most of your other rooms have some accent of pink in them.

Have you thought of adding pink as an accent color? Maybe a curtain with neutral ground with pink, mustard and chocolate.

The mustard wall is skewing things visually for me.
Have you thought of repainting it another color?
If you painted it a pink, kept the floral curtains and replaced the throw- Voila!

Haley

I don’t know about the pattern/what the color is in person, but the mustard accent color would probably make these curtains from west elm look pretty awesome: http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODr669&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1RUGWIN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1RUGWIN.

oneshotbeyond

the color ones totally give something extra to the library-although it was already really special. :-)

Tommy Bahama Bedding

I’m not really opposed to more masculine curtains, but I really like these – they’re so cheery. Who says a library has to be muted?

Lynnie

Well, I gotta tell you that while I definitely prefer the original curtains here (sorry!)

I think the new ones are just too busy for the space and make it feel sort of crowded – actually scrolling back up to look at the pics again I feel sort of claustrophobic looking at them.

Maculine sounds gooooood, but I think an OK or more feminine print could still work well here. I think any printed fabric that’s going to go in the space needs to be clean, crisp, and on the graphic side to stop things feeling cluttered, and OK fabric would fulful that brief provided the print is an appropriate size.

[Disclaimer – just my two cents, please don’t hate me!]

Jan

I think both of the curtains are great. As someone stated before, I think the bright colorful floral ones are great a nice change for the summer.

carrie

i’m sure you have already made a decision, but i like the bright flower curtains better. they pick up the colors of the books in the book case and compliment the yellow wall. i also think they look a little younger than the before curtains.

Michele

I think you’re right- if you don’t think this bright pop of color is right {I do- love the second curtains}, you probably wouldn’t love the Orla Kiely in that space.