To order any window coverings from Select Blinds, be sure you use my special link HERE for the best possible discount! Plus if you put in my code INSP1RE5 you’ll receive an additional 5% off the very best price offered anywhere!
Over the past year we’ve been steadily shaping the style of this house to match our tastes. This summer we installed woven wood shades in the living and dining rooms. We expected to like them, but we didn’t realize how dramatically they would transform the space. They added warmth, texture and a finished feeling that helped move the room toward our vision.
Looking back to where this room began a year ago, it’s clear how much progress the small updates have made. Painting the fireplace was a quick, impactful change that set the tone for updating the rest of the space. Adding the woven wood shades was another key step in making the house feel more like our home.
We recently painted the brick exterior and have been sharing progress on Instagram. Our plans for a coastal farmhouse kitchen and cottage-style Dutch doors will continue to evolve the home’s look this fall. For now, the shades are a highlight I wanted to share because they make such a noticeable difference.
The shades we chose are the Good Housekeeping Woven Wood Shades in Bali Abaca — a medium to light mix of warm straw and gray tones. We avoided very dark options, preferring a color that would bring interest and balance to the room’s textures without feeling heavy.
My decision was based on how the room would feel once the shades were installed and all elements came together. I’m delighted — they make the space feel just right.
Above you can see the samples we ordered. Some were too light, others too dark. The Bali Abaca sample (Good Housekeeping) struck the right balance for our rooms.
The clean look of bare windows is beautiful, but I love a home that feels comfortable, private and full of organic texture. Wood and bamboo shades have always made my heart flutter, and they’re a classic choice whether used alone or with curtain panels.
Style is personal, so choose window treatments that make your space feel the way you want.
Our shades in the previous home, above, can be found in the product line mentioned in this post.
In our previous home we also used bamboo shades to add layered texture and privacy when needed. In the new house, wide windows offer stunning sunset, mountain and water views, but they can also create intense glare and heat. Shades helped control that while preserving the view when raised.
In winter, our large windows provide important light, especially living in Seattle, but they can also feel chilly and exposed. Even though we don’t face significant privacy issues, pulling down shades makes the rooms feel cozier and more secure.
We chose wall-mounted blinds so they sit above the window, letting in more light when raised and preserving the view. Ours were installed just below the ceiling line to create breathing room and allow for future crown molding or curtain rods if desired.
The shades are divided into multiple sections so we can lower only the area needed to block glare. Being able to adjust individual sections keeps the room bright without sacrificing comfort. Even a small drop makes the space noticeably more pleasant on sunny afternoons.
This time we chose cordless shades, which I highly recommend. Cordless operation is safer for children and pets, and it gives a much cleaner look. These raise and lower smoothly with a single ring and remove the visual clutter of cords.
To help with heat and glare we added a blackout liner. The liner is white fabric on the interior side and looks fresh and bright from the outside as well. Because our shades are sectioned, we can darken only the parts that need it, so the room never feels fully closed off unless we want it to.
Our living and dining room blinds are the Good Housekeeping Woven Wood Shades in Bali Abaca. Use code: INSP1RE5.
We had the shades custom-made to fit our oversized and uniquely shaped windows, including two connected windows and one wrapping around a corner. Select Blinds’ customer service was helpful with measuring and configuration advice. I ordered samples, sent photos, and worked with their team to ensure the right fit.
Installation was straightforward, even for reluctant DIYers like us. The shades look custom and polished, and they’ve made the rooms much more comfortable. We’re planning more window treatments for other rooms and already have options in mind.
Select Blinds offers a range of styles, including shutters, so you can personalize treatments for every room.
Woven wood and bamboo shades look great with curtain panels or without!
This is our updated space with curtain panels that soften the room.
HOW TO ORDER WINDOW COVERINGS:
To order any window coverings from Select Blinds, use my special link HERE to ensure the best available price. If you use that link and enter discount code INSP1RE5, you’ll receive an additional 5% off the best price offered.
I’ve loved sharing these updates as our home evolves toward a cozier, more inviting style—thanks for following along!
Related Posts:
10 Questions and Answers about My Bamboo Blinds and Curtains
9 Ways Blinds and Window Coverings will Transform Your Home
This post contains an affiliate link and my blinds were provided to me by Select Blinds.