Wood Blinds And Window Toppers: The Fabulous Finishing Touch For A Transitional Style Kitchen
The hottest trend in kitchen design is transitional style – a delightful blend of contemporary and classic furnishings and fixtures. If you love the look of modern finishes like stainless steel, for example, but also adore the visual warmth of stained wood cabinets and richly colored tile floors, this style is for you. Unlike other traditional styles, transitional welcomes the mix of an old-fashioned farmhouse sink with sleek granite counters and funky, modern light fixtures. But don't forget the window styles in your kitchen. Wood window blinds topped with a lush fabric accent tie the design elements together for sophisticated visual appeal.
Pick From Three Classic Wood Blind Designs
The type of windows in your kitchen will influence which of three classic designs go best in the space.
- Vertical blinds are perfectly suited for casement windows. The blinds can be fully drawn to the sides when you open the windows outward for fresh air and sunlight.
- Horizontal blinds go well with hung sash windows. The blinds can be adjusted to allow in full or partial sunlight when the window is closed. They can also be drawn all the way to the top or only part way when the window is open.
- Interior shutter-style blinds are suitable for sliding windows. In addition to folding open to fully reveal the window pane, the horizontal slats can be adjusted to allow in just the right amount of light to match the mood.
Match Wood Blind Finishes to Your Kitchen's Features and Colors
Light or dark? Painted or stained? The wide range of choices for wood blinds is not as overwhelming as it sounds at first when you follow these design tips:
- If there are predominant wood elements in your kitchen, such as cabinets, hardwood flooring or a butcher block counter, select blinds stained to match the existing wood tones. Wood blinds are available in a wide variety of stain colors ranging from light pine to dark walnut.
- If your kitchen has mostly neutral-tone finishes, choose painted or stained blinds in lighter colors. Painted finishes come in a range of white, cream and ivory shades, or you may prefer a light cherry wood or honey maple stain to enhance the room's bright, airy appearance.
- If your transitional kitchen style includes lots of antiques, knickknacks and treasured flea market finds, plain black wood blinds bring an aura of refinement to the collection.
- If the main highlights of the kitchen are sleek, modern and hip, pure white wood blinds add soft accents in the room to create visual balance.
Selecting a Complementary Fabric to Top the Window Treatment
Transitional style, in its most literal interpretation, shows movement from the past to the modern. Heirloom-style textiles paired with fresh, new wood blinds fit the definition. Additionally, a tier of fabric as the top layer of the window treatment serves a practical purpose. It conceals the hardware at the top of the blinds. Guidelines when you're shopping for the perfect ready-made valances or fabric for a custom-sewn version include the following:
- No gathers, scallops, bows or lace. The valance should hang flat with a straight hem across the bottom. The fabric swath should serve as an accent, not a distraction.
- Avoid lightweight fabric, material with a sheen and pastel colors. Instead, look for textiles with subtle patterns, rich texture and neutral tones that complement the existing colors in the kitchen.
- Choose a design that hangs on a plain, hidden curtain rod to keep the focus on the lush blend of wood and textiles. Alternatively, use a rod with decorative finials for a sense of visual depth in a room that has mostly smooth surfaces and finishes.
With equal parts of old-school tradition and modern flair, the combination of wood window blinds plus luxurious textiles adds the classy finishing touch to your transitional style kitchen.
For more information and tips for choosing window finishings, talk with professionals, such as those at Sylvans & Phillips Drapes and Blinds.