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Our Roman Shades Installed + a Video!

This post is in partnership with Bali Blinds.

Our Tree House Roman shades have been installed! Not long ago, we shared why we chose the shades we did, including everything from selecting our free Bali Blinds samples from to testing each fabric swatch to measuring for our final order. There’s a lot to consider when choosing window treatments for your home, and although we’ve gone through those same steps countless times, it can still feel every bit as daunting as the time before. As we approach each window, we ask ourselves, will this be an inside or outside mount? Blackout or light filtering? Roman or solar or natural or wood? Patterned or solid? Our hope is that by sharing our experience, we can alleviate any worries or common questions we’ve received from you and asked ourselves! (And if you’re just joining in now, we encourage you to check out part one of our window makeovers, where we really dive deep into the details.)

We definitely have our favorite style of shade – Romans always top our list! – and the bedrooms in our Tree House were no different. We considered natural shades, too, but because our ultimate goal is to use the same fabrics throughout the entirety of Tree House (in this small house, consistency is key), we wanted to choose neutrals that had the potential to work in every room. It was tricky, but as soon as we unboxed our shades, we knew we’d made the right choice. They’re fresh, fuss-free and provide just the right amount of light filtering, or should I say, lack of filtering? We are so, so happy with the results:

In the video below, we’re sharing how simple it is to install both inside and outside mounts (and three of our four kids make an appearance, too!). All the bedroom windows received cordless Tailored Roman Shades in two color ways: Wilston Carbon (heathered black) with a standard liner and Colletti Blizzard (heathered cream) with a thermal liner.

How to Install An Outside Mount

You can see in the video that we installed shades on three windows – two in the master bedroom (including one door) and one in the guest room (we slipped in that sneak peek for you!). Regardless of whether the shades were inside or outside mount, they all receive the same bracket:

The French doors in our bedroom received an outside mount, and the only difference between that and an inside mount is the placement of the screws in the bracket. The screws provided with the bracket go through the back for an outside mount, and because our doors are solid wood, no additional anchors or supports were needed.

We unravelled the shade all the way so that we could decide on the perfect placement of the brackets; we wanted to make sure that the shade, when drawn, would cover the window completely. After marking the best placement with a pencil, Scott screwed them into the door, and the shade clicks! right into place. The good news is that if you’re a little off side-to-side, there is wiggle room to adjust your shade left-to-right.

And that’s it! Installing each shade takes less than 10 minutes, with the bulk of the time being spent measuring the placement of the brackets. You might remember that because the material was so thick, we opted for a standard liner in the Wilston Carbon, and yet we would still consider these a blackout shade – great for sleeping in! The fabric has a nice weight, and because of this, the door shades feel very structured, which we like.

We placed our order with a Bali Blinds representative on the phone, and she helpfully suggested that we have the fabric run behind the roll, which allows the fabric to lay closer to the window. This would be especially  important for an outside mount, since there’s no window jamb to conceal the edges! It’s something we wouldn’t have thought of ourselves, but this difference helps to cut down on light leaks in a big way.

The valance is about 2″ deep, which does prevent the door from doubling back on itself when open, but we knew this when we placed the order. Actually, when we first moved into Tree House, there were thin, corded Romans on these doors that wouldn’t allow the door to double back. We figured that any type of shade we put on these doors would have the same so-called issue – if you even want to call it that – but we also agreed that we weren’t concerned by it. We see this door as a pass through for anyone staying in the master, a quick way to pop out onto the deck for their morning coffee. That is, when the deck has a place for someone to sit!

How To Install An Inside Mount

The windows in the master and guest rooms both received an inside mount. As seen in the video, the only difference here is that the screws go through the top of the bracket, as opposed to through the back. We measured where the brackets should go, made marks with our pencil, and Scott screwed them into place. Again, because the screws are going straight into a thick window header, no additional anchors or supports were needed.

The Colletti Blizzard fabric has the look and feel of linen, and it’s the softest shade of ivory. So pretty! We paired the fabric with a thermal liner, which we would consider to be one step below a blackout. Because the fabric we chose is so lightweight, we feared that adding a thick blackout liner would add too much bulk, whereas the thermal fabric has a softer handfeel. Of course, this means that we do receive filtered light in the morning, but it does offer more light protection than if we had paired it with a standard liner. Essentially, we sacrificed sleeping in for aesthetics when it really comes down to it, but between the soft, filtered light from the window and the near-blackout of the doors, we’re doing a-okay! In fact, we’re downright thrilled with the combo.

Note: If you’re like us and want to feel each liner option, a customer service representative would be more than happy to mail you samples of each! You can also find samples in-store at your local hardware stores.

Our plan is to continue the Tailored Roman Shades in the Colletti Blizzard fabric throughout other areas of the home – the living room and sleeping loft immediately come to mind – but we also have an idea to incorporate that same fabric with curtains! We’re looking forward to sharing that with you as the rooms continue to unfold!

PS: Bali Blinds can be ordered online through many of your favorite retailers, but I always find it the most helpful to call and place our order directly with a customer service representative. Not only is the Bali team super friendly, but they’ve often times offered options that I may not have thought of beforehand! First things first, we always encourage you to order your free swatches.

PPS: You can shop the items in our Tree House right here!

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  • Paige Flamm5.2.18 - 12:03 PM

    I love the dark contrast that the window gives the room!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.comReplyCancel

    • Kim5.2.18 - 3:41 PM

      Painting them black was worth the risk! Thanks, Paige!ReplyCancel

  • Bree5.2.18 - 2:52 PM

    I’m not usually a fan of Roman shades because of how much light they block near the top of the window, but I do love the color match on the doors! They seemlessly blend in!ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.2.18 - 3:41 PM

      Thank you! We’re so happy with those dark heathered shades against the black.ReplyCancel

  • thelady5.3.18 - 9:25 AM

    OMG the video, baby on the bed–I squealed!! What is wrong with me mine are in high school, and I’m over that!! but what a cutie :) :)ReplyCancel

  • Ann5.5.18 - 2:33 PM

    The addition of the shades makes these rooms look really finished now – I bet is it starting to feel that way, too – they look great!ReplyCancel

  • Min2.20.19 - 1:10 PM

    HiI I just found your blog and it’s so inspiring! I am considering roman blinds and this is so helpful! I have one question…do you have a valance on the linen colored blinds? I couldn’t tell. Thank you!ReplyCancel

    • Scott2.21.19 - 9:04 AM

      Thanks Min! The linen-colored roman shades are internal mount and do not have a valence. Hope this helps!ReplyCancel

  • Vicki3.7.19 - 10:48 AM

    Your blinds look beautiful! I’m planning on ordering the same blizzard color with a thermal liner. Is your liner white or off-white? Thanks so muchReplyCancel

  • Mariella3.23.19 - 4:16 PM

    I love the look of your blinds. I am planning on ordering Bali roman blinds too, and I was wondering what style did you order. Are your blinds classic flat or seamless ? I have been following you guys for quite some time and I love your work.ReplyCancel

  • Haley8.14.19 - 8:52 AM

    Hi Kim and Scott! Quick question, I have super deep, very trimmed out window casements (or should I say hunky) and I am ordering inside mount roman shades. I’m wondering where I should hang them, depth-wise, should they be flush with the trim from the exterior (and therefore a couple inches from the window) or closer to the window itself? Thank you!!ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.14.19 - 8:55 AM

      Hi Haley! Gotta love that hunky trim! ;) I think this is personal preference, but OUR preference is to have them flush (or within an inch) from the front of the trim. In your case, that would mean they would be a few inches from the window.ReplyCancel

  • Kendra9.5.21 - 1:45 PM

    Can you tell me how long the Roman shades are valence plus the loops, top to bottom. I want to put similar Roman shades in our living room, but I want to do it outside mount and I want to completely clear the window, so I’m trying to figure out how many extra inches to add to the length to make sure we clear the window and the view is not obstructed.ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.5.21 - 3:23 PM

      Just provide them with your desired length and they will make the adjustments based on the style you choose!ReplyCancel

  • Tracie9.6.21 - 10:19 PM

    We are look at getting the same thing and upon looking for examples, came to your website! Love it! Do you think the thermal liner would stop glare on a TV?ReplyCancel

  • Cory3.22.23 - 7:53 PM

    Do your Colletti Blizzard roman shades have the optional edge banding? Thanks!ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.24.23 - 11:41 AM

      I believe any fabric shades have the option for banding. Double check with their customer service. Edge banding would look so lovely!ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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