Old Fashioned Roller Shades
Roller shades were commonly used in Arts & Crafts period interiors. They were (and are!) an inexpensive way to provide privacy and shade. The shades would have been kept down when the room was not in use to protect wood and textiles from the sun and to keep the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
This energy saving aspect of window treatments is often forgotten, but if you like the look of uncluttered windows and still need some shade from time to time, discrete inside mount roller shades are an excellent suggestion. If you have very strong sunlight coming through an unshaded west or south facing window, shades can protect curtains, provide additional shade for sleeping and add to window insulation. Altogether, an attractive and practical product in the spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement!
Most shade are mounted within the window frame like this ecru cotton shade with a blue tree stencil. This is a back roll shade that would provide a close seal to the window.
This linen cotton shade shows a scalloped edge and the Iris stencil border. This shade is front roll for a finished look.
Here's a closer picture of a scalloped edge with fringe to match. the shade is antique gold classic cotton with a Rose Medallion stencil.
How to order roller shades:
At any point in the process, feel free to call us. We’re here to help and we love hearing about your home.
1) measure the length and width of your window to within an eighth inch. Find some tips on measuring here.
2) Choose your material. We suggest ordering our fabric sample packet if you want a valance or curtains with your shades, or email us to order roller shade samples alone at no charge. Note that for roller shades only, material is included in the total cost.
Shade fabrics
We've added several new cotton and linen fabrics specially made for roller shades. We encourage you to email us with a request for our roller shade sample card (no charge for just this card). We stencil on all these materials except the vary dark forest green classic cotton. Link here to see all our shade fabrics.
3) Decide if you want a front or back roll for your shades. Traditionally, shades have a back roll to make a bit of space between the shade and any curtains. If you are using shades alone, you will probably want a front roll. If you will be adding curtains or a valance, choose a back roll.
5) Optional but the most fun: Choose a stencil. Browse the design page (navigation bar above) and look at the details of the designs as well as various ways they can be used. Look at the design color card (navigation bar below) and put together any scheme that works for your interior.
6) Traditional crochet pulls are included but you might want something special. Link here for some special pulls. Consider a shaped bottom edge for a vintage look for your roller shade , finished with a row of narrow fringe or gimp.
a) at top, Scallop roller shade edge, b) in the middle, Zig zag roller shade edge, c) at the bottom, Traditional (scaled to shade width)
7) Look at the price list to figure out your cost or just contact us and have us figure it for you. In fact call us any time in your design process and we'll help you out. We'll talk you through it and send you an estimate. Confirm your order with a 50% deposit and you'll have shades in about four to six weeks
A stenciled shade with coordinated guest towels.
Here is a front roll shade with the Water Lily border & a traditional crochet pull, outside mounted on a door.
The Coffee Flower stencil on homespun linen. It is unusual to stencil this much of a shade unless it will be down most of the time. Actually full stencils were often seen in the 19th century when shades were only closed to completely shade the room and otherwise fully opened.
The large Willow Border making a strong statement of a smaller shade.
A rare vintage Arts & Crafts interior with roller shades and no curtains.