Some of our favorite rooms are the ones our customers style themselves. When Jenn of Simple & Calm Co. dressed their bright, subway-tiled kitchen with a custom Alfred custom-made stripe Roman shade from Curtarra, and shared it in an Instagram story, we had to feature it. Here is a closer look at the window, why a Roman shade was the right choice, and how to get the same calm, tailored feel at your own sink.
A bright kitchen that needed a soft finishing touch
The space says it all: white shaker cabinets, a glossy subway-tile backsplash, a quartz counter, and a window over the sink looking out to the backyard. It is clean and full of light, exactly the "simple and calm" look the name promises. A window like this is tricky, though. It sits right above the counter and faucet, so full-length curtains are not practical, and bare glass leaves the room without that last layer of warmth and privacy.
Why a striped Roman shade was the right call
A Roman shade solved all of it at once. It mounts neatly inside or above the window, folds up out of the way when you want the view, and lowers for privacy or to soften the afternoon sun, all without a single inch of fabric touching the wet counter. The soft ticking stripe adds just enough pattern to feel intentional against the plain tile, while the warm neutral color keeps the room feeling airy rather than busy.
The fabric is Curtarra's Alfred ticking stripe, a substantial linen-blend weave that is naturally kid- and pet-friendly, so it holds up to real kitchen life. Best of all, it fits. Because the shade was made to measure, it lands cleanly within the window trim with no gaps and no bunching, the detail that separates a custom treatment from an off-the-shelf one on an odd-sized kitchen window.
"We are very happy with the product"
That was Jenn's takeaway when they reached out, and it is the kind of note that makes our week. We love seeing Curtarra pieces in real homes, styled by the people who live in them, far more than in any staged catalog shot.
If you share photos of your Curtarra windows, our team is always happy to credit your account with reward points, and, with your okay, to feature your space like this one. Real rooms are the best inspiration we can offer other shoppers.
Get the look: a custom Roman shade for your kitchen
Thinking about a Roman shade for a window over your own sink or counter? A few things to know first:
- Cordless and no-drill options keep the look clean and are safer around kids and pets. See our complete guide to cordless Roman shades and the no-drill Roman shades guide.
- The lining sets the mood, light-filtering for a soft glow over the sink, or blackout for more privacy. Here is how to choose the right Roman shade lining.
- A soft stripe or check reads farmhouse-fresh in a white kitchen, while a solid neutral keeps things minimal.
Thank you to Jenn and Simple & Calm Co. for sharing such a beautiful space. If a made-to-measure shade is what your kitchen is missing, we would love to help you get the fit just right, with free swatches to test the fabric first.
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