I just love a good roman shade. I spend about 40% of my time designing window treatments, thinking about them, talking people into them, fighting the ready-made drapery. I find that Roman Shades are underutilized & often misunderstood. Many times folks don't even know what I'm talking about when I talk Roman Shade, so this is for you. Roman shades solve a variety of issues. If you don't have room for panels to hang, if you don't want to have woven or wooden blinds, say you just want some interest in a small window. I've yet to find an interior that couldn't use a good roman shade. Keep in mind I said good. Roman shades need to be made to fit your window & they need to have black-out lining unless you're doing a tricky roman out of a sheer (then you have other issues with which to contend). If you don't use a black-out lining the sun will shine through your fabric making your fabric less visible. If I'm going to hang fabric then I want to see the fabric.
Roman shades should not be put in a box & limited to a particular style of decor. As shown above roman shades fit in the most traditional spaces to the most minimalist. It's just a simple clean way to cover your window. Inside or outside mount? Depends on your window. Operable or inoperable? I have used roman shades that don't actually work, hung on the outside to act as a valance. I like this look a lot if you prefer to keep you builder grade wooden blinds & don't have a need for a working window covering. I DO always prefer draperies & window treatments to work, it seems more authentic & real. But to each her/his own. I'll share Roman Shade terms with you another time, you know, in case you need to discuss what you want with a workroom. It's always best to be on the same page as your workroom.
I'm currently having some romans made for my house. I can't wait! I'll be sure to share when they're complete. I'll share my source then as well if they turn out awesome & I suspect they will. Do you have Roman Shades? How do use them?