Recycled polyester Roman shade in Eternal Sapphire

They’re rolling out friendlier fabrics for Roman shades, letting us cover our windows with panels woven of chemical-free substances that don’t give off toxic gases while we snooze. You get the same sophisticated coverage to block out the light and gain privacy when disrobing or sleeping – all the while avoiding those dreaded textile enzymes, harsh dyes and flame retardants. I can live with that!

Smith+Noble, one of the most popular window treatment catalog lines in the U.S., is leading the trend with a new line of eco-friendly selections, such as their Eternal line (recycled polyester) in earthbound shades of sand, spice, sunshine, leaf and mist, an organic cotton grouping of solids, plus a variety of pretty 100% hemps and bamboos.

“We introduced the fabrics last year with a focus on going green and there has been a great response ,” I was told by Janine, one of the agents at the catalog. “We have customers calling looking for that type of product. The natural lines are comparable to our other fabrics in quality and come in a range of colors and prices.”

I’m a huge fan of the Roman shades because they are the most tailored treatments, and can be layered with natural fabric curtains for more depth and insulation. Smith+Noble will come and measure your windows for a small fee which can be applied to your order. This is also helpful because measuring windows can be tricky, especially if you are unsure about which mount will work (inside or outside of the frame).

While this company produces the most upscale shade of pure fibers (made to fit and made well), you can find more relaxed, premade options at a few other sites, including Earth Runnings and Rawganique.