If you’re up to speed on my living room, you know that I have been pondering taking down the curtains in the living and dining room. Yesterday, after this photo shoot, I took them down…
The sunlight poured in and it was so bright and wonderful. I was convinced that I would go drape-free.
I continued removing the curtains from the dining room. In case you can’t figure out how my house is situated, which is hard online, these rooms are basically one long room with an archway dividing them. So, what I do in one, I really need to do in the other or it looks funny. (We were shipping out of our dining room, so it’s a little untidy at the moment.)
Again, the light poured in and the dust was flying. It seemed exciting and like it would be the perfect change. But, I’m sure you all heard a but coming, it felt a little stark. I did the usual thing I do when I’m feeling a little stumped by a room…I sat and stared and thought about my options.
Without curtains, it felt like these rooms should have more architectural detail…crown molding, chunkier casings and baseboards, maybe chair or 3/4 height wainscoting. If I put curtains back up, I want to make new ones, so they hang better and the color of the fabric is a little softer. Decisions, decisions.
I went about my day, working on things, and I kept wandering into the rooms to look and think. As I was doing this, I noticed the sound in the dining room echoed. I also noticed that the living room looked really imbalanced without the curtains opposite of the primitive blue hutch. I love the idea of no curtains, but not for these rooms in this house.
So, I started pondering fabric options again. And, as I’m pondering and trolling online, I remember a bolt of blue & white fabric I have in my stash. I had ordered it for my family room, but ended up getting cream linen drapes. I hauled it from the closet, unrolled it, tucked it into the curtain rods.
I think it’s perfect.
I had to laugh, because the solution has been sitting in a closet for at least a year as I’ve been debating with myself and angsting over it.
I want to change the wall color to a cooler white, so I pulled out the paint decks. It always seems silly giving so much thought to whites, but the undertone of an entire room can really make a difference. I’m leaning towards Pearly White by Sherwin Williams, which has gray undertones, but I still need to paint a test swatch to make sure.
I ordered lining fabric and rings and am gearing myself up to sew eight drapery panels. I think these new drapes will meet everything I’m looking for. The pleated style of the panels will keep the windows open and allow more light in, but will still add the warmth and color I loved about the old ones.
I still have a few more things to figure out…like what to do with the lighting in the living room, but for now, I’ll relish in the fact that the curtain debate has come to a happy ending.
Also, I wanted to share something else I’ve been up to. I’ve been writing guides and curating more collections over at eBay and the most recent one I worked on included pieces from the Martha Stewart American Made market on eBay. There is some really gorgeous stuff there, so it was pretty easy to find things I loved!
You can check out my picks in my American Made Goodness collection and buying handmade for the home guide.
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54 Responses
I knew whatever you chose would be a winner! I love the fabric. The next logical question is this…will you be selling the old curtains or saving them to repurpose somewhere else? 😉
Seems like the perfect compromise 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it looks in the end!
Love the fabric selected. I think I’ve seen it before. Is there a pattern name to it?
Thanks for sharing your decorating process; it’s so helpful to see others struggle with the same things and how decorating is not a precise science but rather trial and error and picking what makes you smile! Good choice!
I find shades to be the perfect compromise. They add a touch of color (if you so choose) but can be pulled up to admit all the light and can be virtually invisible. That being said, I think you are right that the room needs something on the windows. Here in the Deep South, we need them more for sun protection than anything–good insulation unless you have new, well insulated windows! Also, shades are a bear to sew.
It is a truly lovely room–warm, light, comfy and interesting. You are a VERY talented decorator.
Love the new fabric. Good luck on tackling the sewing project! Sherwin Williams Origami White also has a nice undertone. It is one of their new colors so it is not in the fan deck.
You mentioned living room lighting and from your picture I only see two small ceiling fixtures both hanging at the far end. I think task lighting is important and I want to be able to sit whether in my living room, bedroom or elsewhere and be able to read well or do handwork. Having antiques and more traditional furnishings like you, I wanted lighting that blended in but did not scream NEW. Over time I have acquired vintage bridge lamps which allow me to place them around the rooms near sofas and chairs and provide flexibility as I re-arrange my furniture. I have various styles of
glass shades on them and I am really happy with this solution. Marie W.
I want your old curtains. 🙂
Marian,
Check out Nuance by Sherwin Williams. It has a nice cool cast to it. 🙂
What a wonderful choice for fabric. I can’t wait to see the final product, I do feel that crown molding will only add to the overall look, it changed the feel of my whole room. I found molding at Suplus Warehouse for a fraction of the cost at Home Depot, Love your style Marion.
You have such intentionality in your choices…love that!
Now as for me, I should learn to ponder more & gather less!
Kari
Beautiful choice. When I was in Hawaii last year they had the most beautiful shade of white in the room. I called the hotel to ask what it was. Sure enough it was SW Pearly White!! A slight gray undertone. A great choice. I love your old curtains!! Would you consider selling them? I would give them a good home!!
Is it just me, or are the two curtains very similar?
No, it’s not just you. They are very similar, but this new fabric has softer blues and the contrasts aren’t as bold.
Going to look great! Sublte changes do make a difference. Glad she asked. i was wondering. It beought to mind the DorisDay David Niven movie “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”. They moved; she went to Macy’s for new fabric and bought what they already had! When you have a winning combination…why change it? Happy sewing!
I am glad you made the decision to keep curtains up. Although I like open wide windows, it didn’t work in this house. I love the fabric you had hidden away! It will look beautiful in the re-configured room! 🙂
Elaine, it’s not just you…I had to really look at the “before and after” to see the difference. I just changed out the chocolate brown drapes for light blue ones in my master bedroom makeover…HUGE adjustment but I love it. It’s hard to “step outside your comfort zone.” I am forcing myself to paint furniture and infuse REAL color in my decor…it’s hard!
I am glad you saw the light (pun intended) and went with the decision to put curtains back up. Without curtains to bring in some color and pattern, it gave the rooms a washed out, stark look. The new curtains will be gorgeous!
It;s a pretty room with or without curtains. Love the fabric. I think it will make gorgeous curtains.
What is the name of the fabric? I love it! Always looking for blue and white fabric and I love the vintage feel of the pattern.
Love the new drapery fabric! The room is going to look amazing!!
Great decision. I don’t think the no drape option works in your rooms. The new fabric and paint look very pretty. If you like more light, you can always just hang the drapes a little further out on either side so they just cover the moldings and don’t block the light. Then it’s a win-win…you get the light and the drapes.
Have you considered roman blinds on the two smaller windows in the living room? It would allow for a full view of the beautiful pattern of the fabric and perhaps the horizontal line would widen the appearance of the room. Long panels behind the sofa and in the dining room. You could add a beefy trim piece to the top of the window, cap it off with a bit of crown and mount your hardware on it. With your fabric hung from rings the trim would peek through and showcase the millwork. Just thinking…really love watching the wheels turn.
I am SOOOOOO glad you opted for the curtains! When I first stumbled upon your blog I liked it because of the splash of blue through out your home. I am so tired of so many home-décor bloggers doing some variation of all white. I am a lover of a warm, colorful palette but I love your blue and white theme! Also must tell you, I’m not much for change. I find it so stressful. I hadn’t changed things up (much) in my home in 7 years! However, you inspired me. I recently changed some furniture and completely restyled my prominent bookshelves. I’m loving my room again. Thanks for that!
Drapery does soften a room visually and accoustically…I shared before I have zero curtains ( I do have 2 inch blinds) but In my living/dining areas I do have cornices that are big and chunky..I have very tall ceiling and it helps..the cornices have a 10 inches shelf/ top so that provides another place to put my many collections….I do have a valance that is actually connected to the cornice and easily removed and changed out a couple times a years…my winter valance is a bit boxy velcroed to the inside of the cornice…deeper and darker small hounds tooth,,,My colors are similiar to yours but in the living room I pull in a yellow and dining room I pull in red in fall and winter… wondering how you are liking the leather couch by now….I am think of changing out mine..would you recommend it…I would get the darker brown…the saddle would fight with my yellows. Thank you for always sharing…MM
awwwwwwwwwww… so glad you decided to keep curtains up…. that’s how I voted!! lolol…:) the fabric is gorgeous!!!
YAY for the curtains!!! I was hoping you would keep some up. I love the color and warmth they add to your rooms! So glad you found a solution in your closet!
I like the new fabric but I think a bamboo blind would have worked, especially in your living room with the darker woods.
Love the new fabric and I think both spaces look much better and more put together with window treatments!! Excellent decision!!
Lol. This doesn’t seem like much of a change. The fabric on the bolt looks like your current curtain fabric. Come on Marian, live a little. How about some red!
One thing I did notice in the photo was how much better the chandeliers showed up without the drapes. Love the blue stash fabric!
Marian, could you share the pattern name for the fabric?
Excellent! I agree, it will look warm, bright, and soft.
May I suggest keeping the old curtains until you see the new ones installed? I’m wondering about the proposed grey undertone in contrast with your white chairs, etc. Your ideas always seem to turn out right. Good luck!
Love, love, love that fabric! I’ll bet it will be the perfect solution… can’t wait to see them!
I love the fabric too. You really have a gift for achieving the best look. I have been redecorating too and was going to paint with a light touch of silver blue, that I do love. I am rethinking about using a white now!
I have to push myself to get out of my comfort zone.
I love the new fabric. Your room has taken on a such a light and bright feel and I am loving it. I was looking at an older post (searching for the link to the hemp cloth you use), and noticed how dark your living room was back then. More dark furniture pieces. I love the lightness of your room with mostly painted pieces and just a hint of wood. I think the lighter blue is just another step in this direction for you. I know I am more drawn to light and bright then ever before. Love it!
First, let me say that I love your french country/cottage style. You have inspired me so much over the past three years with painting of furniture that I could not say thank you enough. When I saw you thinking of taking the curtains down I said to myself “she will not like the absence of them”.. You seem to like a lot of stuff in your living spaces and you make that work. In some places, it would seem cluttered and overwhelming, but your placement of things… like I said, works. I think you would miss your curtains or “something” in place of them. I will say that your new fabric looks exactly like your old. What is different, other than the hues?
I agree with your choice. As I was reading your post I was a little disappointed thinking you were gonna leave the drapes off. I too, thought it looked a little stark. Excellent choice!!!
I agree. It IS perfect. I think it warms up the place, and all you said.
SLAM DUNK, lady!
What is the paint color that you have on your walls now?
You know, the best of both worlds could be valances made by your pretty blue and then white lace curtains.- a little color but it doesn’t overwhelm the room.
Yay! All things work together for good, don’t they? 🙂 I don’t have any window treatment in my family room/breakfast room and love it. But I agree with you — your room needs those drapes, and your new fabric hiding in your closet is just perfect! Looking forward to seeing the end result!
Please forgive me but I can’t tell the difference.
arent you selling your house? Im not sure id go to all that work if I’m selling. PLus I liked them as it – but I know how sometimes you just need a change!
I agree, the rooms really do need drapes. I love both fabrics. What will you do with the “old” drapes?
I too love the room with curtains. I thought they both looked very much alike but I think the newer fabric has more lightness and movement to the print. I hope you do a “how to” tutorial about how to make your new curtains. I really followed your tutorial for slip covers.
Also the latest issue of Yankee Magazine mentions your milk paint.
Happy Sewing. I think you mentioned that your mother helped you last time around making
curtains so I hope she is going to give you a hand this time around. Mary
I love the fabric for the new drapes. I think white rods would be a nice change with the new drapes.
Isn’t it ‘funny’ how the new fabric is so perfect? I remember the old being ‘new’ and it was perfect then. I find that true in my home. I’m thankful that drapes are not as expensive as they were in circa 1980. Happy sewing!
I would love to see how the blue & white buffalo fabric your relative gave you would have looked in there.
Haha… Isn’t it funny what doing something like taking down curtains will stir up! It is so great that you had just the fabric you wanted all along too. I think they will look perfect. Seeing the room both ways, i did like them with the curtains better… but pretty both ways. I walk around my house and stare all the time. and if i move one single thing it starts a chain of events that will make people run screaming away from me… I just found this insanely cool tattered vintage pink sofa when we were on vacation. Had to drive home wedged in the front seat with it in the back… that was fun. Anyway, i LOVE it, but don’t have a single place to put it… So nothing in the world will be right until THAT gets figured out!!!
Cindy
Do you plan on listing your old drapes for sale on your online shop? I confess to having secretly coveted them for my master bedroom. What size are they?
I’ll take the old curtains! 8 is perefct for my living room/dining room. 🙂
Thanks for share link for ebay and tips.
Can you tell me the name of this fabric? It’s exactly what I need. Hoping you remember 🙂
Thanks!