Soooo…the curtain saga continues. Â I’ve confessed that rugs are my nemesis, but now that I’ve switched to sisal and jute blends, I’ve made peace with rugs. Â It seems like curtains might be my new nemesis. Â I think the struggle I have with curtains is that it’s not a design choice that’s easily (or inexpensively) changed. Â In a room with one window…okay, it’s not that big of a deal. Â But my family room and living/dining room have four windows each, which means eight full length panels are needed. Â That’s at least 25 yards of fabric, plus the lining and a whole lot of time at the sewing machine.
I’ve known for a white that I wanted to replace the curtains in the living/dining room, but the reasons above prevented me from doing anything. Â I still love that fabric, but I’m ready for a change and I’ve learned a lot about making curtains since I made these.
I had this pretty fabric in my stash and I proclaimed with excitement just a few weeks ago that this was the fabric I was going to use for the new curtains.
That excitement dwindled as I have lived curtain-free for the last few weeks. Â I love the light, bright feel of the rooms without the bold pattern on the drapes.
I would probably leave the windows bare, but the rooms are a bit echoey and, since I removed the blinds, it would be nice to have some functioning drapes on the windows.
Hold that thought.
Last week, I made some new pillows for my family room and the addition of the color and pattern really looked great against the bright white wainscoting and the pale blue walls. Â The cream linen curtains in this room started to look a little indecisive…unintentional, maybe.
The wheels started turning.  What if I use this great, traditional floral fabric (Darjeeling in Blue Stone by Richloom from onlinefabricstore.net) for the curtains in the family room?  It ties in all of the blue & white with the brown of the leather sofa and wood floors, gold of the rug, and green of a few accent pieces.
I clipped up a piece of fabric at the windows and the room just sang. Â And, at $17.45/yard, this was a reasonable option for all of the windows I needed to cover.
I pulled a Belgian linen panel down from the family room and carried it in to the living/dining rooms. Â Jeff humored me and held it up at a few different locations. Â I thought they looked lovely. Â They add warmth to the space, but keep everything tranquil and light. Â And, wouldn’t you know it, the panels are all sized perfectly for the room.
As soon as I get the fabric, I’m going to start on the panels. Â They’ll get done eventually…one by one. Â I’m going to wait to move the linen drapes until we refinish the wood floors, hopefully in a couple of weeks. Â My plan is to use the same rods, but I will probably paint them, so they blend in a bit more. Â I need to look around for some more inspiration before I decide on that, though.
…and so it goes in decorating.  When I start to feel like I’m being flakey about making decisions and change my mind, I remember that it’s a process.  It’s about trying things, tweaking, changing and rearranging until it all falls into place.
Pretty fabric! Curtains are turning out to be my nemesis too. I’ve bought some cheap ones that just aren’t working well at all for our nursery. It seems like to get the job done, I’ll need to bite the bullet and spend some money. But it will be worth it in the end.
Absolutely loved the original draperies; however, so true that a girl has a right to change her mind! It will be a delight to view the final outcome!
This fabric would look perfect! It ties everything together. Can’t wait to see………
Maybe you could share with us some of the things that you mention you have learned about making curtains since you made the original ones. They look fab from where I’m sitting!
Encouraged by the drapes tutorial in your book, I’m about to embark on my own first curtain adventure.
Thanks, Sarah
There is a great tutorial on the blog Addicted2decorating.com also.
Love the new fabric for the family room! It is so pretty! As for the living room, have you considered bamboo roman shades? It might tie in nicely with the jute/sisal rugs. You could also put the bamboo roman shades behind the plain linen curtains. I’ve never been excited about the plain linen curtains in your space…they just look too plain. I did like your original curtains but I can understand wanting a change. If you used the plain linen curtains alone (meaning without the bamboo roman shades), I might suggest using a patterned border along the edges. It would give some newness to the curtains and add a punch of color to the plain drapes.
Dear MMS, I just love it when you share your decorating process with us. That’s a great fabric for your room. I sew my curtains too and can only say – take it one panel at a time. Thank you for your lovely blog and sharing your home with us. Hugs, Anne Boykin
Curtains can be tricky things! It annoys me to no end when I spend a lot of time and money to make them, and they don’t look like I want them to. I’m glad I’m not the only person who second guesses herself! It will look lovely! Happy sewing!
I love this option so much more. The new fabric looks fantastic with your sofa. Isn’t it funny how the right option just hits you? I love when that happens. It is going to look great! I can’t wait to see it.
I often use tablecloths. If I decide yo line the panels, I back with inexpensive sheeting fabric from Walmart or Hobby Lobby. If you want pre-made and need longer length, IKEA a has an ever changing assortment.
You could use the floral fabric as a band on the linen drapes. Make the band on the inside of each panel down the front. This would tie the room together and be a lot less work then making brand new curtains.
If you use the floral panels stitched onto plain curtains idea (above) then, tie blacks with the same printed fabric will add more pattern withou being overwhelming if too much sewing. Or heavy cords using these colours with large pastel faux crystals at her ends for a slightly luxurious feel.
Love the new drape idea.Your right the family room needs a jolt of color on the drapes.How about a longer rod and wider drapes?Just a thought,to make the window look bigger.
Love the new fabric. Country Curtains has some ready made panels in a fabric almost identical to this, but they are pricey.
What is the name of the fabric you were going to use?
While I like both fabrics, I do think the second ties in very well with your rug and sofa. While its nice to have all that light beaming in I think it would be a little stark looking and cold during the winter months without any type of window treatments up.
Sometimes when I buy something I love and have a place in my mind where and how I will use it, I find later that after I get it home it actually looks better in another room serving a different purpose. I am glad that I am in good company when it comes to tweaking, rearranging, and trying new things!
Geesh Marian,b every room you’ve done looks good to me, with or without the curtains, or even with the different fabrics. I love them all.
Now off to catch up on you!
Cindy
I think you made a great choice and I am so jealous that you can just buy fabric and make curtains! I wish I knew how to sew. 🙂
I’m with you girl. For other people I can make a snap decision…..do this, put this with that, etc. but for myself its another story. I have also decided on sisal rugs to keep things calm, simple and you can’t beat the price. On my windows. 3 large ones in the living room, I have the burlap, fringed bottom drapes from Ballards. I paired them with target bamboo shades. If you have the drapes dry-cleaned they look like expensive, (they are not expensive), linen drapes, They are lined and come in oyster and natural burlap. When I painted this summer I took everything down and left it that way until fall when I rehung black stackback rods and put shades and drapes back. I love the bare windows but it’s just too cold a look for the fall and winter. I understand how hard it is when you have a lot of windows. Pricey Pricey! Now I add change and color to my white sofa and chairs with pillow covers. So much easier to change out seasonally.
Perfect! I liked the tranquility of the linen got the living room also.
Hey, at least you will have to get fabric for only one room, which means budget will not be affected as hard as it would have been with having to make new curtains for both rooms. 🙂
I too love the original blue and white curtains. But I also like change, so i understand it is nice to have a bright, white, open feeling in the room. The new colorful fabric will be beautiful too. As always I love your vision and especially liked the Christmas blue spruce in the bucket on the awesome cart/wagon. Thanks for the inspiration!
I like draperies because I love fabric and I find the rooms look & feel cold in the winter; especially at night. It also helps insulate and save energy (money). The fabric is beautiful. Happy sewing.
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and generally enjoy your painting projects. I probably should skip your “redecorate my home” blogs. I’m amazed at all of the time that is spent deciding on and discussing rug changes, drape changes, moving furniture and rearranging decor. I try to keep my home comfortable, but as a working woman w children I just don’t understand the amount of time redoing a perfectly nice home.
LOL… Well, it is my business and my hobby, so I spend more time on it than the average person, I’m sure. I’ve always liked change in my home, though. Even when I was a kid…I would love it when my mom would let me rearrange! 🙂
Don’t you just love it when a room sings? It’s the best feeling. Looking forward to seeing the new curtains. 🙂
This would make a great tutorial video – says the girl who needs drapes at 20 windows. I’m fine with it – the front windows are covered, but my mother, who does not live with me, has issues with the “no curtain” option I’ve selected. So, it’s semi to please her, semi because I love projects.
I’m a novice sewer – bobbins where a challenge last year – but your tutorials have really helped and I would appreciate another one!
I agree with you about the new fabric for the family room and moving the linen curtains to the living room. Someone suggested trimming the linen–that would work really well, better than leaving them plain. I love curtainless windows and have them in my living room, but the room has more going on in it than yours does. It never looks cold, even in the winter, at night.
I just love the last photo, the colors in the fabric compliment the surroundings, but I don’t think curtains will ever be my nemesis because I don’t use them. I have used freestanding 6′ plus shutters at both ends of a large window but that is the extent of my window accessories!
B-I-N-G-O! It all makes decorating sense to me. I think you have come up with a great combination.
Love the new fabrics. I just love your site. Where can I find the slip covers for the wing back chair? Mi need one!
Two words, heritage lace, take a look at their web site. They offer light window dressings that let the light shine through.
Totally logical….I have a friends who never think of switching things out. I love shopping my house, trying something here and there and pretty soon the just the right look happens….have fun with the process…
Marian~
I adore that fabric~ it ties everything together so nicely!
Always you!!
Cynthia
Marian, I agree the white space looks lovely with no coverings, so I think moving the cream panels in there will be wonderful. I also love your choice for the new printed panels. Is that the same fabric on your pillows? Here’s a question. Why not try the blue and white panels from the living room in the family room for another layer of interest (at least in the meantime until you find the sewing time… ;-))? That’s a really beautiful room with such nice color mixing. The subtle blue and white windowpane from your center pillow would also be a nice choice, as would a blue and white ticking like the pillow on the left. I’m looking forward to seeing how you develop this room further! Btw, as I’m reading your post, I’m sitting here thinking, “this girl is really talented.” Really like your style… 🙂
No matter what you decide and how many times you change your mind, it always turns out beautiful. Your design aesthetic is so inviting and engaging. I can relate to your curtain dilemma though as I am going through the same thing. I donated all the dark and heavy curtain panels that I had acquired over the years and just started over with light and airy alternatives which I like so much better today. But tomorrow, who knows. LOL
Love the new fabric choice. I have a few different fabrics I have collected for curtains, I have yet to get one set done. Sad to say they are all for the same one window! A sliding glass door. I change what I think I want before I have gotten any made. Plus I am just a fabric freak! At least you get as far as making and even hanging yours. I am hoping when snow flies this winter I will get to sew. Summer time I am too busy outside.
Would you be interested in selling your original blue and white draperies. I love the fabric and need two panels for a bedroom window. Name your price
Gosh, Ladies, curtains have been an obsession with me my whole entire life! Nothing but the best, the prettiest. I always loved curtains from “www.countrycurtains.com I’ve been a customer of theirs for about 20 years. Now that we live in a beach cottage I just have sheer lace with nautical things. Shells for two windows, a large lace lighthouse one in my bedroom and the window between my living room and Florida room has stained glass mural on it. Lets in pretty light. Thank you for so much thought and inspiration – each and every day!
Every time I rearrange(d) I’d go into the dark living room at night and immediately fall over a piece of furniture that I’d moved. Carpet burns. Broken toe. Dented forehead. You see why re-arranged is in the past tense? If I move my furniture now, I’d have to vacuum up the cobwebs.
But my body is healed up. You can understand why I’d rather read about you DOING it…….
Loved the blue and white, but will probably love these too! A girl can change her mind as many times as she needs too! An off topic question if that’s OK…what color is the blue cabinet in the pics above. Is it one of your milk paints?
Have fun.
Would you please tell me the name and manufacturer of the fabric you decided not to use, which tied in with the post about painting the room SW Pearly White? I love it! Thanks!
I love your space soooo much better without drapery!! I love how Nordic and besutifully understated your room looks. Beautiful!!!
I love the new fabric you have decided on for now. The original blue and white is just what I have been looking for for my bedroom. Could you share with me the mfgr and print name?. Can’t wait to see the new curtains up.