Thank you loves for the sweet emails and comments about my son’s room!!! I showed you most of the projects before the reveal, but some of you wanted more details on the other stuff in the room, so I thought I’d post on them.
First up are the drapes:
I’m not much of a drape person, but I do think they add a lot to some rooms. And this particular window is big and interesting, so I wanted to draw more attention to it. And since it’s a boy’s room, they needed to be sturdy, un-fussy and masculine. Also, have you priced 108″ long drapes?!? Pass.
Well, here’s the secret weapon:
That’s right, drop cloths! You can buy them at any hardware store, even Wal-Mart. Mine are from Home Depot. Here are the kickers that make them utterly amazing:
1) They come FULLY HEMMED ON ALL SIDES!!! (this girl don’t sew!)
2) Each panel is a solid piece of fabric, no seams down the middle.
3) The material is a cotton/poly blend, so completely machine washable.
4) They come in ridiculously long lengths, perfect for windows (unlike a 72″ shower curtain)
5) The two-pack is….wait for it…..TEN BUCKS!!! That’s 12 yards of fabric folks!
When you first take them out of the package they are crispy crunchy and will make you nervous. Just wash them with detergent and a good dose of fabric softener. I dried mine with no problems too and they came out like the yummiest, softest linen.
And since I can’t leave well enough alone, I used iron-on hem tape to apply two strips of grosgrain ribbon down the the two sides that meet in the middle. It seriously took 30 minutes.
These panels are 6′ x 9′, but I know they have them in other lengths too. And if these are too long, just whip out the hem tape and shorten them. I kept mine long because I’m lazy to make the window appear even larger and the ceilings taller. Then you simply get curtain rings with clips and clamp them along the top of the curtain panel and slide the rings on a curtain rod (I bought mine for $12 at Home Goods).
Here’s his window before:
And again, after with my yummy, cheapo, full of texture drapes:
Do you have any projects made from unexpected items?
I love how you added those stripes – the perfect finishing touch.
pure genius!!
I love the ribbon stripes. The curtains look really good!
Oh my Gosh! You are an answer to my prayers! I have these Ginormous windows and I will not spend $300 on drapes for my bedroom! I am SO going to do this. I will post a link to your idea on my blog once I get them done.
http://www.nuestrasaventurasentexas.com
I love drop cloth curtians! They look so good, especially with the grosgrain ribbon. GORGEOUS and masculine!
i bet you could dye them and girly them up with color and ribbon as well! super great idea!
The stripes look great!
Hmmmm. I think you just solved an issue I have with a future client's house that I am looking to redo on a STRICT budget. Honestly, if this budget was ramen, I would need to do without the flavor packet — that is how tight this budget is. So I think I am off to Walmart to do some DIY curtains! Thanks hot momma….
Hmmmm. I think you just solved an issue I have with a future client's house that I am looking to redo on a STRICT budget. Honestly, if this budget was ramen, I would need to do without the flavor packet — that is how tight this budget is. So I think I am off to Walmart to do some DIY curtains! Thanks hot momma….
this idea is PERFECT for me!! i have been wanting to put new curtains in our dining room at 108 length, but just dont have the budget for it right now. i am for sure going to use this, thanks for sharing!!!
very nice. I like the placement of the clock, too.
where do you get the clips for the cloth to make them slide on the pole?
Hi Sara…they are just drapery rings with clips…you can pick them up at any hardware store!