Living Room Drapes: DONE (PVC pipe rod!)

OK, I am on a roll-- hubs been helping me get this done for my Pampered Chef party--nothing like a party to motivate to finish those pesky projects! 

Well I have a 113" long window in my living room which is a bear to figure out-- its too big for one blind, and previously (for about 1 year) had horrific vertical blinds (see before pic, below) as the ugly but functional (kept out heat, light, cold) window treatments. Initially, I was going to do the same thing I did with my living room (see post here)...have a lovely bamboo shade them some panels on either side.The blind I bought (the largest they had at 93") was too small, but I was still going to use it, except that I didn't figure what it would look like from the FRONT of the house (like crap). Couldn't do it because its the ONLY window that shows form the front of the house, and it would have looked horrible....

So, plan B went into action. I bought a 3/4" PVC pipe for 1.23. (YES you read it right, A DOLLAR TWENTY THREE!!!) for a 10 foot pole. (Get the thickest walled on you can get-makes it not as bendy)

Hubs invented this genius spray painting set-up (he strung twin through the hole using a pencil on one end and dropping it through ..ain't he something!) and hung it from 2 trees in the backyard.

Then I spray painted it 2 coats of Valspar Metal spray paint in  Brushed Nickel. One coat of clear coat when that's dry. I let it dry overnight, then clear-coated it.

Then I hit a snag: I could not find a bracket I liked, or that would work, for the PCV... I was lazy. I couldn't remember where I saw just the brackets...was it Tuesday Morning? Big Lots? I was running out of time, so I snagged these hooks at Ikea:

Luckily, they were the exact right size for the PVC...

Had these rings I bought a bazillion years ago at Tuesday morning for cheap (2.99 for pack of 7).. I knew I'd use them someday!

My drapery panels were, again my favorite cheap-with-upscale-look at Walmart... on clearance for 9.00 a panel. They look like ivory silk shantung... I love them....and they are lined. I kinda wish they were longer, but with the window seat there, I think it works.

Sooooo, 4.99 each for the pack of 2 hooks

9.00 times 5 for the panels

1.23 (woo hoo) for the "rod"

2.99 times 3 for the rings

soo, like under 60 bucks?

The only thing I wish I'd done was to bring the bracket-thing forward a bit--maybe with a small block of wood? because the curtain on the ring is not sliding freely--not enough space from wall to pole...but that can be fixed later.

Once again, 'cause I can't help myself....

here's the Before:

and the After:

Open (sorry for the horrid quality pic)

closed

Make it a Great Day!

Ann

Dining Room Window Treatments: DONE!

It took ALL DAY, but we are done! They turned out pretty much how I envisioned (see my post about my window treatment inspirations here)  It took forever to get these ideas into action, but I am so glad I did it!

Here's the before:

Here's the AFTER:

Ready for a close up:

My sources for materials were: Ikea, curtain rods, Overstock for the Bali Rattan Blinds, and WalMart for the Better Homes & Gardens drapery panels.
I spent 66.00 (about) each for the rattan blinds (they were sooo large mind you--for a small window much cheaper) and 9.00 per panel (on clearance ) for the panels. I bought 4, so I could lengthen them to 94" (from 84") The curtain rods were 9.99 each (steal! they came with fleur di lis filials, but I left those off)

Inspiration:

from Cote de Texas

Things I learned:

1. Curtain panels typically some in 55" and 84" length--check your packages carefully before you trot out of the store (I thought I had all 84" L panels, but one was 55"L!! Major bummer)

2. Stitch Witchery beats hemming a curtain panel every time...and.....

3. Satin/Taffeta is a major pain in the arse to sew straight, ok?

4. Gets hubs to help you put up the blinds...they are heavy and it'll take the two of you to hold them up while you attach them

5. Ikea has good , cheap curtain rods in lengths up to 134" in width!

6. Yes you CAN make a curtain rod our of PVC pipe, but it will sag if its longer than, like 3-4 ft ...so you will need a center bracket, ok?

Make it a Great Day!
Ann

I'm so excited!

Thanks to Thrifty Decor Chick--her post here-- I have been dreaming of bamboo blinds with silky curtain panels for my DR and LR...

both photos from ThriftyDecorChick

 

 

Well I finally ordered them from Overstock! They had 75" width too!!! So I ordered them up--I just hope the color is ok... originally I fell in love with this one, called Rustique:

But I feared it was too yellow (I have a fear of yellow)

So, I went with these, called Dali: (GASP--I hope they're not too dark--my rooms are so dark..but they will be up most of the time so I should be ok)

They will hang about 2" from the ceiling, to visually heighten my ceiling ... and the rod even with it... so you will see the blinds, then the panels beside. I was also inspired by  Joni Webb at Cote de Texas and her exhaustive research in this invaluable post on do's and don'ts of window treatments here... ahh I just love the look of the windows!!Here are some gems from Joni's post, enjoy! Pure inspiration:

Can't wait to get them..and yes I used my 7% off coupon--plus can not beat their 2.95 total shipping Love the "O"!!!

Make it a Great Day!

Ann