Remember when Scarlet took down her curtains to make a dress? I’m a fashion lover too, but I guarantee curtains make all the difference in a room.
After agonizing over what I should do with the windows in our large open area, I finally made a decision. Well, the answer sort of presented itself in this “hit you over the head” kind of way. I debated over patterned curtains or plain curtains. I even did a post about it asking for your opinion here. I ended up going with what was the most popular choice from that post, a mix.
I knew I wanted to have curtains that were high and wide. I know the following picture has been posted a million times on other blogs, but I think it warrants repeating. I pulled this from pinterest.
I thought I was going to make my own curtains, but low and behold one day I walked into TJ Maxx and spotted these curtain panels with tab backs for $29.99 a pair. They were the 96″ tall curtains. What a score! I practically ran to the register with two sets of them. I then walked next door to Ross because sometimes they have curtain rods. I scored the two curtain rods for $10.99 a piece. That’s right, do the math, I outfitted both windows in our large open area for $81.96 plus tax. Let’s take a moment to admire them.
Here’s and up close of the fabric. Plain, yet still patterned. Love!
I do still have a few issues in this room however. First, the windows do not have any molding, sadly. I thought about trimming them out, but realized I want to create the illusion they are much taller and the molding would end up being covered up anyway. To create this illusion, I am on the hunt for the perfect bamboo roman shades. I am going to mount them outside the window as high on the wall as I can. Then they are going to hang down just past the top of the window so the top of the window doesn’t show at all. Like this.
This will create the illusion that the windows are really tall and draw the eye up toward the ceiling. My next problem is the patio door. I debated adding a set of curtains here also, trimming them out in the same way as the windows. However, I don’t really feel like fighting with a curtain every time I go in and out the patio door as it blows in the wind. Not my idea of fun. So, I am stuck with this problem.
This just looks “off”. To solve this problem, I am going to trim this patio door out with crown molding. By doing this, it will let the eye move around the room at the same height giving the “feeling” that all of the windows and doors in this room are huge.
Slowly but surely this room is starting to come together. I feel like I have a direction I am going. The vision for it is finally in my head. This was a tough room for me. For less than $100 I was able to create the illusion of bigger windows. I’m telling you, curtains make all the difference.
Nancy
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Great advice! Making decision at my house too. The house is old and has carved and fluted moulding that I can’t bear (or is it bare?) to cover. Considering hanging the blinds inside the window trim. Still debating the curtain thing and also looking for that perfect bamboo blind/shade. Let us know when you find it!
Thanks Ronnie. I know it is hard to cover beautiful molding. You can do something fantastic with blinds. Maybe I’ll do a textile Tuesday about roll up shades that are all trimmed out in beautiful fabric and trims. That would be fun.
Love the new curtains…they look amazing!
Thanks Christine! It was such a find. How could I pass them up? No way.
Curtains do make all the difference. Poor Scarlet was desperate or hers may still be hanging.
I think that you have hit upon a great solution to your problem. Trimming out the sliding glass door will add style and coordinate well in visual weight with the other windows. Three widows with draperies and shades so close together may have been too much.
Can’t wait to see the finish.
I am so happy you concur Connie. It’s affirmation that I am on the right track. My dear husband just shrugs his shoulders and says “sounds good”. He’s really a great guy but decorating is not his thing. I agree that it would have been too much to have all three covered. Thanks for looking!