I just spent the entire weekend packing and unloading a 26 foot moving truck… with copious amounts of help from my entire family (thanks y’all!). We are finally in our new house… if “in our new house” means surrounded by stacks of boxes! We are no where near unpacked yet! My mind is reeling with all of the ideas for projects, furniture arrangements and decorations… I am going to be very busy with this new house for a while!
The one thing I didn’t expect? How many WINDOWS our new house has! There are two in the master, two in the craft room (yes I’m getting a craft room!!! woot woot!!), one in the guest room, two in the office, two in the living room, and two in the kitchen. That’s a total of eleven windows… and I have a total of 3 solid curtain panels… and 3 sheers. Sheers are great for looks but not so hot for function.
So even if I use the sheers I have to spread my six curtain panels across 11 windows… or make new ones! So what’s a girl to do? Re-search curtains of course! Here’s the best ideas Pinterest had to offer 😉 .
No Sew Script Drop Cloth Tutorial
I have loved the drop cloth phase that is gong on… and working at Sherwin-Williams I have easy access to drop cloths! I think these would make an adorable addition to the living room where french script on canvas is already fairly prominent…. the blue filigree drapes from the living room could easily be moved to the bedroom where we need a set of two drapes!
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How to Stencil Drapes
That’s right… you can STENCIL drapes! I have been dying to stencil something ever since I saw a stenciled rug… but sadly I am a very bad stenciler (ps: stenciler is a word). I love the finished look of this pattern… but am afraid I would butcher it too badly and have to start all over again! They’re so pretty though!
How to Sew Lined Hidden Tab Curtains.
This is really what we need for the bedroom… I sleep very lightly so a cave of darkness is necessary at bedtime. If the living room curtains don’t work in the bedroom perhaps I can talk my loving, beautiful, kind mother into helping me tackle a pair of curtains for the bedroom! (Hi mom!)
Privacy Window using Contact Paper!
I absolutely love this idea! It’s so pretty! I know it wouldn’t work in the bedroom where darkness is a MUST but maybe in the craft room where a complete cave effect isn’t necessary? For the price of contact paper it would be worth a try!
Tablecloths for Curtains
Can you believe these lovely yellow and grey drapes are actually tableclothes?!? I guess the moral of the story is you can make anything into curtains if you try hard enough! Such a great way to get a lovely pattern at a great price! I recently found a pair of sheets at Dollar General in the same pattern as my new kitchen chair covers (yes, they’re FINALLY going to be made!)… so I bought the sheets knowing that I could use the fabric to make curtains! Since I now have two windows in my kitchen I think it was a great purchase!
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Trish says
THANK YOU so much for posting this! I have been looking for a drapery idea for my dining room, and want to try the no-sew drop cloth.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
That is such a great idea! I don’t know why I haven’t tried it before since it is right up my ally… good luck with your dining room!
Emily, Our house now a home says
These are beautiful! I love the idea of using a drop cloth and stencils for a curtain!
lisa says
So pretty! Shared
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks Lisa! You’re a peach!
Addie says
I love the contact paper idea! It creates privacy and still lets light in, with a pretty design! I’ve never thought of tablecloths, but fabric is fabric! lol =)
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
That window is so pretty! I love the pattern she picked but it makes me wonder what else you could make?!
Olivia @ Simply Liv says
This is so helpful! We just bought our first home and it has gorgeous, tall windows….that are very hard to find curtains for. I might just be stealing a few of these ideas. Thank you!
Olivia
(Simplylivblog.blogspot.com)
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Ohh tall windows are the best! Another idea I didn’t share (because I have short windows and apparentally don’t care about people with tall windows) is to take standard curtains and sew a strip of patterned fabric at the bottom or top to add height. Easy peazy and adds some interest with the solid and patterned affect! Have fun with your first home, so many projects!
Nicole Keener says
Oh my gosh, what amazing ideas! I need to put this in my stash of ideas, I really love that privacy Window. so cool
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks for stopping by Nicole! I’m glad you like it!
Leslie Sleigh says
I love the idea of hidden-tab curtains. I’ve already bought my material and other supplies for a different style, but I may switch now after seeing this post. Thanks!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I love the hidden tab curtains… I know alot of people like the ones with the little clips because they’re easier but to me the hidden tabs look so much cleaner! Can’t wait to see your curtains finished! I bet they’ll look great!
Amanda @ Old House to New Home says
So many good ideas! I would love to try the drop cloth ones!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I’m loving those too! Brainstorming French script patterns!
Ellen Russell says
I love these ideas! We’ve been living in our house a year, and I haven’t even put curtains up, haha (though we do have blinds) so I really should do some of these. But I’m so excited you are settling into your new home. And it’s amazing that you get a craft room- how exciting!!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I am so excited for the craft room!!! Finally a place I can spread out my mess and not have to clean up at the end of the day… Halfway through a project! Just close the door! P.S. You definitely need some curtains!
Jody @easypeasymom says
What great ideas! We are moving soon and there are a ton of windows in our new house. I’m definitely not feeling like spending big bucks on tons of new curtains so I am pinning this and saving! Oh, and just to add one, I saw on Pinterest that someone used Wal-Mart twin sheets to make curtains! Thanks for sharing!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I saw that one! It looked so cute! Good luck with the move!