Curtains. We need ’em for our bedroom. After all, we’ve got some good momentum going in this room and we can’t wait to get more color in there (excuse this pic taken before the mirror went white):
After debating things like a deep blue or a shimmery silver color, we agreed that we wanted to DIY some curtains (using this method) that brought out the golden green leaves on our new duvet. We also agreed that we didn’t want to do something too patterned because it would just compete with the large-scale print on the bed (and it is a bedroom so we want it to feel somewhat restful instead of energetic/cray-zay). So with a color in our heads (and a few similar paint swatches for reference in Sherry’s purse) we began the hunt for a plain or subtly patterned curtain option in that greeny-gold hue.
And boy was it a hunt (lots of hunting references today, apparently).
I’ll spare you a store-by-store play-by-play, but basically if it sold fabric and it was in Richmond, we went there. Probably twice. It was partially our fault for being naively hopeful the first day of hunting (yes, it was a multi-day mission). After bypassing lots of options for fear of not being “interesting enough,” – or not being “the perfect color” or “the right price” – we snagged one measly fabric sample as the last store closed that we hit up that evening (U-Fab for any locals wondering where it came from). That way at least we wouldn’t be coming home empty handed.
Verdict: it was too lime and not gold enough in person. Not that we wanted it to be a perfect match (we actually prefer a bit of subtle variation so it doesn’t look too Stepford Wives perfect), but this fella didn’t even feel like he belonged in the family. We also realized that even a small pattern was probably too much for our duvet to handle (as soon as we laid our scrap of fabric down on the bed we felt all jittery and scrambled- not exactly the calm smooth vibe we’re going for). Which was kinda sad, because you know we love a good geometric print. And we don’t mind mixing and matching prints and patterns when they can coexist a bit more easily.
So on Day Two we overcompensated and took home samples of everything that had even a remote chance of working. You never really know until you get things in your own space anyway (store lighting is so different than real house lighting).
From this bunch we pulled out our two strongest contenders. One was a heavy linen-looking swatch (left) and the other was a rich feeling suede-ish dude (right).
We were torn between the two… until we taped them on the wall. That was a game changer. We figured judging them on the wall and in the lighting they’d get everyday was the only true way to make a decision (since light bounces off things that are flat on a bed differently than things that are hanging vertically on the wall). And look what happened:
They totally turned brown on us! Boy was the whole wall-taping thing a good call. Suddenly both of them looked much darker and much less greeny gold than they did when they were basking directly under the overhead light on the bed. We quickly realized both would weigh the room down more than we wanted, which is how we found ourselves embarking on Day Three of the hunt – which would include going to a store that we mindlessly missed on Day One: Hancock Fabrics. Sometimes we skip the chains in favor of the fun local guys, but we’re glad we gave Hancock a chance. It’s where we found this happy little swatch:
I know, big whoop. But since we were on the verge of giving up completely, it was a huge whoop for us. He was close to the duvet cover, but a bit greener and cheerier – just a tad more avocado than golden. No pattern, just a subtle rib – but the semi heavy feel of the fabric (which my wife describes as “cotton duck-esque” for those who know what that means and don’t think it sounds like a cartoon character or a dish on Top Chef). Oh and we forget to mention the best news yet, since Hancock was having a 50% off sale (cha-ching) it was actually the cheapest swatch that we had seen in all three days of our little fabric hoarding expedition, ringing in at just $8.49/yard. So even though it took going to two Hancock Fabric locations to find enough yardage (12.5 yards total – which should cover both windows and a closet panel), we were thrilled to come home with it. And excited to regain feeling in our butts after all of that driving around. Seriously, three cheers to Clara for being such an amazing car-seat-lovin’ fool baby. Here are our spoils after that last fabric run:
Now we just have to get around to cutting, hemming, and hanging them (notice we grabbed rods and ring clips for about $40 total from Target – I think that was sometime on Day Two). From the looks of things so far, these curtains and our duvet are going to be fast friends.
And don’t mind those wrinkles in the duvet. It just means it’s well loved.
Psst- Check out our cute niece and nephews (at least their profiles) and see how we made John’s parents all misty eyed here on Babycenter.
Joelle says
Question…i read the curtain tutorial, but what’s a good rule of thumb for how much fabric for the curtains should lay on the floor. I have curtains to hem right now, and like the curtain fabric to be longer than the length from rod to floor, but how much longer so the look is not messy? I’m having a hard time measuring.
thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Joelle,
it really depends on the fabric you choose and how it drapes. We suggest creating the panels and then clipping them on the rod and holding the rod at different heights to see how the curtain looks when it’s hung higher (and doesn’t drape as much) and then looking at it lower (so there’s more pooling on the ground). Just eye it and go for what looks best!
xo,
s
LizB says
First, I love your blog! And it’s inspired me to make my own curtains for our bedroom. The only issue I have is that we have an OLD house with a big radiator right below our bedroom window. Can I still do floor length curtains and just have them fall over the radiator, or should I do shorter curtains that hit the windowsill/ledge?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve heard varying reports on that! Some people don’t do long curtains for fear of them getting too hot while other commenters say they’ve had long curtains on top of baseboard heaters or radiators for years with no issues! Feel free to weigh in with opinions everyone (just hit the reply button under LizB’s comment and your thoughts will all get grouped right under her questions).
xo,
s
Erica M says
Both this post and the post about you removing the ceiling fan in your living room made me think that you might like this as a solution to one of those rooms (see attached website link).
Found this cool ceiling fan on houzz.com, which if you haven’t discovered yet, might just become one of your new favorite sites.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, we love Houzz! Such a fun site. Cool fan too!
xo,
s
dulcie says
Although I see where you’re going in the Master, I would have LOVED to see you use your mad skills to take it up a notch…using textures and neutrals to lend sophistication and then add pops of color as accents. Just a thought.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dulcie,
That’s the plan! We’re definitely not just going to stop with the greeny-yellow curtains! We’re just getting started. We plan to layer in painted furniture and colorful art and other splashes of color and texture in accessories as we continue to build the room. One day at a time!
xo,
s
Jenny at Art, Wine & Design says
Those curtains will look beautiful! The color definitely adds a lot of depth to your new bedroom. I can’t wait to see the result and to try out your no sew curtain technique on a table skirt around a desk to hide all of the wires for the computer (I know this is a pet peeve of yours as well).
Sarah says
I just wanted to let you know (and I’ve shared this little bit of info with many other DIYers) that Lowe’s sells packages of 14 curtain ring clips for about five bucks. Target sells the same ring clips for $5, but they have only 7 in the package. Just a little FYI.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a great tip! Thanks so much for sharing!
xo,
s
Karen J says
You youngsters should realllllllly consider buying a cheapo sewing maching off of craigslist. It’s just another tool to use and either of you could use it quite easily. You would have it forever, be able to do lots more home projects and need to only buy a spool of thread to do them. And I could learn from your trials and tribulations!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to sew someday! I have memories of breaking mom’s machine every time I touched it (so frustrating!!!) but I just have to get over it!
xo,
s
Jana says
The room is looking so great! I love the color scheme. Incidentally, I came across this print on etsy this morning and thought of your room :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51910187/crocodile-scales
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE IT! So inspiring.
xo,
s
Kay says
Okay so now I am officially cool, lol. I bought that exact fabric from Hancock over a year ago and have curtains in my living room and attached kitchen dining room that are made of it. We went with the shades of brown and a bit of country blue because it was in the area rug we loved. We were hesitant about having the blue and then realized that a bench that I had bought at the antique store was that exact shade of blue. Despite buying it with the intentions of repainting it pronto, it worked as is perfectly. Thankful that I went with the wait and see method on painting the bench, or was it pure laziness? I’ll never tell…
Kay says
Wanted to add that the best sewing machines I have (3total) came from the thrift store for under $30. Try to choose one built into a cabinet/table and then plug it in and see if it runs. A quick trip to a sewing repair shop can do a tune up but I’ve yet to do that and I’ve been sewing on mine for 6yrs. Go for it, I learned to quilt on the internet and talk about the ultimate diy for decorating a room.
Kristen says
i noticed that you guys tend to go towards the earthy, leafy designs on a lot of fabrics….Clara’s curtains, your new bedding, the ‘epic fail’ shower curtain. very lovely choices, even the one that failed.
kelley@paperdollmn says
I love you guys for this post – I am struggling with kitchen/dining area curtains right now and really want to DIY but don’t know how to sew (and now is not a time to learn …). YHL to the rescue!
Nicole R says
Not sure if anyone suggested it yet, but you guys should totally use your new curtain fabric as Clara’s backdrop for this week’s photo!
Angie says
I LOVE your swatch hanging idea and the color you ended up with! So smart! I seriously considered changing my whole master color theme just to bathe in the glow from those gorgeous green drapes (because yes, they still have your duvet cover for sale). But here’s a question for you: Are you planning on hanging a set of curtain panels on either side of the window? We have a tiny farm house with one pane windows in each bedroom also. I never know whether to hang one panel or two.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- we’re fans of the two per window method for balance.
xo,
s
Martha says
Just found out about your blogging and I’m loving it. You’ve inspired me. Hope this isn’t previously asked, but where did you find your duvet cover? Love the print. Thanks so much. Martha
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from West Elm. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Janie says
Great post.