No-Sew Curtains

I've been slowly working on our kitchen/living room.  You might remember my mantle updates, and side table makeover.  I've also re-arranged the room a few times and switched around some rugs, but of course failed to blog about it.  But for the past month or more, my heart has been set on updating the curtains.

When we first moved in, I put up the white curtains we already owned.  They were cheap ones from Ikea, and long enough for our tall windows.  Plus, I was trying to make do, I didn't want to rush an buy something just to have something.  Well, the curtains were a bit too long.  The kiddos stepped on them, they dragged on the floor, and as expected, the bottom hem got disgusting.  So one day, in a fit of despair, I trimmed the bottom with scissors.  And that is how they have been for 3 months.  Additionally, the white curtains with light colored walls began to wear on me.  All the furniture is neutral colored, so the whole room felt blah.  My search for window coverings began.

I quickly found that purchasing drapes would be rather expensive, especially since my windows are tall.  Standard 84 inch curtains won't cut it.  So I decided to look for fabric.  I have heard and read about making no-sew curtains and that sounds like a cheap way to get exactly what I wanted.  Tracking down the fabric became the hard part.  I have since discovered that there are not many places to purchase fabric in my area, no Joanne's, Calico Corner, Hancock, nothing.  There is one designer fabric store that I found, but I'm not really interested in paying 25 dollars a yard and up.  I browsed Fabric.com and found a few options, but still was anxious about paying $13 a yard (I needed 6 panels).  So finally, I decided to check at Walmart.  Luckily, they had a small fabric section.  I discovered a cream and oatmeal ticking stripe in a heavy weight cotton.  Now I love stripes, maybe borderline obsessed with ticking stripe.  This was it, as long as there was enough yards.  It came down to the wire, I thought I might need 18 yards and this was just over 17, but I took it all.

So, to make the curtains, I gathered a few materials and followed some simple steps.  Here is what I used:

A tape measure, fabric scissors, fabric glue, and an iron.

1. First, I measured out the length I needed for each panel, plus 2 inches for hem.
2. Cut each panel.  I kept the tape measure out to the appropriate length on the floor and measured the fabric.  I aligned the end I needed to cut with a line on my hardwood floor so I kept a straight edge.
3. Fold over the hem and iron to crease a straight edge. Place glue along hem and push fabric together with fingers.
4. Let dry minimum of 30 minutes.
5. Repeat for each panel.

Now to hang, I used drapery rings with clips.

It turned out much better than I expected.  I love the look it adds to the windows.  Since we have blinds, and the windows all face the backyard, I don't plan on closing the curtains.  As a result, I am able to get away with less width for my panels.

Here is a close up of the ticking stripe:

I love how it turned out, and it was so much less expensive than buying curtains!  I'm ready to tackle another room!

Any of you buy fabric online?  Where is your go-to for curtains?  I'd love to hear from you!

Mantle Updates

Lately, I've been working on styling my mantle.  Its had a few different looks over the last five months.  I can't seem to get it right.  I have a vision in my head, but lack the funds and/or creativity to achieve it.  Nevertheless, I keep messing with it.  Here are a few of my attempts.

Ok, so I like this one, but it feels very cluttered.  I love the large painting, but everything else was small.  Lots of small things makes the mantle feel cluttered and so not the look I'm going for.  I want a beachy, casual vibe, not beachy junk.  I love the painting, I found it at HomeGoods for under 30 bucks.  Much better than the one on Etsy I was eying, and hubby approves of this one.  It has fluid lines like the water and I love the cool color tones.  It feels clean to me, but the clutter detracts.

So then I went extreme minimalist, at least for me.  I like the idea of tall candles on either side, but didn't want to spend the money on new ones.  I think two clear or recycled glass pillars would look awesome on either side.  The painting looks too small alone and needs something to balance it out. 

And this is where I am at today.  I'm trying for a collected look. Everything here means something to me; a group of my favorite design books, candleholders in mercury glass because I love bling, two small paintings I made, a fish gifted when we moved to the beach, the large painting to reflect the ocean, a fragrant candle, and a glass jar just because I love it.  I would like a picture of my family, but I want to have a current one taken first.

What do you have on your mantle?

Side Table Switch-up

I bought this table at Target after stalking it for a few months.  I think it was one of my first purchases for the new house.  He went on sale and I knew it was meant to be.  I've seen him on Pinterest recently, masquerading as a upside-down spray painted trash can.  But I know he really hails from Target.

He's lived in the my bedroom as a nightstand, but he was too short.  So I moved him to the living room.  Besides, he's too lovely to be hidden away.  I recently decided his curves needed definition.  The black metal is holding him back from his full potential.  So I did what any girl would do, I found a leftover can of spray paint.  We had a date in the backyard while the kiddos napped.

What do you think?  Totally worth the turquoise fingers, right?  I knew he had potential, but now I can't stop staring at him.  I'm in love.

Put a (slip)cover on it

I had a fabulous weekend and Mother's Day. Did you? We started off on Saturday by having an afternoon date. We ate at a new restaurant, window shopped at Market Common, browsed Target without screaming kiddos, had frappuccinos, and picked out some plants from Lowes.

On Sunday, we had a lazy day.  I got to sleep-in during a rainstorm.  I absolutely love sleeping while its raining.  Then, we did a few house projects, cleaning the garage, breaking down boxes,  unpacking books onto some bookshelves.  Nothing huge, but sometimes its the little things that make a big mental impact.

And here is another highlight:

We purchased this chair and slipcover from World Market. (love those 10% off coupons)

We decided to move my red West Elm chair to our bedroom.

The kiddos aren't very friendly to it, and since its spot clean only and already has its share of discolorations, we decided to protect it from future harm for a while. Plus, it is nice to have a place to sit in the bedroom while dressing.  Now, I realize its replacement looks even more risky since it is ivory, but it is a slipcover!  I can remove and wash it at will!  Or even replace the slipcover if needed.  Plus, I have a dream of owning a light colored slipcovered couch and this serves as a test run.

Next on the list, an ottoman for the living room....just gotta get hubby on board with that one.

How did you spend your weekend?

Deck the Halls (or Living Room)

I have most of my Christmas decor up, but having my house clean at the same time to take pictures isn't really happening.  Just so you know, I spot cleaned.  Have you ever done that?   Just cleaned what you knew your visitor would see?  I transferred the junk to the kitchen and my bedroom.  I didn't think you'd want to see my hot mess.

Anyway, here's the living area:

I still don't have art about the couch, so I decided it would be the perfect place for the stockings....and a wreath.  My stocking was made by my grandmother when I was a girl.  I purchased the others from Lands End to keep with the needlepoint theme.  The wreath I purchased from Target a few years ago.  They are all hung on Command hooks.  I love Command hooks.  We've had these for 3 plus years now.

The tray and reindeer are also from Target.  I might keep the tray out past Christmas.  I like it.

And of course the bookshelves.  The Moravian stars and half of the mercury glass candleholders are from Target.  Noticing a theme here?  The other half are from West Elm.  Others are gifts.

Of course there is the tree.  But I've already talked about it in my Christmas tree post.

Next, we have the dining area:

My coffee bar received a make over with a silver tray, red runner, and glitter snowflake trees.  All from Target.  No, I don't own stock, but I should.

Hubby got this rosemary tree from Lowes.  I think he's adorable (both the tree and my hubby)  The snowman ornament Princess found and hung on the tree.  The red beaded charger is from Target.

So that's about as far as I got.  Only 13 more days until I have to take it all down.

Project Living Room

Here is another update on our living room.  It is still a work in progress, but I like how it is shaping up. (see before pictures here.)

View from the front door.  Yes, we moved the shelves.  They are now more centered on the wall.  

Here is a closer view of the shelves.  I love just about every item on them!

View toward the kitchen.  We use the smaller shelf as a kiddo toy station.  The baskets under the TV are now on the shelves.  The large basket on the shelf as been re-purposed in another room.  The top of the small shelf has our cell-phone charging station and ipod music center.

View back toward front of house.  Hubby's prize leather reclining chair.  It was a steal of a deal at the Pottery Barn Outlet.

Another view toward the front door.  The square basket holds blankets and a few throw pillows.  The smaller round one has shoes.

My accent chair I ordered from West Elm has still not come.  The fabric was on back order.  It shipped the end of September.  And because it was a special order item, it cannot be returned or cancelled.  Seriously, its been almost four months.  Original estimate was 8 to 10 weeks.  ugh.

Here is an updated to do list:

• purchase accent chair
• purchase throw pillows for appropriate season fabric and color
• hem curtains
• add more curtains for fullness?
• put up more pictures/artwork
• disguise ugly cable outlet somehow
• accessorize shelves
• replace computer chair
• add functional end table and lamp?  (have temporary ones in place)

I really want to add some artwork.  We are also thinking about a coffee table, but are afraid it might take up too much room/be a kid hazard/make the place feel squished.  I'll try to post again once the accent chair comes.  Maybe by then I will have some art, too!

Living Room Update

We've been working hard on making the living room, well, livable.  All cardboard boxes have finally been banished.  Accent chair ordered, one floor lamp purchased, and even a picture on the wall.  Wanna see it?

 

Ok, so that cardboard box is technically in the dining room.  I promise.

 

Plastic box doesn't count.  Neither does the pink sippy cup.

So far, I'm pretty happy with it.  I think it looks good for one month post-moving day.  I love the natural light that comes in during the day, I love the chocolate floors, the high ceiling, and my bookshelves.  The room normally doesn't look like this.  Usually, it has toy-puke all over and pillows on the floor.

Now for the to do list:

• purchase accent chair
• purchase throw pillows for appropriate season fabric and color
• hem curtains (waiting for momma to bring her iron)
• add more curtains for fullness?
• put up more pictures/artwork
• disguise ugly cable outlet somehow
• accessorize shelves
• replace computer chair
• add functional end table and lamp?

Wow, that seems list is getting rather long.  I think I'll stop for now.  Any ideas for disguising the cable outlet?  It's puzzling me.