We decided to add some curtains downstairs to soften things up. I knew we wanted a bright white plain curtain. But, of course, it was not easy, because I seem to make everything complicated by having to find the best and cheapest product. When we first moved in, we had Lowe's custom install plantation shutters that went half-way up the windows downstairs. They provided privacy, but still allowed a lot of light in. Because we had these, I didn't really think we needed curtains. But, my friend Ceri convinced me otherwise. It is the decorating in layers idea and curtains just add that finishing layer to bring a whole room together.
I started by pricing having curtains made. Cost prohibitive. $400 per window. Ughh. Then I had just gotten my sewing machine and I thought I could make them. However, the cost of fabric for 6 108 inch high and 65 inch wide panels was really expensive, as well. I wanted a linen type of fabric. Then my friend Debra Geiger, over at House on Holly, told me about how some IKEA curtains look really nice. I looked at the Riktig curtains seen here, which seemed to be the "higher" end of Ikea curtains. I liked that they had the 118 inch height and I liked that they had the linen stubby texture. They were $34.99 per panel set. I bought three sets. However, when you added in the curtain hooks and the curtain rings , my total was around $230 because of shipping, etc.
I started by pricing having curtains made. Cost prohibitive. $400 per window. Ughh. Then I had just gotten my sewing machine and I thought I could make them. However, the cost of fabric for 6 108 inch high and 65 inch wide panels was really expensive, as well. I wanted a linen type of fabric. Then my friend Debra Geiger, over at House on Holly, told me about how some IKEA curtains look really nice. I looked at the Riktig curtains seen here, which seemed to be the "higher" end of Ikea curtains. I liked that they had the 118 inch height and I liked that they had the linen stubby texture. They were $34.99 per panel set. I bought three sets. However, when you added in the curtain hooks and the curtain rings , my total was around $230 because of shipping, etc.
Then, to make the packaged curtains feel more custom, I decided to add bands of green ribbon. I had originally thought I would add grosgrain ribbon, but that felt too stark. I found some natural fiber ribbon that I thought would work perfectly and was the right color green. I attached the bands using fabritac. FYI, I used Aileenes and Fabritac and Fabritac worked so much better.
I had originally only wanted to add ribbon to the leading edge of each panel (the side of the panel closest to the opposite panel), but I put ribbon on all the panels without considering how they would all match up. I was down on my hands and knees gluing without any pre-planning, which is so a "me" mistake. Getting ahead of myself in the midst of all the excitement. So there were some panels that had ribbon on the leading edge and some that had them on the back edge.
I had originally only wanted to add ribbon to the leading edge of each panel (the side of the panel closest to the opposite panel), but I put ribbon on all the panels without considering how they would all match up. I was down on my hands and knees gluing without any pre-planning, which is so a "me" mistake. Getting ahead of myself in the midst of all the excitement. So there were some panels that had ribbon on the leading edge and some that had them on the back edge.
So now, the curtains in the front entry room have ribbon on just the leading edge, and the curtains in the TV room have ribbon on both sides of each panel. We are so happy with how these turned out.
I also ordered, 20 curtain hooks seen here per panel, which give them a pinch pleat look when hung. There is a place at the top of the Riktig curtain to place the hooks and it bunches them up into nice looking folds.
I then hung them with black Ikea Syrlig rings. I used 20 rings per panel seen here. This seems like a lot, but it really made the curtains feel custom and more luxurious. If you go the Ikea route, it is a good option.
I also ordered, 20 curtain hooks seen here per panel, which give them a pinch pleat look when hung. There is a place at the top of the Riktig curtain to place the hooks and it bunches them up into nice looking folds.
I then hung them with black Ikea Syrlig rings. I used 20 rings per panel seen here. This seems like a lot, but it really made the curtains feel custom and more luxurious. If you go the Ikea route, it is a good option.
Finally, on the height of the curtains. I wanted 108 inch height and the curtains I ordered were 118 inches. After washing them and ironing them though, they shrunk up to around 110 inches. So we hung the curtain rod a little higher and let the curtains puddle a little more on the bottom. Happy curtain hunting people. It is worth it in the end!
RSS Feed