Liking The Look

After getting a kick out of myself for making curtains for the breakfast area I decided to have a go at the main room and the foyer.  This project was more than twice as big which resulted in the worst part of doing this... having to go to four (!!!) Walmarts in one day to get the seven sheets I needed for the project.  I learned a couple of things making the first curtains so the making of these went a little easier and they turned out a bit better although you'll never see the differences.  Again, a lot of fun and I didn't even injure myself!

The 'before' shot looking out onto the deck.

 

And the 'after' shot, closed and open.

 

The 'before' looking out the front of the house.  A little hard to see but the temporary, paper shades held up for a month short of five years and did what they were put up for... blocking the direct afternoon glaring sun.  I'm glad I put them up because they gave me time to think how to cover the windows.  I cannot relate how many ideas I went through for putting blinds/curtains/shades up and never liked any idea for one reason or another until just recently.  I'm very glad I waited.

 

And the 'after' shot, closed and open.

 

Curtain Practice

My daughter-in-law, Samantha, has let me know that she'd appreciate me putting some curtains together for her to hang in their eating area.  No problem and I'm sure she'll get around to picking a fabric some day after tending to the other 984 things on her to-do list.  In the meantime, I figured I could do with some practice.  I've made curtains before but the last I did were for the van, were quite short, and that was about 16 months ago.  I've wanted something on the windows in my house since I moved in but the windows themselves make it a bit tough and I've thought through many, many ways to do it without liking a single idea I had.  Well, I figured a way that I might like to do it so I went ahead and did it.

The kitchen eating area, or whatever it's called, in my house.  Pretty much all glass, including the door, but it is always just so nice to see outside.  Kind of bleak now as it's winter and it was raining when I took these 'before' shots. 

 

Of course fabric was needed.  I wanted something green because I like green and it would match the chair cushions on the chairs around the table.  I also wanted some kind of print... not solid.  Well wouldn't you know it?  Just what I wanted... a green floral pattern on an off-white background!  Not wanting to skimp I paid full price for these flat twin-sized sheets... $4.97 at Walmart.  And the finished results...

 

The 'closed' look, providing some privacy when all the leaves are off the trees in back but still letting light come through the top panes.  Took this shot as it was getting dark outside.

 

And the 'open' look which I must admit, I really like.  Putting the tie-backs up a bit higher than is normal opens just about the whole window letting in the light that I like and allowing me pretty much the same open view I had before.  All in all... I'm happy.  Now I guess I'm going to move on to do the foyer and 'big' room.  A man's work is just never done :)