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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

out with the old...in with the new...

A few months ago, I went down to my mom's to help her take down these dreary black velvet curtains (yes I said it, "black velvet"...but to my moms credit it was the style back in the day?!). That window had seen better days let me tell ya! 

She had repainted the walls from a dark orangey color, to a lighter (almost opalescent) white. So, her next item of business was to take down the furry drapes and add in something a bit more uplifting :-). I thought it would be fun to watch and learn (she really is such a great seamstress...)

tips: **painting a room a lighter color will always open up a space making it look more open. 
        **to add an illusion of higher ceilings and more space, try taking your curtains all the way up; it works wonders!

This is what the curtains looked like BEFORE:
My mom is super creative, she even hand painted this wall and added a frame collage with a lot of sentimental photos and other meaningful things. I thought it was such a cute touch!
She measured the length (from the ceiling to the ground, since that is how long she wanted them to be) and width of the window--and then added on about 20" more of fabric to the length so that it would "puddle" on the ground. She says the "pooling" gives it a more sophisticated look. :-)

She also bought "black out" fabric to line the back of the curtains so that the sun wouldn't shine through. Is this fabric not adorable!?!? 
 Here she's lining it up perfectly with the black out fabric. ***You only need the black out fabric for where you window is...it doesn't need to go all the way to the ground if that's how long your curtains are.
She then ironed each side...so that the fabric laid flat (it makes it easier to pin the hem, which was about 3/4" folded over twice) 
Finally, after a few long hours of me watching and my mom sewing haha, we put these babies up! Let me tell ya, it really did make a world of difference! 
It's amazing to me how changing curtains can completely transform an entire living space. I guess that goes for a lot of things when it comes to decorating...from paint colors, to pillow choices...it's the small details that make a massive difference!
So glad she got rid of those ugly black things...now I can openly admit it haha.
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33 comments:

  1. ok how cute!
    very unique pattern!
    i like the colors



    xoxo
    Melina ♥
    www.onlyaflightaway.blogspot.com

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  2. Oh wow! You and your mom are uber creative. I absolutely love the new curtains. Thank you for sharing. :)

    www.glamorsham.blogspot.com

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  3. OMG! I love you & your mom's creativity!!! The room looks fantastic! I love the style of it! And the lamp is adorable!!!

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  4. Those curtains are beautiful! Really cute!

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  5. So pretty! Love that fabric.

    http://mandycrandell.blogspot.com/

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  6. Okay, you've convinced me... I'm getting out the sewing machine. We're in desperate need of drapery.

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  7. I love frame collages, and I actually have that lovely mirror too! The curtain idea is fabulous, the pop of color is genius and adds the perfect cherry on top!!

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  8. I love the decor, and those curtains! Very pretty, and filled with personality!

    http://www.sealedwithakay.com

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  9. I really want your DIY skills. I have no clue how you did this, but it looks awesome.


    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  10. I love what your mom can do! I wish my mom knew how to sew, and she could teach me. Apparently grandma rubbed off on your mom and not mine!

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  11. the curtains look great! that fabric is so happy. I wish my mom passed that sewing gene that so many mothers out there have on to me.

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  12. Love the fabric. Do you have a link where it can be found?

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    Replies
    1. oh gosh, I wish I knew the name of it...but she found it at Joanne's Fabric store...I am sure they have it there still!! Maybe take one of these photos in of it and see if they can match it?!?! :-)

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  13. Love the freshen-up. Our master bedroom so needs major TLC right now but with the rest of the house just finally settling after a major reno...

    Soon.

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  14. That's beautiful! I mean it: fantastic

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  15. Love the fabric/new curtains and the wall. I'm a huge fan of black out liners. Ours doesn't come to the ground (but covers about 8 inches below the window) b/c of the weight.

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  16. I'm so impressed! It really changed the whole look of the room.

    xx

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  17. I love the curtains! Your mom is such a talent!

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  18. Lovely. Such a beautiful pop of color. And SO much better than black. Duh.

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  19. I'm dying over that opalescent wall color! Do you know the specific color name and brand? I have the most perfect space for it. Love!

    xo
    beth

    www.modernlovely.com

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    Replies
    1. The paint is made by Benjamin Moore and its an Iridescent glaze that you paint over any color you choose (which in this case was white). It gives it that great shine! Lots of layers and work but totally worth it!

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  20. love the changes you made! totally refreshes the whole room!


    love from San Francisco,
    Britt+Whit

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  21. Love the flower fabric. I'm super jealous of your mom's room, haha.

    -Lindsey

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  22. That room in adorable! I love the background on the picture wall and of course the new curtains.

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  23. I am in love with those curtains! It's amazing how much brighter and open the room feels. Great job!

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I love yours - newest follower!

    http://bethesong.blogspot.com

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  24. This is a great transformation, I love the fabric for the curtains and the paint color is so pretty!

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  25. um, i am obsessed with this room. your mom is da bomb:) and so is this blog. you are amazing for doing all this. I feel like a proud mom because i love ya so much. xoxo

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  26. Wow - what a difference - beautiful.

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  27. wow, those drapes are fab! What a difference! I really like the fun print, it's so cheery! xo

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  28. Looks nice and incredible curtain design !!
    to get fabric on demand from weaveron textile.


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