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Decorating Dilemma: How to DIY a Curtain

by fh_heather on SEPTEMBER 08, 2011

That’s it. I give up.

OK, not really — because I’m far too stubborn for that.

I’m changing tactics. (That’s more like it.)

A few months back, I posted photos of my dining room and asked for your advice about the curtains.

And you, dear readers, nicely confirmed that they were, indeed, all sorts of wrong for the room, yet refrained from the “what the heck were you thinking?” line of advice. In fact, I was overwhelmed by the number of suggestions and spent many, many hours investigating all sorts of options. I looked at purples and reds and smaller patterns. I ordered fabric samples. I contemplated sewing.

Then summer arrived and we decided to remove the curtains for awhile. And that was nice. The architecture of the windowframes really is lovely, and we even have new windows this year thanks to my super-handy, window-replacing-rockstar husband.

It also made me realize that I hadn’t given up on my original vision of a white curtains with a few semi-abstract swathes of red and black. So, when I found these for $10 at Target, I snatched them up and figured I could make them work.

But as is, they’re too understated. In a room that’s gray and white with lots of natural wood furniture, I need a little dash of color, so I’d like to add red accents to the curtains.

That’s where I need your help. Do I use fabric paint? Do I use ribbon? Add red fabric somewhere, somehow? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Because then really, I need to move on.

Looking for room ideas? Browse the decorating ideas galleries at Fresh Home Ideas for inspiration!

Tags: curtains, diy projects, room ideas

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carolynne

September 08, 2011 3:41 PM

what i would do is remove the panels from the rod and use the rings that have clips attached. Once you put those on the rod I would double up your panel with a solid curtain behind it (probably not in red though, something less dramatic like a leaf green, turquoise blue or smoke grey). There will be enough colour coming through the sheers to give you some drama as well as peeking out along the edges.

Marija

September 08, 2011 3:58 PM

YES - as a quilter by passion I definitely vote for some color!! I think you can achieve it in several ways, depending just HOW MUCH color you want and maybe what color it is. 1. no more curtains - you could just paint that wall (little bit that is not a window) in an accent color. If it is red you want, that I guess it depends what shade of red it is - not sure I would like a fire engine red on the wall, but some deep, rich red - yes! Or even much darker shade of the color you have now on the walls would make that window and white curtain pop. Then just two red ribbon ties for the white curtains would be a great accent. 2. added drapes - actually they would be fake drapes, since you can put them right on the side of the white curtain, going all the way to the end of the wall - I would go for red dupioni silk - you don't need a lot and it would look very luxurious 3. if you would rather not have drapes on the side, you could add red accent by getting different beautiful ribbons (dif. widths, textures, all in red) and hang pieces of ribbon, different lengths, from the top of the curtain, all across. Cut the loose ribbon ends in a fishtail shape or slanted so they look finished.Hope this makes sense? During holidays you could even hang some ornaments at the ends of those ribbons!

Comeca Jones

September 08, 2011 4:17 PM

I say red ribbon trim keep it simple.

Pam

September 08, 2011 4:31 PM

I would sew strips of black fabric to the front and back of them to tie them up long ways and make a bow facing the room so that you can either have them pulled up to see the view outside or drop them so at night so no one can really see in.. Or I would sew a fake front valance to the top on a scalloped hem and also cut the bottom of the curtain to make it also scalloped.