I have decided that drapery is my nemesis. My Lex Luther. I have spent entirely too much time thinking/agonizing over what type of patterned fabric to hang from a metal rod in my living room, and I’m not even sure why. This decision has been a long time coming, to say the least, but I think I can finally put a cap in my curtain dilemma thanks to a productive weekend. Hallelujah!
After months of online research and busy, traveling weekends, I finally had a chance to visit Mary Jo’s cloth store and see if I couldn’t find the perfect fabric to fashion my own curtains. If you haven’t heard of this store and happen to live anywhere in NC/SC, you really need to make a trip. It’s HUGE. I’ve never seen so much fabric in my life – it’s really overwhelming and incredible all at the same time. All of my online research led to me believe that A) buying curtains cost a lot of moola and B) surely making something on my own would be less expensive.
These were just a few items that ended up on my cellphone. And what do you know? Despite the immense amount of fabric in this warehouse, I couldn’t find anything that I was completely in love with. And I found out I’m only drawn to really expensive fabrics. Go figure. So Saturday morning was a bust and I washed my hands of the day, assuming it wasn’t meant to be. Then 8:30pm on Saturday night* rolled around and I had an epiphany – why have I not checked out World Market? I knew I was looking for something with some pattern, a little bit of red to bring into my blue/green space, and something that wasn’t the traditional floral. Sounds a bit like World Market’s product line, right? Well, it WAS. As my husband would say, well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! I checked out the website, got entirely too excited, and rushed down to my local WM to beat the 9:00 closing time. 20 minutes later and not a lot of money lost, I returned home with these lovelies.
Hello, new curtains! Welcome to the barren living room. I’m really smitten with our new lighter paint color, but this room is in definite need of some accents. Yes, I started with a paint color (a definite designer no-no) but it was so neutral that I knew I wouldn’t be hindered in my accent pieces. These curtains are definitely a great jumping off point and I’m so glad to be done with my 5 month curtain search.
Sure, these may not be the perfect curtains, but really, is there such a thing? These certainly meet all of criteria I was looking for and the price was just right. I really think I’ll learn to love them – and the room already feels more complete, so I consider it a success!
My stance on curtains is very adamantly anti-pole pocket. I’m not sure why, but the look of a scrunched curtain top just gives me the heebie jeebies. I decided to pick up some simple curtain rings from Ikea to give these pole-pocket curtains the look of a pleated (or grommet top) curtain for cheap. The drapery rod also hails from Ikea, which is consistent with the drapery rods in the rest of our house. Ikea really is the place for hardware like this – you just can’t beat the prices!
I’ve also been looking for a little pillow to spruce up the womb chair, and I spotted this ikat beauty on my WM whirlwind trip as well. Yes, bizarro Audrey is apparently authoring this blog today. I just used the word “beauty” to describe ikat fabric – I’m not sure what’s come over me! My intense hatred of ikat has started to subside in my old age. I must be growing.
It seems my drapery drama is quite possibly come to an end… until I attempt to tackle the living room. Home improvement is never-ending.
*Just realized I admitted to thinking about curtains at 8:30 on a Saturday night. Yeah, I’m wild.
Your floors look so nice! The curtains are nice too but the man, do those floors got some sheen on ‘em.
and I meant to write just “man,” not “the man,”. Im in a pasta coma.
cute curtains! i like ikat fabric, glad to hear you are turning the corner.
do you remember how much the bottom left mary jos fabric was? i want to recover our headboard and it looks like the right colors. its dark brown now and i think its too dark. you will see when you come take pics.
i am going to ask nick what times work for him and email you later today.
@britt: I believe that fabric was around $18/yd. I’m not exactly sure, but that sounds about right. The colors were really pretty in person! I have a wedding this Saturday, but I could do Sunday if that works for you guys!
Love the new curtains and pillow. Nice punch of color!
Ohhh Accent-abulous!
Hey, does Mary Jo’s make pillows? I’ve been meaning to ditch our old non-matching PB pillows and get some custom made ones that will match our chairs for the couch.
@evelyn: hmm that’s a good question! I don’t know if they have a seamstress on staff, but their website might help you out (maryjos.com). They certainly have enough fabric to choose from so I’m sure you could find some awesome pillows!
Love the curtains! Love the hardware! Don’t typically love Ikat fabric (it usually makes me throw up in my mouth) but it actually doesn’t offend me here. Maybe because it’s just in a small dose and not an entire chair. Great job, as usual!
@amanda: right?! I typically barf in the presence of ikat too, but this little bit actually works for me!
[...] Scott says is looks “western” but I say it looks fabulous. Again I’m on the ikat train after years of despising it. I think I’m growing [...]