Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Corner Window Conundrum!

Thank you all for taking the tour of my Kitchen on Monday and for all of your sweet comments!
When we first saw the house, I loved that it had these big corner windows over the sink...

But, as I laid awake that night, I wasn't pondering whether our offer would be accepted, or whether we would sell our house. No, it was the more serious issues that brought on the insomnia. Like, what kind of window treatment should I do on these windows?
 I'm deep like that!

My initial thought was to do a valance but then, I realized that it might just take away from the view. We can see all the way to Mt. Hood on a clear day and a valance would have just cut the top of it right off! Also, there are a lot of dark cabinets in this here room, and I instinctively knew that it needed some softening.

When considering window treatments, I think it's important to take into consideration the windows in the adjoining rooms.
Here are the spaces connected to the kitchen...

The Dining Room

And, the Breakfast Nook

I had fabric left over from making the curtains for our previous home so I knew it wasn't going to cost much. I also knew, that I wanted to keep the same lines as the other treatments.
The answer was to do the same simple panels but add some detail for a twist that would highlight this corner!

The first thing we did was pick out these chunky curtain rods at Lowes. We used them throughout our kitchen and family room but here there would be absolutely no room for finials.
See what I mean?
My handy Yankee cut the lengths and attached them with L Brackets in the corner.


My next step was actually making the panels. Let me just say again, that I am in NO WAY a seamstress! But, the one thing I have learned is that it is so worth it to go the extra step and Line your panels with an inexpensive fabric. It helps them hang so much more crisply and it also helps control the light coming through so you don't distort the pattern.
 You can tell in the next photo that one side is
wider than the other.

That is because when the middle sections are gathered together they make one giant "panel" so to speak. We didn't want to overwhelm the space with fabric. You will also notice that they are the full length of the window so as to allow plenty of room for gathering and poofing.
The next step was finding the perfect Tassels...
Then I put a cup hook on either side of each window


And one in the "Middle"

You can see the tassel hanging just ready to start its job!
I pulled those two panels together and tied the tassel around them. I reached my hand around the back to kind of "pinch" them together to look more connected.
Now for the side panels...
Ummm...is it just me or does my hand look really weird in this picture? I digress...
Loop the rope portion of the tassel around the hook and tie the fringe ends together one time around.

Start pulling the inside portion out just a bit to get it to swag just right. Play around with it to get just the right amount of Poof that you like. And, don't forget...
Pull the other side over just enough to cover up the cup hook.

Once again, here is where we started

And this is where we ended up!
Showing you these photos gave me a great opportunity to climb up on the counter to clean the far reaches of that corner!
Thanks for that!

And, here is what I will be working on tonight and hope to have ready to show you soon...

From this Southern Girl at Heart,
Vanessa
*I'm linking up to these parties*
Spotlight Yourself
Cheap Chic Home
DIY Showoff

34 comments:

Karen said...

Vanessa, Love the fabric choices for the kitchen and other areas. But, your next project I really think is awesome. We must both love fabrics. I've been sewing today too. Stop by!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Those look great, Vanessa. You are a very good seamstress compared to me.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Vanessa, These look great! I love RED and I love big bold checks~ your fabric has lots of great colors in it to really warm up your kitchen! Thanks for your comment about the swedish armoire ~ and I have to laugh about my son 'moving' out too! He is so funny! Of course, I am sooooo glad he is just across the lawn and not far away!! Your son sounds like a sweetie too!

Needles Everywhere said...

It looks great - I have used bedsheets in the past and probably should have lined them as you suggest. I never thought of it. Just perfect. I especially like the middle ones pulled together.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It looks great! I love the pattern of that fabric. What a perfect way to adorn that view.

sheri said...

these look great - and i so agree with you - you have to consider the adjoining rooms when working with fabrics, etc. It looks great - you're making me miss my dark cabinets!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love the plaid and the curtains are perfect. Like the fabric you are currentlly working on too. So pretty. Hugs, Marty

All That Glitters said...

Looks really good!!! I love those curtains too!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow -- I absolutely love the curtains. Certainly worth losing sleep over :) I love the fabric colors, wall colors, cabinetry, and how lucky you are to have such a gorgeous view. It was so creative to pull them together in the middle as well -- it really makes them look very custom. Great job!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Well, thanks for cleaning up for us! LOL! I really love those curtains, you did such a wonderful job with them. Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see what your up to with the new fabric.

Amy said...

I love that. I am booking marking this page, I need to do this in my kitchen too.
We can see Mt. Hood too out one of our windows. Just wish the days were nicer more often so we could actually see it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love that fabric, love it and your windows turned out perfect!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Everything looks fantastic....Just have a few minutes to blog hop...so glad that I stopped here....Have a great week.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Vanessa, The curtains are perfect for your windows! Love the fabric you used.

Thank you for the sweet comments you left on my blog. You are such a doll and I always love reading your comments.
Hugs, Sherry

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Great job Vanessa! It really makes the corner special!

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

that looks absolutely beautiful. It's a good tip to line them, I wouldn't have thought of it but it makes sense that the curtains will be sturdier and hang better, not to mention blocking out the sun when you need to.

Debbie said...

Oh, to have your skill!! I love your fabric taste. What you did in that corner is perfect. It draws your attention immediately to that corner. Great job. Will definitely be waiting for the next!!

Anonymous said...

I added a new section to my blog entitled Oregon Bloggers. I added you to the list. I hope that's ok. If you know of an Oregon blogger that might want to be added please let me know.

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

I'm deep like that, too!! The weirdest things keep me up at night! Great job on the curtains. Those are tricky windows. You did a great job!

Unknown said...

Well! Does that give me ideas!!! I have no window fashion sense, WHATsoever. None. But you have made yours look so do-able, it has given me hope!!
xo
lynn

Unknown said...

Vanessa, I too am an oregon Blogger.. I jumped over to your site through "Always Nesting." Love your windows and home.. Please pop down my blogsite Blue Sky Farm and say hello.. I have added your site toone I will be following.. Cheryl.

Melissa Miller said...

Very pretty fabric and panels Vanessa. The corner window and panels are my favorite thing in your gorgeous kitchen. You have created a perfect focal point.

Please hang a wreath on a mirror! I got the idea from Susan (Porch) last year. This is why we all blog I think. *Smiles* Show us!

Warmly, ~Melissa :)

KimMalk said...

Hi Vanessa, these turned out so beautifully. You were smart to retain your view. It was funny looking at the narrower and wider panels, but it totally makes sense. Thank you so much for linking with FFT Thursday. I absolutely love your handiwork and your beautiful home!

Amico Dio said...

Beautiful!!! I have kitchen envy. :)

Jenny said...

Oh Vanessa. Just lovely. I love your fabric choices. I think window treatments are one of the hardest things to figure out. I just use wood blinds and call it a day...but I always think I should do something more! You're good at decorating.

Vickie said...

You know I like those curtains-it's the same fabric I have in my living and dining room.! Very clever way to have curtains but still get the view.

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

Nice job on those curtains. I never would have thought to make the corner ones more narrow. Thanks for sharing.

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

Katie said...

Visiting from DIY Show Off -- great idea pulling the two middle panels together!! I have this same window "opportunity" in my bedroom, and will be bookmarking this for when I'm ready for curtains :)

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