No-Sew Curtains

The third bedroom has been at the top of our to-do list lately, and this past weekend was no different. Once the bedroom was painted I turned my focus to this monstrosity:

                                       

This unit was existing in our third bedroom when James purchased the house and it serves as great storage, which is why we haven't torn it down.  While it does provide a good place to put things, I have been wanting to cover it up so that I wouldn't have to keep it neat and organized all the time.  The other annoying thing about the shelving unit is that as soon as you walk through the door, the left side of the unit is directly in front of you--not the greatest first impression or the most welcoming entry. When brainstorming about curtains, I knew I wanted a curtain that could cover the front of the unit and continue around the side with no gaps in between.  Since I knew I was going to be making the curtains myself, I just needed to find some hardware that would accomplish this look.

Ikea sells some curtain hardware that has an attachable bendable piece that can literally bend however you need it to.  Which was exactly what we needed in order to continue the rod around the corner of the unit. Figuring out the pieces you need can be a little overwhelming since they are all sold separately. I would highly recommend drawing out your measurements on a diagram to bring with you. Thankfully James, the handy analytical one, was with me and was able to figure it all out.  The hardware we purchased is shown below. 

Meet my new friend Bendy

Because I was planning on making no-sew curtains, we also bought 3 packs of clip on curtain rings. I had James mount the hardware while I put together the rods.

As you can see, with the connector piece, the rod will continue around as one continuous piece to hide the side of the unit.

Once we got all of the hardware up it was time to tackle the making of the no-sew curtains.  I went down to Forsyth Fabrics and came home with 7.5 yards of this brown and white cane print fabric.

When measuring out how much fabric was needed to cover the unit I first measured the height (88") and then added 2 inches to the measurement. Each panel was standard fabric width of 54".  In order to create a straight edge or seam, you have to fold each side in by one inch and adhere the stitch witchery, or hem tape. Before ironing on the hem tape, I folded the fabric over and ironed it to make a crease.  Once I had a straight edge, I ironed over the hem tape to fuse the fabric together creating finished edges on all four edges.  Keep in mind, I was planning on hanging these curtains with the clip on curtain rings, so I did not have to leave room for a rod at the top.  

All in all, the project took the better part of the afternoon, but I was really pleased with the way they turned out.  

View from the hallway looking into the room

Curtains opened

Curtains closed to hide all of the clutter

Moroccan Tile Pattern

We have been tackling some big projects lately. We don't have much storgage space in our house, so our third bedroom has served as a catch-all storage room for the last year or so.  James and my dad recently started building a shed in our backyard (a separate post and pictures on the shed to come) so that we could actually utilize our third bedroom.  We have officially cleared out and painted the third bedroom. The third bedroom used to be a hideous dark blue color that just had to go, so we painted it this greige color.

Linen by Eddie Bauer for Valspar (the top color)

We had a spare full bed lying around, and I was originally planning on having James build this reclaimed wood headboard, until we took a little trip to Goodwill last weekend. We weren't really looking for anything in particular, but I ended up finding this treasure:

A $25 head and footboard with moroccan tile detailing.  I am obsessed.  I plan on sanding it down and repainting it. I'm thinking I will paint it a darker greige than the walls.  After we got this gem home, I started looking around the house and realizing I may or may not have a slight moroccan tile pattern obsession.  Case in point:

Tray on our coffee table

Pierced ginger jar on our built in bookshelves

Fabric covered letters

Master headboard fabric

By the way, have you seen my blog background.  Yeah.... so I may or may not have a problem.  I can't wait to see how the headboard looks when it is done, not to mention the whole room. I plan on taking pictures as I go. Hopefully I will have a finished product post sooner than later. I'm heading out tomorrow in search of fabric for curtains in the third bedroom. Don't worry, they won't be moroccan tile patterned.  

Burlap Matted Frame

Ever since Aidan & Jinna Anne's rehearsal dinner I have had quite the surplus of burlap.  I've been stalking pinterest to find burlap craft ideas.  I recently found an idea to re-create these burlap matted frames from Pottery Barn. The Pottery Barn burlap frames cost $39 for an 8x10 frame and I was able to recreate them for free with the burlap and a frame I had laying around. 

Frame Before with a plain white mat

Supplies needed: Burlap, Spray Adhesive, Scissors and a pencil.

First lightly trace the frame onto the burlap in pencil

Next cut the traced burlap out

Finally spray the mat with spray adhesive and carefully place the burlap on top

Finished product: after placing the burlap mat and picture into the frame 

I love the way they turned out! I may just have to make one or five more.  

Team Americuh

I hope everyone had as much fun celebrating Independence Day as we did!  Both James and I had a few days off work with no big plans. It was so nice to relax and get projects done on the house. Wow, I just realized what a old lady grown up comment that was.  Aside from checking things off our to-do list, we also hosted a cookout at our house on the third and went to another cookout and fireworks display on the fourth.  Here are a few pictures from the festivities:

Centerpiece

Stars & Stripes Sangria

Cute Fruit Kabobs that my friend Mary Frances made

Me, James and Buford-- happy little family (except Buford looks terrified-- usually when James picks him up it's to put him in his crate, which he isn't a huge fan of)

Patriotic Pup