There is something about spring that makes me want to surround myself with flowers. Floral Cottage Curtains for the Kitchen.
Floral Cottage Curtains for the Kitchen
When we moved into Storybook Cottage two years ago I hung up simple white smocked curtains.
I still love them but found myself wanting to add a bit of color.
Perhaps something like this.
Something that would look good in the long bay windows.
But there are a few challenges. Aren’t there always?
All of the kitchen window frames are a taupey~beige metal and were installed with a white sealant that was smeared across the beige surface in several areas. I have tried everything, short of removing all of the windows, $$$, to remedy the issue. So, suffice to say, the windows need to just be covered up.
Which brings us to another challenge.
As a rule, the kitchen is fairly dark.
The image below was taken at high noon with all the lights on.
Which means the fabric needs to be something sheer or light because I’m funny in that I like to see what I am doing when I am cooking.
So a sheer floral, hmmm.
While I like these images of lightweight handkerchiefs appliqued to a sheer cotton voile it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
I wanted a single pattern.
I thought about the English who have been layering kitchen curtains, in their cottages, for centuries.
Walking the aisles of Homegoods I found two tablecloths in the Ralph Lauren pattern of Antibes Floral Red.
The tablecloths are in the process of being transformed into curtains. They will then be layered with the white-smocked sheers in a look that is similar to this:
What type of curtains do you have in your kitchen?
Laura
I looovveee floral curtains and I think with all the white you have they will stand out beautifully. I wouldn't worry about the light in the room. I think they will look great! can't wait to see them!
Hi Laura, You have a lovely kitchen/eating area. I think the floral pattern will be lovely and give you the pop of color you desire. I love to re-purpose table cloths, sheets etc. into curtains! My kitchen does not have a window exactly….I can see out the laundry room window in one direction and the living room window the other way. I hope you have a nice Monday. xoxo Mildred
Laura,
In my galley kitchen window hangs a crocheted valance and matching crocheted cafe curtains. I found them in an O'ahu, Hawai'i, Savers for all of $4. Their multiple damaged parts were simply repaired before laundering them in Oxyclean. I hung them from tension rods over the new little window sill DH cut, installed and painted in a glossy white. In the cool of our Guam evenings, a tiny lamp fills the window with light; its nasty lampshade was removed and it wears a new dress stitched to it from a scrap of lace.
Below the kitchen sink, I removed the cabinet doors and hung another tension rod. Cafe curtain clip-rings hang the curtain I fashioned by stitching doilies together to form a large panel that slides to either side for access to the waste basket or cleaning supplies.
I have given new life to old crochets in our kitchen.
Anticipating your new kitchen flowers!
*hugs*
Kelley~
I love these bright and cheerful examples. I have plain with with some battenburg lace on the edge. I've been thinking about switching them out for something else too. My kitchen is pretty dark as well. I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I know they will be stunning, can't wait to see them.
What gorgeous inspiration photos! I admire your creativity in transforming tablecloths into curtains. It appears that you and I live in the same kitchen, as ours is dark all day long, too. I've been in a constant struggle with that. I think the bright pops of color might be the way I have to go to add happiness to my kitchen.
Love the mix of florals with lace and creating curtains from tablecloths is cost effective and brilliant…a perfect Spring look. Glad I found you. 🙂
I love all the floral prints..
Oh, that's going to look so lovely, Laura! I have simple lace scarves tacked over my kitchen window and door, but long sheers in the dining room and living room. I don't have a need for privacy in my location, so it's perfect. Can't wait to see your finished project! Your kitchen is lovely, by the way!
That is going to be gorgeous! You were so smart to find a tablecloth. 🙂
Sounds so pretty. Can't wait to see the finished curtains.
They will be beautiful. I just love the feeling in your kitchen-so homey and cottagy. I have matchstick blinds in my kitchen.
I love so many of the curtains you showed! I have a very small, very dark kitchen so all I have on my window is a valance. Actually, a valance I got at a tag sale for ten cents that looked great with the sunny yellow paint from repainting a few years ago. Someday I'll see something I like better but for now, it does the trick!
Beautiful kitchen and great ideas for curtains. I love the table clothes you found. It will make beautiful curtains. I have valances in my kitchen for the same reason you mentioned. It is not a light filled kitchen. I have blinds and then a valance to make it look more homey and cozy. I found fabric at JoAnn's and I made them. I can't wait to see you finished curtains. Hugs to you. Karie
Laura,
My sunspace/kitchen has very, very short valances in a floral pattern. The valances hide the Levelor blinds that are pulled up completely almost all the time. I lower the blinds for privacy, for light control, and to help keep the cold out on very cold days and nights. With temperatures we are having, the blinds stay up even at night.
Your curtains look like they are going to be just gorgeous.
Judith
In the city, I have blinds. Have to have them for privacy but I'd prefer them without. At the farm, I took down the one over my kitchen sink…I have the same problem – not enough light. I'm not sure what I want. I love your choices. Aren't tablecloths a great way to get lots of fabric inexpensively?
I have just one window in our kitchen, but it is rather large. I have a patterned sheer there that come down in peeks all along the ends.
I am looking forward to seeing your creations because I know they will be beautiful.
Hi Laura, it's going to be gorgeous. Your home is beautiful!! I have a bay style window in my kitchen and I change the curtains with the season. For spring and summer I have cotton eyelet lace 84″ long curtains and they are so cottage fresh in style. Had them for years in different areas but love the swap to the kitchen. Looking forward to seeing your update.
Have a nice week my talented friend!! xo
I used two Ralph Lauren tablecloths as curtains in a bedroom. This is such a great way to buy beautiful fabric! Love all the photos in this pretty post.
Sooo many pretty patterns! I love florals, especially multi colour chintz designs. No matter which one you go with I am sure it will be gorgeous.
I have floral Martha Stewart drapes in our family room. Alas after the 12 years they have been hanging they are finally starting to show their age and I have to figure what to do for window coverings. There are six large double windows and two full size narrow plus a half dozen French doors so one has to be sure and thrifty! lol
I was actually thinking of a white or ivory in something simple but I know I will miss the florals. Your smocked drapery is quite inspiring.
As for hiding your window's scars, have you thought about a light weight wooden frame covered in pretty fabric or even one to fit into the entire window opening to mimic a screen window with lightweight screening. (They use to use something similar but placed them on the outside of the windows in our old farmhouse years ago) They could be stenciled with designs if you did use screening or use gathered fabric to give you privacy.
Windows can be a pain to decorate around but the more the merrier is my philosophy when it comes to windows!
Good luck with what ever you decide. Can't wait to see! You always do such a beautiful work 🙂