I think I finished the curtains for the kitchen back in January. I didn’t share them because…well, I wasn’t really happy with how they turned out. Yet it seems somewhat shallow and dishonest for me to only show life’s perfections. It’s Curtains for curtains.
Because that isn’t real and I often learn more from mistakes than I do successes. How about you?
So, I bring you my kitchen curtains.
It’s Curtains
I think I should share the vision of what I was trying to create.
I wanted café curtains hung on oil rubbed bronze rods with rings clips.
But of course, there was an issue with two of the windows in the kitchen. The side windows of the bay window measure a wee 16” across.
I spent hours searching for interior mounted oil rubbed bronze rods that would fit.
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
So I tried to alter my vision and use white interior mounted rods.
But it just wasn’t what I wanted.
Part of the problem lies in the windows themselves.
Much like everything else in this house, the previous DIY’s were just done badly.
I just don’t want to look at the shoddy workmanship. It makes me angry.
Life is too short to be angry at windows.
I have tried scraping off the excess caulking but there are several issues I won’t bore you with.
There is also the teeny matter that I prefer white window casements to beige. But everything previously selected for this house was beige or brown.
Sigh. Boy, do I sound ungrateful and spoilt.
We just don’t have it in our budget to replace perfectly good windows. So the best solution seemed to just hide the windows by taking the curtains all the way to the top. But that left the kitchen too dark.
I’m a light loving gal.
So I lowered the curtains.
But then I see the window workmanship.
A truly vicious circle.
I think too I would have liked to have seen more fullness in the curtain fabric but I was trying to work with fabric that I had.
So, I am on my second attempt at kitchen curtains.
I am thinking something really sheer that I can hang clear to the top that will still let the light shine through.
Like a white cotton voile or organdy.
It has to be pretty. Of course.
And about $20 a window.
Wish me luck.
Laura
Dear Laura,
Restating your problems, I see that
the windows are beige, but you would prefer white.
the windows are covered with white caulk.
you cannot afford to replace the windows nor should you since they are functional.
Therefore the problem is not the curtains, but the windows.
I researched this and it seems that vinyl interior windows can be painted. You have mad painting skills.
Just a thought.
I have gauze on my Inspiration Station windows. Think '70s.
You'll get it right. Continue in patience and you'll win the prize!
Hugs and happy hunting,
Kelley~
I am also on the side of recaulking and painting the windows. I've painted them before and it's not hard at all. Definitely makes a huge difference. I say go for it.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Trust me, you aren't alone at all. We GET IT – we all have something that makes us nuts and slap our foreheads asking “what on earth was the builder/designer/previous owner/architect/husband, etc THINKING???IIII
You will get it. We all have faith that you will. I like your reasoning and vision. Stay brave.
Laura, You just know what you want and like, and there is nothing wrong with being particular!!
I love the idea of sheer panels though and van picture them at your windows!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
A New Gallery in Town!
I'm with you – I love white gauze curtains. A few weeks ago at IKEA I found white gauze panels that remind me of the curtains on my grandma's farm in Bolivar MO. They cost $9 per panel and you can cut them to size at the IKEA cutting counter. They are the best price I've found for curtains that will blow gently in the breeze!
I have a window problem too. The difference is that I have a window over my sink that is very wide. While I am loving the light it brings in, I am not crazy about the lack of privacy because this window faces a side street. My husband doesn't want any curtains covering the window, but I feel on display in the early morning hours while still in my bathrobe. It's always something isn't it?
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Bonsoir chère amie,
C'est très souvent en faisant des erreur qu'on apprend. Rien n'est complètement négatif ! Je vous trouve très courageuse !
J'ai le même souci avec ma fenêtre de cuisine mais comme je n'ai aucun vis-à-vis, j'ai privilégié mon choix dans celui de deux pans de rideaux que j'ai confectionnés avec un tissu rayé très pastel… A chaque attache j'ai confectionnée un superbe ruban.
❀ Gros bisous ❀
I think your current curtain solution works well and is pretty too, but I see what you mean about those imperfections… good luck dear!
Nope, not spoiled. Just very good eyesight and an amazing artistic sense. First that crazy caulking job needs to be cleaned up and replaced. Then tape the inside edge of the first line and paint it white. Meanwhile, check on the price of new windows. Might not be as bad as you think and would mean you could go with little or no curtains. Afterwards, find the three year old who did the original job and tell him they must not play with paint and caulking again. We have replaced the doors and windows and when you shop around they aren't as bad as you might think. In our area they often have winter booking sales which means you order before the end of March or so and get a good deal. Might be something to look into and definitely helps with the value on your home. You can there fore think of them as an investment! :)Hope you are having a better week and things are getting a little brighter for you. Thinking of you! {{{hugs}}}
I think the curtains you made are really sweet, but I understand that wasn't what you were going for.
Don't get me started on beige and brown…. that's all my house was covered in when I bought it. Yuck! I say paint the trim 🙂
xo,
rue
I'm sorry about those windows. That is a terrible caulking job. I hope you can paint them. Bill wanted me to get windows with that beige trim on the inside and I was against the idea for this same reason. It's hard to change a window. I believe in color on the walls not on the permanent fixtures. It's too hard to change. The curtains you had were darling. I hope the new ones work out.
I do love the look of those smocked curtain panels. I wonder if the smocking would be dark enough to hide the caulking? Or, you could have a lined top piece seamed to a sheer lower piece. Good luck!
I think you're right to not give up on what you want. I bought very simple and cheap white cotton sheer curtains for my kitchen because I needed privacy and light at the same time. I also wanted them to be easy to wash.
I must be spoiled too because that workmanship would drive me crazy!! I am confident that you will come up with a solution that makes you happy and is beautiful too!
Curtains are always one of the hardest things for me to find – guess I'm too picky! I actually like the ones you have, but I'm sure the new ones will be lovely too. Did you ever get to paint your front door?