I returned curtains to Walmart yesterday. You know, the ones that have been hanging in my living room and dining room area. 4 sets totaling just under $80! I couldn’t possibly keep them with the new paint color:
See? They are almost looking green, here. They are RADIATING! Ugh. It was, honestly, keeping me up at night. I just couldn’t stop thinking how bad they looked and how I could get around them without forking out another $80 for curtains….because, I just KNEW Chris wouldn’t go for that one. So, I thought…well, I cooouuulllddd try to return them. (And no, I am not telling you how many years long I have had them.) Walmart accepted them, once I found the exact set in the store. They refunded me store credit…just under $80. (!!!) At this point I was already feeling victorious!
So now, with funds to buy new curtains–I checked out their selection. Yawn-inspiring, let me tell you. Nothing seemed to stand out to me. In my mind, I wanted some long, rich, charcoal curtains and the closest thing they had was stark black. And then I remembered I am now the proud owner of a sewing machine and this particular Walmart still had a fabric section (I hear some don’t anymore). I started doing some mental math–errr opened up the calculator on my phone (who am I kidding?) and decided after converting the dimensions of my former curtains to yardage, I would need about 22 yards of fabric. Ouch. That is a lot of fabric, right? Especially for me, a pre-beginner seamstress. However. HOWEVER! I found three bolts of the same fabric in the clearance section for $1.50 a yard. And it is a beautiful, thick, wrinkle-free fabric! I definitely felt the love from the fabric gods. I also took this as a sign that I wasn’t going to H for returning those curtains. The sweet lady working at the fabric counter even offered to cut the fabric into 8—2 5/8 yards panels for me. This all got even sweeter when the price for all 22 yards was $31.52. Basically, I made a hefty profit getting new curtains.
This morning, I broke out my machine and my rich, charcoal fabric and was rip-roarin’ to sew. I tied the fabric in a big knot at the top and hung it over the curtain rod, just to see what it would look like:
My heart sank. I REALLY didn’t like it. The one panel would be multiplied by 4 on each window and the darkness was sucking life out of the decor. It was just too dark for the space. There was no way of getting out of this one. I started hemming the sides and brainstorming what I was gonna do with all of this fabric. And then I tried to convince myself that I could like it. Or maybe I can change all our colorful pillows and painting and mirror to more a black and white scheme. No. No, that wouldn’t work. I like color. I started sewing up the other side, when I realized what I was looking at on the reverse of this dark, charcoal, life-sucking fabric:
The same heavy, rich, designed fabric–except lighter. A LOT lighter. I quickly slung it over the rod to see if my prayers had once again been answered:
And they were. Of course. It couldn’t be more perfect. Subtle and soft. Slightly darker than the walls. A wave of relief swept over me because I knew I didn’t have to live in dark agony. I conned that fabric twice! Once into fabric and then again into the right color of fabric. Stay tuned for some seriously amazing curtains.
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
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i’m with andi on this one! woo hoo!
Your blog is so super cute! I was in your ward when you lived in the village…remember? Anyways love the curtains and the decorating….we just moved into a home and we are working on painting and things as well! Anyways it was fun to find you! I am your new stalker!:)
Check out my blog at jeffandsadiesabin.blogspot.com
Hey you’re like a wizard. WOW
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Making curtains can be REALLY expensive. It is SO much cheaper buying them. BUUUUUT when you find amazing fabric for 1.50 a YARD, you struck GOLD girl.
So, I am so proud of you!!!! Did you decide how you are wanting to sew them? If you wanna do that tube and just slide the rod through, it is SO easy.
you are absolutely AMAZING!! will you come help me re-decorate my house please?
KBeckett