I did something in the dining room and it kind of changed everything. A few weeks ago, we hung some art on either side of the arched door and it filled in the space fine, but it actually sparked a different idea–a better idea. Why don’t we hang curtains on that wall?!

And so we did! *insert all the heart eyes* This is that story, because it involves ordering 3 different velvet curtains in search of the perfect slate blue. These were the winning set.

To back track and answer a question that many of you have asked, “do the arch doors open now?!” yes! You might be able to tell the beam in front of that door is not quite done because we had to cut it down so the door could open. *face palm* So it needs caulked and painted but the size is perfect now. So here’s how the doors looked before curtains. It needed something more…grand.

Ta-da!!!

I knew my vision would require a ceiling mount curtain rod since the door trim went all the way up to the ceiling. I searched high and low and found this one on Amazon that is marketed as a ceiling mount curtain rod/room divider. There are sizes ranging from 3ft-36ft!! And it comes in white, silver or black. Really versatile product and after using it, I really recommend it.

To hang the ceiling mount rod, first we searched for a stud and got really lucky. There was a floor joist about an inch out from our door trim all the way across.

It ended up being just a few inches away from the wall so that the curtains could close all the way if we wanted them to.

Get this–the ceiling mount came with a little saw–it CAME WITH IT–so you can cut it to whatever length you need and then you attach a cap (also included) at the ends. We cut ours 1″ shorter than the wall on each side.

It’s very very easy to install and comes with all these little curtain hooks to attach your curtains to.

Speaking of curtains, I mentioned I ordered three different sets. In my mind I really wanted a slate blue. Not navy. Not super saturated. But just something that complemented the other tones in our home.

The first set I ordered looked like a perfect gray blue online, but called “Natural Gray” but in person they were just a dark charcoal! I returned them.

The second pair I ordered, called “London Blue” (promising right?) were just a little too teal for my taste and were returned.

And finally, the third one was the charm! These “Dark Slate Blue” curtains have just enough gray in them to keep them grounded and enough blue to keep it interesting. They come in a pair and I ordered 2 pairs of the 108″ length (4 panels total) for just over $100. A steal!

While Chris hung the ceiling mount, I steamed all the panels on the back since they looked closer to crushed velvet when they arrived. eek.

These curtains had only a rod pocket on the back so I picked up curtain rings from Target. But after testing them, I realized I needed to lose the ring entirely and just use the clip and hook so the curtains would hang snug to the ceiling.

I used the thread line on the back to make sure my clips were all lined up.

And spaced them out evenly–9 clips on each panel.

I can’t believe how much it added to the room. It helped soften everything and even gave me the dose of color I have been craving for this room but didn’t want to do with paint because of how the living room transitions into here.

A friend asked me how I knew I wanted blue curtains. I knew because I wanted something that complimented all the greenery outside of the dining room doors. And these do so well!

And the view from the living room ain’t bad either. ;)

SOURCES

Curtains
Ceiling Mount Curtain Rod
Wall Color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
Trim Color: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams
Doors: Pella
Floors (Dark: Neuro, Light: Magnifica Calacatta Oro)
Table
Chairs
Pendant Lights
Sconces
Vase
Faux Stems
Candlesticks
Buffet Lamps
Fauxdenza