Design

Black and White and Sheer all over.

January 9, 2013

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

First things first.  Greta’s cub print pelmet box had a little accident and we are still deciding what to make of the situation.  So, until we get that figured out (more details before the week’s up!) forgive me for not posting full room shots, or at least full window shots.  This disclaimer is especially important as we talk about the curtains we added to Greta’s room.  Yes!
We found these white linen curtains with black stitched pinstripes at Ikea and they fit in well with the vision we have for the room.  I can’t seem to find them on Ikea’s website right now–but they were around $40 for the pair. (Update: Here’s the link.  Thanks Stephanie!)
Then we layered in two pairs of Ikea’s Lill curtains.  They are only $5 a pair, so we doubled up for an even softer look.

We actually got a double curtain rod, so we can still close the linen curtains fully when we want to, like for Greta’s naps–if that ever happens again.  Also, the double curtain rod and all of these curtains (three pairs total) help fill up the pelmet box up top.  Which, again, is undergoing some reconstructive surgery.  Meh.

As soon as we get art in place, which is slowly trickling in–I cannot wait to share all of the pieces with you!–I think I’d love to add some trim detailing to the pinstriped curtains.  I love Scott and Kim’s curtains in their living room.  They recently added some mini pompom trim in a bright hue that is seriously heart warming. I’ve also been eyeing Maegan’s black tassel trim–chic!

Both projects and outcomes are charming and inspiring, but I am holding off until the rest of the room comes together to see if another happy pop of pompom color would do the room good, or if the art and final touches take care of our color void, I’ll go with black.  Something to look forward to!!

Have you trimmed out curtains recently?  We’d love to see! The idea of taking something basic, like Ikea curtains (or drop cloths like in our family room) and making them into something special is at the core of the DIY heart!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Love love love those curtains! The room is really coming along!

  2. Jenna says:

    I just bought those same curtains for our living room! In the process of hanging them still though. Looking forward to seeing this room come together!

  3. vicks27 says:

    We recently bought sheer curtains for the dining room, and, at first, I thought they weren’t going to be private enough. But now I love all of the light that comes through. Your double curtains are definitely inspiring.

  4. Cassie A. says:

    I feel bad for giggling at the pelmet box ordeal… because when you wrote that post, you talked about how indestructible it was going to be! I’m looking forward to you describing what happened… I hope you can keep it, because I loved it! These curtains are so light and dreamy. I love them… and adding trim will only add to the dreaminess!

  5. If you trim, you should totally go with the larger poms since it’s a girly kids room! I was thisclose to using the big, fluffy poms in our living room, but because that room is SO small and we’re adults (although I suppose if we used a sophisticated black, that could’ve been okay!), I chickened out and went small.

    But we still love them to pieces!

  6. Loving those IKEA curtains! Ahhhhhh I’m already freaking out that IKEA will be within an hour and half from us! JOY! I see lots of trips in my future this summer!!!

  7. Yes! Adding the link. Thank you. Can you just use multiple curtains?

  8. Stephanie says:

    Are these them? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40232244/

    I need to find nice, cheap double wide curtains for my living room, dining room, and bedroom. Curse those huge windows!

  9. What a great idea to just add some trim. I have yet to get a sewing machine, but wondering if I could do something cute with hem tape? Hmmmm….

  10. I love hearing what you have to say! I check every morning! Curtains are one of the hardest things for me. I think I need to make a trip down to IKEA soon and get some of those! I LOVE the edging idea. Where do you find all this stuff? So glad we’re friends!

    P.S. I was beyond relieved to read your post about re-painting. Remember when I called you the other morning about paint for Boyd’s room? I painted it and now I need to re-paint! hahah So, needless to say, I was encouraged that sometimes everyone just gets it wrong (I almost always do)

  11. I made pale pink curtains for my daughters nursery. They are a Restoration Hardware knock off because I wasn’t about to pay $600 for two panels. They turned out nice and I re-learned how to sew! No pics to share…they are on facebook but maybe one day it will be up on my blog.

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia