Monday, January 4, 2010

Kitchen Curtains = Drama




The time had come to put something up on those two big windows in my kitchen. Although I enjoyed having them open, sunlight pouring in....we were starting to feel like a couple of goldfish in an aquarium in a doctor's office waiting room.





I've always loved looking through the Country Curtains catalog. Although so many of their products are either too formal (see below) or too country for me, I always find something I like. And as for the other curtains, I like to sit and imagine what kind of house each one would look best in. I imagine what the room would look like, what the people who order those super formal jacquard and tapestry fabric tailored panels would be like. You don't do that? Okay, moving on...







I spotted these ruffled shades and absolutely loved them. Wasn't so crazy about the price tag so I figured I'd just make them myself. Off I went to Hobby Lobby for some cute ruffle trim and then to Home Depot for roller shades. How simple and cheap was this going to be??? The trim was cheap, the shades were cheap, a little hot glue and voila, instant magic!

After giving my measurements to the lady (measurements which I double checked with hubby so I knew they were right) I went home with my freshly cut shades all ready for an afternoon with my glue gun. Only, wait...they don't fit. Too short. Ugh. Back to Home Depot to see what the problem is. They tell me they've had issues with their machine and will gladly cut me another pair. Phew, that's a relief because I just *knew* I had given the proper measurements. Bring the next batch home, put them up to the window....one is too short and the other one is a different type completely and is also too short. ARGH!

I decide I'm done with Home Depot. Obviously they can't cut a shade properly so I'm off to Lowes! Well now I smarten up and give the measurements as being a little wider. I figure hey, I'm done with short shades. Learned that lesson. I'm having them cut longer so I know they'll fit. Go home with my new shades and wow....their machine works really well because these shades.... are too long. I'm so defeated at this point I debate if I really want these shades. But then I look over at my pretty ruffle trim and decide that yes, they'll look really nice. Back to Lowes and ask if they can cut them down a smidge. She says she'll try and it should work. I'm willing to give it a go at this point. Bring them home, put one up and ohmygosh it fits! At this point I am giddy as I pull the shade down to try it out. It unrolls all right.....it just doesn't stop. You can roll it all day long and when it decides it wants to stop, that's when it stops. The other times it just snaps right back up to the top and the entire shade then falls out of the bracket and onto your head. #^$#@^$^@$%$%$#@$#@!#&*&

About 25 minutes and one small tantrum later where I may or may not have broken the plastic stick that comes with the shade over my thigh and then stomped on it angrily as my horrified hubby looked on......I ran down to the basement, grabbed my bin of castoff curtains and a couple of tension rods and threw up the first white pair of sheers that met my sight.


Now this.....



Is just fine by me. We have privacy, they still let the light come through and no more trips to have shades cut. Yup, I'm one happy camper.


And I did get to order from Country Curtains after all. I bought these holdbacks that I've coveted for months but didn't have a place for. I love the large size and how they sparkle.


Now, what should I do with that ruffle trim? I feel a project coming on. hmmmmmmmmm.....

29 comments:

Amanda @geekdetails said...

I love the idea of the ruffled trim and was all ready to go and try it and then I read further... I'm not sure I want to try it anymore lol

Connie said...

I think the ruffled shade would have been terrific but with all the trouble you went to I probably would have broken more than the plastic stick. Oh well, the curtains you put are awfully pretty.

Pine Tree Home said...

What a great laugh. I struggle with curtains all the time- the rods, the curtains, you name it. I like the sheers you hung, they look nice with the light filtering through.

The Whispering Creek House said...

love the idea of ruffle trim but think the curtains you put up are sooooo cute! well done!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, my gosh. This made me laugh out loud. Poor you! I think we can all relate to having projects that just don't work no matter how hard we try.

I think the curtains look pretty! I'm loving your new kitchen. :)

Anonymous said...

You poor thing...I feel your frustration, how hard is it to cut a shade properly!! Anyway, I think your idea was awesome but the curtains still look cute. I love the tiebacks.

LeAnn:)

Theresa said...

Oh My... I can't believe you had such a hard time. It is tough to get people to do something right the first time:) Sorry you didn't get the ruffled shade but I LOVE what you ended up with on the windows. Looking good and recycled too:) Have a blessed day and happy ruffle project!

beth said...

Oh, the drama of finding just the right treatment for your window! Been there, sister! :)
I love the new curtains. So cute!
I also love Country Curtains. My favorite are the simple Hemstitch curtains. I'm gonna get me so of those someday.
Thanks for the laugh this morning, and for making me feel better about all the window dressing blunders I have made in the past! :)
Have a great day! Beth.

Melissa Miller said...

Oh Michelle you had me laughing at this post! I'm so sorry for your back and forth dilema on the shades though. Ugh!

On the bright side I do adore the sheer curtains and the crystal holdbacks are gorgeous. ~WOW! Great job! :)

Helen said...

I love ruffles ~ on anything! And I have for as long as I can remember. Now I have one question ... what happened to the tree in the bucket?

::cottage instincts:: said...

Oh my gosh....this so totally what happens to me when I decide to copy something that seems 'so easy and cheap' :)

Those roller blinds would have been lovely, but I truly love what you ended up doing with your windows. And the holdbacks were the perfect addition.

I guess even our frustrations can be used to make us get creative and get the job done!

Thirkellgirl said...

We have a Country Curtains store nearby and I love looking through it. They've got lots of cute little (not expensive!) accessories, too. I feel your pain with the shade. Try Penneys catalog, they're my go-to place for curtains/shades/blinds now. I like the Lowes Waverly valances but that's about it for Lowes and window treatments.

My Casa Bella said...

Oh my goodness, thank you for that great laugh-out post!! At first I thought you were talking about me, during that tantrum....lol. But your windows look lovely now. Love the tiebacks.

Anna said...

I think the sheer curtains look so good! Sorry you had to go through all the drama!

Olivia @ Swan White Curtain said...

Aww, so sorry about the roller shades. Your new curtain are cute though! I don't take joy in the roller shade failure by any means, but after so many failed projects of my own, it's nice to know there is someone out there who can relate.

Darlene said...

Oh no I'm sorry the shades wouldn't cooperate cause they really look CUTE! I do LOVE the curtains you ended up putting up and the little holders are just adorable!

Can't wait to see what project you do with the ruffled trim.♥

Robin Johnson said...

Oh you poor girl, I'm so sorry. If it helps at all, I think the shades are adorable and the tie backs are stunning!

Elisa said...

Haha...LOL...I feel your pain. I think stores like Home Depot have some sort of a conspiracy theory going on because I can never get what I want in one trip...so yes, Lowe's is my preferred store these days. Time is money!! LOVE you new curtains.

Valley Girl said...

Seriously, what is the deal with those darn shades?!?! Every time I have had them cut, there is something wrong...too big, too small, won't roll, hinge breaks, didn't have the mounting parts and on and ON. I tell you, it is a love/hate relationship!!! So happy to hear it isn't just me.

Treasia Stepp said...

Well bless your heart! You did have one more kinda bad day. I actually like the curtains you ended up using though.

Dawn said...

I have sooo had similar tantrums!!!

Those ruffle curtain/shades are sooo cute. Sorry they didn't work out.

Hugs!

SHERYL COOPER said...

What a time you had! Guess I won't try using roller shades. LOL I love your new curtains. Very pretty!

Madame Meg said...

Oh yes, futzing with curtains/rods/shades always evoke the worst swears and greatest tantrums from me! Something about holding your arms over your head long enough to lose feeling in your fingertips, then trying to maneuver small screws and loops... My solution to my too-short shades? Shims! Cause that's how we roll in this house: close enough, let's make it work!
Your fall-back solution looks great!
- Meg

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I'm getting so frustrated for you - I hate having to make extra trips.

Kellie Collis said...

Looks gorgeous... Sounds like a very challenging event though! x

Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower Creative said...

Mmmm...love! I also adore the curtain hold backs...SO lovely! Ruffles would be fab!

Smiles,
rachel

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Oh, I feel your pain! Been there many times. I'm surprised I have not thrown my sewing machine out the window, yet. The ruffled shades seemed like a brilliant, super simple idea. Too bad it didn't work out, but what you put up instead looks great. Especially when you have it tied back. Thanks for sharing your failures and successes.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

i am glad i'm not the only one who has had a wee bit of trouble ordering plastic roller shades. sheesh!

Country Curtains said...

I thought these things only happen to me! I’ve resorted to no more home projects – DIY. I live in Bucks County PA and we have a great country home décor store with a wide selection of country curtains at reasonable prices, Piper Classics in Pipersville. So with spring coming I took a drive Saturday and found some beautiful curtains to bring my home into spring.