I know you guys think I’ve forgotten I’m supposed to be finishing the living-dining room makeover at my parent’s house, though I am still working on it…and it’s sooooo nearly done!

One of the projects I’ve just crossed off the “to do” list is the window treatments.

There are three large windows (one incorporating a glass sliding door) in the space so it was a biggish job and getting it right was important.

Here they are in my initial concept renderings…

3D Concept Rendering

3D Concept Rendering - Windows

For privacy and light and climate control we started by installing simple white block-out roller blinds which blend seamlessly with the architraves.

White Roller Blind

Practical, yet not so pretty.

Roller blinds are my go-to. They are super affordable, incredibly functional and relatively streamline – which works well if you’re after a clean look. If, however, you want to create a sense of cosiness and make a bit of a statement with your window dressings, they do lack the softness and impact of some fabric treatments. So, we also decided to hang stationary drapes. These not only help temper the lines of the window frames and provide relief from all the “hard” surfaces in the space, though also work to conceal the roller blind cords and ends.

You might recall from one of my previous posts that we went with inexpensive off-the-shelf curtains from Ikea (the LENDA in beige).

Ikea Lenda Curtains

The tie-backs make them look a bit dated in this pic. We won’t be using them.

Ikea curtains are a great option. In general they are quite affordable and come in lots of simple styles which lend themselves to a myriad of schemes and are perfect for further customisation. Also, their proportions tend to be quite generous which allows for mounting them high or pooling them on the floor (if you like that look). More than that though, their ample drop also provides wiggle room for adapting the heading (with ease) if desired – which is exactly what we did!

To give our curtains a more tailored look, we decided to remove the tabs and add little rings. This was a simple matter of cutting off the existing tabs, re-hemming the top then sewing on some heading (pleat) tape.

Curtain Hook Tape

Next, to determine the right drop, we hung them on their rods (mum previously had curtains in the room so we simply used the existing ones), pinned the bases up so they just skimmed the floor then took the curtains down again and sewed-up the hems.

To further customise the panels, I also decided to add a subtle pattern in the form of a trellis stencil.

Moroccan Trellis Stencil

I bought this stencil for a project about three years ago and never got around to using it. I found it here on Etsy. The pattern’s not absolutely ideal for curtain panels though it was fun to use something I already had.

I haven’t really stenciled since I was a teenager and thought it would be cool to make my bedroom look galactic! And I’ve never used a large all-over stencil before. Though despite my initial hesitation it was actually super easy. So easy I didn’t feel it even warranted a proper tutorial, though here are the basics of what I did…

How to Stencil Curtains

1 With a curtain panel laid flat on the floor, I positioned the stencil in the center.

How To Stencil

2 Using quite a dry foam roller (I “off-loaded” excess paint by rolling it back and forth in a small paint tray), I applied a sparing amount of white acrylic craft paint.

How To Stencil Fabric

3 Once one full stencil was complete and dry to the touch (sparingly applied acrylic craft paint dries almost instantly on fabric), I lifted the stencil and re-positioned it as required, working from the center out until the whole curtain panel was complete.

Stenciled Curtain

I started quite cautiously, measuring to the center of the panel, taping down each side of the stencil and using the “registration elements” (small triangular marks you can see in one of the above pics – designed to act as a guide for accurately re-positioning the stencil). After my initial panel was complete however, I decided it wasn’t necessary to be too fussy. I stopped using tape and started guessing where the center of the panel was based on the fold lines. I also gave up using the registration elements and simply eyed the re-positioning of the stencil. It was heaps quicker and the results are identical. If I was stenciling something really prominent, like a wall, I would probably take more care, though curtains are pretty forgiving. Besides, I did want a slightly imperfect “hand-made” look anyway.

Because the curtains won’t be closed, you don’t see the stenciling in its entirety. It’s a bit of a shame because the trellis design is really cool though I do love the way that little hints of pattern peek out here and there, helping to break-up the beige and add some interest.

And I adore how the dots and squares impart a slightly tribal feel.

Stenciled Curtains

Sorry I don’t have any “full” shots…they are coming soon along with the complete room reveal!

As mentioned above, mum previously had curtains in the room so we used her existing metal rods and brackets. And to keep costs down we went with plastic rings and finials.

Yep, they’re plastic. Is that a decorating faux par? Can anyone even tell what they’re made of when they’re seven feet off the floor? I know I can’t.

Hang on then. Just pretend I never told you and no-one will ever know. Shhhh.

Signature

Catch up with all posts about this room makeover here.

 

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