11.18.2010

a touch of chevron

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You know how it is when you look around a room and just think something is missing. I had been feeling that way about my master bedroom for a while. The walls were painted, I had new bed linens, a playful picture collage and a newly upholstered pink velvet bench under the window. There's color and pattern everywhere - why does it feel imcomplete? And then I looked at the windows. They were so plain! And that's when I decided that I needed bold pattern on the curtains to bring everything together. A black and white chevron print was my dream, but the idea of sourcing fabric and having full length drapes sewn seemed like way too much money and time. I wanted that burst of pattern right away! So off to Ikea, for two sets of the Lenda curtain in bleached cotton ($14.99 per pair!!) Another stop at Lowe's yielded a quart of semi-gloss acrylic black paint and one 4-inch trim roller. Back at home, I threw a drop cloth down on the living room floor, laid the first curtain panel on it (careful to smooth out all the wrinkles), and then started zig-zagging away. Several hours later, plus some drying time, and voila!, DIY chevron curtains! I like that the pattern looks rough and imperfect - that was part of the goal. Intentionally imperfect looks way better than something that tries to be perfect and fails, don't you think? So let me know what you think - did this project complete the room?
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And in case your curious, here's my (much more glamorous!) inspiration:


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I just need to upgrade to a fur throw, get rid of my old-fashioned tv (on which I watch Friday Night Lights dvds while I'm getting dressed, thank you very much), get a sparkly light fixture and a lucite chair, and generally add a dose of SPARKLE! I'm glad I still have projects to work on...

(Last image via Anne Coyle Interiors)

11 comments:

Samantha said...

I am in love! I'm doing this the second I have a place of my own :) Genius

Unknown said...

LOVE ur take on it - it's PERFECT! - the yellow armoir - TO DIE!

Katie said...

It is so beautiful! The fur blanket wouldn't be hard. I have one from way back, found (fake) fur on the bolt....bought a few yards, sewed some pretty cream satin to the back and boom!!!

Unknown said...

So clever and affordable. The curtains flow with your rooms aesthetic.

Amy Moore said...

Ahhhmazing! I think I just found my inspiration for my office curtains. I wonder if you could use black electrical tape for the stripes...hmmm?

Amy

Bethann said...

The curtains are perfect! I'm in love with chevron! I am acutally in the process of laying out the pattern on my design studio floor like your inspiration photo. My hubby is helping me get it right. Mine's going to be navy and white.

wolf biter said...

I spy a kitty on your bench!

Emily Ide said...

Please share the sourse of the blanket at the foot of your bed. I am IN LOVE!!! (your home is such an inspiration)!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the positive feedback!

To Emily - the satin blanket is from Urban Outfitters. I bought it at an employee sample sale (I work for the company) so I don't know if it's in stores yet.

Lovely Little Nest said...

I love that you created the chevron curtains yourself! They look great ~ perfect amount of drama :)

Jane Dagmi said...

Love the curtains and your determination.