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Dining Room update: 2/3 drapes up....

14 years ago

Hi all, So, I went ahead and decided to go with the flower fabric for my curtains. Unfortunately, I completely spaced and didn't order enough fabric. So, I was only able to make curtains for 2 sets of the windows so far. The rest of the fabric should be arriving soon, but I just wanted to get the curtains up so that I could see what it looked like. What do you think? The one thing I was thinking about was adding some grosgrain ribbon at the height of the wainscotting, but then I was wondering if it would make it too busy. I have both red and green ribbon. Not sure about that. Anyway, so just to remind you about how the dining room looked in the beginning, here are a couple of photos:

Here are some photos after the addition of the wainscotting:

And now, here is the room with the 2/3 of the curtains:

Here's a close up of the fabric:

I still need to figure out what I'm going to put over the mantel after the wreath comes down, what I'm going to do with the buffet area, and figure out new pillows for the bench.

Comments (31)

  • 14 years ago

    That looks wonderful. I love what you've done with the room.

  • 14 years ago

    The drapes look very nice! I wouldn't do the ribbon; it will look too forced and I don't think it will add anything. In fact it may just make the drapes chopped up. As it is, your eye takes in the whole height of the drapes making the room appear taller.
    Diane

  • 14 years ago

    Those are very attractive. I agree, no ribbon.

  • 14 years ago

    I am so glad you picked that fabric. It's fantastic! No ribbon.

  • 14 years ago

    I voted for the elephant fabric. I didn't think that floral would look right in your room, but that just turned out fabulous! Wow!

    Another vote for no ribbon. Those drapes have a lot going on, so I'd leave them as-is. You may want to use the ribbon for table linen trim?

    I just finished my own large floral drapes for the dining room, and I'm amazed how that large pattern changes the room.

  • 14 years ago

    agreed... no ribbon

  • 14 years ago

    You room is looking great! The wainscotting, paint color, and curtains look fantastic with your fireplace. I would also vote no for the ribbon.

  • 14 years ago

    What a lovely makeover!! The drapes look perfect as is - don't ruin their perfection. The whole flavor of the room has transformed, and in such an attractive way. As for pillows for the bench, I'd steer toward some deep gold that's already in the curtain, (to tie in the fireplace tile color), and reds. Super job so far!

  • 14 years ago

    Pretty, pretty, pretty!

    Yup, no ribbon.

    I'm also in love with the turkey window decs in both the before and after pics!

  • 14 years ago

    nice improvement!

    i agree, no ribbon. if you feel the panels 'need something' (which i don't think they do!), an option would be to have a 12" piece of contrasting fabric incorporated at the top...i've seen panels with this--sortof like a valence at the top of the panel, but it's a part of the panel...

  • 14 years ago

    Just beautiful. So much happier and cheerful than the before.

    I agree - no ribbon.

  • 14 years ago

    Love it. Totally love it.

  • 14 years ago

    Wow -- looks so terrific & festive! Well, I am a border lover and I loved the border on your initial drapes (first pic) and I'd love to see something like that on your new drapes. Doesn't have to be ribbon, 'cause I'm kinda mad for a fringe and think a ball fringe might work well the kicky nature of your print. However, it looks as if you're a clean-line person, so maybe a simple band along the interior edge would better be up your alley.

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks for all the nice comments. I am really happy with how things are turning out. I've hated the old dining room from day one and tried many ways to make it work. I'm so glad that I finally scrapped it and started new with new color and drapes and the wainscotting. I was a bit nervous about the floral print, but I think it's great for our family right now. Since this is an everyday eating area for 4 kids, I wanted it to seem young and fresh.

    Thanks also for the advice on the ribbon. I was hoping that folks would vote against it since I wasn't looking forward to the extra work, even though it was minor. We are hosting Christmas and I have a million other projects to get to all around the house before that!

    Barb5, our kids will be happy that you appreciated the turkey. Our son was particularly honored that his turkey was in the window, especially since he knows how much I obsess about decorating the house. He was honored that his turkey made the cut!

  • 14 years ago

    Simply stunning. Young and fresh is exactly the look you achieved!

  • 14 years ago

    The room is looking great. I really like the curtains and when it isn't fall/winter the curtains and your outdoors are going to look great together. It all looks so much better with your beautiful onyx fireplace. what a transformation!

    No ribbon.

  • 14 years ago

    I love all of your choices. You have shown that it's possible to have a stylish and kid friendly house at the same time. The turkey adds just the right touch of whimsy.

  • 14 years ago

    As one who voted twice for the floral fabric in your original thread, I have to say the room is stunning! It went from not knowing what it wanted to be to making a magazine-worthy statement.
    Dee

  • 14 years ago

    Beautiful! I love your drapes and agree, no ribbon required.
    Gosh you're quick on completing projects! Paint..done. Drapes done. I agonize over the decision process and take far too long. Want to come to my house, lol??

    Again, wonderful job on this beautiful, fresh room!

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks again for all your kind words. Thank you also for all your advice and input. I definitely value it. Lisa, it's actually been a long and slow process, considering that I let the room sit for almost 2 years before finally getting the nerve to change it! Once I made up my mind though, I got on it. I'll have to confess that I think I'm in a nesting mode. I'm actually expecting our 5th kid in March and am in this frenzy to get as many things done as possible before she arrives. It's been fun and I'm glad that I'm finally getting these projects off my list. In the next 3 months, I plan on re-doing 3 kids rooms and tweaking several other rooms along the way. I'll be sure to post progress pictures. The dining room has been the most challenging though in terms of coming up with a vision. I'm so happy with how it's coming along so far!

  • 14 years ago

    Absolutely LOVE it all! I agree, no ribbon required.
    I forget what color paint you used, but it looks amazing!

  • 14 years ago

    Congratulations! How lucky you are with your 5th on the way! I have twin boys but wished I could have had more, but it wasn't to be.

    Love the way your room has turned out. It's a cheerful space with a lovely updated color palate.

  • 14 years ago

    Totally magazine worthy!

  • 14 years ago

    Love the curtains--- and the entire room! Another vote for no ribbon here.

  • 14 years ago

    Holy cow! You did that molding WHILE pregnant? I'm very impressed! Even more than I was before.

  • 14 years ago

    Yup, I did this project almost entirely by myself. My DH did help by caulking the joints in the wainscotting. I did literally everything else--hauled the lumber, cut it, nailed/glued it, sanded it, painted it, painted the walls, made 2/3 of the curtains, etc. I loved doing it, and just love the sense of accomplishment in knowing that I did it myself. I think I have an illness. :) Loribee, the paint color is BM Satchel. boysrus, thank you. Boys, btw, are great. I have 4 of them! This will be our first and only girl, and it's given me the opportunity to explore a whole new design direction, among other things....

  • 14 years ago

    The new drapes really perked up the room. It looks much more fun now and also stylish.
    Of course, "no ribbon" vote here too.... An interior vertical edgeband in green might be cool, but is not needed at all.

  • 14 years ago

    Love the drapes and amazed that you made them yourself! I have debated buying a sewing machine and trying to learn, as I have many windows still to go in our 1 year old house. Some two story windows...in my dreams I could save us thousands by making my own simple panels! Can you share any info. on how easy/hard the panels were to make? Are the tops flat with rings attached, or are you skilled enough to make pinch pleats?! Thanks!

  • 14 years ago

    beautiful! it's a big room and needed the boldness and color. It'll go with the blossoming spring out the windows and until then it adds the color that isn't out there!

    love it! It'll be so good to have it all done when the baby gets here. congrats! don't forget we'll wanna see pics on that 'project' also!

  • 14 years ago

    JanniferPA, go for it! My MIL bought me a sewing a machine for my birthday a couple of years ago, specifically so that I could sew curtains. I had literally zero experience with sewing before that. She showed me how to use my machine to do a straight stitch, which took about 5 minutes to learn. That's all I needed. I simply take a bolt of fabric and fold over and sew in the the unfinished edges all around. I have once lined the curtains, but generally skip it bc all the curtains in our house are dummy panels that aren't meant to really be functional. I have roller shades in most of the windows. I don't like the look of a fully closed curtained window. Sometimes, I just leave an opening at the top to let a pole slip through. With these I sewed on a pleater tape at the top and attached curtain hooks and rings. It was super easy. We have a 12 foot window in our great room that I made curtains for by buying PB windows and adding a contrasting fabric on the bottom to lengthen them. My projects are by no means professional looking, but I think that to me and 99% of the population they look great. Plus, I think they are more interesting and cheaper than most of what I could find out there to purchase. Anyway, good luck!

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks for the inspiration, I think I will try it! Mine won't be functional either, roller blinds or shades in most of the windows. I was just reading about pleater tape recently and didn't think it sounded too hard. Also love the idea of adding contrasting fabric, might have to use that for the great room. I'll let you know how I do, thanks again!