Your kitchen is absolutely charming!

I have just the place for you, since you sew. It's my favorite curtain pattern place. Click on the gallery pictures link at the top and go get your fill of eye candy. There are so many breathtaking toppers there you won't believe it, and pictures of them done in all types of fabrics and surroundings. They range from the very casual to the ooo-la-la elegant.

For kitchens, I think the ones held up by the roosters are just TOOOO cute!

If you don't find something there you love I'll be very surprised. Let me know what you think, please.

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Living Drapery & Valance Patterns

I agree, I love your kitchen, especially the great windows and the nifty corner cabinet! How old is your house? The cabinets are actually very similar to the ones I have (circa 1891 house), and I'm not changing anything about them except the knobs/handles.

Oceanna I went to the link you shared and you are right they have some lovely ideas on there. You had posted that link somewhere else, I glanced at it (cause I was at work) and tried to find it again when I got home to no avail so thanks for posting that!!

kim2007 The tax records state that the house was built in 1940 but I am told by my neighbor (the original owners niece) that my house was built in 1920's and the footprint was changed because of all the additions in 1940's, thus the tax records were updated. There is a large plantation in the area that has buildings that were built in the late 1800's and certain parts of my house (especially the foundation) look suspiciously similar. I would not be suprised to find it was older than my neighbor tells me it is. In fixing up the house I am trying my best to retain the original character of the house with selective updates.

Oceanna I forgot to mention, I was wondering if those ball fringe trim would be too cheesy this day and age but I saw on your link that they are still used quite often. YEAH!
LOL

You're very welcome! I didn't remember seeing ball fringe there -- I guess because I don't want it so I don't pay attention to it. What did impress me is the wide variety of valances, and so many of them so beautiful. I thik the fact that they used piping so often and the lovely trims gives them a very expensive look.

Did you see the one with the rooster knobs? That was so cute. I have no idea where to find knobs like that and I'm not a rooster person, but if I saw those knobs I'd do it.

If you've been sewing for a while some of those designs are easy to figure out with no pattern, I think... but with a few I wasn't sure about how they were made. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the site. I haven't found a better one for valances anywhere and they have lots of designs I haven't seen put out by the usual pattern companies. If you end up making some I sure hope you'll let us know and post a picture.

You could do something like this one I did in my office; it's so easy you wouldn't believe it. It's just three hems with a casing at the top, then just tied up with ribbon. Sorry - there is a roller shade behind it that is showing in this picture.

{{!gwi}}

You can also cover window shades with fabric like this one I did in the bird room. The inspiration for the topper was from that web site I gave you (I didn't use a pattern). The fabrics go better in person than they photograph.

{{!gwi}}

I think both ideas look good. I forgot to buy liner fabric so I have to put my project off until I get the liner.
ANOTHER UNFINISHED PROJECT!!!

Okay since I did not get the liner fabric what I have is going in the closet cause I found the perfect curtain for my kitchen!!! It is the maurice sold at JCP

{{!gwi}}

The problem is that I will not spend $300 on curtains for the kitchen. SO I am going to try to make them. Does anyone have any idea how to make the balloon shade? Each window costs $100 each!!! [Call me cheap if you want to but I just can't spend that on kitchen curtains]. The desrciption says the curtain does not raise and lower like a shade and to shirr on a conventional rod.

Thanks in advance

Did you check out Country Curtains. They have similar ones and their prices usually seem very reasonable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Country Curtains

Have you looked at the Shabby Chic line at Target? There are some cute white balloon shades you might be able to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Balloon curtains

I checked Country Curtains first cause I love that look in the bathroom and kitchen. I also checked target but I could not find any as elegant as the one in JCP. I am going to have to make them I know. I did some research on the Internet last night and I think I have an idea of how I am going to do them. If I can find the white and blue eyelet trim that is affordable I am going to go for it.

hey yall,
I got my counter tops finished!!! One job finally finished. Now on to the curtains. I could not find the lace I wanted so I am thinking of making the same kitchen curtains but I am going to use a pattern fabric for the pricillas and some kind of sheer that will be in a solid color for the baloon shade. I found the following 2 fabrics can you help me to decide?

I also put the trim and panels on the front of the lower cabinets but I have not painted them yet. I also plan on changing the door handles but not quite sure what handle styles to use.
{{!gwi}}
the beige fabric has a hint of blue and the right fabric has more yellow than you can see in this photo
{{!gwi}}

They are both pretty with your wall. The one on the right packs more of a dynamic stunning pop/punch, I think, so I'm leaning in that direction just a little.

The one on the left is airier and sunnier, and introduces a third color, green. What colors are you going to decorate with -- plates, cookie jars, and so on? If you have green in your accessories, then I'd pick the one on the left.

Not much help, huh? Either would be pretty.

Is the wall blue? If the wall is blue, I would use the fabric with the green. If not, I like the blue.

Ms.jay, your countertops and cabinets look fabulous! Did you do that yourself??

I love the blue on the right. You could add a mini check with it, which you could trim in white eyelet if you're looking for real cottagey effect. I could see some beautiful creamy yellow accessories such as canisters, decorative plates, etc.

Great work!

I like the blue ont he right. It has a more vintage feel to it which seems to go with the style of your house/kitchen.

msjay, check vandykes.com. Glass bridge handles would look nice on the drawers, and matching glass knobs for the doors. Bin pulls would look good on the drawers too.

It's looking good!

I checked Van dykes and you are right those handles do look good (i like the blue glass handles). I am planing on going to the Habitat Restore tomorrow and if I can not find the handles I will check these next. I am trying to save some money. I am planning on looking for some bin pulls for the drawers like you suggest.

I like both fabrics here is a better representation of the colors:
{{!gwi}}

I don't really have any accessories for the kitchen as I am starting new. I really love the yellow and blue fabric but my concern is if it overshadows the tile backsplash. The backsplash was kind of pricey for me so I would like to have a curtain that does not overshadow the backsplash. feedback on that?

teeda no I did not do the countertops myself DF did them but I took photos of every step. they came out great and if anyone is interested in how to do countertops in tile let me know and I will do a thread on it. my counter top is 90x26 and the cost was as follows:
box of 4x4 tiles ..................................$10.00
back splash....20 tiles.............................80.00
outside corner tiles had to buy 2 needed one........ 5.00
2x6 bull nose tiles 14,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.......,,,,,,,,,.9.00
bag of morter.......................................12.00
grout............................................... 6.00
sealer.............................................. 4.00
backer board........................................ 8.00
2 bags of extension clips for the sink.............. 6.00
==================================================
TOTAL..............................................130.00
HAD I USED A PLAIN LIPPED TILE FOR THE BACK TOTAL WOULD HAVE BEEN ......................................... 80.OO
PLUS THE PRICE OF AN INSIDE CORNER.

The curtains will probably cost more than the counter...

If Restore doesn't pan out, check ebay for the hardware too. You might be able to find something cheaper there than Vandykes. Bonus if it's old and has "character"!

We put a tile countertop in our last kitchen too. Some people really dislike them, but I think they're great.

I love the brighter blue/yellow fabric. I think it will look beautiful in your kitchen. The kitchen cabinets and wall paint look so pretty. The blue glass handles would look georgeous! Can't wait to see more.

i love the blue/yellow fabric too. I guess I am going to go for it. this is not a curtain question but does it look odd to anyone else that the 2 dummy drawers have no handle? should I put handles on them as if they opened or leave it as it is?

I like the tile counter because it is heat resistant and always remains shiney. the problem comes with the grout staying white. I had to hear DF whine about the white grout getting dirty. I think the sealer is going to make sure it stays clean looking. I put about 3 coats of sealer on it. Hopefully it will stay white. If not I will just get me some grout renew and do them over. He thought blue lines would look good. ugggggh

okay back to the curtain question... if I use the blue/yellow fabric for the outside curtains what color for the baloon shade? plain white? yellow? blue? checked? I was thinking of a striped fabric if I can find one. most likely I will not be able to match the colors in a stripe so I figured a plain will look nice. thoughts? no flooring yet. that is the next problem. oh and by the way the trim and cabinets have not been painted yet they will be a crisp white. The white I have right now seems to be a dullish white color.

Also should I put any trim on the drawer fronts or leave them plain? It just seems to me that something is missing from them.

Thanks for your help! You guys are so great!! My kitchen is not one of those magazine $50,000 remodels and I appreciate you guys helping me.

Ms.jay, love the yellow and blue and glad you're leaning towards it. I'm wondering, though--are you totally sold on making the priscilla style curtains with it? The reason I ask is that gathering the fabric fully on a rod will make it lose a lot of it's impact--the pattern won't show well. I think either cornice boards covered in the fabric (with a contrast welting around the edges) or a shaped valance (like the southern living patterns) would be beautiful. Another advantage is that you would only need a fraction of the fabric. I would then do lace balloon curtains under the cornice or valance. You could find these inexpensively as well. I think the gorgeous fabric, the lace, and the glass knobs would be stunning together! Regarding the dummy panels, I'd probably leave them plain then see how you feel once you get the other handles on. You could always order more

You are doing a great job. I think budget remodels are the most fun. I always said I wouldn't know what to do if I ever had to work with a big budget! And I was just reading on the internet today that big budget remodels can be very dicey in this troubled real estate market--cosmetic remodels are much more likely to give you a return on your investment!

thanks teeda. Another idea I had just because of what you just said is using the fabric for the Roman shades (with the dowels) and curtains on the outside of the window? I don't know why but I feel the need to cover up the middle of the window which explains why the pricillas. what about this idea on each window? using the same fabric for the shades and the curtains? see link. is that too much with this fabric?

As for your comment about the expensive remodels... I see a lot of $30,000 kitchen remodels and they all look alike to me. different colors, same style. looks nice until you think about the thousand other kitchens that look just like them. I agree there is really a higher return on the money with DIY remodels. If I was rich I don't know if I would do it any different.

Here is a link that might be useful: newest curtain idea

I think roman shades with the floral fabric would be very pretty. Then would you add gathered panels on the side? Maybe you could find a fabric that matches the background of the fabric (or even a small yellow/white check?). I think Country Curtains might even sell something like that (and they'll send you fabric samples free).

I had handles on dummy drawers and what happened was guests tried to open them and either ripped their fingernails off or ripped the drawer handles off. I wouldn't do it. I would look for some pretty wood appliques at the hardware store and glue them on before you paint instead.

If it were my window I'd be tempted to just do a pretty topper and put a venetian shade behind it that doesn't show when pulled up, but that you can pull down and tilt for heat/sun or privacy control as you wish. I have a huge curtain/drapes/toppers file so I went snooping around in there for you. Here are some things I found:

Your pic first so you don't have to scroll up...

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Now on this next one, you could use the yellow fabric you picked out already and do this on the bottom edge with either a yellow or blue gingham (check):

{{!gwi}}

If you really want to not detract from your beautiful backsplash, you could go for something far more understated, like this (in whatever colors you like -- this was on eBay a while back):

{{!gwi}}

This is on eBay hand made new ($15.99):

{{!gwi}}

There are two of these Rachel Ashwell balloon shades available on eBay (one ad) for $33.24 ea:

{{!gwi}}

There are tons more on eBay, so you might want to peek. You may be able to buy cheaper than you can make. Of course there are sewing patterns on there cheaper than in the stores, too.

Bump for Msjay

Beautiful curtains, Oceanna. And I love that understated one, which I haven't seen anything like around.

Thanks, Squirrel. I love that one too; I almost bought it and sometimes wish I had.

~~

MsJay, thought you'd like to know I added a whole bunch more pictures to the Cottage Decor thread in the Gallery. Lotsa' purdy stuff.

Thanks. I really like the toppers but not too crazy about the 2nd or last one. I was going to go shopping today for the fabric but I have my grandkids over and been suuuuuper busy with them. I was actually gonnna ask the lady in there what she thought about an idea I had very similar to the third photo. Thanks for the photos!!

I went to the Habitat Restore in Raleigh yesterday and found a whole set of different size tiles with the same pattern and colors as my backsplash except the lines were heavier. The whole box was $6!! I also found a small width cabinet for my kitchen to put between my stove and fridge for $10.

Thanks for your help. The thread you are referring to about the photos is the cottgae vs country thread? if not can you send me a link. I love looking through your photos Oceanna!

You're very welcome for the photos!

Wow that's just great that you found the box of tiles that match your backsplash, and for $6? How lucky! Where will you put them? You really had shopper's luck if you also found a cabinet for $10. I wanna come shopping with you.

Here's the thread where I added lots of new pics:

Here is a link that might be useful: Gallery: Show me your cottage decor

I saw the photo in the link below in a posting from Oceana that she posted on another thread and it has the feel I want for my kitchen.

I am in the process of geting drywall ceilings put up. I have these hideous tile board ceilings and I just can't live with them long term so I have a contractor coming in to replace this weekend. Once that is done the walls will get touched up, the windows will get dressed, my bakers rack will move in and the cabinets will finally get painted and the hardware put on.

Now this has nothing to do with curtains but looking at the kind of feel I want for my kitchen (in the link) and considering the ceiling height is only 7.5' I am having problems picking out a light fixture. I thought one of those curvy track lights might work but I think that will be too modern for the feel I want. I do want something that will light up the kitchen pretty good though. I thought about one of those ceiling hugging long flourescents with wood trim but they are kind of ugly. ideas please??

Also anyone know what kind of latches these are and where I can find them?

Thanks you guys! Hopefully by next weekend my kitchen will look like a kitchen verses a construction zone. I also decided to take Oceanana's advice and use valances vs curtains.

I lean on you guys too much. Anytime I ask DF his opinion he comes back with "what do your buddies on the forum say" LOL.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1535700}}

I like the blue and yellow happy print that goes well with your kitchen. Your kitchen is charming. I like the beadboard walls and the white trim around the windows. I wish my windows had white trim. I can't wait to see a finished picture of the changes you plan to make. I think it is cute now so it will be extra cute.

msjay, you could do a simple schoolhouse light like this: http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC379/templates/selection.phtml. This is what I have in the polished nickel finish. If you're afraid it's not enough light, you can always do two of them. Even if you don't like that one, Rejuvenation's website is a good place to look for inspiration, and you might find something similar on ebay for less $.

You can get those cabinet latches at vandykes.com too, http://www.vandykes.com/product/02018811/. I also have them in my kitchen. I don't think they will work on your cabinet doors. They have to have an flush inset door, so the catch is on an immovable piece of wood and the turn part is on the door. They have to line up. I don't see how they could possibly work in that picture, either. Probably, they don't, they're just for effect.

Good to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the kitchen update, huh?

I looked at that pic again. The latches work on those doors because both doors butt up to each other, and there should be a separate hidden latch behind the left-hand door that holds it closed.

What a very dear, charming kitchen. I just thought, "Aw!"

Let me see if I can find a picture of the roman-sort-of blind I rigged up at my last house...

I don't think you can beat eBay for lighting. You prolly know if you get an old fixture it needs to be re-wired so it doesn't burn your house down, unless someone has already rewired it. If it's a simple fixture the folks at the hardware store can tell you how. If you hire it out it's usually around $40, at least around here... more for a complex fixture. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent there drooling over antique lighting! You can search on: vintage, antique, old, fisture, flush mount, semi-flush mount, deco, slip shade, schoolhouse, etc. Or just page through to see what rings your chimes. You should be able to get something very nice that fits the look that you want and is authentic from the right era. They have new reproductions there too, of course.

Of course they have track lighting too, but I agree that wouldn't be in keeping with the look you want.

There are a lot of these little darlings around. I'm showing you what someone has painted (so you can see the type of bulb they use) but you can pick up an unpainted one much cheaper and do as you please with it. A couple of these would give you plenty of light.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a cute shade that would go with your paint.

Here is a craftsman stained glass one.

There are several schoolhouse repros here if you scroll down.

Things look to me to be a little slow so soon after the holidays but should pick up soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lighting

Bungalow I figured that out about the latches last night after I posted. I found them on eBay and got a good look at how they work and no they will not work on my cabinets. I did find another set (pictures below) that I like but I am going to still look around to make sure. I am undecided about the handles because of having to make 2 holes in the door and the room for error is large. BTW I found the glass handles in the Habitat Store but only the clear ones. I wish they had the blue ones! They were only 75 cents each!!!

Demeron I love your kitchen. very nice and I was wondering how shutters look with a valnce and now I see it looks nice.

Oceanna I never saw a light fixture like that painted one and I think it looks REALLY good. I did check ebay and I saw a couple of things on there I like. I did not realize lights cost so much. I am in sticker shock again. LOL.

I do like the schoolhouse style the one with the white trim looks cool. I am like all into this white. I did paint my bakers rack black with white basket drawers. I did that because I plan to use the flat black handles. I picked these out:

{{!gwi}}

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here is the bakers rack (still in the barn). I have painted it black including the shelf and then painted the whicker basket drawers (which are not in the photo) white.

{{!gwi}}

When I finish the kitchen I will show a picture of the rack finished. I am kind of regretting not painting it white especially after looking at demerons white kitchen. It was originally black and I figured it would be easier and wear better to keep with the original color.

well I got a new ceiling in my kitchen, painted my bakers rack and it is in the kitchen, found me a small cabinet, made my toppers (but did not hang yet) put my floor down and just need to paint the ceiling and do the trim work. I have a brand new kitchen! I lost my thread but resolvr emailed me and told me how to find my stuff (thanks again).

When I brought the curtain material, I got a fabric similar to the one I showed above. I thought it was the same one but they moved it around and I got one very similar but not the same. I did not realize it till I got home. Fifinshing up this weekend and will post pictures. thanks to you guys for all the ideas on this thread and other ones I could not find since GW messed up the search feature.

Love this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUE-TOILE-CURTAIN-VALANCE-Gingham-Trim-Tres-Chic_W0QQitemZ230217385933QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20587QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Wow, I love the handles you picked. I can't wait to see your pictures!

I'm sorry I didn't see your last post earlier with your comment about the light fixture I pictured here for you. I love that type. I don't know if you're still in the market for a light fixture, but here are some art deco ones at good prices if you hurry. Remember if wiring is old it must be replaced, but if it's a simple fixture your hardware store can show you how to do it inexpensively yourself. You can also refinish and paint it however you like, and to match your room. They are only expensive if someone else has already done that for you, and when it comes to painting one you would know what you like better anyway... these are all at great prices...

Vintage Art Deco Cast Ceiling Fixture Brass Bobeches

BRASS 2 LIGHT DECO CEILING FIXTURE

Art Deco Light Fixtures -- a matched pair for very cheap!

Antique Steel Deco Hanging Light Fixture 3 Bulb ORNATE

OAntique ~ Art Deco Copper Ceiling-Wall Light Fixture

Antique Art Deco Ceiling Fixture Semi Flush Mount

Lots more where those came from -- just google "deco fixture" in eBay and sort them from lowest to highest and you'll see lots of dazzlers.

Thanks to Oceanna for fishing out this thread and bumping it up so I can find it again. I got her message at work toady and COULD NOT WAIT to get home to talk to my garden web friends!!
My kitchen is coming along nicely. I will be working on it real hard this weekend and hopefully it will be a wrap pretty soon. I hope I shock you guys with the end results because personally it feels like a whole new kitchen. I make the curtains out of the yellow /blue fabric. actually I made valances and was hoping to find some nice trim for them but I have not found that yet so "it is what it is". I found some fabric on clearance that I am going to try to make some shades out of. We'll see how that turns out. I made a set that turned out totally messed up so I am back to square one on that project.

ANYWHOO... I went to ebay this morning and bidded on the first light fixture but came home and found I lost the bid. Hopefully no one on here outbid me. (evillone outbid me) I would love to have a light fixture like that. Not in my kitchen but in my office. I brought a cheapo light fixture for the kitchen. I also ordered new door fronts and drawer boxes for the cabinets. I think I got a good deal on them (link below).

If anyone sees any light fixtures like the first one Oceanna listed (for about the same price) please send me an email.

Thanks guys! pictures coming soon!! Oh and in case you are interested you can view my progress on my site www.freecellz.com

Here is a link that might be useful: cabinet doors... good deals

I messed up my first set of curtains and have to do them again. has anyone made or have cafe curtains where the top and bottom are different? Would that look odd? Oceanna do you have any photo examples of that?

THANKS!!

Ms. Jay - you have inspired me... I'm thinking about tile countertops now.

I like that first fabric, by the way and your kitchen is going to be perfectly charming!

Bummer about messing up the curtains. :( I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the tops and bottoms looking different. The top is a valance and the bottom is a curtain, so that's different. Do you mean like a solid on the top and a print on the bottom or vice versa? Or?

TOO LATE!! LOL. I already made the new ones and practically messed them up too by making the seam kind of tight. I am in the process of hanging them. But to answer your question I meant one color on top and another color for the bottom. I used the image search for cafe curtains and I could not find any that were not the same. I will either post pictures tonight after I finish hanging the valance or tomorrow if I don't get them hung tonight.
Bear in mind I have not changed the cabinet fronts or changed the hardware yet. It is coming along though!!! Okay let me finish hanging the rods.

Hello everyone. For those that have been following my kitchen I am near completion! I had gotten really ill with the flu, then one thing after another... anyway I am back to fixing up the house. To recap I tried to do new door fronts myself with beadboard and trim on the front of the cabnets.
{{!gwi}}

That was not working out too well. I did leave these but on the upper cabinets I brought new doors.
I also replaced all the drawers and drawer fronts and it was so cheap. I got Maple and if I remember correctly it was less than $300!
I followed Oceanna's advice and broguht new hardware off eBay. I was stayed safe because I just could not make up my mind on what to get. I wound up with bin pulls, and birdcage knobs and pulls. We tiled the cabinet tops and back splash and I made an attempt to make curtains. I did use the pattern I asked the advice about above but I had to use a different fabric on the bottom. As soon as I get a good hunk of extra money I will be putting shutters on the bottom part so no real loss there. I looooove the way shutters look.
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(still have dishes in the sink,,,LOL but they are clean. I don't really have anywhere to store them.

I also painted the bakers rack and it should be jam packed with crap neatly but I really don't know how to use it well!
{{!gwi}}

I converted the elec stove to gas and it is now in place AND HOOKED UP LOL. The cabinet doors in this photo are new.

{{!gwi}}

The only thing left to do now is the trimwork on the ceiling and baseboards.

Thanks to all of you for your help!! And those of you who have not been following my story it is available online too. I have not painted the house yet but I do have some suprises to post soon.

I would love to see how people have their bakers rack I know I can use it better than I am. And what is missing from behind the stove> need ideas for that too!

Thanks again...I love you guys!!

Here is a link that might be useful: my place

oh yeah and I forgot to add that I need ideas on storing my pots too. Keep in mind my ceilings are only 7.5' high