June 7, 2009

Design On A Dime Drapes!

I'm joining Susan for her Met Monday party....please be sure to see all the other creative posts on Susan's blog!

Since my re-do of my dining room I’ve been in a delimma about what to do about window treatments. I got some great suggestions from blogland and all of them were helpful. Of course, as always, budget was a factor but I didn’t want to “make do” or “settle” and be unhappy. I even bought a pair of gorgeous triple-width, lined and weighted silk drapes, hubby hung them, but they didn’t feel right. So down they came and back to the store they went.

After seeing how others have used the drop cloths as drapes, I thought, why not? I’d only be out of about $20 for a pair of them and I can customize them for my decor. So off to Lowe’s I went for my 6x9 drop cloths at about $9.00 a piece. I also replaced the “fat” curtain rod originally used at that window with a nice skinny black one. There was nothing to hanging them once the rod was installed, just used about 10 clip rings per panel and clipped the panels to those rings. While they looked good “plain” I wanted them to have a little more style so I bought a full size flat black sheet to use as a border. In the end, I cut about 30” off the drop cloths, made a 20” border for the bottom, and sewed them together. I didn’t even sew a hem but used good old stitchy witchy for the bottom and sides of the border. Since my sisal rug has a black border, I wanted to use black as the accent on the drapes. When hubby got home, he was real impressed, not to mention the total cost for this pair of window treatments ran me about $28.

Tell me what you think of my customized drop cloth drapes….

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The dog likes to chew on the window sill. We’ve had it scraped and painted several times but she still chews on it!

The texture on these panels is very much like linen….another plus!

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Here you can see a corner of the sisal rug with the black border

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Hubby found the architectural piece over the window on the street and brought it home…..he says he’s “too good to me!”

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I went ahead and set the table using a coastal theme for the summer.

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The aqua star fish plates came from T.J. Maxx. The crystal are pieces we’ve picked up at auctions on the cheap!

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I love the mix of creams, whites, and that yummy robins egg blue

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The silverware came from Big Lots, on sale of course!

I also have used this same window treatment in our bedroom and plan on customizing them with some kind of border as well. You know you’ll be seeing those down the road!

Happy Monday!

Judy

78 comments:

  1. Judy...you are genius! They look like expensive drapes because they are so nice and heavy looking! Amazing idea...so glad you posted this!

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  2. Love, love, love it!
    I gotta get me some of those drop cloths before they're all gone.

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  3. Oh, I really love them. They look fabulous in your room, and especially since the rug has a black border. I think they are perfect. I really like the woven wood roman shades underneath. They look fabulous. Your tablescape is just so beautiful. What a great idea to use the soup tureen as the centerpiece filled with shells and starfish. So perfect. Hugs, Marty

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  4. How wonderful!!! I love the curtains!!! They are so sharp and look lovely in the room!!!

    The shell arrangement is gorgeous...I love it!!!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  5. goodness this is a great job, I've seen a lot of those drop cloth drapes, but these are the bet I've come across, love the idea of the black to the bottom makes them look expensive and not like drop cloths!

    also, have to say love your coastal theme and how you've pulled it all together, harder than it looks...those chair covers are gorgeous, I am after some of those here in Australia but not come across them, I'm wondering where you got them

    happy met monday

    Sarah

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  6. I think they look perfect!! They tie together the room beautifully... and what an amazing price!! :)

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  7. They drapes look wonderful! Your whole dining room is beautiful.

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  8. Very pretty! You really have transformed that room in the last month or two. Just totally makes me want to get rid of my red walls!

    I love that you showed us the doggy chew marks. Don't we all have something like that? That's what makes it a home.

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  9. Judy,
    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your window treatments. Adding the border looks awesome. I'm keeping this one in my inspirational file. I also love your beachy tablescape - very pretty.
    Have a wonderful Monday,
    Tam

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  10. too funny with you staking lol!

    thanks for getting back to me I have been to that site in the past but not for a while, off to look there now

    cheers

    Sarah

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  11. Judy - just lovely! Both the drapes and the tablescape. I love the large black border at the bottom, and I was thinking that for non-sewers - they could just tape off the area and spray paint it. I just might have to try this out in my guest room. Love the budget friendly approach.
    Your beachy table is lovely, and I heart those starfish plates. yummy!

    Thanks for sharing, Barb

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  12. Judy! What a fantastic one you are! These drapes look gorgeous! Who would ever think you could use dropcloths to make these gorgeous curtains! I love how you added the black trim at the bottoms! The piece your dear hubby so thoughtfully brought home to you looks amazing up there on the wall.
    Now what a gorgeous table you've set! I love all those shells in the tureen. I may just have to copy this! LOL
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  13. I am very impressed! They look really expensive!

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  14. I'm convinced!! I was just saying to hubby the other day (while I was laying on the drop cloths) that they are the not new decorating tool and they look really cool as window treatments. He was shocked. But, as I laid there and felt them, I completely understand why people are using them. They are awesome. I LOVE how you added the black to them. You've inspired me.
    Love your tablescape too by the way.

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  15. Gorgeous! What a fantastic project. Enjoyed my visit as always!

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  16. You're amazing!!! They look GREAT!

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  17. Just beautiful! I love how you added the black to the bottom of the drop cloth drapes, it looks wonderful!

    And your table is gorgeous!

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  18. I love it all! Please..please..tell. Where did you get the crystal piece hanging from your dining room chandy? ~Sherrie

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  19. Your window treatments look absolutely fabulous! I love that you added black to the bottom. Perfect touch! And the tablescape is gorgeous. I love the ocean theme. But now I am wishing I was on vacation.
    Blessings to ya!
    Traci

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  20. A 100% love them. And you have some neat beachy things too!

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  21. These are absolutely gorgeous! What a fabulous idea!

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  22. Uh...WOW!! Those drapes are show stoppers. :)

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  23. Good Morning,
    Your combination of your drapes and room is perfect! Great job!
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

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  24. Those drapes look great, I actually just did this too, only I didn't really customize with any trim or contrast color. And wow, that tablescape is soooo cute. Love the beachy look!

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  25. Nice tie-in using a black fabric on the bottom of your panels to complement the sisal rug w/the black border. The room looks very fresh! :-) Sue

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  26. Judy this is fabulous!!!! I am going to try those drop cloths. Your dining room is gorgeous! I love your table scaping, too!

    Wonderful post.

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  27. This is fabulous...it all ties in so well. Love the centerpiece...how fun for summer. ;)

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  28. Wow! Gorgeous drapes...I can't believe they're drop cloth material! Your entire dining room is stunning! I love every detail!

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  29. Judy- Thanks for sharing what you did- I've got my stack of drop clothes that are just waiting for me to tackle them- I also plan on using them in the bathroom as a shower curtain.

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  30. I never would have known your drapes were made from drop cloths, Judy ... and I love the black border. They're perfect for your dining room.

    I love your tablescape, too. Everything came together beautifully. You're so smart!

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  31. What a lovely transformation! Well done~!

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  32. All I can say is WOW!! Completely amazing looking room. Good job!

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  33. Very nice!! I am going to use drop cloths for outdoor rugs on my screened in back porch. DH, who is a pro painter, thinks I'm nuts. (Because of the rug thing, not anything else I may have done or said recently...)I'll show him!! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  34. I think you are one very talented lady!! Can you come and help me with my drapes?? Seriously, I think they look perfect, especially with the sisal rug and the black border. Thanks for this great idea!!

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  35. Your drapes look great!! I love the contrast. Your table centerpiece looks terrific!
    Michelle

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  36. Your curtains look great, and drop cloths also make great slipcovers and tablecloths!

    Scribbler

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  37. What a great idea! I need something to lighten up my living room for summer, without a huge expense.
    I like the different color idea at the bottom. They look like they would match any kind of decor in a room, dressing it up or casual.
    Also, love your tablescape.

    Now, I better rush out and get some drop clothes before they are sold out :)

    Thanks for sharing!
    Crystal

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  38. How can drop cloths look so classy?! Gr-eat idea! Linda

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  39. By the way, how is the sisal rug holding up? We are thinking of using seagrass in our living room. Are you happy with the textured rug? Linda

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  40. The "linen" look of the drop cloths is perfect with the sisal rug and the border. Good choice.

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  41. I love the drapes. And I love that you added a black border. Too many good ideas out there in blogland. I may must have to jump on this bandwagon myself. Love the coastal tablescape as well.

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  42. I love your dining room! Love the colors! Great transformation!

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  43. LOVE the drapes, Judy! The black border was the perfect touch. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  44. I love natural canvas drop cloths and just recently used one to copy a drop cloth slipcover I saw in pottery barn. I had thought about using them as drapes but wasn't sure how they would look - thank you for answering my question. :)

    Samantha

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  45. gorgeous!!! I can't believe they're dropcloths & I might be ready to try them!! ! (on a supertight budget for our bedroom!!)

    the rest of the room is beautiful too!!

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  46. What a wonderful idea and no I would never have guessed they were 'drop cloths'.

    One thing that pops out to me though is I think you need a bit more colour, they are too close to your wall colour.

    Nice blog I will be back.

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  47. oh judy, your drop cloth curtains are so beautiful, love the band and the new rod. Do you wash the drop cloths before making the curtains? i would love to attempt this. Your blog is beautiful
    hugs
    janet

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  48. Hi Judy,
    I LOVE the draperies; they look fantastic. I'd love to see a view of the entire room. The table is fantastic as well - love the idea of the shells...hope you don't mind if I copy!

    Fondly,Rhonda CA

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  49. Great job Judy! They really turned out cute and I love your table setting too.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  50. Judy,
    I am impressed these turned out great! Cathy

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  51. Your dining room looks absolutely gorgeous, Judy! It has such a tranquil, elegant feeling. Beach chic -- I love it!

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  52. They look sooo good! I'm so doing that in my living room! Thanks for sharing! Love your blog!

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  53. Judy, I almost missed this!! Love the drop cloth drapes & the border you added is genius. Really makes them look great. I think others will be copying you now.

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  54. Love the drapes but what touched my heart was your windowsill. My dog chews ours too!

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  55. Hello Judy - I'm new to your blog - it's fabulous! Love your table theme! Beautiful inspiration.

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  56. Everything turned out so gorgeous! I especially adore the bowl of seashells! -e

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  57. The drapes look awesome. I really like the black band at the bottom. Who knew that drop cloth drapes could look like linen. I think it may be time make myself a set of those. (I need new drapes in the dining room)

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  58. These look great and I just love your dining room look...the tablescape is just perfect for the season. I had to laugh about your windowsill...our dog did the same thing at our house in Mississippi. We sanded, repainted, sanded, repainted, then finally gave up!

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  59. Love, Love , Love the curtains! Wanted to welcome you to room service and I look forward to getting to know you.

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  60. I saw you over at Vicky's and thought I'd pop in to check out your drapes. Ahhhhh, beautiful job! One definitely cannot dispute the price and to think you actually get the look of Linen. (I had left a comment on Joni's Blog (Cote de Texas) a few weeks ago suggesting the use of Painter Cloths for various projects.)

    Your tablescape is lovely! What time is lunch? -Brenda-

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  61. ~WOWEE! ~Gorgeous drapes!
    This is why I just adore your amazing blog. :)

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  62. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your drapes. Who would have thought that drop cloths and velvet could look so elegant. I've been looking at fabric for my window treatments for a while now, but I have lots of windows so it won't be cheap. I have to find a way to use these. Thanks for the ideas.

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  63. the curtains look GREAT. I've been toying with doing something like this myself, and the black would be wonderful since I'm constantly battling the black hair my pooch leaves along the bottom my pale green curtains ... and she chews on the sills, too! well, she did, I think she's over it, but they haven't been fixed yet so who knows for sure?

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  64. Your curtains are fantastic! I love the texture of the drop cloths, and your color combinations. So beatiful. :)

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  65. This is my first time to your blog. I will sign up as a follower and add you to my blog roll and I hope you will come for a visit and do the same.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  66. Your drapes look terrific. Your table looks great too. I love your centerpiece, it makes me think of warmer days!

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  67. Great work! Beautiful dining room! TFS.

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  68. Loved your drapes and your chair covers as well! I linked it to my "drop cloth drapes" project post too at my blog!!!

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  69. These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing =D

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  70. Thank you, Judy, for the link--these look great! I think these are such a smart idea. :)

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  71. These are A-MAZ-ING!! Great job!!.. Could you please tell me where you got the rug under your table? Was it Ikea by chance?...Thanks!

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  72. Spray your window sil with a bitter spray. I bought mine at pets mart. My baby was chewing on a truck that I have as a coffee table. One bite of that and a lot of drinking water later, she doesnt chew on it anymore!

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  73. I think you are one very talented lady!! Can you come and help me with my drapes?? Seriously, I think they look perfect, especially with the sisal rug and the black border. Thanks for this great idea!!

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  74. Just found this while.search
    Ing for velvet border on drop cloth drapes. Thanks for the tip to use velour. I love what you've done! Love it all--especially the coastal theme!

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