Friday, April 8, 2011

Curtain Dilemma - Opinions Wanted!

Ever since we moved into our house over a year ago, I've wanted to get window treatments for our large windows in our living room and kitchen. We knew it was going to be a huge expense since we have so many windows, so we put it off since there were other things higher on the priority list. The previous owners left all the curtain rods and rings, and so that was a bonus and one less thing we would have to buy. Originally, I had planned to have the curtains custom made, and I had even started looking at fabrics. Once I realized that I was going to need at least 12 panels and about 40 yards of fabric, I decided that it just wasn't worth it to me to pay that much for curtains. So, I started looking for ready-made panels. Just because I was going with "ready-mades" didn't mean that I wanted them to look cheap, though. I still wanted to invest in some nice curtains that I would be happy with and that would hold up for a long time. The tricky part was finding some that I liked that were long enough. I needed them to be 100 inches long, which meant that I was going to have to buy the 108 inch curtains. (Unfortunately, the 96 inch ones would have been too short, and the next standard length is 108.) Anyway! I finally found some that I liked at a fabric store and ordered them! They recently came in, and we got them hung. I really like them! (By the way, they don't look this shiny in person. It's just the way the camera did when I took the picture.) (Also, we haven't even hung all of them yet. You'll probably notice that there is one missing in the corner of the kitchen.)
There is just one small problem. We have a door between the two windows in our living room. The door has molding over it. The curtain rods are hung ABOVE the molding. That means that the curtains don't fall right. That probably makes no sense whatsoever, so here is a picture: See what I mean? This might not be too big of a deal for some people, but it drives me absolutely NUTS. So, here's where I need help! What would you do? Ignoring it and doing nothing is not an option for me. I just cannot stand seeing the window trim on the other side of the curtain. I feel like that is just a total faux pas.

I think the options are:

1.) Ripping out the trim above the door and replacing it with a different trim that doesn't stick out over the window. I was totally prepared to do this at first, but then I started thinking about the expense and work of doing that, and I really would like to avoid that.

2.) Getting rid of the ivy over the door and pulling the curtains over the trim. I hate to do this, too, because I really do like that ivy. I think it gives the area above the door a little interest. Plus, I'm not even sure if this would entirely solve the problem.

3.) Keeping the trim and ivy but getting some tassel pull backs and sort of draping the curtains over the "problem area." If you pull the curtains back a little bit (as opposed to just letting them hang straight down like they are now), they cover up the window like they're supposed to.
It would sort of look like this. See how you don't see the window trim anymore with the curtain pulled to the side? If we had tie backs, it would look like it's supposed to be that way. When you just pull it over like this, it looks like the curtain is hanging crooked.

This seems to be the best option, in my opinion. It's the easiest for sure. My only hesitation is worrying that it will look "stuffy" or old-fashioned if I pull the curtains. I think I could do it in a way that looks good, though? Maybe?

So, what do you think? Please help me out! If you have any other ideas besides the ones I mentioned, do share!

Also, one other question: Should I leave the curtains long enough to puddle a little bit or no? If I do end up getting some tie backs and doing the curtains in the living room like that, I am going to let them puddle. Otherwise, the length would be wrong either when they're pulled back or closed. I do love the look of puddled curtains/drapes, so should I leave some puddle in the kitchen, too? David thinks yes, because we wouldn't have to measure as exactly when we're having them hemmed. Obviously, the 8 inch puddle we have going on now is a bit extreme: I'm just wondering if having puddled curtains is a little formal for the kitchen? We do have a somewhat formal chandelier in there, though.

So, to recap: What the HECK should I do about the curtains in the living room? And to puddle or not to puddle?

10 comments:

Jennifer said...

Goodness, you do have some curtain dilemmas. I have some of these issues in my house too which is why most rooms do not have any curtains yet. I too love the puddled look but they may get dirty in the kitchen with two kiddos. My kitchen is always so yucky even with sweeping and mopping twice as much as I did before Evie. I like the curtains a lot and option 2 or 3 looks like the best for your door issue. How is the ivy attached to the wall? Will it leave a disaster if you take it down? I have a curtain question for you too. I have a bay window in my kitchen and a single window over the sink. I'd love to do some type of cornice board over the sink but not sure that I want the expense or light blockage over my bay window - would it look weird to use a window treatment at one window and not the other. Do your kids have curtains in their rooms? Evie has a valance but I am not sure yet about baby boys room. I look forward to reading some other responses especially Ashley's!

Sarah Denley said...

I love the puddled look. I didn't even think about them getting dirty, though, like Jennifer pointed out!

I think tie backs are the way to go. At least see how you like it, as it's obviously BY FAR the easiest and cheapest option!

Anonymous said...

Puddle :)

And if you like the tie-back option, go for it. Otherwise, I say change out the trim - which really isn't that difficult and could probably diy it.

Elizabeth Butler Blaine said...

So I have no advice for you, but I wanted to say that I LOVE the curtains...the first picture of you dining room looks like it came out of a magazine!

Rebecca said...

I think the pull back option is the best and easiest option.

I agree that puddling window treatments is more formal, but if you think the formal look reflects your personal style, I say go for it.

Jennifer said...

Carrie, do you get Real Simple? There is a huge article about curtains in there and it just arrived in my mailbox today. You may be able to check it out online or even the library has magazines.

Sarah Broadus said...

i have no advice to give (bc i despise curtains bc I can't ever find ones that i like and that fit except expensive ones) but-like the ones you chose-and I have some cool "tie backs"that aren't stuffy and work well-there are lots of options other than the old people ones. =)

Whitney said...

That first picture looks like it's from a magazine! I think option 2 or 3 would be best. I must say, in the pictures, they look perfectly fine as is, but it's also the kind of thing that would drive my nuts in my own house.

Ashley said...

First of all, I agree with the rest of the public that the first picture is magazine-worthy!

I'm usually so uber OCD about stuff like this too, but seeing the picture it doesn't bother me having window molding showing! But I'm not there in person and not living with it everyday, so if it drives you nuts, you have to do something about it.

I think the pull-backs would actually be a nice touch. Just pull back those 2 (?) panels that flank the door. I think it will be a really pretty highlight to the door.

I think a little puddle is nice. I've always puddled my drapes. To me, no puddling is too risky--it could end up looking like high-water pants if you don't measure right--haha! My pet peeve is curtains that are too short.

I don't know WHY you're asking everyone's opinions---you have such a great instinct and it will look great. PS, where did you get the drapes? They're fab.

Amy said...

i pretty much agree with everyone else:
1. the first pic is totally magazine worthy!
2. love the puddling
3. go with the tie-backs - it is a quick and easy (and cheaper!) solution for right now, so if you decide to go in a different direction later, you haven't sacrificed too much time or money already.
4. don't get rid of the ivy... i agree with you - i think it adds a great touch! :)