While I rarely ever suggest that anyone use short curtain panels in their home, I’m seriously pondering this style for our house. This is mainly due to the fact that I only have two yards of this fabulous fabric (found months ago in a remnant bin), a roll of Stitch Witchery and a strong determination that it’s going on our windows in the breakfast area.
The more I think about it, short curtains might be a nice change around here. And, there’s less chance of dirty little hands tugging on the bottoms of them, right?
Here’s a few instances where I definitely think they work:
Apartment Therapy
House to Home
Ideal Home magazine
What’s your take?
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Today, I’m also participating in Marianne’s “Love the One You’re With” series over at Haven and Home. She asked me to share a room or space that I really like in my home. It was a nice chance to focus on what I’ve finished instead of what still needs to be done. . .
*gasp* short curtains?! Make it work, girl…if anyone can make them look good, it’s you!!
While I certainly prefer the look of full length curtains, it’s true that they’re not always practical, as proven by the pic with the radiator and the kid’s room, and not always necessary, like behind that couch.
I recently redid my parents’ third floor (basically a very large guest bedroom) and was so bummed that I couldn’t use full length curtains. One of the main windows is over the staircase, so one of its panels would have hung awkwardly without reaching the floor and obstructed the banister–not a good plan. But once they went up, I was really happy with the shorter look. I wouldn’t have looked right otherwise.
Have you considered using your fabric to make roman shades instead? Not sure if two yards is enough, but it could be an alternative to short curtains if you don’t think they’d work in your space.
(PS the pattern on the fabric is great!)
We have to have them as we have electric heat and I am all set with my house setting on fire :(
Such a flash back…I was looking for an old photo of me for a post and came across an image of my brother and I at Christmas in front of the tree, and what was behind the tree? Short drapes. I didn’t post it for that reason alone!! It looked so odd.
It seems to work in the kids room, quirky, but in the other spaces it just seems like a shortcut was taken. As you can tell I am on the fence…but I am up for being proven wrong!
Janell
I say go for it, especially if you love that material. You could always add fabric to the bottom to lengthen them if you end up not liking them short. If you’re anything like me, if you don’t try it you’ll always wonder how it would look. Just do it! :)
I’m with Catherine. I would do a roman shade or faux roman shade. I only used 2 yards for my faux shade in my foyer window.
Short draperies remind me of short pants.
I tend to like full length curtains especially when there is no reason (i.e. radiator, etc.) to make them short. Perhaps using this pretty fabric in addition to a solid would do the trick. I just made pillow from this same fabric (Bocce in ebony) and they turned out wonderful.
A shade would look great! I can’t get behind the short curtains…it seems like a crime against Domino to do so!
Okay, so I get the feeling I’m in the minority here. . . I failed to mention they would frame a bay window. That’s why the idea of roman shades is out. Not enough fabric for three windows :(
Love hearing your feedback anyway.
I’m obsessed with that fabric…i say make it work however you can!!! OR you can add coordinating black fabric at the bottom to make them full length???
Also, emily, i need your help…..we just bought our first house and its almost ALL hardwood floors….a good thing and bad thing. Area rugs are SOOOOOO expensive. we’re busting our budget trying to find 8x10s. any suggestions? i love your living room chain link rug and the office rug….that’s the look i’m going for. it seems that those are the most pricey though :)
THANKS!!! love your blog
I had this same problem in my dinning room. I’m not the biggest fan of short curtains so I Stitch Witched some coordinating fabric to the bottom and I love how it turned out. You can see the curtains here:
http://thedabadiediaries.blogspot.com/2010/09/dining-room.html
I love your fabric too and I know you’ll make it work!
Ryan Dabadie
http://www.thedabadiediaries.blogspot.com
I love short curtains over a kitchen sink window – so cute!
I tend not to like short curtains but I bet you can make it work particularly if you put a table directly under it so that you can’t really focus on how short the curtains are. Excited to see what you come up with!
I normally don’t go for short curtains but these examples changed my mind! I can’t wait to see what you do! Thanks again for guest blogging today, I am obsessed with your office!
I think short curtains might work, it seems a bit retro to me.
Or you could use the fabric as an accent on plain curtains, like in the last photo. That way you could have long curtains and still use your beautiful fabric.
Eh. If you are going short, I say go Roman.
Okay, I’m going to admit to having shorter curtain panels in my breakfast area. They fall just below the window sill, about a foot off the ground. With three kids making a mess on the floor, it just doesn’t make sense to have them go longer and get ruined. And I had roman shades before, and they looked ridiculous because so much of the tall windows were so tall. I am obviously not anywhere near being a “designer” but they look pretty darn good and I have never ever had anyone (including my ridiculously picky mother) comment on the length.
So go for it! You can always rake them down and put something else up!
I LOVE the fabric but I’m wondering how you are going to get 2 panels out of 2 yds ? I’m thinking a valance instead. Do you have a pic of the window ?
Kitchens, bathrooms, and breakfast nooks are one of the few places I really like short curtains. They’re practical and can be quite playful. If you had a more casual breakfast area, the short curtains could work. But only full length curtains would do justice to those fabulous stripes.
That fabric would make a great band on full length curtains, especially if you managed to get it to line up with one of your stripes.
Anyway you could do a cafe curtain? That’s really the only way short ones look good. Sorry to radiator people! :)
I started to say that short curtains aren’t so bad…I’ve got them in my kitchen, but then I remembered my kitchen curtains are cafe style.
I say go for it though! At least then you’ll be able to look at the fabric instead of hiding it in the closet.
I LOVE the fabric – go for it. Thanks so much for all your great posts – I adore your blog.
I recently created a blog here in Vancouver, BC http://www.lovinthat.blogspot – check it out, I’d welcome your feedback. I have posted about a new rocker for my daughters room I just purchased.
could you use it for roman shades and then a coordinating fabric as your curtains?
We must be on the same design wavelength, because last night I sat staring at our newly finished basement and I was pondering whether I could pull off short curtains, we have 3 full windows that the couch butts up to and its the only place for the couch but the windows need something besides bamboo shades, something to soften them up. My added problem is we also have 2 other full windows down there that I wanted to do a full drapery treatment to and wasn’t sure if all that would work. The first photo you posted shows it can be pulled off so thanks! And like everyone else said, you can make anything work! (:
I would use what you have for a wide band along the top or bottom of a solid colored panel. Any extra would be a great pillow!
Don’t do it Emily!!!! IMHO, they never look lush and sophisticated. What about using the fabric at the top or bottom of panels, or as a wide edge on panels? Love your style, and I’m sure if you do end up using them that you of all people can make them work!
I usually totally dislike short panels as well, but with a bay window and something in the window (I assume) they would probably be great. Of course, everything you do is great, so why wouldn’t they?
I go back and forth, although we have all longer panel curtains in our home, I think certain instances they can really work. Go for it, especially with that cute fabric it would be a waste not to!
I like short panels if the room allows.
Read your post over at Marianne’s…LOVE your office space. The gallery wall is a really great way to display fam photo’s.
YES! i actually have done this several times lately over kitchen sinks..if it is in a good fabric it can work..and i am doing it in my boys bedroom! we can start a new trend! Actually i got the idea from erika at urban grace i think;;
Holly Mathis
http://www.hollymathisinteriors.com
It’s hard to say…we’ve been so trained to let the curtains break at the floor, hang them wide, hang them high. But I guess the main rule of design is there are no rules…right? Your eye is spot-on…so you’ll know!
Good luck, and love the fabric!
Nooo way no way. :))))))
I’ve got a horrible ledge going around my downstairs family room. I tried the floor length curtains but after a couple days of thinking they looked just plain weird I had to cut and hem them to ledge length. Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!
Allergies + pug hair = too many things to cling to long curtains in our house! We have valances in our MB and I’ve been wanting to do something with more fabric. That picture you posted totally inspires me to go with short curtains — let’s do it!
Allergies + pug hair = too many things to cling to long curtains in our house. We have valances in our MB and I’ve been wanting a window treatment with more fabric. Your photo totally inspires me to go with short curtains. Let’s do it!
I love short curtains in kitchens and kitchen nooks. you can totally make it work!
You do amazing work, but I just can’t seem to get past the short curtains!!!!! Sorry!!!!
Haa! I totally relate. I always hate on the short curtains, but I’ve been thinking of some for my home behind one of our sofa, on the window currently sporting some sweet venetian mini blinds :)
love that the fabric! and i think in certain situations, short curtains can work, but they aren’t my favorite
just found your blog, love it!
http://www.thingsthatsparkleblog.blogspot.com
I always prefer short curtains. Long curtains are so prone to dust.
dining room tables
WOW WOW WOW!!! Okay, I say definitely do it…well, you’ve done it! Good for you girl! Like I said, I’m doing it in my kitchen. Do you know how much food get on my floor? Oh and how about when I have to dash across the kitchen with a towel to wipe hands? I think people start to follow trends a lot and forget what makes sense and what they may like. I guess I’ll be having this same conversation in the spring:-)
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I’m so curious what you decided on this years ago. I have long curtains, that I made, for my oldest daughter’s room and am seriously considering shortening them to just below the woodwork. The images here really help me visualize why I’m pondering it.