This post has been a long time coming. Can you believe we completed the garage-to-den conversion over two years ago already? And, that big window (formally a garage door) has been bare ever since. In the day, I love the openness and natural light. But, at night, having nothing on the window makes me a little uneasy—especially when I’m trying to work my way through Scandal on Netflix. I’m happy to say that I can now resume season 3 without fearing government spies are looking at me through the window.
I had always envisioned layering more blue behind the navy sectional and spent months looking through and pinning navy fabrics.
Then, I found this one from Online Fabric Store, and the whole plan changed.
(By the way, besides being able to receive samples really quickly, I love how their site shows you photos of the fabric gathered—see above—so you can envision what it might look like as curtains.)
The “sand” fabric pulled out the camel color in the rug that I hadn’t even thought about before:
Once I committed to the fabric, my aunt in Kentucky graciously sewed the curtains for me. (Thanks, Susan!!) She used this fabric for the lining.
These hang in the busiest hub of our house, so I opted for no puddling or pooling. They just barely skim the floor:
(By the way, my aunt—the seamstress—recommends using clothes pins for a few days to train the way you want your pleats to hang once they first go up on the window.)
I love layers, as you know, and bought an inexpensive matchstick shade for texture—but it’s just for looks. We clipped the rings onto the pinch pleats to make them easy to pull closed at night.
I couldn’t be happier with the fabric, or the fact that we finally have something on that big window. Slowly, but surely, I’ll get this den decorated.
Have a fabric project of your own? Online Fabric Store is giving one of my readers $100 to their site!
Thanks to Online Fabric Store for providing the fabric and gift card for this post.
Love the pattern on the curtains, Emily! Great pick. And thanks for hosting the giveaway!
great curtain pick and fantastic give away! and I love your rug!!
I love the neutral that you chose … it’s gorgeous! And thanks for hosting the fabric giveaway! You know I’m a total fabric slut! Hope to win. :-)
:)
I think the pattern and color you picked is just right. Love it!
You’ve inspired me to change out the drapery in my dinning room and I’m sure I could find the right fabric at the Fabric Store.
I love it when a room comes together and feels right :) Love the curtain fabric. Mind if I ask where you got your matchstick blinds from?
Yes, I found it on clearance at Lowe’s. I was surprised to find the width I needed in-store. Around $40.
awesome! thanks! need two for our neglected guest room i’m about to reno. these would be perfect!
blessings,
nancy
Emily, the room is coming along nicely. The drapes look amazing. Your aunt did an amazing job – she is a great seamstress. – very professional.
Yes, and a very good aunt on top of that :)
They look beautiful. Great choice with the fabric. Wow…I also cannot believe it was two years ago that you did the garage to den change. Time flies by.
Thanks for the opportunity Emily!
xoxo,
Melissa
She did a great job! Is she taking custom orders? ;)
She’ll probably read this, so . . . we’ll see :)
Any tips for hanging the curtains? My handy husband usually does it for me but I would like to do it myself. I just have power drill phobia tho! And I am terrible at measuring!
Ummmm…. I recruited my dad to help (aka “do it for me”) while they were visiting :)
I’m sure the ladies over at Shanty-2-Chic.com could give you some pointers! :)
I love that fabric and can see using it in my den as well. By the way, I used the blue fabric in the middle that you showed above as window treatments in my kitchen. Thanks for the inspiration!
What an awesome giveaway!!! Thanks for the chance to win. I spend a lot of time looking at their fabric choices. You made a great choice. The curtains look wonderful.
Ohmygosh! This is just too weird – I was just walking back from our shop (a whole 4 blocks! pant!pant! :-) – and passed a row of teeny houses with teeny attached garages. The thing is, all of those houses have huge backyards that back up to an alley – and I was wondering why none of them converted those little garages into dens or ……something! You did – and it’s gorgeous!
xoxoA
They turned out beautiful!
Hi, Emily! I am about to install a similar curtain and shade setup and was stuck on where to hang the shade. I want to hang my curtains high and wide over the window but plan to have them open most of the time. As far as the shade- It’s currently inside the window frame like yours- but should it be hung just under the curtain rod instead of having the expanse of wall between the shade and rod? I appreciate any advice that you can provide!
ps Was it really already two years ago? My how time flies!
Hi Ashley, Our shade is actually hung above the window frame. I personally don’t mind seeing some wall between the shade the the rod. I think it depends on how high your ceilings are as to how high you hang the curtains.
They look great Emily….I like the neutral tones in the fabric with the navy sofa. Whoa that’s a newsflash huh…..me liking neutral!
Love the fabric you chose! Your den is looking so great. I’ve had both the Portfolio Sikinos Indigo Fabric and the HGTV Garden Odyssey Fog Fabric for two separate projects in my onlinefabricstore cart for awhile and just haven’t bit the bullet yet :).
Let me know if you have any questions at all Natalie :)
Your room is coming together so beautifully. I love the fabric you chose for your curtains- they hang so nicely. Your Aunt did a great job sewing them.
Love your choice for curtains! The pattern is just enough to keep them interesting but neutral enough not to be overwhelming! Great choice
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
I love your curtains Emily! I always check your blog for great ideas. We are doing something very similar in our breakfast room and have a large window like yours. Where did you find your curtain rod? I’m hoping to hang my new curtains very soon! Thanks!
I bought this one at Lowes.