With a click and whir of grasshoppers' wings, summer bursts into song. These are the days of reckless clouds and untamed sunlight, when hooky is the only game played in town. It's time to open the window, and allow the wind to tease your hair. And while you have the windows open, why not take the time to update your window dressings for the season?
Heavy curtains and heat-trapping blinds may be the rule for winter, but now that spring is here, it's time to think lighter and livelier about your window treatments. Even if you have no time to sew--or no machine to sew on--you still can whip us some great window treatments in a weekend. The first step? Check out your linen closet or your local department store for sheets and table linens that can be transformed into creative window treatments. Below are three projects to help you update your windows for these warm days.
The simple valance at right was made by folding a square tablecloth in half to make a triangle. To hang the valance, fold the tablecloth in half diagonally and pin it directly to the window frame using drapery tacks. Allow the corners of the tablecloth to hang loosely at each end.
To make the window treatment at right, find or purchase a lace tablecloth that extends the length from your curtain rod to the floor. If the tablecloth is too long, you can fold over the top and make a valance, as shown. Attach the tablecloth to the curtain rod using clip-on drapery rings. Gather the tablecloth in the center and tie with a colorful ribbon.
Decorative swag holders, mounted above a window frame, can hold a single length of lace in place. To determine how much fabric you need, measure the area from the floor to the swag holder and multiply that number by two. Add the distance between the swag holders plus 24 inches to allow for puddling and swagging the drape.
Sophisticated Storage Solutions
After a long winter of huddling in our homes, the sunshine and warm weather invite us to enjoy the outdoors. But traces of our winter hibernation might still remain indoors. Those winter coats piled in a closet; the children's toys jammed into a too-small toy bin; a stack of magazines heaped at the edge of the coffee table.
Spring is an ideal time to clean out your den. And if you're stuck in the old tub-and-crate storage rut, why not rethink your storage methods? There are ways of incorporating storage into a home decor without sacrificing space and style.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1 2
