The good, the bad and the ugly on window coverings (video/giveaway!)

If one was to look at all my own window coverings as a whole, it's my guess that they'd probably be confused as to what I 'like.'

 My bedroom has 'kinda sorda curtains. They're simply dummy panels using white fabric.

The livingroom has 'old gate screens'.

The main bath has a weathered shutter made out of old fence panels and real hardware.

And my kitchen windows are... adorned with junk. :)

Weirdest most eclectic collection EVER.

Notice the lack of curtains? Pets. Need I say more?

And, have you also noticed my windows don't offer privacy? Well... I have issues. :)

 picture source

I NEED the sunshine in.

Ok, and being that we live on a VERY quiet street and greenbelt in back, that most certainly helps the cause some. :)

See... I don't like looking through things. Even the decorative grids on all my windows are up above, offering nice detail but don't get in my way. I don't even like looking through venetian blinds.

And can I just say how very much I detest installing venetian blinds anyway?!? 2 years ago I got new windows in the house and all my existing (new) blinds have to be recut and installed. And I have NOT done it. Why?

I don't want to look through them, clean them, nor install them. Yech!

Now, I also get, there are times when privacy is a must. It's rather silly to kneel down on my bedroom floor when I have to get dressed! :) 

And then there's room darkening reasons. My son has a VERY hard time going to sleep on time when those long summer days hit.

So where does that leave little 'ol eclectic me in those cases?

I'm workin' on it.

And I'm THRILLED to tell you I've solved one of them. My son's room and playroom just got these pretty nifty custom shades that:

installs in seconds (DINGDINGDING!)

totally blacks out his window (YES!)

they go up all the way EASILY when not needed (LOVE!)
no pet hair issues! (right ON!)

 

 

You won't believe how quick they install. See that iPhone? I timed myself. Let's just say they install FAST. AND with no hardware!

I've just shot a video reviewing and installing some custom shades, and you get a chance to win one for yourself!

And just for kicks? This is what I look like with no wrinkles. Can you believe that chick is 48?!? :) When I figure out how to make Picasa do this in real life, I'll have a REAL post on editing... and no doubt be VERY rich. :)

Pssst... Cathleen... check out that sand bag pillow to the left. It has one of your grain sacks on it. :)

So, what's up with your window coverings?

What do you use?
Like'm or hate'm?

What are you wishing to have?

Click HERE to enter!

Go on. Try and win something I KNOW you'll love. :)

Wooden gate screens

I LOVE old gates.



And I've had these privacy screens as my window treatments for my large picture window forever.


I much prefer them in our home over curtains due to pet hair, however I always had visions of making them look like old gates.

Working from this inspiration just down the road, I liked the curvy top and came up with a plan.

This wood fit perfect! The slats are 3.25" wide and the boards are very thin, which was important so the framework remained as lightweight as possible.

Using an air nailer, I attached the tongue and groove pine boards direct to the screens. What a treat to use brand new wood for a change, but cha ching! $15 a panel x 6 = $90. Youch when you're use to spending nothing! I suppose I'm worth it once in awhile. :)

A special thanks again  to Manual Replacement Guy Dan for teaching me how to use the nail gun in a red hot jiffy. :)

Using vehicle pin-striping tape, I created a curve along the top.  I then followed along with a pencil line and cut through the boards with a jigsaw, then sanded the edges with a palm sander.

I laid the fancy trim boards on top and penciled in my cut marks, then cut them on the compound miter saw. The air nailer again was used to attach the boards. I didn't bother to fill the holes from the nails as the more dents the merrier. :)

I jumped for joy when I got to this point! It was working! Yes, I do doubt my projects all the from time to time. And just so you don't think I get by without issues, my first trial had these things too tall to stand up in the room so I had to shorten the curvy top. :)

Authentic gate hardware was added. I found hinges for half price in white, so black they became in a flash. I aged the works by the high tech method of dragging the pieces over the cement driveway. :)

The screens then received a bonding primer, semi gloss white latex paint, then a glaze. The glaze was simply made with water and a deeper colour latex paint. It isn't the right way, but I was in a hurry and it works in a pinch. Brush on, wipe off with a damp rag, leaving darkness under cross beams etc where natural shadows would occur.  

A rusty old lantern was mounted on the inside of the gate handle for a little extra rustic outdoor charm.

And here's the finished result!

Welcome to my cottage style old gate window screens!

Light and bright, and casually charming that would suit most any decor.

The two gates resemble one large entry gate, appearing as if it was simply carried it into the house and propped in place. They provide lots of impact, but in a texture kind of way, as the white just adds brightness to the room. The curvy tops add some architectural interest to an otherwise very square window frame.

Here's the closed version. We rarely close them anyway, however if we wish for extra privacy or block out sunlight when watching a movie, the option is there. Felt liners run along the bottom of the screens for easy shifting.

I love the end result and am ecstatic to finally have my old gates. :) 

April 2010

2nd place in So You Think

Funky creation alert ~ 10 minute dreamy curtains

I have these two very long and narrow windows that are on either side of an armoire in my kitchen office area. While I love the light the windows offer, they weren't very attractive as is. Time to create something unique!

Take an old heritage wooden hanger...

... add a few woodsy clothespins...

... add a white queen sized sheet... see where this is going?

Tips:

- after washing, leave the sheet sitting in the dryer on purpose for a few days for some timeless crinkles

- choose a poly cotton blend for a nice drape

... adjust height to your liking, allowing a small puddle on the floor...

... enhance your dreamy setting with a glaze enhanced chair... (I know, I know, tutorial coming soon!)

... surround your little area with quaint natural textures...

... and you have yourself a pretty little setting that offers some softness to an otherwise curtainless area. And an extra seat to boot!

Here is the other side not quite ready for it's final reveal. But it is equally unique... coming soon!

What do you think? Is this one too off the wall funky for my Christmas show? I'd like to be seen as creative, not weird. :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hmmm. my wheels are turning again. Should we have a  Sat Nite Special window treatment themed party this upcoming weekend?!?  Please cast your vote on this weekend's theme in the pole widget, top right!

Voting ends Tuesday midnight so vote quickly!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This post is shared with

DIY Day

Trash to Treasure, both Nov 3 editions.

And a big thanks to those that have featured this post...

Dec 2009 tutorial entry