Come to my window...

As promised yesterday, I'm going to show you the nasty that was my dining/sitting/adacent-to-my-kitchen(?) room curtains.  Originally, I'd planned to have blackout curtains in here to help control the heat, but as the sliding glass door doesn't get direct sunlight, we didn't end up needing the blackout bit.  Let me tell you, it's nice to have a bit more natural light around here.  Our 70's ranch isn't super bright, so any help we can get is welcome!  So, here's what I had before (don't judge my initial color choice, I was misguided and uninformed!)...

There is SO much wrong here: drab color choice, crazy fabric texture, wimpy/skinny/saggy curtain rod, rod hung too low.... Ugh *hang head in shame*  But, I can say I have learned from my mistakes!  I tried to correct all of those errors in my new IKEA lovlies...

The rod is beefier (it's what's for dinner!) and straight, the curtains are neutral (tried a pop of color here and it looked nutty!) with a great linen texture, and they are hung higher, which makes the 8.5 foot ceilings feel higher.  Even though I decided against extreme puddling....

I like that they puddle just a bit...

 

Thanks to my superb cutting, measuring, and pinning skills.  And not to mention my mom's way with the bobbin.  She's a world class seamstress and I'm a slow learner!  I like to think the puddling adds a bit of glam to our otherwise not-fooling-anyone-into-even-thinking-the-word-glam home.  We have to have these hung back for Teddy's private entrance/exit...

And I like that they barely sweep the floor as they are.  The other side is where our reading nook begins...

(can you spot some of my baby shower deco in these shots??)

I'm really loving how they turned out!  I think I may end up sewing a simple trim onto them, just to add some life.  Other suggestions welcome!  And just for good measure, here's a sweet before and after...

I know they're not perfect, we're still tweaking them.  But it's LOADS better than what we had before!  =)  Any pretty ideas on how to personalize them?  I'd love your suggestions!  Have a most happy and wonderful Wednesday, friends!