New Shades for the French Country Bedroom

It has been quite some time since I mentioned that I was going to remake and reuse some draperies in the French Country Bedroom, see the earlier post.  Well I am finally making that happen.  The repainting is all done.  There is no excuse now.

 

Really love the white window trim but we need
some draperies.

I had black and white toile draperies that had been in my bathroom.  I had purchased them at Target and still loved them.  They were perfect to reuse in the French Country Bedroom.  However, the draperies indicated dry clean only but, guess what....



Washing them in the washer on gentle, cold water, with Woolite worked just fine. 


         
I didn't put them in the dryer, just laid them flat to make sure they didn't shrink.  Then
I cut the two panels in half, making four panels with valances to fill the center.

      This just entailed cutting and hemming.

Loved them but it left a lot of wide open views for any guest who might be undressing at bedtime!

 
The draperies were on the "skimpy" side, since this was a make-do, make-over project, so I knew I had to fill in with additional curtains or something.  I had somewhat of a plan that I wanted to make shades out of black and white pillow ticking.  Years ago, I had purchased some of the ticking at Wal-Mart to cover the seat of this little stool. 

I had quite a time finding more of this ticking fabric.

I finally found the fabric like this online.  My plan on how to make the shades wasn't really concrete.  I had ordered yardage based on the size of my windows but I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing.  I bet nobody else does that!!

Here are my ponderings...

I had the pillow ticking fabric, curtain tiebacks that came with the toile draperies and available curtain rods.

 I sewed a pocket on both top and bottom and hemmed the sides.

The ticking fabric was 54" wide.  The small window was 47 1/2" wide, so I made that shade first.  I cut some of the fabric off to save for the big window which measures 65" wide.  Did I mention that I always pray when I make things without a concrete plan?  I definitely appreciate a little divine intervention!

I used the simple (cheap) valance curtain rod on the top and put the black metal rod on the bottom.  Having the round rod on the bottom of the shade allows me to roll it up .  Then I just had to figure out how to hold it in place after rolling it up!!!!

 I tried to reuse the curtain tiebacks but,
which way do I attach them and how?

The shades will probably be up most of the time and only lowered when we have company that would like some privacy or don't want to awaken at first light.  I decided reusing the tiebacks just wasn't going to work.  I made new tie-ups, flat ribbons of fabric, finished 3 inches wide.  I sewed Velcro strips on them to hold the shades at the desired height.  I also added a decorative black button.

This was Plan B.

The ribbon tie-ups, (or whatever you want to call them) are not fastened on so they can be moved or easily adjusted.

The big window.

The small window with the shade rolled up.

The small window with the shade down.

I even had enough fabric left-over to make a new pillowcase.

The French Country Bedroom is now ready for guests.  They can undress in privacy or sleep late if that is their desire.  But, they must remember.......

Glad this project is completed and I'm moving on to the next!
Kandy

French Country Bedroom

When Karli left home I boxed up all of her memorabilia and quickly turned her room into a vision of Black and White French Country. It is a little bit on the "girly" side but it is after all the guest bedroom now. Karli and her husband are welcome to come and stay  anytime they want. 

I think this room shows what can be done with a fairly small budget, several do-it-yourself projects, and some great finds. I do really love to paint furniture black. I started out by painting the oak headboard (probably a sin, but it works). It had been in the room since Karli was in Jr. High. I then found the tall dresser, vanity, and one table at garage sales. One little side table had been Karli's Grandmother's. I repaired as needed, sanded, and gave them all the same paint treatment....two coats of Krylon Flat Black spray paint, followed by 2 coats of Minwax Spray Polyurathane in Semi-Gloss.

The room began with the Black and White Toile Bedding purchased from Target. I made the checked pillow.

                                      
This wonderful old table was a garage sale find. The fabric covered bulletin board and lamp were found at Hobby Lobby. The small picture is of Karli's Grandmother (my mother) Doris Lee as a child and the clock and door knob collection are vintage. 

                                

This small old table came from Karli's Grandmother. The purse, gloves and hat are all vintage but the black hanging and two Eiffel Towers are Ross finds.

                               

The vanity is vintage as are the old make-up jars, tray, and black hand mirror. The large mirror on the wall came from Karli's Grandmother Lois.

                            
An assortment of old frames, an old Victorian picture and small reproduction dress forms from Hobby Lobby adorn the wall beside the dresser.

                               
The tall dresser is decorated with assorted "girly" stuff and a favorite of mine, a suitcase.
The vintage dress form also holds a special place in my heart!

                                        
My decorating projects never end...still on the list for the French Country room is to paint the window trim and doors white. Then I have matching Black and White Toile drapes I am going to remake to fit the windows. I'd also "love" to find an old crystal chandelier to hang in the center of the ceiling. Ooo La La!

~Kandy