31 Days of Character Building: How To Create Semi-Custom Window Treatments

Welcome to Day 15 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.

(PB)

This post is dedicated to window treatments...



I love custom window treatments, I just don't love the price.  Therefore, I have purchased and altered ready-made, store bought drapes throughout my home.  

In the Family Room and Breakfast Nook, I used my DIY Striped Drapes layered over white canvas roman shades from Target.  You can read about how I created the striped drapes, Here.  Originally, they were plain white canvas drapes from Restoration Hardware.  I gave them a custom look by attaching wide black horizontal stripes.

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

In The Master Bedroom, the blue drapes are actually blue sateen sheets that I cut and hemmed to create the look of silk drapery panels.  I purchased dark bamboo roman shades from Target to layer under the panels. This combination was used to create juxtaposition between soft, shiny blue fabric and the dark, natural, rustic texture of bamboo.

The same combination was applied in the Master Bath with a valance made from a shower curtain and the same dark bamboo roman shade.

In the Dining Room, white canvas drapes from Restoration Hardware were layered over white canvas roman shades from Target.  In this space, I wanted to allow as much natural light in as possible so I stuck with solid white.  The transom windows were a great feature that I did not want to cover with a shade so, I mounted the roman shade below the transom.  It is great for privacy and still lets in a little light.

***Here is a great link for tips including a video from Potterybarn on how to hang your drapery panels***

Layering is an easy way in itself to give store bought window treatments a custom look.  My favorite way to layer window treatments is to use roman shades under drapery panels.   I think it makes them appear more tailored and expensive.

Thanks for visiting, are you getting sick of me yet?  We're almost halfway through my 31 Day Series!

To view the entire 31 Day Series, click here. 

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