It seems I can’t stick with one project long enough to finish it lately, and last night was no exception! I completely ignored the photo-less white picture frames waiting for a home, and the half-written post on our trip to Eureka Springs and moved on to… DINING ROOM CURTAINS!
This photo was from our DIY faux beam project, but shows very clearly our lack of dining room window treatments. I’ve actually been looking for fabric to make dining room curtains for awhile – my only issue was that I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Fast forward to last night, when I found myself with this dilemma.
You will have to use your imagination a bit, but check out our two new curtain options!
The curtain on the left is a green and white floral print – actually a flat sheet I found at a bargain store last night – that cost a whopping $10 for the set. The one on the right is a natural colored painter’s drop cloth that cost $10 at Lowe’s (so $20 for a pair).
If I went with these, I’d probably add some coordinating thick ribbon along the inside edge and bottom to liven them up a bit. Something like this …
I’m a visual person, so of course I had to tack these babies up and then take a million pictures to analyze!
Needless to say I’m a little bit torn – bright and floral vs neutral and textured (with a bit of colored ribbon edging)?… I think there are pros and cons of each, but I’d love to hear which one you’d choose!
For your info, here’s a look at the prints I have on one wall of the dining room.
The other side is open to our kitchen, which is currently very neutral with white cabinets, tan counters, and mostly stainless appliances (and it’s a mess!). I’d like to use the same fabric I choose for the dining room curtains to make a roman shade for our kitchen window.
(In case you were wondering, our dining room walls *are* a different color than our kitchen walls. They are a shade darker brown, which I think keeps the kitchen light and bright and makes the dining room a bit more moody and intimate.)
So, I need your help. Which would you choose? If we can make a decision on these babies soon, I may have before and afters for you by the weekend! (oooh what did I just promise myself into….)
I’m linking up to:
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Remodelaholic’s Anonymous Meeting
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
I would keep both sets of curtains around change them out when you are in the mood for something different or change them out with the seasons! If I had to pick one for now though I would choose the flowers. I love the print and it’s neutral enough that it goes with the room. Plus it’s SPRINGTIME and the flowers represent that. Anyway, hope that helps a little.
By the way, how did you go about disguising the fact that they aren’t actual curtains? Did you use rings and fold the edges down? If not, how?!?!
-Desiree
I like them both just like that. haha! I actually think the drop cloth with some kind of trim would look nice.
I like the idea of the drop cloth with ribbon.
I think I prefer the floral. I like that it’s brighter. Also, the I think the bowl shape mimics the flowers.
I love the floral, but not so much with the prints on the wall (maybe it was just the lighting). But if the prints are as red/orange as they look, I would go with the drop cloth and ribbon. Very nice thrifty curtain finds!!
Looks like we’re split so far.
I like the the floral. It adds a little more color to the dining room and kind of brings the outside in, with the flowers. What a great idea, trying them both out. 
I LOVE the floral, but not with the pictures you have on the wall. I would keep the floral curtains b/c they’re really great, and put more abstract paintings or items on the wall.
The drop cloth with a black ribbon would tie your table, frames and windows together. The floral is too busy and draws your eye to it and makes the room seem small.
I agree with several others, I like the floral curtains, but not with the artwork. If you stick with the artwork, I’d go with the drop cloths. I also really love your table runner!
I vote for the drop cloth with a ribbon. More classic & unique and inventive.
They are both inexpensive enough that I would make both. When you get tired of floral you can switch to the plain ones, and when you need some fun put up the floral. OR, you’re good enough sewing and being creative, maybe you could find a way to add a wide strip of the floral to the plain ones…
I like the floral for now…it is unexpected….but i would keep both and change them and put them up in the winter
I like the floral…but agree that it doesn’t work with the prints. Maybe you could stencil a design onto the dropcloth??
I love the flowers. I think you could use the flowers in the summer and go with the drop cloth as a fall winter look.
I say both.
The floral are fun and bright- Spring, Summer.
The drop cloth with a ribbon trim will be textural and cozy- Fall and Winter.
This is hard!! I like them both, but I’m drawn to the flowers the most, but I like the idea of jazzing up the plain one too…i did’nt help at all…
Thanks for stopping by today!
Michelle
Hi! Now I love both patterns for your curtains! Maybe you should keep them both and have the floral during the summer months and then the drop cloth one for fall and winter.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I have done two rooms with the drop cloth curtains and love them!
FLOWERS!! Of course it’s probably just the green that’s calling my name.
How fun to find someone else struggling with decisions this week. I would go with the plainer curtain with the embellishment. I prefer that to the print, which I feel pulls the eye away from the table. But I’m of the philosophy that curtains are background. In a contemporary room like that I’d also be tempted to go with a soft Roman shade, outside mount. Thanks for stopping by to look at my wall options. — Jane F
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and the sweet comment. As soon as I looked at your photo I was immediately drawn to the big floral print in that room. You have solid chairs, walls, floor so I like the patterned one.
Both! The green and white floral for Spring/Summer and the plain for Fall/winter. That way you can tailor the ribbon edging to your Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukka decor. Or you could make double sided curtains like Amanda recommends over at AB Home Interiors:
http://abhomeinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-10-design-tips.html
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/my-stairway-got-hit-with-the-ugly-stick/
I have dropcloth curtains right now in my living room and I like them, but I am longing for a little more zing. I’d like to get another pair of printed ones to interchange. Having that it mind, I vote for the flowered print, but if you can keep both, I’d do it. After all, variety is the spice of life…at least that’s what they say.
-FringeGirl
DEFINITELY the flower curtains. It adds life and pazzazz! The drop cloth ones are nice, too, but the pattern of the flowers is just another great design element.
I would vote for the drop cloth with some ribbon.
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