They’re here!
But, I don’t know about these guys.� They aren’t lined (I knew they weren’t) and despite knowing how much of a pet peeve unlined curtains are for me, I still bought them.� And, yet, knowing they weren’t lined and consciously making the decision to buy them regardless, I still groused about the fact they weren’t lined ten seconds after they were up.
Also, you have no idea how I pleased I am that an opportunity to use the word “grouse” has all but fallen in my lap.� It beats the word “grumble” by ten, at least.
So, the curtains.� They aren’t lined.� And is the silk too twee?� Too formal against all that rough and tumble stone?� I’m not too worried about how they hang.� They’ll look better once I iron and then train them properly.� They are hanging on double rods, so I can always put sheers behind them.� Plus, I was thinking of hanging some bamboo matchstick blinds for more texture.� (Can you tell I am now paranoid about having enough texture?� I’m about ready to glue-gun a cotton ball installation on the south wall.)
Silk?� Canvas/burlap/linen/velvet?
I repeat: good a good decorator/designer is worth their weight in gold.
I like them! I even like them unlined. It gives them a light, airy feeling. I personally don’t find them too formal for the space. It’s like sugar and spice.
i think they look cool, it kind of offsets the rough rocks, adds a cool vibe, but the bamboo would look even neater behind them!!
Oooh, burlap would look great!
I like them, but I agree that matchstick blinds might be a good foil to the formality of the silk. Not twee at all. Love how they are pooled on the floor.
Can I be the dissenter? I think they have got to go. They’re too precious compared to the rest of the room. The rest of your room gives off this great comfortably tailored vibe. Puddled silk, while pretty, feel disharmonious.
I would love to see one of those tasty deep colors you were contemplating earlier (sable, superior bronze) on the wall, with a canvas or burlap close to the wall tone as the curtain. You have texture – take a look at the fireplace – fabulous!! I probably wouldn’t puddle them, just have them break slightly at the floor. I might also consider adding a subtle zing of color to the panels – lime green, orange, turquoise – whatever you’ve got going as an accent color. Maybe 2″ velvet ribbon x 2 a few inches up from the bottom?
I think the room is lovely – very warm and happy.
I like them. I love the way the spill onto the floor and thing they have just the right amount of elegance against the stone.
And, you love “grouse”? I love, nay, adore “twee”.
And “niblet”, but that’s beside the point.
Beth–dissent away! I welcome all constructive criticism or I wouldn’t ask for it. :) I actually wasn’t going to puddle them (forgot to mention that) because of the dogs. You mentioned what bothers me about the curtains. I think, once the room is finished, that the curtains won’t make sense in the end. Here are some canvas (okay, drop cloth) curtains to give you an idea of what I was thinking.
Meredith–every time I say grouse I think of someone scowling grrr with a one-eyed face, like a pirate. Niblet makes me think of chicken…maybe because of giblets?
p.s. Which girl has been dipping in the cold medicine b/c she has a Nico’s feverish cold? This girl.
You’re asking yourself the right question – how do I want this room to feel, and does this take away or enhance that feeling? I love the drop-cloth idea – but I think they might fight with the fireplace against a darker wall.
I love the drop cloth idea. What about using the drop cloths, and then painting the wall a color one shade deeper? I still like the idea of a touch of color (shoot me if I say “pop”) on the drapes.
You know what strikes me about the room? The fireplace is clearly very grounded as opposed to the rest of the room which is very leggy – legs on the sofas, chairs, tables – it’s a clean look, but such a contrast to that rustic fireplace. Might I suggest you add something that has no (or short) legs – to ground the room a little?
I’ll shut up now.
B
You don’t have to shut up! I’m actually laughing because a while back I emailed Nicole (Making it Lovely) and told her that I felt my entire living room was on stilts. That was actually intentional–the legs–because of Mikey’s allergies. The doctor said I should vacuum everyday and under the furniture. Well, I wasn’t about to move the furniture so we bought furniture I could vacuum under. Which lasted a short while until I decided I am not supermom.
I’ve been wanting to move the furniture in the living room to the toyroom/den and always joke about replacing it with the ektorop IKEA sectional in faux linen that I love. I know sectionals are a no-no, but I find them comfy-cozy. I just can’t figure out what to do with the wall perpendicular to the fireplace.
I took some drop cloths from the garage (paint splattered) and they are very close to the wall color. I do love how thick and heavy they are. At the very least, they would better insulate the house from our single pane windows from the 50s. They may look out of place right now, but I think eventually they will work much better than these silk curtains do right now.
A touche of color is great–it’s committing to one color for an extended period of time that gives me the vapors.
Jules, I hate to be negative too, but I don’t think they go with the room. I get wanting to mix styles, but you have such a drastically rustic floor and fireplace, that the curtains look too formal next to them. I also don’t care for the diamond-looking lines on them. They don’t seem to tie in with the fireplace. Instead, they oppose the ruggedness of the fireplace. It’s almost like they are too straight a line to be so close to the jagged rocks. I just have the feeling that there are curtains out there that would just be a better “fit” for the space. Have you ever thought of getting curtains that pull out the colors of the fireplace? Like a chocolate brown or a deep rust color? (Unsure of the exact colors, but I know you know what they are.) You could go with some texture on a solid panel that would enhance the fireplace, like a canvas or waffle texture.
Why do the curtains need to be lined when you say your house is too dark? Don’t unlined curtains work in this instance because they allow more light into the room? I don’t remember reading your reasons for liking only lined curtains, so I might be way off base:)
I like the curtains, I really do. I do not like them next to the fireplace. I think burlap might be to blah against the wall color.
But I have yet to hang curtains in my bedroom for this EXACT reason…buying curtains is HARD. And expensive.
You are very brave asking the Internets their opinion, BTW. :)
I adore the texture of drop cloth curtains and agree that these compete with the fireplace. I’d like to see a darker shade on the walls, too, but that’s just me. Good luck; it’s SO hard making decisions that cost time and money!
I love drop cloth curtains (great Lettered Cottage link, btw)–my mom actually did that many moons ago and they were so easy to make, plus we moved them several times and they always went with the living room. (She stole them from my dad when he wasn’t looking ;-).) The silk are lovely, too, though, and I think with the matchstick blinds behind them, they’d be more substantial-looking.
I think I’d go more cotton blend / twill /burlap, to keep it warm and cozy. (I kinda like this …
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/comShop/customProdAction.do%3Faction%3DinitCustom?ruleID=2357&itemID=10368&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C1465%2C1513%2C2223&iProductID=10368
only then you’d HAVE to buy that leather sofa you posted early. :) And color. I’d pull color from the stone to add to the walls or the curtains – maybe both. Of course, I’m no interior designer. So, there’s that …
Jules, those curtains my dear got to go. Not the right ones. You know I was at Cost Plus the other day and they had some rust, green, gold, brown, curtains that you might like. Do you have a store close to you??? I still struggle alot with your fireplace, I just do not like it one bit, I am just being honest here, so no matter what you put on that window I still would struggle with it. I know you love it and I am sure that you will find something that makes you happy :) Happy hunting !!! Hugs~
Esther–I do have a Cost Plus. I’ll go check them out. The fireplace wouldn’t be my first pick, so I wouldn’t say that I love it. I’m just trying to keep a positive attitude about something I can’t do anything about. :)
I’ve tried deeper colors on the wall, as several people have suggested, and the samples didn’t look great. I’m not going to repaint until I find the color that I love.
Amy–your link went to the home page! Did you want me to see the fringed burlap curtains or the twill curtains in caramel?
Zak–Yes, buying curtains (especially with a fireplace like mine) blows.
Ok, I’m going to jump on the bandwagon now. I like the drop cloth curtains a lot – probably because they look very similar to the 10 yards of creamy denim fabric I bought to make curtains for my windows 3 houses ago. And they would be a better foil to the rough stone they will be hanging next to. I actually like sectionals, and am all over anything with a slipcover. Rotate your pillows & accessories for a new look each season. This room is going to be fab when you’re done!
Lol, ‘grouse’, yes agreed 10 times better than grumpy. Never mention glue gun + interior decorating again–ever! Try the drop cloth curtains like mentioned, you will have the mild texture plus they will be heftier. Hey total give you props for trying! I STILL have no curtains because I can not make up my mind at all to even try anything! I am proud of you for going for it!
Well that’s just rude! :) I looked at quite a few … including a couple of the patterns, but I think I tried to send you the link to the burlap. And I think once you’ve got everything in place the fireplace will be spectacular. In a good way. So. There.
Jules,
Unlined curtains bug me too. In this case I think that is what first jumps out at me…that they should be lined. But then after that initial shock I look around and think of the vibe you want and I kind of agree with previous posters who say they are a bit to formal/precious for the room. I think burlap or the drop cloth curtains would be a perfect solution.
Just my thoughts!
Lindsey
I agree with Beth. These have to go. They’re nice curtains, but I think you need some sort of pop of print or a different texture. Personally, stick with the curtains you have. That is always what my eye goes to first when you post pictures of your living room. Love them! I say either stick with them or get something similar if you are feeling like a change. Also, the fact that these are unlined makes them look small or flimsy. They don’t mesh well with those large windows. The windows overpower them.
I love the idea of bamboo blinds behind them. Pretty! What a lovely blog you have. So glad I stopped over for a visit today. How lovely.
To me curtains equal brain surgery. I’ve lived in my house for seven years and just hung curtains in the living room about three months ago. I graduated college with honors, but must have missed the day where they handed out the curtain knowledge. When you figure it out will you please pass along your knowledge to me?
Chiming in here more than a year later because I did a search of “why should I order curtains with or without liner.”
What bothers you about the unlined curtains will bother me – glad I found your website.