Buffalo Gal Won't Ya Come Out Tonight

I'm on the hunt for affordable but attractive curtains for our upstairs guest room.  It has a small nook of a window that is going to be hard to address.  So I have just kept ignoring it.  However, we have frequent guests stay there and I'm starting to feel guilty because the street light is bright at night and there is bright daylight early in the morning.  Not to mention a complete lack of privacy.  So, I'm working on how to remedy that situation.  I've got some black and white botanical printed bedding from Pottery Barn (I don't think they sell it anymore but similar to this but much more black) and so I was thinking that a black geometric pattern would look good with it.  I came across these buffalo check panels from Target.

I love the oversize, almost watercolor appearance of the checks.  Now I've got to measure everything and see if these might work.  I was a little worried that buffalo check might feel a little county but after sourcing some other inspiration, I think these just might be the ticket.

via OKL 

via Caitlin Wilson 

via Caitlin Wilson

via Dimples and Tangles 

via Beauty for Ashes

#buffalocheck #modernbuffalocheck #bigbuffalocheck #moderntraditionalmix #blackandwhitecheck #blackandwhitefabric #curtains #buffalocheckcurtains #targetcurtains #targetstyle #potterybarnbedding

DIY Pom Pom Trimmed Curtains

I have been loving the look of custom curtains with pom pom trim for some time now. I don't have the funds for custom drapery right now but I am so pleased with how my latest project turned out. It is the look of custom curtains for much, much less.

 I started with a set of Ikea RITVA curtains in gray. They aren't anything special but they are relatively thick and I like how they are not tabbed or grommetted on the top so they look more custom to me. I tossed the tie backs aside. These bad boys were $34 for BOTH panels. I haven't even been able to find a deal that good at TJ Maxx or Home Goods (trust me, I've been trying).

Here's what the curtains looked like out of the package:

Then I ordered some pom pom trim from Etsy.  I got mine from Frog Feathers and they were great.  Affordable and quick and they were able to set up a custom listing for me so that I got the exact amount I needed.  So, about the amount...I ordered 5 yards and literally had JUST ENOUGH for this.  I recommend that you order a little extra so you aren't pushing your limits like I was.  Here's what the trim looked like before.  It's upholstery pom pom trim so that it can be sewn on.

Then, because I cannot sew, I took the curtains and my trim down the street to my dry cleaner.  There was a slight language barrier and I know she thought I was CRAZY when I was asking her to do this.  I drew a picture to make sure we were on the same page...it is important that the trim is (obviously) on the INSIDE of the curtains.

My dry cleaner seamstress may have THOUGHT I was crazy but now she THINKS I am a genius.  Every time I go in she wants to talk about my beautiful curtains...and aren't they??

Here are some close ups so you can see the detail.

Here you can see the inside of the curtain:

FYI - my dry cleaner charged me $94 for the curtains.  This included hemming the curtains so they were the right length for my room (err on the side of longer when you buy the curtains so you don't end up with high waters...) as well as adding the pom pom trim and pressing them.  You'll definitely want to have them pressed so they don't have the creases from the package.

So, there you have it...custom looking pom-pom trimmed curtains for under $140!!!

Nate Berkus Fabrics at Calico Corners

I get a crazy little rush every time I go into a Calico Corners (or any fabric store for that matter).  I get dizzy thinking about the endless possibilities and what I could do if I only had more money.  Nate Berkus has started a line of his own at Calico Corners that's...wait for it...affordable!  Affordable and awesome?  Can it be?

Oh, yes.  Yes, it is.

They are a good mix of modern and traditional to suit everyone's styles.  I especially love the bolder ikats and chevrons (shocking, I know).

All fabrics found at Calico Corner's.

Brunschwig and Fils Fabrics

I'm tired after a long day so I don't have a lot of words for you but I do have some pretty pictures of lovely, fun fabrics from Brunschwig and Fils. Enjoy!

All products found on the Brunschwig and Fils site here.

Up-cycled Ottoman

Ya'll remember my friend Lauren who I helped when she first moved to DC?  I helped her decorate her place one weekend for $0.  Yep, we just rearranged her current furniture and it looked like a whole new apartment.  It has continued to evolve and looks even better every time I go visit her!  We went fabric shopping a few months ago and purchased some great graphic, colorful fabrics to recover two of her chairs and an ottoman.  I took her ottoman to my upholsterer a week or so ago to go ahead and get started.  She'll do the chairs soon.

I don't have a very good before picture of the ottoman but you can get an idea of it below down in the bottom right corner:

It was green plaid with fabric wrapped around all four legs.

I thought it would modernize it if we skirted it instead of wrapping the fabric.  They just finished it and I am IN LOVE with it and so happy for her.  I can't wait to see it in her place!

Bargain Bench Redo

I picked this bench up for $15 at a consignment store a couple of months ago.  My husband hated it but I saw potential...or was it might have been the rock-bottom price tag.  Either way, I was determined to prove him wrong.

Here is the before picture:

Here is the fabric I decided on - it is timeless because of the polka dots but I like how they are randomized instead of evenly spaced out which feels a little more fun to me.

I got the fabric on Etsy from the Fabric Shoppe in case you are interested.

Step Two.

Heavy duty foam and zipped cushion cover created.  Now I just need to paint this sucker.

Final product will be forthcoming!

Bolt House Textiles

I am so ready for summer.  And ready to decorate my beach house.  Oh yeah, I don't have one...yet.  But, if I did, I would put lots of Bolthouse textiles in there!  This company is so cool - you can mix and match the fabrics and colors to make your own whatever...bolts of fabric, pillows, custom light fixtures, etc.  I'm in love with their photography.  Doesn't it just make you crave going to the beach?!