I finally figured out how to get 96" tall curtains, that look like the ones from Pottery Barn in the photo above, for less than $10.00 a panel.
Use canvas painters dropcloths!
I got mine at Lowes, and I LOVE them.
They were $9.99 per dropcloth, and they each measure 6 feet wide by 9 feet tall!
All four sides come pre-hemmed, so unless you need to alter the height, they are ready-to-hang.
(hemmed edges)
I love their heaviness, and the little flecks of tan and brown in them...
They're washable too. I washed mine, and hadn't yet ironed them before I took these photos. Please excuse all the wrinkles!
They look great flanking my new linen press. (I have officially decided to call it that because I love the way it sounds so much):
And look how great they coordinate with the $7.00 tablecloth I got at TJ Maxx!
(By the way, I'm stripping all eighty layers of paint off that apple green back door and staining it walnut in the near future!)
Oh! Speaking of the linen press- I borrowed the lamp I use in my Reading Room to see what it would be like to have a lamp on top of it.
This lamp is too small to use here, but I loved the warm glow it created in the Dining Room tonight. Definitely need to get a permanent lamp in here soon!
I made the seashell lamp from an old 1950's lamp I spray painted white. I glued on shells I picked up in Pensacola, and from Michaels. Never throw a lamp away because you think it's ugly! Any lamp can always be revitalized.
I take that back.
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126 comments:
Love the curtains! And the lamp!!
m ^..^
That is such a cute shell lamp! I always wondered about those drop clothes for curtains as to wheather they hang nicely. They also kind of remind me of sail cloth. I'd love to see the entire window!
FABULOUS idea!!! I bet they don't have anything like that, down here in the colonies (Australia!) A-M xx
I LOVE the idea for the drapes! Feel free to post a picture of them from further away so I can ohh and ahhh some more!!.... Love the blog!
LOVE the curtains!!! I just bought a king sheet in a wide striped pattern that I am turning into curtains for my sons room. I'll have to layer them of course, but they too were $9 bucks. That lamp is beautiful such a work of art!
I just recently thought to make curtains out of the drop cloths too! Amazing how great minds think alike. I am planning on lightly and naturally dying them with hot tea in a plastic tub.... I will definitely be posting some pics of the process and results soon! I hope that it turns out as well as I have it planned out in my noggin!
Dropclothes! Who would have thought? Now that's using your creativity! Would love to see pictures of how you hung them at the top.
Lovely curtains!
You know, I never thought that drop cloths would make great-looking curtains. I guess when me and my husband used them they were always so dirty that all their charm was gone, haha.
In any case, you had a very creative idea!
Your shell lamp reminded me of my Great Grandmother who used to make shell covered jewellery boxes. We find those shells on our beaches here in NZ. I have a glass jar of them on my fireplace.
Fra-gee-lay
Wow, what a great idea, Love the leg lamp!
xoxo,
Cathleen
Layla, have I told you today how much I love it when you disappear for abit? Because you always come back with something else for me to NEED. NOW. :)
I had the 94' drape dilemma going on too and it was driving me maaaad. I'd also like to see a full shot of the drop cloth drapes.
We don't want much do we?
(LOL on the leg lamp. I've often wanted to buy something just really ugly from a thrift to give to someone as a joke gift. I'd say that leg lamp would easily fall in the ugly top 10)
Donna @
Funky Junk Interiors &
Extreme Home Renos
I made slip covers for both my sofa's out of the same drop cloths ones from Lowes. Total cost was just over $100. Love them. They have just enough color that I can actually let my family sit on them. I think I may try the drapes too! Thank you.
This is a great idea! I just did something similar with tons of duck cloth I had gotten for a slipcover project that never materialized. I do have hemming to do, though! Your room is quickly coming together.
D.
I love those curtains! Thank you for the great idea!! That lamp is great too. Very creative!
You are funny.
And you totally stole my idea for my new drapes, lol.
Layla, may I suggest that you take it one more step further and either paint or stencil the lower part a French Toile.. in black and run it up the inside of the drapes as a frame only.
Make a fabu tassel and I’d say it fits your home to a “T”.
Here's a link for great stencils!
href="http://www.hennydonovanmotif.co.uk/border_stencils.htm
Very nice!! I was just looking at canvas just like this at Wal-Mart actually and was wanting to make drapes out of it --- it was so cheap....but this is better yet. They are already made. I'm also thinking you could make a slipcover out of it for your sofa!
Love the curtain panels, Layla! I kept saying that next time I changed my panels, I would try burlap...but now I have a choice to make. I've seen them used as slip covers before and thought that clever too. Hey, thanks for that post yesterday. I ordered 30 of those chalkboard tags from Grace at Coastline for 30 vintage locker bins I'm working on..... You're costing me money at every turn (she said with a smile)!
Where did you purchase your drop cloths? The only pnes I've been abe to find have a plastic liner (almost like saran wrap). Would LOVE to know. Thanks!!
Drop cloths! What a great idea! I didn't know they could be washed!
Wonder if I could cover my ugly roller shades with them? I'm renting and my guest room windows are NOT a top priority, but this might work?!
What a great idea! I would also recommend Shower curtains...
I used dropcloths for a headboard/curtain effect a few months back (photos on a January post) They are my new best friend! :)
I have heard of using drop cloth curtains but I wasnt sure how they would look. Thanks for the visual!
I am so happy to see you use canvas dropcoths! I replaced most of my downstairs window treatments with them and they changed the look of my home for the better by making the rooms flow so much nicer. I too purchased the same size you listed, however, I hit the jackpot when they had a special floor display with a BOGO free!! How could I pass up panels at $5 bucks a pop? They also block sun glare pretty darn well too.
Layla... You are incredible, girl. Incredible. Gifted. Amazing. You have the heart of a designer. I bet I could give you pieces of lint from my dryer and you would create something fabulous from it.
I've been looking for some fabric for my kitchen windows and I think these dropcloths may be the solution.
Keep up the great ideas. And thanks much for sharing.
Aw, c'mon! You mean you'd pass up the chance to bask in the soft glow of electric sex (as Ralphie said)?
Although I don't think it would look just right on the linen press. :)
I have seen that leg lamp before either in a movie or a tv show???
I can't remember what it was.
The drop cloths are great. I loaned mine out to my son's ex girlfriend and never saw them (either one) again. I guess for the price I won't worry about it.
Would never have thought of that and those are gorgeous. I love the texture that it gives to the room.
Sarah
love the curtain idea!!
can you show us a pic of how you hung them? rod? clips?
Oh yes you did! Great idea!! I have some curtains close to that color I bought at Walmart. They were too short so I added some more fabric to the bottom. I took them down because of color changes...you know,smile. I want them back up there but just too lazy to change out the bottom piece. You have just answered my question. Drop cloths...no sew... love ya Layla ~
Very clever and it blends in so well with your decor. And it's Cheap Chic!!!
The lamp is adorable.
Have a happy day
Kris
Great idea - in fact, I think I'm going to have to run out and buy some to hang this weekend!
BTW, love your blog, love your style! :)
Ok, that leg thing may be the ugliest thing on your blog, lol! (But it's still my favorite winter movie!)
I love that lamp from The Christmas Story!!!!! Wonderful. Still loving your linen press.... (sigh...)
Do you know how many dropclothes I have????? Too bad they are all covered in paint!
Love the idea of using dropcloths for window treatments!
What a GREAT idea! This would be great in my son's room. How did you hand them? I am going to Lowes!
Thanks for sharing your blog. I just love it!
Lou Cinda :)
PS ~ I also live in Alabama, just further north than you.
Love the curtains, what a great and inexpensive way to have a big impact!!
What a coincidence!! I bought my dropcloths yesterday and they are in the dryer now. They are the perfect length...they puddle just a bit and I love how you can shape them becaue they are so thick. A perfect drape for a awesome price. I am thinking about painting a border on mine...hmmm....so many options
Great idea, Layla!
I have been catching up lately and missed quite a few posts! I love your hubs post! I have my own miter saw and nail gun, Christmas and birthday gifts from my hubby. I am definitely going to add some toppers to my cabinets now. I was a decorative painter and always loved the look of new drop cloths as fabric. I have been wanting to do curtains and a slipcover but I'm afraid they won't soften up enough for slipcovers, too scratchy. I am doing new curtains so maybe I'll wash the heck out of them and see how soft they get. You have a wonderful sense of style and the way you include tutorials is great. Thanks, Pam
Hmmmmmm... thanks for the idea... :) I think I'll make a quick trip to lowe's today!
Brilliant! I have been wanting burlap drapes, but i think I like these even better! (and they are so much more affordable!) Thanks!
I HAVE to try the dropcloth idea sometime...maybe when I get tired of how my living room looks - which is something I tend to do from time to time. I don't think I EVER need to worry about running out of projects :-).
Love the leg lamp - I think all it needs is a little white paint and some sea shells or crystals....Ha! Just kidding.
Absolutely great idea of using the drop cloths for curtains!!!!! I will be heading to Lowe's today! Thanks so much for the tips on your blog!
Take Care - Robin
Can't wait to see the finished curtains. I have a feeling I'm going to be amazed! And and interesting source of fabric for me who sews other things like for bags and clothes etc.
Great idea!
The dropcloth panels are Fan-Tab-U-Lous!!
That is one fabuous idea for drapes! Thanks so much. My family room is all windows.
Hugs, Susan
What a great idea! Love it!
ok so I LOVE the dropcloth idea! and I am in deep love of your kitchen & have decided to take the plunge & go black! I am writing a post about it now & hope its ok that I mention you & link back to your kitchen post. :-)
I have seen this done before and it is gorgeous. A few years ago I lived in a loft with 21 foot ceilings, and yes, you can get drop cloths that long.
I have used canvas drapes several
times, the last time I made a large stencil with scrolly s design
and painted chocolate brown, they
turned out beautiful!
Layla, this is a great idea. I am using drop cloths as curtains for my outdoor pergola this summer - I decided to paint a greek key pattern on them with the garage paint for an added punch - but they're great! Especially outdoors. Can't wait to see yours all done up!
SOOOOOO AWESOME!!!
YOU ROCK GIRL!
OFF TO LOWES I GO!
HUGS FROM MAINE
and that's why we all read your blog...AMAZING idea!! and super great for those of us on a budget. love it.
Those drop cloth are the best bargain in fabric (other than sheets). I use them for lots of things.
I LOVE these and will be using the idea in my new house!!!
Great curtain idea and EXCELLENT price. Always hard to find long curtains- especially for this big old house. You almost had me unnerved with the leg lamp- April Fools, huh?
You are are flippin' genius...I had a bolt of sail cloth in my garage and was thinking of using that for drapes but dear hubby has used too much of it. But the already hemmed drop cloths are perfect!!!
Brilliant! You have genuine talent, my dear!
What's up twin?
I made my sofa slipcover out of the same drop cloth. Excited to share pictures with you!
Fabulous curtains (of course!)
Erin :)
What an excellent idea!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Hardware stores are about to have a run on drop cloths after this post :)
I have drop clothes as curtains in my living room. I love them too, they are perfect and hang wonderfully. You can see mine at RMS under pelicanpieces.
Drop cloths are wonderful for curtain panels! They make great throw rugs and tablecloths, too :)
ox Isa
A neighbor of mine when I first moved to CA was in the salon where I got my first haircut showing her drop cloth drapes painted with peacock feathers and they looked great! I like using drop cloths to cover boxes for storing things without looking like ugly cardboard boxes.
I have three windows in my bedroom to decorate, and this is RIGHT up my alley! Good thinkin', girl!
So funny that you should post this, because I had been toying with the idea of getting some dropcloths for curtains, but I guess I thought they were always more white than tan/beige which is the color I need. The ones you showed are perfect...I think I'm off to Lowe's! THANKS!
Fantastic idea! Can't wait to see a photo of the whole dining room with its new additions! :)
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Layla - I have dropcloth curtains, too! I need them for a whole wall of windows, and there were some linen curtains in the Pottery Barn catalog I just loved, an "oatmeal" color, and I think they look remarkably similar, for hundreds less! (there was no way I could, or even if I could, I wouldn't pay that much for curtains!).
I've got to get some of those--just to have--until I can think of where I want to use them. Love them. Did you see Kimba's porch curtains she made from Wal-Mart drop cloths? They turned out awesome, too.
I like all the texture you add to your home--I need to start practising doing that.
omg, girl you are so darn creative. Love the curtains, love it. That is something that a lot of people could use and have never even thought of. Awesome.
Deb
This is the best idea I've heard all year. Ingenius. I've only recently discovered your beautiful blog, but I am hooked. Thanks for sharing your great ideas.
LOVE the curtains! I've been thinking of using drop cloths on my living room windows and wondering how they'd look ... now I know! The wrinkles work ... I wouldn't iron them.
I've been a follower of your blog and totally love your ideas!!! Okay the drapes have to be the best thing ever...I'm totally going to do that! They look great in your house!
seriously. this is genious. I am SO doing this. and no sewing necessary. finally, a project I can handle. no. a GORGEOUS project I can handle.Thanks!!!!!
GENIUS!!!! THANK YOU!
-kristen
Hi Layla! Oh, those drop cloths make drop dead gorgeous curtains! You're the smartest one to think of this! That lamp! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I do love the dropcloths! Just posted about using them on a covered deck not long ago. They are so inexpensive and versitile!
~Misti
brilliant!
Drop cloths
who would have thought?
Love them-
I wonder how fabric dye would work on them if you wanted a color? That's such a great idea!
Oh, I am loving that dropcloth idea, THANK YOU!!
LOVE IT! was going to do burlap but wasn't sure if I would love it! but this.....I LOVE! I am going to make a table cloth too!!! love it!
What a terrific inexpensive fabric for curtains.
What a great, great idea! Thanks!
Oh, that leg lamp. Love that movie and mama's reaction to that lamp.
I love your curtains. ^_^ I usually buy king/queen flat sheets from thrift stores and doctor those for my curtains so that they're ceiling to floor height.
I really enjoy your blog and like to comment, but I noticed that you have A LOT OF COMMENTS to read... would you prefer for me to not comment?
Anna
Great solution for my recent curtain dilemma.
http://asteriahanover.blogspot.com/2009/03/dance-studio-dilema.html
I wonder if I can die them? I certainly can paint on them for some color.
ok so I have dropcloth curtains in my house and I always get so many compliments on them :-) love it!
YOU ARE BRILLIANT.
Thanks for the idea. I'm totally digging the look.
Such a cool idea! Thanks!!!
You're crackin' me up with the leg lamp. :)
Your curtains are awsome. I've been looking for idea's for my family room and you may have given my the winner. thanks so much. Love your blog.
Genious !
LOL! I haven't seen the leg lamp in quite a while! Thanks for the laugh. And GREAT idea for the drop cloth curtains. They look awesome! I wonder if they come in more colors ... :)
You are amazing! So creative with how to stretch the dollar bill, too. I love, love these dropcloth drapes. Too cool! Thanks for sharing, -susan
I have thought of using them as drapes and now I will do it! They look great! Can't wait to see what they look like after you add trim!
Thank you, thank you, thank you...I have been trying to figure out what to put on my extra large windows without all the cost of a professional curtain maker. I am going straight out to get some this weekend and experiment. Love you blog and think you are fantastic.x
So excited to see this post! I have been reading you for some time now, and LOVE your style.
I used painters drop cloths earlier this year (so NOT my idea, not creative at all here...my slipcover gal) for both curtains in one room and slipcovers in another!
Now that I know you "approve" I feel 1000x better!
Can't wait to see what you did with the tops.. I am still uncertain!
http://peteandmegcollins.blogspot.com/2008/11/evolution-of-room.html
Please tell me what trim you use too!!!
I love these!. I used a dropcloth from Lowe's as a shower curtain. I love it because it goes all the way to the floor.
Love those brackets on your kitchen cabintes I saw in an earlier post. I'm in the process of finishing my cabinets (just posted those pics.) Now, I HAVE to have brackets/corbels!
That is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much for sharing that. You know you and I just talked about that a few weeks ago..and that would work perfect in my daughters room.
{{Big Hugs}}
Cathy
I just wanted to say I LOVE your blog! My husband and I are building a house on a very small budget and you have given me so many ideas and inspirations for decorating at a low cost!! :) Thanks!!
Wow, I am so impressed by the curtains!!!
Just love the drop cloth curtains! Great idea.
How did you get them to hang?
Luv the curtain idea, thanks! How did you find a rod long enough? I have 2 big windows & I can't find a rod that is the same size all the way across. Do you know what I mean? One side pulls out of the other & it looks skinnier..
I love the dropcloth idea. Thanks for telling me where to get them. My wheels are turning now!
Canvas drop cloths also make great fabric for slipcovers. They get soft & comfy looking, and they are SO cheap. I hadn't thought of using them as curtains. Brilliant!
I used dropcloths to reupholster my French chairs. I wanted linen, but with eight chairs the dropcloth gave the same look for way less and I love how they came out. Thanks for the curtain idea:)
They look great! I plan on doing this in our bedroom. I have a dropcloth "slipcover" on a chair and I love it. With all the kids, it has been in the wash a bunch of times already and it still looks great! I originally had wanted linen drapes but those things are pricey!
~Michelle
Great idea about the dropcloth curtains and someone also commented that they were great for upholstery too.
Love & blessings from NC!
That is such a clever idea. They look just fabulous! So does your lamp.
did a tutorial on how to do these...on the old blog, silly video, fun, easy and totally beachy look!
and, well...so cheap!
Lisa
coastal nest
I snagged hubby's dropcloth for drapes and he needed them back...I say if they are in the garage for 2 weeks in the way, I get them. But they are also available in different widths. The length remains the same (I think) but the widths can vary for you, so they are even more versatile. And I do love the color.
L.O.V.E. the drop cloth idea. How did you hang them? Can you post some more pictures for us lookers?
what a GREAT idea for curtains!
I'm running out to buy a drop cloth today to try out...great idea! Love the lamp too, I'm a fanatic about gluing seashells onto everything- it works on ugly mirrors as well!
Love the curtains! Thanks for such a practical & economical tip.
Fra-gee-lay!
This is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing.
quick question about the canvas drop cloth- how did you get all of the smell out?
I bought and installed them this weekend, and even though I washed them they still have that lovely smell to them. I even broke out the febreeze.
Thanks! and thanks for the encouragement.
I've bought my dropcloths. We have a covered deck so, going to use gromets and cable. These are going to be great outside too!
Thought you might like to know that I used your idea, added a little "me" to it and I love the results.
Thanks so much for the inspiration.
p.s. come on by and check it out - thanks
I am on my way out to purchase drop cloths for a wall of windows in my bedroom! Thanks bunches.
Awesome! I'm glad I saw this. I thought I was the first to think this one up, but it's always funny to see that you weren't :)
I've always wondered this and I see that you did it, so I'm just going to ask...how did you hang the sheer white curtain underneath? I have been dying to know how to get this look, but I can't ever figure it out. Thanks in advance (jori.hodgson@gmail.com)
Oops! I was also going to ask you how you got the hoops on to hang yours? Thank you SO much! My whole front room is a window and it's not been covered the entire 3 years we've lived here - driving me nuts every single day. So it's appreciated!!
Love the look of the drop cloth drapes! Did you wash them prior to hanging them? and did you find alot of shrinkage?
I just opened a 6x9 dropcloth from Lowe's, and it's pieced! There's a seam across the width halfway down the 9ft side. The ones in the photos don't look like they're pieced . . . do I have to open every package?
I'm with the previous poster. My standard 6x9 dropcloth package was pieced. What do you do with that???? HELP! Did I get the wrong package?
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