kicky curtains II

As I promised some more of my funky drapes - tradition with a twist. I have moved a lot in recent years. Each time we sell a house, I do not include the curtains! It is not always readily apparent how I might use them again, but curtains are easily manipulated to suit a new space. These brown velvet curtains have lived a single foyer window, a double bedroom window, and now a double dining room window. These were the first curtains I made with a grand, heavy theatre curtain in mind. It is another example of mixing fabrics, textures, color, and pushing scale.

I found both of these great fabrics on sale. The front is a heavy brown velvet and the lining is a beautiful silk shantung. The shantung fabric is woven from blue and green-yellow fibers. I love to use this kind of fabric as color inspiration for the entire room.


























The unique feature of these curtains is an alternative tie-back. By adding a large fabric-covered button to the back side of the curtains at the point of tie-back, the drapes can be hung with the lining exposed (see image below). I made a very small fabric loop to catch the button and hang it over the metal hook. This is a dramatic way to hang the curtains and a great shot of color. I also made more traditional tie-backs from the brown velvet so that depending on the application, I have a choice in hanging them.

I generally hang curtains above the window to help accentuate a high ceiling, or to make a low ceiling feel higher. Regardless, these curtains are long enough to pool at the hemline.
































I originally made the curtains for the foyer of a house we remodeled in Salt Lake City. The window was a southern exposure, so these heavy drapes helped to diffuse the harsh, hot sun. I found a beautiful silk sheer to hang with the drapes (10% of original cost at Anthropologie). The ivory and brown sheer had a great single-image print of some birds in tress. Unfortunately, a couple of years in this window damaged the fabric to the point that it was brittle, and our cat shredded the sheers in pursuit of an Anole Texas lizard.














Next the curtains hung in our guest bedroom.




















Now the drapes have made it to our dining room.

Buying nice fabric can be expensive. These curtains have stood up well for five years, and I expect I will have them hanging somewhere in the house until they fall apart. So buy some fabric and have some fun!