3 Good Reasons to Hang Floor-to-Ceiling Draperies

Let me be straight with you...if I could live in my dream home, it would have huge windows with gorgeous vistas and lots of privacy to eliminate the need for any window treatments at all. You know, like the ones you see in magazines where the soaking tub looks out onto the ocean, or the master bedroom overlooks a rolling meadow, or the living room's view is of a snow-capped mountain range. Sadly, though, that is and probably always will be a fantasy for this lady.

While not a drapery person, I do understand the value of adding softness and interest to certain spaces with fabric. Our living room and dining room have standard 8' ceilings with boxy windows that lack any personality. Wood blinds came with the house, which are functional and a look that I do like. (My husband, on the other hand, curses those blinds because they are such a bear to clean.)

Former side-hang white sheers added a little finishing touch to the windows but still called out to be replaced with something more substantial. As you can see in the photo, if you look past our cute great-neice and look at the window, change is good!

Some of the pluses to these new floor-to-ceiling draperies are:

1. They make the standard 8' wall look taller. In a home that has small rooms and low ceilings, this is an easy way to attain a feeling of more space.

2. They envelope the room, making it cozier and visually warmer. See how it feels more inviting with the extra volume and weightier fabric?

3. They look much more upscale, finished and professional. Enough said!

Mario decided to strike a pose here.

I really love the new rods that we put up, although I may need to install a neon sign pointing toward them so that guests will take note, haha. Overall, though, I'm giving this project two thumbs up! Do you agree?

And by the way, bonus points to those of you who noticed the small green spots above the windows that have yet to be touched up ;)

Sharing with: Share Your Cup Thursday, A Delightsome Life, Fridays Unfolded, French Country Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique, Common Ground, Pieced Pastimes

Out with the Oak, In with the New

If you lived smack-dab in the middle of the country like I do, you'd probably notice that a large majority of people here love their stained cabinetry and millwork (with oak being a favored wood.) For those of us who are not fans of this look, what it means is that lots and lots of painting has to be done.

My most recent project has been painting the oak chair rail moulding in our hearth room.

Not only does this lighten and brighten the walls, it also removes the dark horizontal line that divided the walls in two. Now the room isn't as broken up, and your eye has more interesting places to go than straight to that moulding.

I've even converted my husband's tastes from the oak to the painted trim, which is great except for the fact that he's ready to paint ALL of the trim in the entire house! While I would love that look, the thought of actually doing the labor makes me feel the need to schedule an emergency vacation...

At any rate, my paintbrushes' next destination is the chair rail moulding in the front entry hall and the stairway banister and handrail. While not high-impact or fun projects, these will definitely help to elevate the look of my circa 1990-s, oak-lovers-delight, home.

Cheer me on, home-decor cheerleaders! :)