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Deuce Cities Henhouse

Refresh : Curtains with Clips

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse
Oh, hai. Grommet curtains and I have been good friends for a long time, but I think the time has come for me to mosey on (cuz I’m a cowboy) and start a love affair with a new style of curtain. I’ve long adored the casual crispness of a good simple grommet curtain. Grommets are both relaxed and tailored at the same time, and I v much like that vibe. When you are a young twenty-something (and thirty something) grommet curts are an inexpensive way to have nice looking curtains with out shelling out tons of dough on custom window treatments. Now that I am getting older and am in the twilight of my 30’s I’ve noticed something changing in me. My tastes seem to be evolving and I am becoming slightly less interested in modern design, and more into stuff that has some traditional and even classic undertones (but not too much, just a little). I think the most likely explanation for this change is that I’m being brain washed by our new velvet pleated chair into liking more fancy shit, or maybe I’m just growing up . Both are plausible.

Anyways, I am still pretty cheap when it comes to curtains. I was ready for an upgrade but was still not ready for spending tons of cash. That was until I had visited a clients house and was inspired by her new curtains. She had hung Ikea Ritva curtains with curtain clips and I was really impressed by the look. The Ritva curtains have a nice texture and weight, and look much more expensive than they are.

I didn’t hesitate, and ordered 4 sets of curtain clips from West Elm, and then headed to Ikea for the rest of the goods. As it is with all Ikea curtains, there is a little give and take. It always seems like you have to force them into shape and to take care when hemming them so that they will lay nicely. I spent the better part of an afternoon ironing the curtains to lay flat and to pleat at all the right places (no, we don’t have a steamer otherwise I bet I coulda saved a lot of time). I wanted the curtains to have a small understated pleat, you know, semi-tailored and delicate, without being too stuffy — just a little fancy. My solution was to clip the pleat every 8″ (or so) to create the look. I really like that clipping the curtain on the pleat elevates the look, without taking them all the way to formal-town.

Also, it wasn’t until after I had everything hung that I realized that Ikea sells curtain hooks that integrate into the gathering tape on the back of the curtains to create pleats, (dur). This is all fine and good because I really like the way our new curtains hang, but you better believe that I would’ve purchased those hooks and played around with all the potential curtain possibilities before committing to a final look.

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse
They sell these things called curtain weights, but because my hardware store is way more conveniently located to me (and funner) than the fabric store I opted to insert a few heavy washers into the hem of each curtain to encourage them to hang nicely.

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse
Clips and curtain rod are both from West Elm

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse
I am still very much into having solid white curtains to off-set the dark stained wood work found all over the main floor of the house. It takes the place of having painted white trim which I still pine for from time-to-time.

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse

Tailored Curtains with Clip Rings | Deuce Cities Henhouse
Look at how pretty these things are when they are closed! We usually never draw our drapes, but this weekend it was especially bright during the afternoon. The curtain clips slide nicely to close and the curtains diffuse the light in a real dreamy sort-of-a-way. AND, when it was time to put the curtains back in place, you just throw them open and they go right back to looking perfect. I was amazed! I’ve spent the last 6 years climbing around on the back of my sofa tweaking my curtains anytime the wind blows. Sayonara grommets.

20 comments
in Around the House, Decor, How-To
20 comments… add one
  • kim February 28, 2017

    As a fellow Midwestie, howdy! [cowboy theme]

    I can relate to the sentiment in this post. I just turned 40 this month and I’ve found my tastes have transitioned from solidly midcentury to this Victorian/Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau mishmash. I live in a 1910 house with Craftsman bones and elements of whatever time period the room’s remodel took place in, and I’m trying to work on some cohesiveness throughout. Like, I don’t want to live in a style time capsule, but I *would* like to hash out some sort of architectural identity.

    • Scoops February 28, 2017

      Hey Kim! I think that is the tricky part of living in an old house (mine is the same age), BUT it’s also the exciting and creative part of it too. It takes a lot of work and thinking to make our styles fit into these old antique homes, especially when certain elements of the house have been updated along the way. I’ve had my fair share of frustrations, but this house and I are becoming one. I’d love to see what you are coming up with :)

    • Scoops February 28, 2017

      One other thought, Kim! Regarding a cohesive feel to your house… (I like to think) my house is cohesive because I continue to repeat modern Scandinavian elements, color (navy and blush) metallics and graphic b&w patterns, but each level of our home has different vibes. Our main floor is way more formal than the rest of the house because that’s how they built them back then (I know you can relate), so this is where I include some of the more formal things (like pleated curtains and velvet) while also pairing the woodwork with dark cool toned walls (which play very nicely with the light) and gives the entire main floor a formal but chill vibe. Our basement is very casual, neutral, and cozy with a lot of Scandinavian influence, and then our upstairs (where our bedrooms are) is a combination of the two. Cozy, but somewhat formal and polished — it’s light and airy but we have more classic elements like an upholstered sleigh bed and floral wallpaper.

      What I’m trying to say that the cohesion doesn’t have to knock you over the head, you can have different sections of your home look different from the others, but have the same vibe in a few thoughtful repeated elements. Does that make sense?

      • kim February 28, 2017

        It does and I had been building toward “clean Scandinavian” palette of black, white and naturals, but over New Year’s I painted the living room a dark bluer teal and it really brought out the Craftsman when paired with all my natural woodwork. I believe that’s how I found your blog, when looking for dark teal room examples. I’ve also been working on a work/guestroom that wants to go “vintage rustic French.” Ultimately, I love having this problem (“exciting,” you said), and I think the “thoughtful repeated element” is “vintage”—whether it’s vintage French, vintage Scandi, vintage Craftsman…

  • Alyssa February 28, 2017

    Once you get a taste for the fancy shit, you can’t go back. Something about having boisterous boys and being in my mid-30s made me want some nice things too. These curtains look great. They provide some light and contrast, but don’t cover up the beautiful wood trim. BTW, how in the world do you have energy to putz with curtains after that giant bathroom project? Shouldn’t you be relaxing and basking in that beautiful tile?????

    • Scoops February 28, 2017

      I totally agree with the boy sentiment! I’ve found that since our house has been full of boys, that I have started leaning towards pinks, and now the fancier things. I am just 35, so it was a bit of an exaggeration to say that I’m in the twilight of my 30’s, but man does it feel like it sometimes. Also, I can’t sit still, so this is why I am always putzing.

  • Alison February 28, 2017

    They look great! And affordable to boot. If i had that natural wood trim, I would not pine for white trim. Your trim is beautiful and makes your craftsman which I really like.

  • Mary February 28, 2017

    Your new fancy window treatments are beautiful. I bought some plain white rod-pocket curtain & sewed in pinch pleats. Next I want to attach some pretty trim tape to the leading edge. I can never leave well enough alone.

  • Jody February 28, 2017

    Man you crush the wood trim game. I’m usually a white trim girl all the way but you’re right about the light curtains, they satisfy that craving so you can leave that beautiful wood alone. Well done!

  • Vanessa March 11, 2017

    I quite like the way that turned out. Thanks for the idea Scoops.

  • Cherlin April 21, 2017

    Normally I’m against killing but this article sleeghtarud my ignorance.

  • Colleen September 28, 2017

    Can you tell me what color the teal is? I LOVE it and have been looking for something similar. Looks great in your old home and hoping to spruce up my 120 home with some painting love.

  • Jen July 9, 2018

    This is gorgeous and now I need to change my living room curtains to match yours. Can you tell me if the curtain rings are the thin or oversized ones? They look like the “thin” ones to me but just want to be sure before I order! Thanks!

  • Audrey May 31, 2019

    I love love love this post and these curtains! But the length they sell at are too long for our living room. Do you have any recommendations of curtains that are similar but would come in 84″?? Thank you!

  • Avery February 18, 2020

    You inspired me I’m going to tackle hanging curtains like this! Do you have any tips for hanging the curtain rods themselves? We have old plaster walls and I’m guessing you do too! So I need anchors to hang the hardware? I’m terrified of my curtains crashing down and ruining my walls!

    • Scoops February 20, 2020

      Yes, you’ll most likely need anchors. I like using anchors with expanding plastic sleeves like these for medium-sized plaster jobs. They wedge themselves right into the plaster. Good luck, I hope that helps!

  • Jody November 21, 2020

    Where did you get that beautiful velvet sofa?

  • Lucie January 24, 2021

    Hi,

    I was wondering where you had sources your cushions and your sofa and armchair.

    I love this room!

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