Create Expensive Looking Drapes for Less

Since publishing my Dream Home Master Bedroom Reveal post, I’ve had lots of messages about how I created the expensive looking drapes! Window treatments can be tricky to get your head around, but once you’ve got the principles down, have the tools you need, and an idea of the look you want – you’re almost there!

So how did I create the expensive looking drapes in my new bedroom?

Read on to find out!

Select the right drapes

The most important element of a window treatment is the drapes themselves.

Generally I always choose French pleat or pinch pleat drapery panels because they always look good, and rich every time. You can’t go wrong!

In terms of size for the drapes, when ordering them, double the width for a full look or with pleated ones, it’s 1.5 times to double. For example, if the window is 6’ wide, get a rod that 8-10’ wide if possible. Order drapes 8-10’ wide too.

You can keep the drapes plain if you want to, but I personally like to add some interest by adding a trim. This is a patterned piece added to the leading edge of the panel, and is great for adding extra color and visual interest to the window area. It’s a fun little extra that elevates the look!

Drapes – A heavyweight cotton and linen blend fabric, available in loads of different colors and sizes! Link here for the drapery panels.

Adding a trim

To create an expensive look to your window treatments, try adding a trim on the leading edge of the drapes with iron-on tape!

Ballard Designs have a fantastic tutorial – that I followed! – and know you’ll love too.

It literally only takes a minute to apply. Use hot glue to attach the tape and run an iron over the trim to make it adhere to the curtain panel. Et voila!

Here are some trims that I shortlisted:

A simple yet effective light blue trim with off-white detailing. Link here.

Or keep it even simpler with a plain colored trim! I absolutely love this light blue natural trim. Check it out here!

Curtain rods

The rod you choose to hold drapes can add an extra decorative layer to your room, or you can keep it simple!

I like to keep the rod simple and clean – and DO NOT use telescoping! Make sure the rod is a uniform width all of the way across. It’s hard to find this but very important to achieve a practical yet stylish look. This exact rod I used has this!

As a general rule, I take the drapery rod out as far past the window as possible. This is so when they stack up they don’t cover the window much, but effortlessly dress either side of the window. It also means you maximize the amount of natural lighting coming through into the space!

Then, there’s the brackets and rings to add. Don’t cheap out on the brackets – they are part of the design and add functionality to the window treatment.

The secret to full coverage looking drapes? Is the c ring I have linked later. It allows the drape to slide past the center bracket effortlessly.

My exact configuration

The secret to my exact window treatment configuration?

Here is the rod configuration I use – it looks perfect every time! No telescoping rods which I hate. This is smooth all of the way across.

Here it is!

Curtain Rod – Make it wider than the window so the drapes can stack on other side as much as possible. I typically use black and you decide on the width. Click here for the exact curtain rod I use!

Brackets – I use 3 of the same, one at each end, and one in the center. This has a nicer backplate than most. Simple but sharp. Link here for the brackets.

Finials – You need 2 of these, one for each end. Click here for the finials I have!

 

Rings – Black.

If you want to be able to close completely get a set of the C-ring also so it will bypass the center bracket and close up completely. Click here for the C-Rings.

Drapes – A heavyweight cotton and linen blend fabric, available in loads of different colors and sizes! Link here for the drapery panels.

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Design for a Medical Office in Gainesville, FL

Designing a Medical Office in Gainesville, Florida

Over the past year, I’ve worked on a complete redesign of a medical office in Gainesville, Florida. Slightly stuck in the 90’s, this office was ready for a complete redo! This very busy practice sees hundreds per day and it was time to give these patients a more modern place to visit. Let’s take a look at how it came together.

The Before

The 2 Concepts Presented

I created two distinctively different concepts for them to select from. Since this portion of the practice sees mostly women, I created a soft “color” version and a refined “neutral” version.

Colorful pink and green option

Refined neutral option

Which would they choose?

 

The Selection

A neutral palette was selected with lots of texture and rich details. Greige, white, beige and gray were the settled on color scheme. Split face travertine at the entry and a gorgeous custom made reception desk were the focal points.

Design via Carson’s Cabinetry

The After

We couldn’t be happier with the results! A beautiful office now greets the hundreds of patients seen each day.

Debra Main, the company’s Marketing Director, sums it up like this. “Recently we’ve undergone a major renovation because we want to improve our patients’ overall experience.  We believe that patients  chose their health care providers based on who can respond to their needs and the sum total of their interactions while they are in your office.  If we can make you comfortable in this environment, it becomes a better experience for you.”

Let’s take a look!

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Holiday Gift Guide: Family Game Night

Every family loves to get together and have some fun with a Games Night! Here are my top Holiday Gift Ideas for giving to those that love games!

Playing Cards – A staple for any family home!

Dominoes – Simple, yet super fun for all the family to enjoy

Scrabble – Ideal for gifting to someone who loves literature and words

Memory Game – A great game to test everyone’s memory! Who will come out on top?

Checkerboard – Another classic board game that every family should have!

Clue – Do you know someone that loves murder mysteries? A fun game for them!

Abstract Puzzle – Everyone loves a good puzzle

Bean Bag Toss – Perfect for families with young kids!

Monopoly – A boujee Monopoly board anyone? Yes please! 

Backgammon – A classic game, but always enjoyable to have in the house

Petals Puzzle – Ideal for those that love to enjoy quiet time at home

Playing Cards – Another great set of playing cards!

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Thanksgiving Table With Nothing Over $10

Thanksgiving tables don’t need to be expensive to look amazing!

This year, while we’re building our “Dream Home”, we are in a rental that won’t hold our 14+ crowd for Thanksgiving. I’ve decided to take it outside and create a casual, but chic table right on the property. I love how it turned out and I spent NO MORE THAN $10 ON ANYTHING! Let’s take a look…every single item is linked below.

 

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Click on the numbers above… or let’s walk through it together.

Flatware in champagne gold. Each piece came in at $5

Water goblets on sale for $7 each

Tablecloths from Tablecloth Factory at under $6 each

Burlap runner $7.99

Wood-look charger plates $1.99 each

Lamb’s ear garland $9.99 each

White plates $2.99 (on sale)

Gray fabric napkins $2 each (on sale)

Gold pumpkins on each plate $9.99 each

Glass bubble vase $3.99 each

Gold mercury candleholder $5.99

White candles $3 each

Twine $5.99

Acorn filler $2.99

Farm chairs rented for $8 each from PRE Events

Soup tureen used for centerpiece $9.99 (from TJMaxx)

Candleholders were on Facebook Marketplace for $8 each! You can find the originals on WSHome.

Here’s a handy dandy chart for your Pinterest board.

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So, what do you think? I’d love to hear!

-Lori

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Brizo Luxe Gold Fixtures – 2024 Cheat Sheet

UPDATED FOR 2024

If you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen remodel in 2024, you’ll undoubtedly be considering plumbing fixtures. Among the latest and most captivating finishes available is “Luxe Gold” by Brizo. It’s a true showstopper! In this post, we’ll provide you with a valuable Cheat Sheet that includes helpful links to explore this stunning finish and the hard-to-find items to coordinate with it.

Luxe Gold truly distinguishes itself amidst the common finishes like Brushed Nickel, Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and the now-popular Matte Black. Its warm-gold tones can add a touch of luxury to your living spaces without resembling the bright brass fixtures of the ’80s. Instead, Luxe Gold exudes sophistication and style, making it an excellent choice for both kitchen and bathroom remodels.

Here’s just a glimpse of what Brizo’s Luxe Gold collection offers:

Scroll *all the way down* for for the Cheat Sheet with links.

source

Luxe Gold definitely stands out in a sea of Brushed Nickel, Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze and (now) Matte Black. It’s the perfect warm-gold to bring a hint of luxury to your spaces.  It’s not bright brass from the 80s, not even close. It’s sophisticated and stylish! They have everything you need for your Kitchen or Bath.

Here’s just a very small sampling…

So, let’s say you’ve decided to use this lovely combination of plumbing fixtures in your home. Amazing! But… you need some things to coordinate with it too. Knobs… lights… mirrors… And you may be questioning, “What goes with this gorgeous finish?” Brizo makes a few things to coordinate – but not much – like one light…seriously.

so What actually coordinates?

You can actually MIX the finish with other finishes…maybe matte black? That’s definitely a valid option. But, let’s look at what will actually coordinate with Luxe Gold from other brands so you’re not stopping short after choosing new plumbing fixtures. Here are a few of my favorites. Don’t worry, all the links are down below at the bottom of the post.

But wait…

Is This The Same As Delta’s Champagne Bronze?

Before we dive into each of these items above (links are below) let’s address a mistake I almost made.

Is Brizo’s “Luxe Gold” finish interchangeable with Delta’s “Champagne Bronze”? I mean Delta OWNS Brizo…they look similar…they’re probably the same right?

No…no they’re not.

Brizo’s Luxe Gold is lighter, less “gold-y”. Delta’s Champagne Bronze is deeper and would mix easily with standard brass options. (Maybe we’ll cover that in the future!) But for now, let’s stick with Brizo’s Luxe Gold.

So let’s breakdown that Cheat Sheet. Scroll down for the all the links below!

Mirrors and Accessories

Probably the most important item to coordinate…

Hardware

shower fixings

Lights for the Kitchen, Bath and Common Spaces

Or…Screw it and paint anything you want 😉

Just kidding, please don’t do that!

Cheat Sheet

So now we have a BUNCH of options to coordinate with the amazing Brizo Luxe Gold line. Here is a handy dandy Cheat Sheet for you, with links, along with one perfectly formatted for your Pinterest page.

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So, what do you think? Will you try this new finish? I am!

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Hello there! I’m Lori Evans, Interior Designer and co-owner of Evans Construction & Design. Welcome to my world! I created this blog to share all the projects, tips, ideas and inspiration that I have. My goal is to help you make your rooms look even better than your Pinterest boards!

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