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!
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!
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.
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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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Playing Cards | Dominoes | Scrabble | Memory Game | Checkerboard | Clue | Abstract Puzzle | Bean Bag Toss | Monopoly | Backgammon | Petals Puzzle | Playing Cards
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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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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My family and I absolutely LOVE to spend time outdoors, playing in the backyard and soaking up the sun. Being in Florida, it was crucial that we got the garden and landscaping design right because it’s somewhere we spend a LOT of time!
So how did we get here? Where did the ideas start from, and how did we create the perfect landscape? Let’s explore just that and more – below! Each item is linked below, so be sure to scroll all the way down.
Where the design started
Similarly to any area of our dream home, I started by creating a Pinterest Board! And saving lots of ideas and inspirational images over the last few years. I started saving these idea waaaaay before we even started designing the house itself!
Another aspect of inspiration for the landscape and garden designs for our dream home came from following a number of gardeners on Instagram. I take you through some of my favorite designers and bloggers in my last blog post: Gardening Inspiration
front porch
The front porch really sets the tone for the entire home, and other outside spaces of course. So when I focused on the front porch design, I made sure to include a large coir mat, potted structural bushes in large planters, and a bench for watching the world go by.
The "Potting Station"
I knew if I was really going to give this gardening a proper go, I needed a space to do that.
And so a Potting Station was created!
It’s a little corner tucked away where I can pot up and grow new plants. While it’s nothing fancy, it’s functional and stores everything I need!
Pool Area
Ever since my husband and I first started talking about our dream home, I knew I wanted the pool area to be similar to The Hamptons. Clean and sleek materials with teak loungers and blue and white decor to finish the look.
Doggie Lulu loves the new loungers!
Outdoor Dining
When the evenings are warm outside we often enjoy dinner outside so an outdoor dining area that is just off the kitchen inside was a must!
I’ve chosen to use a similar blue and white color palette for the decor, as I’ve used throughout most of the home, to tie the whole space together!
Outdoor Living
In addition to an outdoor dining area, an outdoor living space was just as important!
I’ve used outdoor area rugs to clearly define each space on the patio, which was particularly helpful for this cute set up that separates the dining and living areas.
Outer Areas
Our land extends much further than the pool, so I’ve created quiet little areas to sit and enjoy the sounds of the birds.
First up was a hammock! A firm favorite for my son Jack.
I’ve put together a list of my go to, tried and true favorite items, see below. If you fancy creating a similar garden at home, check out my favorite gardening tools!
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