Alternate post title: Look how domestic my wife is.
I’m not even sure why I’m writing this since Sherry planned and executed the whole project, but I wanted to brag about her impressive ironing skills. I spent most of the day watching the baby and moderating comments while she handled the curtains. We started by cutting 12.5 yards of that yellowy-green fabric we found on sale into panels for the two bedroom windows, leaving enough for one closet panel. The living room rug proved to be a perfect straightedge and helped us keep our cuts square. Because it was eight feet long, it was easy to line up a tape measure next to it so Sherry could cut five 90″ panels without a fuss. We kept the full width of the bolt, about 61″, which meant two panels easily cover each 39″ window without feeling too tight.
In about fifteen minutes she had five panels cut to 90″ x 61″ (two per window and one for the closet), and we realized our yardage purchase was just about perfect. We had only a small scrap left over, which is fine — better to buy just what you need than spend more than necessary.
Next came hemming. Sherry used her favorite trick: heavy-duty no-sew hem tape. The process is straightforward: iron, peel, fold, iron, and repeat down each seam. It takes patience, but it creates a clean, professional edge without sewing.
Hemming all four edges of five panels took a while — it wasn’t exactly speedy — but the finished look was worth the effort. While she ironed, Clara and I kept her company in the kitchen, approving comments and snacking. Little moments like that made the day feel cozy and productive.
Once the ironing was done, there were a few more steps: clipping curtain rings to each panel and installing three curtain rods. We hung the curtains higher and wider than the window frames to create more height and presence, a trick that instantly improves the room’s proportions. We’ve even had a reader mention dreaming about this “high & wide” idea — apparently it’s catchy.
We debated whether to let the curtains pool on the floor or barely graze it. After testing both looks, we chose the latter for a crisper, more modern feel with gentle, elegant draping. Our tip: clip your panels to the rod first, then move the rod around on the wall until you find the ideal height by eye. Mark the bracket placement once you’re happy with the way the panels hang so you can install everything in the right spot on the first try.
One panel was used inside the closet as a softer alternative to the old bi-fold door. Most of the time it sits pulled to the side, but it can be drawn closed to conceal clutter or to give a bit of privacy. The closet now feels a bit like a mini dressing room; there’s even a light inside, and Sherry imagines Clara staging puppet shows in there when she’s older.
We positioned the inside rod so it’s not visible from the room, and made it wide enough that the curtain can be fully closed or completely opened without getting in the way of someone entering or exiting. It’s a simple solution that balances form and function.
We chose oil-rubbed bronze rods and ring clips from Target; they were affordable and matched our aesthetic. Ring clips are great because they simplify hanging — no grommets or sleeves required — and they’re safer for kids: if a child tugs on the fabric, the clip releases and the curtain falls rather than pulling the rod down. Practical and attractive.
Sherry calls oil-rubbed bronze “eyeliner for the window,” and it complements the darker wood furniture and the lighter painted pieces in the room. As for me, I’m left to write about it even though makeup metaphors aren’t exactly my specialty.
Beyond functionality, we’re very pleased with the color of the panels. After days of fabric hunting it was worth narrowing in on this yellowy-green tone. It pulls from the golden-green tones in the bedding without matching exactly, giving a coordinated but layered look. Choosing a slightly greener shade rather than a browner or yeller one keeps the palette fresh against the wall color and ties into the duvet and pillows.
With the curtains and bedding in place we can start adding more colors and textures to build dimension: eggplant, navy, charcoal, or deep blue could all work as accent tones. Nightstands and lamps are still on our to-do list, but the room already feels much more finished than it did when we moved in seven weeks ago.
One last behind-the-scenes note: we sometimes have to work around a sleepy chihuahua who refuses to budge from the bed. He’s a diva, but he tolerates the chaos and even blends into the fluffier duvet during photos.
The curtain project took time, but it sparked a bit of curtain fever. We’re excited to explore bold and patterned textiles for other rooms so we don’t end up with the same white curtains everywhere. Fabric shopping adventures are likely to continue — and at some point I’ll have to pull over the car when the Rose-from-Titanic impressions get too much.
Psst—Burger’s enjoying the attention; he recently did an interview that gave him a little fame boost.