Changes in the Living Room

Sometimes a small change to a room can make a big giant difference. And that is how I feel about the most recent change to our living room. We hung new curtains! Finally, after living here for 1 1/2 years, we took the plunge and changed them.

And afterwards, I just sat there and stared at them and wondered what on earth took me so long! Because they completely changed the look and feel of this room. And, for the better, I might add.

Would you like to see the before picture? Some of you who are regulars around here might remember. Probably because of how ugly they were. Here is this window before. These blinds and curtains were here when we moved in, and we had bigger fish to fry, so we took them down, washed them, and hung them all back up. Sorry for the bad night time photo. But, you get the idea.

I had originally thought I would wait until we painted the walls in this room before I chose curtains. But lately, I had been obsessing over how much I hate those dang mini blinds. And at night I had to keep them closed because you can see right into the front of our house from the street.

But I still had not actually shopped for curtains. I had, however, been thinking that I would like something completely neutral, maybe burlap? They would tie in with the dining room curtains. You can see both windows at the same time so although I didn’t want them to be the same curtains, I wanted them to coordinate.

So here’s how it went down. One evening, LC and I were perusing the aisles of Marshalls, and I happened upon these curtains that were 96 inches long, and for only $25 for both panels! I thought that was a great price, so we grabbed them up. They had three different colors to choose from. The color I chose is called beige. The brand is Rodeo Home. They are not burlap, but the material is very similar to burlap.

I plan to buy or DIY different curtain rods, but for now, we used the ones that were already there. We just raised them several inches and added a center support.

They just barely touch the floor, which is what I wanted.

As you can see, the mini blinds are still there. I plan to purchase bamboo blinds eventually, but when we hung the curtains I wanted to see how much privacy they would give us at night before I officially took them down.

We have lived with them for a week or so now, and they give adequate privacy, so I am going to chuck those mini blinds real soon.

I love the sheer look they have during the day. Very casual and natural.

But in the darkness of night they take on a much more opaque look. I just pull them closed as you see below, leaving the center window uncovered. I don’t mind that people can see in a little sliver, but if they are driving or walking by they don’t see much. I tested it myself! If you would like to know more about my grandfather clock, you can read more here.

I have never bought grommet hole curtains before, but love them! They make the perfect pleats with no effort whatsoever. I highly recommend them!

So, of course you need a side by side comparison of the before and after, don’t you?

Update: June 28, 2015 See our living room now here.

I think the difference is astounding! I love love love them. Even know I hate so many things about this room, I am starting to feel better about it. And we purchased a mantel to put over the fireplace too! When we get it hung, it is going to make such a huge difference. As for the rest of the room, here is a look at my to do list in this room.

Purchase new sofa and chair
Paint walls and ceiling
Replace area rug
Raise TV
Install mantel and surround for fireplace I consider this one 1/2 of the way finished
Add air stone to fireplace surround
Purchase a new flat screen (dreaming)
Make over sofa table and end tables
Install new blinds
Hang curtain panels
Remove spindles over sofa
DE clutter
Add art to walls
Style the bookshelf at the top of the stairs.

Getting this room painted is one of our goals for summer 2014. And I am currently on the hunt for the perfect hounds tooth area rug. If you see a good deal on one, let me know! Slowly but surely, you will see this room changing if you stick around, and I really hope you do! What do you think of the change made with the new curtains? I would love to read your comments!

Coming up soon, I will be sharing some major progress in our dining room/office. And, I organized my pantry and threw out an entire trash bag full of stuff from the pantry in the process. Have a great week!

Link Parties:

Monday:
Between Naps on the Porch
Monday Funday
The Dedicated House
Give me the Goods
The DIYers
Tutorials and Tips
Project Inspired
Thrifty Decor Chick
Tuesday:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Cozy Little Place
The View From 510
Home Work
A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday:
Savvy Southern Style
Friday:
The Shabby Nest
Remodelaholic
Sunday:
DIY Showoff
DIY Sunday Showcase