Some people like Ikea, some don't. I'm in the first category. I find wandering through the store inspirational, especially for organization. Last December I purchased a set of tab-topped curtains to make new coverings for our patio doors. I also purchased a curtain rod for the kitchen window. Alas, when we got home, I discovered that the curtain rod was too short and I should have purchased two sets of curtains. "Oh well," thought I, "we'll be going over again soon."
We planned a trip for February 15 - Tim had to go over for a meeting and I would tag along, spend the day shopping, and we'd spend the night with our daughter and son-in-law. By the evening of the 14th I knew I wasn't going anywhere but between my bed and my bathroom. Tim thought he would stop at Ikea on the way home and at least return the curtain rod. Not so. By noon he was feeling a little queasy and stopped eating - a very good thing. He managed to get home on the ferry (after passing out cold as he came up from the car deck and spending most of the sailing in the first aid room). Let's just draw a curtain over that weekend.
Last week while in Vancouver, Ashley and I went to not one, but two Ikeas. There was job action at the first one which meant no returns and no restaurant. So we drove all the way across town, using about $12 worth of gas, just to return a $2.00 curtain rod and have lunch. But I did get another set of curtains and completed the project. I cut the tabs off and hung the curtains from clips at the top. Then I added a wide border at the bottom and topped it with some navy grosgrain ribbon. The kitchen curtain is still in the works. Hopefully it won't take another 7 months to complete.
Can I also add how difficult it is to take photos of curtains on windows? I'll bet professional photos are taken on fake windows. Or they have better lighting equipment.
Actually I love your photos with the light and shadows on the curtains! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Ikea! Have to laugh about returning the $2 curtain rod! I would probably do the same thing!!! I love lengthening curtains that way! These are awesome! I plan to do something similar for my art room.... since we moved I haven't put any curtains in here.... just blinds. I want something fun and wild... still looking!
ReplyDeleteIt took a lot time for that project to be finished, but it looks great! I would love to walk through an Ikea store, but we don't have one anywhere near us - not even a ferry ride away, LOL. I think the nearest one is in Atlanta, which is over 3 hours by car one way.
ReplyDeletewe have IKEA here in Wpg now, and I am needing curtains for our bedroom...maybe I should pay a visit there. Laughing about returning the 2.00 rod...like something I would do...
ReplyDeleteYou are the second blogging buddy talking about Ikea today. Reading blogs taught me about Ikea and I so want to visit one. Trouble is there are none in my corner. Some day! Your curtains are very nice and extra time with your daughter must have been fun.
ReplyDeleteYour curtains look amazing! I'm getting read to do this to new drapes I bought yesterday. The 84 inch length is not enough so I bought one panel in a contrasting color to cut and add a border. Wish me luck...or give me any tips you have! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteyour new curtains look great. I agree, Ikea can be inspirational!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, and thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday.
Great curtains. Love Ikea. Sadly, I have to travel to Atlanta to visit one.
ReplyDeleteI love Ikea until I have to find all the wonderful things I picked out in the show rooms. Hate the maze down below. Your curtains are beautiful -- good thing after all that.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have had a 'bug', very unpleasant for you both.
ReplyDeleteI love Ikea! We used to drive a couple of hours in France, bought our kitchen there, and outdoor garden furniture. They have some very good ideas.
Love your add ons to your ikea curtains. I have purchased a number of sets of the drapes from ikea and have done some adding as well. Love that store!
ReplyDeleteI liked your IKEA story, and I'll bet many islanders have similar tales! I could tell you one about the sinks and vanities that went back and forth across the strait! How I wish we had an IKEA on this side.
ReplyDeleteIKEA has great merchandise. We bought two love seats with slipcovers and they look good and are comfortable seating. When I worked at a former school many women on staff took the Pacific Coach lines bus over for the day. It was a fun filled day and I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI like the way those curtains look, much more interesting than they started out!
All’s well that ends well and you’ve come up with a splendid solution.
ReplyDeleteMy nearest IKEA is unreachable so it’s probably best that I don’t really want anything from them. What with thinking there’s too much stuff already and wanting to shed some . . . . .
I've never yet been to IKEA - but I love your curtains. It's amazing how long these projects can take!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the 'love Ikea' category! And it is one store where hubby will gladly join me. I have an Ikea curtain rod sitting here...waiting to go up in a guestroom. Great job on your curtains!
ReplyDeleteI love your curtains with the added border fabric. That is something I must look for when we go to Calgary in August. I would love different curtains for the living room and need some for the bathroom and kitchen and even the dining room. I have a difficult time finding short ones for the living and dining rooms as our heaters are under the windows and the curtains have to be 3 inches above. Of course most are 86 or 92 inches long. I guess I'l have to raise the curtain rod too. I'm not a sewer so adding on and taking away would be a nuisance for me. I think your curtains look really really lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe've never been to Ikea - the two closest are in Vancouver and Seattle - neither trip is something we are brave enough to take - so no Ikea for us. Saves money, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love the way your curtains came out - and the shadows on them are wonderful. I never thought of professionals taking pictures of curtains - but I bet they do use fake windows - would sure make things easier.
I'm glad you are over the bad sickies.
I bet you are glad the bug hit you before you left. Not nice. I like Ikea think it is fun but do get exasperated when they do not have what you want when you get to the warehouse and you cannot reserve anything but only go back time and time again until it is there!
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