CasaSugar

Do You Have Café Curtains?

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:51 -0700

A café curtain is a style of curtain that only covers the bottom half of the window. It basically offers a bit of privacy while still allowing you to enjoy your view. I normally find them too country and kitschy for my tastes, but this chic and simple white linen one is making me reconsider. Do you have one?

Photo by Simon Brown

Guess What This Curtain Is Inspired By?

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0700

The delicate, feminine ruffles of this curtain are actually inspired by something a man would wear! Can you guess what it is?

Casa Quickie: Check In to the Hospital

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:15:28 -0700

More and more homes these days are designed with an open plan layout, especially as developers swoop up old warehouses and factories and transform them into condos and private homes. For those with an innate need to separate your various living areas, this can be troublesome. But installing a hefty, costly wall isn't your only option. Consider, instead, hanging a floor-to-ceiling curtain on hospital tracking. The curtain can easily be slid open and closed for full privacy, but it offers more versatility and softness than a wall or room divider. And when you come down with the redecorating bug, you can always medicate your mood with a different fabric.

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Cool Idea: Dish Towel Curtain

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:00:52 -0700

I spotted this image in the portfolio of British photographer Polly Wreford and am utterly charmed. Some clever crafter has created a curtain from a hodgepodge of white or white and blue dish towels. Of course, this idea won't work in all homes, but I think it has a quaint country cottage look that would be endearing in a kitchen. Even the most amateur sewers can figure this one out, and dish towels sell for practically pennies so it's also quite the economical solution. And, the thick, absorptive textiles do a great job of keeping out glare without blocking your natural light.
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Steal of the Day: Climbing Dahlia Curtain

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:30:11 -0700

There's a reason Pantone named Mimosa color of the year. It's just the cheerful, nurturing hue we need in this downtrodden economy. It helps our wallets too if we can have our Mimosa at a discount. The Anthropologie Climbing Dahlia Curtain ($49.95, reduced from $98) is the best of both worlds - colorful and affordable. I love the vertical pattern of its floral vines. I'm envisioning it in this already stylish home office, but it would also instantly perk up a simple kitchen. I'd love to see it paired with a soft gray, like these guest quarters by Mae Brunken. What do you think?

Cool Idea: Real Size Roomscape Curtain

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:15:07 -0700

When you're living in a studio, or otherwise short on space, sometimes you must resort to trompe-l'œil effects to fool people into thinking your pad is bigger than it is. But, mirrored sliding doors on your closet are simply too '80s to even consider. Dutch artist Bauke Knottnerus knows what I mean. Knottnerus's Real Size Roomscape Curtain gives the illusion of more space, as it's printed with a photograph of a living room. Can't afford a sofa? Not enough space for a bulky TV? You've got one instantly with this curtain! And, like any old drape, it does a fantastic job of concealing your junk. I think this product is just a prototype for now, but I could totally see it in Urban Outfitters, couldn't you? What do you think?

Ask Casa: Cat Hair on Curtains

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:00:29 -0800

Dear Casa,
You recently posted a story about hanging curtains. All of my curtains have been hanging happily for a while now, but they get a lot of cat hair on them! Taking them down is a pain because the curtain rod has a little screw to keep it from moving around. I live alone, so using the vacuum was scary and I thought I might pull them down. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Scissorz

To hear my suggestions for Scissorz, read more.

Hi Scissorz,
Good questions! I'm assuming shaving your cat (kidding!) is out of the question, so I have a few other suggestions for you.

First of all, you might consider replacing your curtain rods with some that don't screw in. Check out Shopstyle for a range of choices.
If your vacuum has a long wand with a brush at the end, you should be able to safely vacuum your curtains hanging.
You can also just use a lint brush or a fur fighter to remove your pet hair directly from the curtains.
I'd also recommend purchasing curtains or shades with button tabs like the PB Solutions Button-Up Shade ($48), which you can just unbutton to remove without having to unscrew your curtain rod.
If you're partial to the curtains you own, you can just have a seamstress add button tabs to them, or do it yourself if you know how to sew.
You can also unstitch the foldover part of your curtains, and iron on velcro where the curtains were stitched together. So, instead of running the curtain through the rod, you just keep it wrapped around the rod with the velcro. Then, you can easily pull them off when you vacuum them.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

How-To: Hang Curtains

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Hanging drapery is often the finishing touch a room needs to give off a polished look. But beyond that, the smallest difference in length can also make a drastic difference. That said, you should always take measurements before you buy any curtains, and if you must, just buy the longest size and alter them later. Hear a few tricks of the trade that can work wonders on any room when you read more.

If your ceilings are short (or average), hanging your curtains high will make your room appear taller. Sometimes just a half a foot will do the trick, while in other rooms you'll need to hang your curtain rods all the way near the ceiling. You just have to play with it. And, remember that curtain tabs add extra length.
The typical rule of thumb for curtain length is to have them hit the floor. But slightly longer curtains that bunch at the floor will add texture and a little flair to a room. In kitchens and bathrooms, where your floors are high-traffic and mess magnets, if your windows are small, it's standard to have your curtains hit the window sill.
If you're lacking in the light department, buy an extra long rod. This way, when your curtains are open and pushed back, they won't conceal the window but they'll still give it a polished look. This is also a good idea for curtains that are merely decorative.
If your curtains are store-bought, you don't have many decisions to make. But if you're having custom curtains made, I recommend having a professional come by to take your measurements. Sometimes a more narrow curtain will give your room a tall and lean look, while wider, billowing fabric can give it a casual, elegant vibe; this is why having your drapery custom-made can really pay off!

Midday Muse: A Tented Room

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:58 -0800

This room, which uses Michael Devine Home fabrics, is quite extravagant. Between the pedestal, chandelier, floor lamps, six different textiles, and floral arrangement, there's a lot going on. Normally, I'd pass over this style of interior design, but I was immediately drawn to its tented drapery. With a busy pattern like the fretwork shown here, I'd pare down the furnishings and accessories to solids and clean-lined shapes, and lose the fringe! The tented drapery is already the center of attention; too much else going on just competes. You could also go with solid fabric for the tenting, and upholster the sofa in a bold pattern to create a focal point within the room. What do you think? I think it's a wonderful alternative to wallpaper, and it creates an intimate setting.
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Cool Idea: Using Flags as Drapes

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:00:04 -0700

Sometimes I wonder if there's anything Danny Seo does that doesn't involve a stroke of genius. He's so unbelievably creative; he never ceases to impress me. Here, in his guest bedroom, he's used durable, machine-washable nylon flags as drapes, which he hung with café curtain rings, which have clips. I love how the light pours in through the patterns and letters on the flags. Some of you might think it's a bit unpatriotic to hang national flags in this manner, but I think nautical flags are perfectly acceptable. I think it infuses a little personality or eccentricity into a traditional, masculine style.
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