While I have been crocheting and knitting some simple things in the background, there's nothing in that regard that seems worthy of a post. Instead, I thought I'd share of couple of projects I've finished recently to show I haven't been doing nothing.
Since moving into this house in the fall of 2021, I have wanted to replace the laundry room curtains. Now hold on. Lest you are thinking, "Laundry room curtains are worthy of a post and photos?!?" I assure you... to me, they are.
Truly, the curtains left behind by the previous owners were so sad, replacing them was among my earliest thoughts. But there were more important things to do, or I was too lazy, so that didn't happen until...
Three and a half years later (i.e. a few weeks ago), I stumbled upon some linen (might be a blend) fabric at Hobby Lobby, and I thought it would be good for the job. I wish I had taken a before picture so you could appreciate the improvement, but I am happier, and (in this room, especially) that is truly all that matters.
This window gets opened on comfortable days, so two panels was a must. They weren't difficult at all, just a bit more time consuming to make sure they matched in the middle.
While now I want to paint the walls (or at least the doors to match the walls), these little cafe curtains that have been on my to-do list for several years make me feel like I've accomplished something every time I go into this room. The laundry room holds a pantry, and is the pathway to the garage and sunroom, so we are in and out of this room many times in a day. Such a simple thing, but it lifts my mood when I see crisp, fresh curtains hanging there.
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And this next project, I can't get a decent picture of hanging where it is, but I finally got doilies in a shadow box frame:
The picture above has the frame hanging on a wall that is painted in a (I call it pepto bismol terra cotta) color that inspired me to make a collection of doilies in the colors I did. To be honest, it looks better in the photo, than I think it does in real life - I think because of the lighting, and how the wall color comes through in a photo.
Trying to get a better lit picture, I moved the frame to the other side of the room and leaned the frame against a lighter (beige-ish) wall:
While I've manipulated the brightness a bit in my photo editing app, just to get these pictures to show some detail, I think I like the whole thing on the lighter wall the best. But I've driven nails in the terra cotta wall, and I have nothing else to hang there presently, so there it stays until I either come up with something else to hang there, or I patch the holes and touch up the wall up with the same paint - which I'm hoping we have in the garage. Nevermind that whatever paint is in the garage is at least 3 1/2 years old. 🙄 Coming up with something else to hang on the pepto bismol terra cotta wall may be the easier solution.
So... I'm open to hearing opinions. Which wall color do you think works best with this combination of doily colors? Let me know if you want to drop by and see what this wall color really looks like. And the second question is... am I ridiculously late to the "doilies in a frame" party?
It truly is the "little" things that bring joy to our day. Having the perfect curtains that bring a smile to your face is the right thing to do. Personally, I'd like a pale color in my laundry room like very pale yellow or green. What color bring a smile to your face? Love your dollies in a shadow box. Perfect decoration.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Maureen. Small improvements can make such a difference. I'd love to have white walls in the laundry room, but these beige-ish walls are in good condition, and neither of us wants to expend the energy or money on repainting any time soon. I probably should have said, I want for the walls to be a different color, not that I want to paint them. :)
DeleteYour new curtains look great! Actually, I like the terra cotta color best because it makes the two doilies close to that color really stand out
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie. Your vote will make me feel better keeping the framed doilies on the darker wall. :)
DeleteThise curtains are so nice and light and airy. Perfect for a laundry room. As for which wall fortress doilies. The terrace cottage wall gives a feeling of warmth. Whereas the light colored wall makes the doilies a bit more of an eye catcher. The best choice is what makes you smile.
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I don't know if your Auto Correct is working overtime, but I really like the sound of "fortress doilies", and "terrace cottage" as a paint color. :D Thanks for the input, and encouragement to simply enjoy a finished project.
DeleteI love the way you have displayed the doilies - I think the light wall slightly edges it for me but the terra cotta is comforting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opinion, Lucy!
DeleteCurtains only covering half a window is a new one on me, I googled it and see they are called cafe curtains! They are obviously popular but just not something I’ve seen before. I love the doilies in a frame and think it’s a great idea. Personally I’m leaning a little more to it on the terracotta coloured wall. Liz (Highlandheffalump)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that cafe curtains are new to you, Liz. I wonder if it's a regional thing. I'm sure it's not an American thing. The house on that side is above ground such that a person standing on the other side of the window can't see in (if the curtains are drawn). And the door leads to the sunroom which means that window isn't peer-in-able either. This isn't a room that I'd necessarily open the curtains for (though, I do sometimes), so it's nice to always have the light coming in through the window above the curtains during the day.
DeleteWhat is “worthy” to be on a blog? Just about anything qualifies as “blog fodder” in my house, so laundry room curtains definitely qualify! You did a wonderful job with them and I can see how even this much change would make you happy.
ReplyDelete“Pepto Bismol Terra Cotta” — maybe you should contact Sherwin Williams or some other paint company so they can use that name!
The doilies look great in that frame, on that painted wall. The variation in patterns in an interesting study.
I like the framed doilies on both colors of wall. No, you are not late to the “doilies in a frame party”!! That’s the way I used to decorate before I moved into Gary’s house and now content myself with how he and his late wife decorated.
Thank you for the thoughtful opinion on the framed doilies, Barbara. And you've made me realize the name of the color might be on the can. I hope it's a prettier name than I've given it. I've never actually checked to see if we have more of that paint in the garage.
DeleteI always love reading about your projects, Becki!
ReplyDeleteI would be thrilled with a completed project that's been on my radar a long time, like those laundry room curtains. Especially as that's a room you are in and out of often in the course of a day. What a great feeling of accomplishment and spirit-lifter that must be! Savor it!
As for the doilies, I think I like them better on the terra cotta wall. I just like the doily colors and the wall color together.
And no, you are not late to the doilies in a frame party. You are not ever late to any decorating party as long as you are decorating in a way that pleases you and helps to tell your family's story.
Thank you, Mrs. T. Your last line makes me want to dig out some doilies that my and my husband's grandmothers made and find a way to use them. They are very old fashioned, and other than being family heirlooms I can't say I'd want to display them. But I should give that some thought. The idea of my decorating helping to tell our family's story is beautiful.
DeleteHello! I always enjoy seeing what you are up to, my friend! I love your curtains! Perfect! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Billie Jo!
DeleteThe curtains are just perfect for that spot. I am sure they are a bright spot in that place for you. I am absolutely horrible picking out colors.i have an idea in mind but can not go tot he paint chips and pick the winner. Lucky for me, my husband is amazing at seeing my vision that I show him and pick the color. I used to think the one he locked out in the store would be totally wrong and we would get home and his choice was ALWAYS the one I went with. Now, I just tell him to pick him it out. Love the doilies.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I have a funny story about how every time I pick out a new paint color, I end up with something that is almost exactly what is already on the walls. And most of the walls in this house are painted a similar color to that color I would always choose. I say I want a new color, but maybe this is my color!
DeleteI'm all in favor of the laundry room curtains. They give the room a fresh look and I know you are enjoying them. Speaking of, don't you love a laundry room? We don't have a huge one, but it has a sink and a nice countertop and a big window. When we were in the thick of raising our children, it's the place my wife and I would go when we needed to have a serious discussion! They still give us grief about it today -- "oh, did you have a laundry room conversation?" Now we have the entire house!
ReplyDeleteI do love a laundry room, Bob. This is the first really nice laundry room we've had, and I practically swooned over it when I saw it. That's great that your kids' memories of your laundry room conversation has become a family story unto itself. :D
DeleteYou have reminded me of how much I hate our living room curtains and the fact that the ones in my sewing room and the bedroom are in dire need of replacing too. Somehow it's something I just don't think about when I'm in a place that might have what I need to replace them.
ReplyDeleteAs for the doilies and their display - I love the frame and, at least in your photo, I think it looks great against the terra cotta.
I can be terribly slow to get house projects done anymore, Mary Anne. Thank for you sharing your opinion about the framed doilies!
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