Window Treatments-Splurge and Steal

In my opinion, window treatments MAKE a space.  I love fabrics and the opportunity they give you to bring color, texture, and design into your home. When I first decided to begin a blog, I wanted to call myself "The Material Girl" because I love materials, fabrics, and textiles so much.  Sadly, there was already a material girl out there in the blogosphere. Anyway, back to the subject.  There is a small problem with my fabric affair...it comes with a cost.  Literally.  Window treatments are usually VERY expensive to have made.  When I was working full time I didn't think twice about the splurge, but now that my funds have been sliced and diced I am getting creative.


Let's start with my not-so-cheap window treatments purchased pre-baby (i.e. working full time).  

I purchased two sets of pink and cream buffalo check panels before the toy box/window seat was built in MW's nursery.  So, I used one set for the window behind her crib, but just packed the other set away because I wasn't sure what to do with them.  I didn't want to cut them apart for other projects because I knew I would eventually want them for another room.  So, I just kept them.  Well, boy am I glad I did.  I have a new blog crush - Dear Lillie. O.M.G. The rooms in Jennifer's home are B-EAUTIFUL! She designed one of the prettiest nurseries I've ever laid eyes on for her little girl.

Do you see how Jennifer so creatively added panels to the outside of the dormer? Look how it makes a cozy little reading nook.  Genius!! Well, I was totally inspired.  So, I got out the ol' screwdriver and drill this morning and went to town hanging my extra set of panels.  I am over the moon with the results.  For a finishing touch I will add tie-backs, so I am on the hunt for a pair.

Okay, now for the good stuff.  My el' cheapo window treatments for the kitchen.  I told you that I was tired of the boring cream and brown color scheme in the kitchen.  It needed a little spice (no pun intended).  I would have loved to have a set of custom London shades made for the window, but that was a little too splurgy, so I came up with a super easy and CHEAP alternative.  Napkins.  Yep, I found these really pretty napkins at Pottery Barn.





Right color scheme (blues, browns, creams, and a touch of rust red); right price ($6 apiece). I bought two napkins and a hardware set from Target - brown cafe rod ($10) and two sets of matching clip-on hooks ($4).

I hung the cafe rod mid-way up the window then slipped on the hooks, and finally clipped on the napkins.  Window treatments that cost around 30 bucks and took less than thirty minutes to hang.  That's what I'm talkin' bout!

So the moral of this post is that a splurge on window treatments is great...okay, pretty fabulous, BUT, you can make a similar impact in a room on a dime.  With the clip-on rings and a pretty piece of fabric your options are limitless.  Give it a try and watch a room come to life!