Curtains!

Curtains for the living room have been a pain. Everyone who comes over asks why we don't have curtains, and, quite frankly, I didn't care much about them. I knew we needed them, but the natural light was very nice and I just couldn't decide on a fabric. I knew I wanted reddish and the window is so huge I needed 4 panels which I thought I wouldn't like (I wanted 2 and almost made curtains for this reason), but I sucked it up and yesterday Rick and I finally bought some.

Before:

After:
I really like the color. I was a bit concerned about the texture, but I think it goes very well with the furniture. It's similar feeling and looking. I suppose I should have removed the wrinkles before I put up the picture, but I was so excited that we actually accomplished it, I wanted to share.
The more I look at it, the smaller the rod ends look. Oh well. For those of you who remember the previous disaster with the curtains, this time around was much better. We learned from our mistakes. And although I'm adjusting to the reduction of natural light in the room during the day while the curtains are open, they do have some great features:

1. machine washable. Love it.
2. thermal panes--cuts down on the heat lost through that huge window at night.
3. I can now sit on the couch and reduce glare on my laptop or TV

We bought hold backs that match the rod, but we haven't put them up yet. Rick doesn't think he would like them, but I think after a few weeks of sliding them open and shut, I think we'll realize that holding them back will be much easier.

Home improvement of the day. I'll have to post the laundry shelf and upstairs curtain once I figure out if I am going to alter it or not...