7.20.2009

Toile La La La!

I honestly cannot believe what I did this weekend.

I made curtains.

The kind with lining.

And toile.

And a sewing machine.

Are you as shocked as I am?

Let me show you! Here is the "before" photo of our bedroom:

Like so many other girls I know in the blogging world, I love designer Heather Chadduck's style. She used to work for Cottage Living magazine, I think, before it went under. I came across this photo of a bedroom she designed. How great are those curtains? Really, how great is every single thing in this room? I am a total copycat.

This is not the place to give a tutorial on how I made my curtains, because, let's face it, I don't know what I'm doing. But I kept repeating The Nester's motto: It Doesn't Have To Be Perfect To Be Beautiful! Amen sister.

Seriously though, don't you love how the curtains just transform the whole room? It feels so much warmer in there!

I am so in love with how they turned out! The fabric is from Calico Corners in case you're on the hunt for some yourself.

I think I might spend the whole day in bed.


83 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

It looks wonderful! Amazing how curtains can completely change a room!
Love it!
sandy toe

Amy said...

I love your bedroom!!!!! I don't sew either.... I hot glue, it is almost the same!!! I really love the mirror over your bed!!entie

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

What a lovely bedroom. Your curtains turned out awesome - it softened everything up.

Sarah said...

The curtains are so beautiful and they do add so much to the bedroom! It's amazing what a little toile can do isn't it? I have a little bit of toile in each room in my house, I love it so much!

Mandy said...

WOW! It really does change the entire room!! Great job!!

I've got to quit reading here...I just spent the entire weekend slaving over a dresser for my son's room after reading about your table & foyer make over...

but, I do need curtains for my kitchen...so inspiring...;)

The Writer Chic said...

I Nesterized my master bed windows last weekend, too. I don't have my pics up yet, but YEA for beautiful-if-not-perfect curtains. Love the fabric choice, too.

Kristi said...

They look GREAT! For someone who doesn't sew you sure took on a big project! Doesn't it feel great to know you created something so cool?

Sweet Simplicity said...

That turned out great! I'm very impressed!

Unknown said...

you did a great job! they are wonderful!!!!

mother of three fellas said...

LOVE them, toile is my absolute favorite!!

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

WOW - huge difference!! So warm & cozy...love it!! :)

Natalie Meester said...

Beautiful curtains...great job. I love your bedroom. You should feel very proud:)

Happy Summer!

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Wow, so impressed-I only sew when there is no machine involved-you did a beautiful job! We just painted the bedroom and I do not want my simple sheers back in there! I will have to be inspired by you and just do it!
~Nancy

Ally's Corner said...

You did a great job and it look great. I love that bedroom also.

Kelli said...

You did great. It does really warm the room. Aren't you proud of yourself...what an accomplishment.

Viviane said...

you will definitley have to give us a tutorial because they look fantastic!

duchess said...

What a difference. So beautiful - I just love toile & I've always loved your inspiration bedroom.
Great job.

Amanda said...

they look great! and i think you should spend all day in bed!!! i love heather's room too, i think it is her bedroom...yummy!

the undomesticated wife said...

Impressive! See, I knew you could sew!!

Desiree said...

Great job! I am very impressed. Your bedroom looks like it's should be in a model home or decorating magazine. I have been thinking about sewing lining to the new baby's room curtains to block the sunlight (b/c they are white with pink polka dots). You have inspired me again! Thanks!

-Desiree

Anonymous said...

Hi Carrie! Personally I think your room looks better than the two magazine pics! Really pretty! Sincerely Jeannette

Deb said...

Absolutely beautiful!! Love how that fabric just completely changed that room. I think I'd just keep walking by the room to admire my handiwork. Nice job!!

Steph @ AnnoyinglyDomestic said...

Wow! That made such a difference! Gorgeous bedroom. (I want your bed)

Jboo said...

So beautiful!! You are one crafty Mama!! :)

Have a fun week!

Janet

Shannon said...

I love them!! That fabric is so pretty. Good job!!

Twice as Nice said...

You did a wonderful job. Looks amazing.
Hey we are creating a few differnt things and want you to hold off (you will understand if you got our email) We want to give you a few other choices. I'll let ya know when we are ready!

Wendy said...

Love them! You did a super job!!

Unknown said...

Looks like Heather Chadduck showed up at your house over the weekend! Fabulous...

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

Way to go girl, now that's the way to spend a weekend...you rock!

DESJ and Company said...

now that looks FABULOUS!
Amazing job.

Laura said...

What a great addition to your bedroom. So cozy! Amazing what a little fabric can do! Way to go!!!

Sarah said...

They look really nice! Very impressive!

Chris said...

These are gorgeous! You have to do some kind of tutorial just to show off more pictures of that fabric! I have a duvet cover in that same print, and I love it! Your bedroom is beautiful!

Unknown said...

Amazing!!!! It is beautiful and you achieved somethig difficult! Good job!!!!
♥ Jen

Mandi Shandi said...

Oh wow! They really look so fantastic and you are right about them warming up the space. Love them! Way to go.

kahlanne said...

I love your inspiration room and yours is an inspiration as well. Great job on the curtains. I wish I could sew.

Jodee said...

Wow! Way to go! I am totally impressed! I would stay in bed all day too!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Those look fantastic. Now I need to get off my duff and make some--because they would look gorgeous in my master bedroom. *sigh* Why can't you tell me they're easy peasy ones that require no sewing? LOL!

~ Sarah

Kristen said...

FANTASTIC!!! It looks amazing! Your inspiration room has been on my computer this week - I love it. Great job!

Juice said...

I'm amazed at your sewing skills. It looks great!

Miss E said...

The curtains completely warm the room up...amazing! And the fact that you did them yourself...even more amazing! You are so talented, friend :)

Melissa said...

Toile la la, I'll say! :) It looks gorgeous and just warmed up your space. I love the fabric you chose too. Hope your little Henry is doing well~he'll be pulling himself up on those curtains in no time :)
Melissa
Oh, and love your tip on the automatic timers~why didn't I think of that? I go around every night switching on lights, then switching them off....

Rhonda said...

You did a fabulous job! Curtains always change a room, and yours look gorgeous!

Fondly, Rhonda in CA

Anonymous said...

looks great! made into a retreat. funny, i spend my weekend doing the same. you'll have to check my blog in a day or two for some pics!

Every Day Blessings said...

I love them , you did a great job!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Gorgeous! Totally warms up the room!

Manuela

Sue said...

Carrie, your drapes changed your room and made it more cozy! Way to go. Sue

KKB said...

Absolutly fabulous!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

LOVE. It.
I have only used a glue gun to make mine. SHHH!

KKB said...

I mean 'Absolutely Fabulous'...whoopsie daisy on the misspelled word!! I'm so embarrassed. ;)

Shilo said...

You did so well! Congrats! They look AMAZING!
Blessings,
Shilo

Unknown said...

Beautiful! It sure looks like you know what you're doing!!
Let me know how that "stay in bed all day" thing works for ya! ;)

Mommyto3andahusky said...

Wow! Very cool! Love the toile!

Darlene said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!

Happiness Is... said...

Wow! Gorgeous! I love them, and you did a great job!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am amazed!! Is there nothing that you cannot do??? The curtains totally transform the room......I LOVE IT!! Great job girl....it looks beautiful!

Lisa

Bluebird said...

those curtains are amazing! you are so talented :-)

Angie said...

They are beautiful! Can't go wrong with toile!

Anonymous said...

They are SEW beautiful.

Anonymous said...

The curtains look fabulous!

Gretchen

june@craftyniche said...

Oh my goodness..that is beautiful! You did a great job on your curtains!

Eloise said...

That is one amazing transformation! I kept looking at your pictures (like one of those old "find the differences" puzzles in Highlights!) and thinking surely you did more than just add curtains.

My hat is ever off to you. You have wonderful talent in addition to great taste!

Lana said...

Wow!! You did a great job! Your curtains look GREAT! I wish I was that talented!!!

Jan Jessup said...

Dear Carrie--
Toile is a classic that never goes out of style--and the draperies really transform your bedroom! As a Calico Corners aficianado, I can tell you and your followers that they are having a great sale through August 1 with 20% off custom window treatments and hardware. So those of you without sewing machines or the time for a DIY project can indulge and save some money too. Happy decorating!
Best,
Jan Jessup

TidyMom said...

I. LOVE. It!

They're beautiful and I love what it did to the room!

~TidyMom

sherri said...

Gorgeous!!! I am a total copycat too! I REALLY don't sew. I think I even have fear of cutting pretty fabric. I just don't wanna mess it up! But I might be able to get my mom to do this for me! You may have told us before, but what is the paint color of your bedroom?

Genny said...

Sooo pretty. I absolutely love your taste in colors!

Tasha said...

Go you!! Love them!

Melanie said...

Love the room. I wish I could sew but it is not in my making. wish I had a larger bedroom. I love to decorate but have only so much space.

Unknown said...

HOLY CRAPOLY! Those are amazing! Wanna do mine now?

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

What a transformation the curtains made. They really do look so luxurious. Bravo for making a lining and everything!!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh Carrie! I love them. You are amazing. ABSOLUTELY amazing. I want them. Oh my goodness. I can't look away!

Its So Very Cheri said...

You should do a little swag on the little window. Very nice job

Come by for my GIVE-A-WAY this week by 10 pm Fri.
and then check out our newest addition.

Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

Its So Very Cheri said...

I can't remember if I reminded you about this:

Come by for my GIVE-A-WAY this week by 10 pm Fri.
and then check out our newest addition.

Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

Fabulous!

SECPumpkin said...

wow...I love that second picture of your bedroom...do you rent it out for guests?!?!? : ) very cozy and inviting. Beautiful!

Mamajil said...

Very pretty!!!!! I love the way it transformed the room!!

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage said...

I love your curtains. I love the toile so much. I think that I could have it in every room and never tire of it, EVER!

His Doorkeeper said...

Absolutely love your curtains! Changes everything! I bought curtain material at Calico Corners 5 years ago and still don't have them made!! I love toile too!

You did good!!

Ms. Tee said...

Oh, you did a great job on your curtains, Carrie! I love them! Are you going to use the round mirror over your bed, too, like in the photo? :)

Lemondrops Simple Stuff said...

Looks great! Nice warm colors!

Amber said...

Your curtains are lovely! They do add so much softness to your room. Yay for conquering the sewing machine! What do you want to sew next? ;) I bet you already have ideas..

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

I LOVE your bedroom! Okay - I have to know what your wall color is. Please tell me!