Hanging Curtains: Professional Tips You Need to Know

Floor Length Sheers Courtesy Restoration Hardware Long, gorgeous curtains may be my single favorite element of any room.  They instantly add drama and warmth to a space.  However, hanging them always seems to be a bigger pain-in-the butt than anticipated.  I was hanging some curtain rods for our guest bedroom this weekend and figured I'd share a few helpful tips I've learned over the years.

  1. Choose the appropriate rod- Make sure the rod is chunky enough to accommodate your window and curtains.  If it's a small kitchen window, go with something dainty.  If it's a living room window with floor to ceiling curtains, you'll want a rod that is physically and visually a bit chunkier.
  2. Make sure the brackets work- If you're hanging curtain panels or a valance over some sort of blind or shade, make sure the bracket sticks out from the wall far enough to accommodate what's already there.
  3. Set aside the level- Normally, I'm a stickler for leveling everything, but not in this case.  A perfectly level curtain rod can look terribly uneven if it's close to an crooked ceiling.  Instead, take measurements from your ceiling or window, whichever is closer.  It may not actually be level, but visually, it will look so much better!
  4. Invest in a variety of drywall anchors- Use your stud finder (or just test with a nail) to see what you're drilling into.  If it's wood, just use the screw.  If it's drywall, you'll need something sturdier.  There are a ton of different drywall anchors on the market.  I find the twist and lock variety that look like a giant, plastic screw work much better than the cheap ones that come with your curtain rod.
  5. Pick the best place for your brackets- Rods are usually mounted 4" above the window and brackets are usually 3" from each side, but don't be afraid to break the rules.  Mounting your rod higher, for example, will add height to your room.

Here's a great video from Pottery Barn with some helpful tips:


Demolition Day!

You know how those home improvement shows always make demolition look so much fun?  Well, that's because it is!  This weekend, Joey and I tore out our old faucet, plumbing, garbage disposal, sink and counters.  Aside from the minor water explosion when we accidentally turned on the no-longer-hooked-up dishwasher, the rest of the process was fairly uneventful.  I can offer two suggestions if you're ever planning on doing kitchen demolition yourself.  First, have buckets and rags handy.  You'll need them!  Second, it doesn't hurt to watch a couple Youtube videos like this (worth it just for the play by play) before uninstalling your plumbing.  That's about it! We've got some work to do before the granite arrives, so without counters I foresee a significant amount of outdoor barbecuing and a large quantity of paper plates in our future.

Easy Tool Organization

Peg Board Joey's home!  Yay!

Since Joey got back from Afghanistan, I haven't asked him to do much around the house.  After 7 months in a war zone, I think he deserves to relax a little.  A little.

So, it came much to my surprise when Joey told me he wanted to start a new project and build a peg board for our out-of-control tool storage.  He bought white peg board, some 1/2"  x 1" framing, a package of assorted hooks and scrounged up some leftover decorative molding from our kitchen cabinets.  Using a nail gun and compound miter saw, he build the frame to the size of the peg board and nailed it onto the back.  He then added the decorative molding to the front and hung the entire piece with a French cleat.

The project was easy- it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish- and now, we can finally find what we're looking for!

Cork: Beyond the Bottle

Cork 01 You may think of bordeaux and bulletin boards, but more and more often these days, cork is also being used in interior design.  It's easy to see why.  The sustainable material naturally reduces noise, is resistant to water and heat and even has anti-bacterial properties!  Not to mention, it looks great.  From decor to flooring to counter-tops, expect to see cork popping up in kitchens, baths and bedrooms.