Monday, January 5, 2009

New Curtains and Doors!!!

I found four napkins in the clearance bin at World Market last month. These cute red (picture looks pink but they are a vibrant red) with black polka dots napkins were less than a dollar and I thought they would make a good valance from my kitchen window. I took down some old mini blinds and felt like the window looked a little too bare. My home is 75 years old and on pier and beam. The kitchen window is too high for anyone to walk by and look in so I don't need curtains to completely cover my little window.

Here's what the finished product looks like. Now remember, I don't have a sewing machine, so all of this was done with stitch witchery, smoke and mirrors. I added some bias tape, fringe balls and clip rings and am happy with the look.

While bargain hunting over the weekend I fell in love with the MOST PERFECT DOOR (for me)! It's a solid wood door with a beautiful Ruby Red Diamond Pattern Stained Glass and a cute little mail slot. The dealer thought it was from Holland. I haven't purchasd it yet, because I had to come home and do some measuring and plotting. I just LOVE this door...and don't NEED it but haven't you all had that feeling when you find something, and it's just so right....it's just WILL work! My motto is if you truly love it, you will find a place for it. :)

For some reason, old windows and doors always intrigue me. I can just imagine the many people that have passed through the passages or looked through the window panes.

50 comments:

  1. You did a great job on the curtains. I like doors and windows too espically stained glass.

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  2. what a fabulous idea for the curtains!

    and the door??

    i die!!!! i love old windows and doors!

    xo

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  3. the window is fantastic...and let me just say that I am lucky you are not living next door...or I'd have to steal that from you! It is wonderful! you did a great job with both!

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  4. Great job on the valance, and such a steal! And I love that door, I too have a strange attraction to old doors and windows, go figure. Kathy

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  5. The curtains are so cute! I can't believe you didn't sew them. I know exactly what you mean, when i find something that I want i feel like it was there just for me to buy!

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  6. I love the door...that's my motto as well, if you love it (and sometimes even if you just like it) you'll always have a spot for it...and if it's really great...buy two!!

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  7. Great job on the valance! And I am into doors and windows too! They are kind of -not exactly-but sort of like shoes and handbags! LOL!
    Have a nice week!~Tam:D

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  8. Your cartains are darling and I just love that door! I have an old door in my garage~ it's cute but not as grand as that one. I can't bring myself to get rid of it. :)

    Hugs~ J

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  9. cartains....lol. Forgive me it's early. Curtains. :)

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  10. Love your new curatins and the door too.. Go for it girl!!

    Monica

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  11. Your curtains came out cute! And I LOVE that door...great find!

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  12. What a great idea for curtains!!!

    The door is awesome and can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  13. Okay, now THAT'S inspiring!!

    I always hear "just stitch a straight seam... yada yada". I don't sew! I can't even sew a stitch!

    This, I could do.

    Great job!

    (Glad your morning turned around. ;-) Thanks for the nice message!)

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  14. The curtain is so cute! I vote for the door too. If it makes you happy then go for it!!

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  15. I love old doors too!! That one is beautiful.

    Jen

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  16. The curtains is cute! Love the door....beautiful...Have a wonderful day..

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  17. What a marvelous job on the curtains!! :) LOve them.

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  18. You rock girl! I just love what you did to your house!
    I also love anything OLD

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  19. curtains are ever so smart---great job. Most of all less than a dollar, the bargin of the year.


    Love the door--I hope it works.



    sue

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  20. Beautiful job on the curtains...and even more impressive that you did them all by hand! :)

    I too LOVE old doors and windows...like they are an "entry" into another time!

    xo...deb

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  21. Susan, great idea for your new curtains. I love World Market and their sales.

    Ooh, that door is so pretty. Perfect for a cottage.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. Happy New Year!

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  22. I love those doors with windows.Kathy

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  23. I love the curtains! They look great! I love stained glass too.....I love old stuff.

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  24. I love those curtains and I love polka dots...So CUTE!!!

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  25. Love that door, Susan - and I agree - if you find something unique that you love, you will find a place for it. (I did that with my sap bench coffee table in the family room)... Your curtain valance came out fantastic and you sure can't beat the price! How I'd love to have a window in my kitchen! (Yup- no window...) I want to thank you for your sweet comment on the loss of our precious fur babies. You're so right, we were so lucky to have them in our lives.. Have a wonderful day!... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

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  26. What a great idea for the curtains....they are GREAT! I LOVE that old door. I do hope you can make it work...it is gorgeous!

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  27. You and me both with the doors. IN fact, I am a photographer and I find myself intrigued most by doors and trees. LOL!

    I also love World Market. The window curtains look so sassy and cute. Precious! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love new friends!!!

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  28. The curtains turned out GREAT! And I know what you mean when something just "calls your name." I HAVE regretted not buying things that I later had the perfect spot for. Thank you for your kind post, and for letting me know you are in the Houston area. I LOVE that Winnie flea market, is it still there? Also, on ebay there used to be a twig (willow) furniture maker who was in the Houston area. If you bought furniture from him, he would send it on a greyhound bus. Have you ever heard of him?

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  29. How clever with the curtains! You dressed them up beautifully.

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  30. Hi Susan! Love your new kitchen window treatment! You're good! That door looks awesome!
    Hope all is going well with you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  31. Hi Susan :)

    The curtain turned out really cute! I don't sew either, so I think I might just try this in our new house.

    I have a passion for doors too, so I totally get it. That one is really beautiful!

    rue

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  32. AWESOME JOB ON THE CURTAINS.WHO NEEDS A SWEING MACHINE?I'VE ONLY HAD ONE FOR ABOUT A YEAR.I MADE IT THIS LONG WITHOUT IT.HA.AND YES----------I LOVE THE DOOR.
    AND I LOVE THE TITLE OF YOUR BLOG.MY LIFE ISN'T SO COLORFUL,BUT IT HAS BEEN BEFORE.HAHA...ANN

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  33. I LOVE that door. I'm the same way with older things like that. I always think about the people throughout history that were in the object's "life". Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  34. You did an very impressive job on your cute curtains! And to think ~ no sewing machine..wow! I saw those polka dot napkins at WMarket, but don't think mine were as marked down. I may have to go back for another peek.

    Like you and so many others, I love old doors and windows. :)

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  35. They turned out nice! Oh do I love RED! They contrast perfectly with your light cabinets.

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  36. Great ideas with the napkins. I also used napkins to make a valence in my kitchen, but I layered them over each other. Your valence is really cute!

    I also love the door you picked out. It's very cool!

    Have a great day!

    Jen

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  37. Susan I love that door, it's spectacular, you should get it!! And your little valance project - adorable! Stitch wichery is just the best invention for those of us who don't have the gift of sewing!!

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

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  38. So nice to "meet" you. Thanks for visiting! Your curtains are precious!

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  39. Susan - thanks for peeking at my blog. I was so excited when I looked at yours..... I have a door TOO!!!!! It is a beautiful beat up blue and I plan on hanging it on a wall.... I may even hang it sideways over a sofa. If it looks ridiculous... (which it could) I will hang it up and down and fill it with family photos! Would love to hear what you will do with yours!

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  40. Susan...ADORE your blog! Your home is full of COLOR and ZEST. I covet Riley & Carson! Doncha just love Italy and all the lovely towns, sights, and dreamy memories that it has? I have not been there for many years, it's time I go back again. Loved your photos from the trip!
    Lamp Tramp

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  41. Hey there fellow Texan! I love your curtains, you did a great job! You kitchen looks very similar to mine! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  42. Hi Susan...great new look with your curtains...and you MUST go back & get that door (if it'll fit) because it is wonderful...I love the mail slot feature. ;-) Bo

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  43. You did a wonderful job with the curtains. What a great idea. I am going to look at Kohls right now. I notice that Sandra Lee on the cooking show in HGTV always changes her kitchen valance to match the season or theme. So cool.

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  44. I love a door with charactor-- no matter how drafty.

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  45. I hope that door fits. It is really beautiful. It would have been perfect on my first house. Also, that was a good idea to use the napkins as a valance. I just heard that World Market is closing in our area so I best get over there and scoop up the bargains. ~ robyn

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  46. Hey girl...hope you are doing well. Wishing you a beautiful and peaceful Saturday! :)

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  47. I love your new valance. I wanted to enlarge the picture. But, it wouldn't let me. Your door is awesome!! Hugs, Terrie

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  48. OOOH, I love those curtains! Great job!!! Love the door too! Blessings, Nancy

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