I've had old, washed-out Ikea curtains in my living room since we moved in. I've been shopping around for ages trying to find replacement window panels.
I've had my eye on these curtains f-o-r-e-v-e-r but their regular price, $69 per panel, has kept me from buying them.
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| Heart, heart, heart. |
I went in to look at them last week and found them on sale for 40% off. Score! I scooped 'em up and brought them home. Except they don't look quite as magnificent as I thought they would. The little pleats and details just look kind of wrinkly and rumply from afar. Am I just being too picky? Ohhhhh, I just don't know.
I brought a white, sheer panel from our bedroom downstairs to compare and I'm not sure which look I like better. I can't decide and I will need to return or exchange the new ones by tomorrow night if I don't want to keep them. Dilemma!!!!!
Note 1: Our living room has a giant wooden valence across the top of the window/wall (which I love) but which also makes curtains look a bit weird.
Note 2: I just put the panel on the left up all willy-nilly and know that it looks smooshed.
Note 3: The wall colour is not neon yellow, my craptastic camera just likes to make you think so.
Note 4: Those cushions are dead to me. Sick of 'em and getting new ones asap.
Alright here's the pictures but the lighting is terrible:
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| New rumply curtains? Don't worry, I'd raise the hidden curtain rod up so you wouldn't see the uneven pleats at the top. |
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| Close-up of new panel. Okay, maybe they'd look a bit better if I ironed them. |
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| Sheer panel from upstairs. I could get more for downstairs. |
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| Close-up of sheer panel. |
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| Hmmmm, which one looks better? |
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| Help!?!?!? |
Sigh. I am the wrong person to be asking about window treatments. I stinkaroo at them. I do see what you mean about the new smocked ones. I would go for the sheers. I do LOVE your valance. Are you sure you even need curtains. What's it look like without?
ReplyDeletei would have felt the same about them in the package and swooned and drooled. but seeing them in your home with the other burnout style panel- i like the burnouts better. i think they suit the room and style well. i do love the smocked ones though and i think they look good, too. it's a tough call, but you have to ultimately go with what your gut tells you is best!
ReplyDeleteI like the sheers! They stand out more from the couch, and they let your lovely (not neon) wall colour show through a little.
ReplyDeleteThey do appear to just be wrinkled, sorry:(
ReplyDeleteThat stinks since you've wanted them so long. I like the sheers better.
I like them both! But I guess that doesn't help much.
ReplyDeleteI really like the new curtain's pattern... but not hanging up. Too bad, cuz they're really cute! I agree with everyone else here, I like the look of the sheers. Isn't it the pits when you've been wanting something forever and it turns out to be a bit of a let down??
ReplyDeleteChris
PS the yellow doesn't look NEON!!
I like the sheers. They have a nice, easy, softness to them. I vote for the sheers :0)
ReplyDeleteI bought similar panels for my place (except grey) and ended up returning them. The formal + wrinkly look just didn't work for me. I do love them, but I am not quite sure what kind of decorating style they would suit. I'd go with the shears!
ReplyDeleteThe sheers are definitely way better! The others just look really wrinkled :-/
ReplyDeleteHmm, I won't be much help, I don't think. The sheers are really pretty, and hang well. And...I get that the "look" is different than what you may have envisioned with the weight and detail of the others. If you haven't tried ironing for full effect, I could see it making a difference...and I expect that if I was standing the room, the curtain detail would be clearer than it is through a photograph. They are very unique and pretty. I have tried heavier weight curtains before, and do tend to end up back at the sheer/semi-sheer end of things - not sure why - feel like it gives a finished feel without being overpowering or something, maybe?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm thinking they might need to be steamed. To get some of the wrinkles out and make the pin tucks stand out. But I do love the other ones too so if you don't want to bother with steaming then go with the sheers. They are really pretty!
ReplyDeleteI have to say yay for the sheer love that the wall color come through them it adds warmth to the room. Its to bad about the other ones but they do look wrinkly but your right they would look better if you ironed them but I still say sheer!!! Can't wait to see the results!
ReplyDeleteJeni-
I like the sheers too. The other ones blend too much with the couches, I think. The pattern of the sheers is a nice contrast to the flatness of the couch. :) Very pretty, too!
ReplyDeleteI like the sheers too, but I must confess I haven't liked any of the new pleated style curtains and bedding out right now, so I may not be much help.
ReplyDeleteI will mention that my favoritist fabric for panels is linen, which I buy in myriad colors for about $6/yd from The Fabric Source online. It seems to be a good balance between lightweight sheers and heavy drapes. :)
BTW, LOVE that wood cornice!!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really think the new panels are more suited to your cottage style. Iron them to show the details alittle more and see how they look then :)
I think I like the sheers but wonder if you couldn't steam the others so just the puckers remain not the wrinkles.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer the shears in this picture. But I would maybe try steaming the new panel in a hot shower for a few minutes and then rehang just to be doubly sure :)
ReplyDeleteWhile the gathered curtains are beautiful...you are right that they just kinda look wrinkly and sort of off with the wooden valance; however, the sheers look great!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone, I like the sheers. They give a really light, airy, fresh feel to the room. The valences are already a bit heavy (love them) so the other curtains just add more of the same to the room. What a cute room!
ReplyDeleteKeep the shears and save the money spent on the wrinkled ones for something else.
ReplyDeleteFYI - Went to Tar-gette the other day and bought some white sheer/linen panels! Adorable - Iron flat and then give them some folded shape and they STAY!!! They are adorable and def. within the budget!! 9.99 each! I want to replace all of my other sheers with these!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your input and suggestions!!!!
ReplyDeleteFor now, I put the flowery, sheer curtains back upstairs and returned the new, pin-tucked ones.
I'll hold out for something better! :)
Oh yeah, I've been looking for white, linen-ish ones everywhere but can't seem to find any!!!!
ReplyDeleteDoh!
Shears are better. My MIL has that same molded paneling in front of her curtains, and she has two layers of sheers for extra privacy at night if you think you need it.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer the shears in this picture. But I would maybe try steaming the new panel in a hot shower for a few minutes and then rehang just to be doubly sure :)
ReplyDelete