The Nursery Diaries :: Chapter 6

 I went to work an hour early yesterday, just so I could work on this post.  My computer at home is dead, despite the fact that I paid to have it repaired last week.  After I finished a very long and informative post on the window treatments, Typepad freaked out and I lost the whole thing.  Ahhhhh... the joys of blogging.  Maybe I will have success in finishing this post... and won't have to scream, stomp, and throw things at my computer in the process.

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, and Chapter 5.

This is Chapter 6 :: Window Treatments

Queue the Rolling Stones You Can't Always Get What You Want

I've failed to show you a floor plan of the nursery.  It is a little bitty room.  Perfect for a little bitty girl.  It does have the largest closet in the house, which concerns my husband (it was his closet, until I kicked him out to the other guest room)... he says "why does the smallest person in the house need the largest closet?" When he meets her he'll understand why she needs the big closet... the durn thing is almost full already.

 

I have a great handyman husband.  He hung the draperies in about 15 minutes flat.  My Stud hit a stud on all three of the brackets, which made the job go faster... and made him happy because he likes to complain about the weight of black-out lined draperies (which are my favorite).  I would like to mention... that is my drill.  Back when I started this business I used to install my own draperies and window treatments.  It was a nightmare, but I didn't have someone to help me, so I just did it myself. 

 

The natural woven shades came from Home Depot clearence rack and they cost.... drumroll please... $10.99 each.  I love the warmth and natural element they bring to the room.  And their color is quite nice with the gold crib.  I may have them lined, but for now they are up.

I believe that I already explained that the window treatments were an ivory cotton/linen blend with a 4" border on the leading edges of the coral and ivory stripe on the bias.  My seamstress did mention "it wasn't fun to sew that band on" when she dropped them off... but she did a darn good job! 

The drapery style is what I call: Two-Finger Euro Pleat (tacked at top of pleat), Black-Out Lined.  You may recall this is the same pleat/style I used on the cafe curtains in my design studio.

You may recall I was considering a valance/drapery combo for these windows, but as I mentioned before - the ceiling height in this room is only 8'-0" and it was just not gonna work for me.  So I reverted to a standard rod and ring system. 

Now in regard to the music you should have queued already... I wanted a skinny solid black iron rod - continuous (not expandable), with turned corner returns.  When I priced it however, I decided I can't always get what I want.  It was going to be $355.00.  I despise expandable (extension) drapery rods.  The rings don't ride smoothly on the rod and I find it very irritating.  But again, you can't always get what you want.  I found the rod below at the Restoration Hardware outlet for $45.  And I keep telling myself "the $310 you saved will buy a lot of diapers".

 

I am reminding myself in the grand scheme of things, an expansion rod isn't the end of the world... although I was tempted to spend 4 hours in Photoshop attempting to make the rod look solid in the photo below, and not tell you otherwise.  But... I'm keeping it real.   

 

I just ordered the rings to match the rod, they had one box at the outlet, but I needed 4 more.

My seamstress tucks drapery pins in each pleat, so they are very simple to just hook on the rings and hang... need a visual? click here.  

 

So there you have it.  Those are the only 2 windows in the nursery... and I am pleased with the results.  The draperies, like the crib skirt, kiss the ground.  They will likely grow a little, considering the linen blend fabric and the weight of the black-out lining.  This will be okay... when they have grown a little instead of "kissing the floor" I will say "I designed them to have a subtle break".

 

The chair is in- I'll show you in the next chapter.  When I'm not working, I've been washing tiny little pink clothes, blankets, burp cloths and bibs.  It's really still a little unbelievable that she will be here so soon! 

Comments

[Anna Evans]

Your nursery is going to be perfect! I've enjoyed reading your recent posts about baby (and design ones, of course). I have a 4 month old baby girl and can relate! You're going to have so much fun.

[cyn]

Looks beautiful! I still can't believe home many little baby clothes I have...But we will need them!

[cyn]

Yikes, that should be how many....:)

[Melise]

Oh dear, I'm just swooning over this. And genius on the skirt in Chapt 5 btw! I hated that about my daughters skirt it always has annoyed me. This is so neat watching you pull this together so beautifully! PS If I'm not mistaken, your crib is a 'Jenny Lind' style crib and you can find a brand new mattress spring at websites like http://www.productsamerica.com/mattressspring.html

but you're right she's never going to actually touch that part so it's fine! But it if bothered you enough I thought you might like to know! :-)

[Tyler]

Everything is just so beautiful! I bought those same blinds at Home Depot on sale and when we got home realized they rang up for $.01 a piece! That was definitely a fluke, but $10.99 is still a great deal! I know that room will be such a sweet retreat for yall!

[Michele]

it's precious and different, and you are going to have so much fun with that baby girl. What a blessing.

[Rebecca]

GORGEOUS!
I am so excited to see the remainder of the room come together.

[Eva]

Wow! Everything looks amazng!! What a blessed little girl to have such a talented mama.

I know what you mean about the expansion rods; I complained to my husband about them all the time and now he makes all my rods for me. It is sometimes a little tricky to get the hardware to fit and we often use spray paint to match everything up.

[Lynett]

Oh so gorgeous! I can't wait to see the whole room finalized!!!

[Jennifer]

looks great! I always learn so much from your posts.

[Shar]

The room is so great. I am loving how well the paint color just looks perfect with everything that you add. Love, love, the striped trim on the drapery. Lucky, lucky baby girl!

[Annmarie]

Sick.

[Chris Wiggins]

Just beautiful. Thanks for the tips - very helpful!!

[Live Creating Yourself]

This is such a tease. I am just dying to see the finished product! It's all so beautiful. What made you decide on gold for the crib?? I love metallics.

[KT]

Erika, it's beautiful! Your little girl is so lucky to have such a gorgeous nursery! I can't wait to see the completed project, I check back everyday in hopes for more photos, haha. Thanks for sharing this project with everyone!

[Dan]

I have the same blinds in my house. Love them! They still sell them on Home Depot's website. Also, I found coordinating privacy liners for like $3 at Lowes. They discontinued them (their bamboo roman shades now have built-in liners) so they are dirt cheap if you can find what's left!

[Dan]

ps- Country Curtains sells a "Return Rod Set" that is very affordable and gives the same look as the RH rods. Not sure if they are expandable or not, but nice looking!

[Tessa]

I'm a loyal reader of your blog and think you are one talented gal. Quick question about the drapes...how do you determine the width -- 2X or 2.5X or more? The nursery is looking perfect. The chandelier is still my favorite detail (so far). Thanks!

[Ashley]

Erika, it looks fabulous! I was thinking of you the other day as I sat in the nursery. You will really love to sit and hold your little baby there - it's so special! And, I bet you have received just as many pink things as me! Holy cow!!! I'm still taking tags off and washing...the stash is endless!

[Darby]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful! I love it and I'm so glad you tucked your pulls into your blinds... you know she could crawl over there and get caught up and strangle herself! Thanks for being on the safe side! :) I Love you!

[Starry-Eyed Barefoot Bride]

Thats a beautiful window! Congrats!

[pam]

i have those same blinds in my office. clearance at home depot, but i think i paid $15. they were super until our heatwave last week and even closed they failed to block out the strong morning sun. i've been thinking of having them lined.

and another thing i learned during out heatwave... i hate expandable rods. my rods are cast iron with cast iron rings. the curtains do NOT move on them! we were constantly closing them to block the sun and it was a chore.

love the nursery! pam

[arre]

it is all so lovely!

[Louisa]

It looks gorgeous! (Beautiful, serene view out that window, too) Love those curtains with the stripe against the linen, fab. Your seamstress sounds heaven-sent.
Hope you're doing well! So excited for you!

[Bryn]

Wonderful, as always! I'm so excited for you that she'll be here so soon :)

[angela conklin]

They turned out so nice. Love the stripes on a diagonal. What a blessed little girl!

[the little big house]

I don't know how you have the energy to do all you do and to take the time to share it with us! - the nursery looks so amazing! it must be exciting getting it all done :)

[brooke]

Yippie! Amazing, I can't wait to see the whole thing and to see the sweet little one!

[Taylor]

DIVINE!

[Dianne]

Perfection! I can't wait to see the little darling in her nursery.
Do tell me what you did with the cords from the blinds...always a problem.
xoxo

[Jesse Peak]

Beautiful, you have me totally falling in love with that diagonal stripe. Love how you have used it sparingly.

[Tammy]

It looks wonderful ! My baby is 12 now and I still put blackout lining on his windows. Of course, I might be rethinking that in a few years !

[Sherri]

I have LOVED reading your nursery updates! I'm having a baby girl too (due Oct. 1st), so I'm in the midst of pulling everything together in the nursery....good times! : ) I also have the same crib, except it's ivory glazed with brown!

[Laura@JourneyChic]

Love, love, love! The bias-stripe is such a great little feature to dress up the curtains. Your little girl will be so lucky to have such a stylish room (and mom)!

[julie]

erika-
it is so fun to see it all coming together! i want at REAL LIFE tour next time I am at the beach, with the little peanut in that room.
x-
julie
(ps...bring her to an AU game, you and Chance can go, and I will take care of "precious"!)

[Sarah]

Erika,
Thanks for doing this. So insightful. We are getting ready to hang drapes tonight but I don't think my husband will do it in 15. Why is it so much to make jokes about the stud finder?

[yansy]

Amazing! I Love this nursery, I want one of my own although no baby has been planned. You are a fabulous mommy!

[Jacci]

Gorgeous, Erika!!! I've used bamboo shades in my girls' room, too, but I still have to get curtains hung around/above them. I love the look of the diagonal stripe on the (what's it called again?lead edge?). Whatevr it's called - I love it! :)

Yay for babies.

XO,
Jacci

[Suzanne]

Love the room Erica- Its Beautiful and every bit of your style shines through- cant wait to see the finished product--
PS. Next time you need curtain rings head to Joanne Fabric - They have the exact match to Restoration Hardwares for Half the Price-

[alison g. (brazil)]

OMG!! I'll tell my Mom to run, Forrest Run to the nearest RH outlet (in TX) - she's been looking (to no avail) for a return rod JUST LIKE THAT!

[Molly]

It's really coming along nicely! :) I'll say a prayer for a safe and healthy delivery and a healthy, happy baby! Your baby girl will be the best part of the whole nursery.

[Elizabeth]

Everthing looks so pretty! Can't wait to "virtually" meet the little one!

[Natalie]

Hey Erika. This is Natalie. I work with Renata over at L.E. Anyway, she should have never told me to go on to your website, because I am currently obsessed. I am like a little kid waiting for the next post to show up on my homepage. Anyway, your nursery is just darling. When you commented on the washing of the clothes, it brought back memories. It seems neverending...and it is! :) But, eventually you won't have to do it so much. Just wanted to say "hi" and I hope we get to see you soon. Motherhood is an awesome, awesome joy!!!

[Shannon]

The nursery looks AMAZING! I can't wait to see the finished product. I absolutely love all the fabrics you have chosen.

[Kara Hebert]

Looks so great, Erika. BTW-I spy that "DOG" book in the background. Yea, MS has that. It would be a massive understatement to say she LOVES it. She even ripped out the dog leg that pees!! (Have you read it yet? lol) It's wonderful!!
xx

[amanda jones]

stunning, you ahve immaculate taste.

[Jennifer]

hey, it's jennifer again, of the polka dotted sheet. you wouldn't believe this but I have an extra iron rod like you want with returns. we used them for all of our window treatments and I ordered one extra that we never used. but your soln looks perfect now that it is installed. i wouldn't have ever noticed. oh and of course, love the draperies.

[Meredith]

Everything is looking so beautiful!! I know you will be so glad when your little girl is here!

[Rachel]

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Such a lucky little baby!

Ok, did you ever make a decision on your stroller?

[joni webb]

Always black out lining! you can see the fabric and it is so heavy, it drapes so wonderfully. I also black out my skirted tables and dust ruffles. yes! love it.

as to the rod - in a week, tell me you will still see that little tell tell sign of the expander. NEVER!!!! haha!!!

love the nursery - I can't wait for a picture of that little one!!!