The Easiest, Thriftiest Curtains Ever and The Year of Perfectly Enough

Happy 2017, guys! Hard to believe I’m saying that already. I hate to see the holidays go, but there’s something wonderful about January, isn’t there? I get all reflective with the dawn of a new year. I’m not one for making resolutions, but I do like to reexamine things a bit, and try and better myself.  Which kinda ties into my curtains.

Say what?

I know, weird. But stay with me.

I made some dropcloth curtains back in the fall. I was going to wait until these curtains were “done” before I posted this, but let’s face it. When things get good enough around here, I *tend* to leave them as is for a little bit eternity. But I wasn’t always like this. I used to have to have things perfect – I’d stress and stay up until all hours if people were coming over. And you know what? NO ONE CARES.

I’m pretty sure we’ve entertained just about every week since early November. A few people here, a big party there. And my dining room was mid-makeover for a lot of those. I still haven’t finished the plank wall (*face palm*), and my house is currently sporting THREE baseboard looks – half the house is done, 1/4 still has the skinny 60s trim, and the other 1/4 is ripped off. And you know what?

NO ONE CARED.

I wanted to write this post because I’m sure there are some out there who have been waiting till this project is done, or that room is finished. Or embarrassed about the tile in the bathroom or the stained carpet you don’t have the money to replace at the moment. But why?

I had some family over yesterday for lunch. We had so much fun together, so many laughs. And when we got to talking about my unfinished curtains, they had no idea. They didn’t even notice that the plank wall wasn’t done. So my lesson for 2017 is this: don’t wait. Have your people over. Enjoy each other. Because no one cares if the house is perfect. And once you stop caring too, it feels really, really good. The older I get, the more I realize what’s important in life. And it ain’t perfection, let me tell you.

You are enough. Your home is enough. Stop waiting, and let this year be the year of being perfectly enough and have that party!

So let’s talk about my curtains, shall we?

I bought some 6×9 dropcloths at Lowes. I wanted them to be long and puddle, so I ended up buying two for each window. Six feet was too wide for each panel though, so I ended up taking about 10-15 inches off each side. Then I folded a little over, and hung them on a rod with clip rings (rod and were from Walmart). Then I cut the bottom to the length I wanted.

The plan was to iron them.

Never did.

Then to hem the bottom.

Never did.

And the cut sides.

Nope. Never did.

But they’re perfectly enough.

dropcloth curtains

Look closely at the bottom of that plank wall…

dropcloth curtains

…and the ripped out baseboards….

dropcloth curtains

…and if you look inside the curtain panels you’ll see loose threads from raw edges…

dropcloth curtains

Yup. It’s been months. And who knows when it’ll all get done. Point is, it’s all good. It’s perfectly enough.

dropcloth curtains

dropcloth curtains

These curtains have been one of my favorite changes to the dining room. I love love love them. And the fact that they’re unfinished makes me love them even more. I think they represent me, and my outlook on life now.

 

That I may not be perfect. But I am always enough. Now let’s throw a party.

😉

Comments

  1. Stephanie says:

    I love your amazing style & outlook. It is definitely the outlook on life I am going for. Enjoy the little things in life – cause one day you will realize they are truly the only things that ! s
    ! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!’

  2. Stephanie says:

    MATTERS 😉

  3. I couldn’t agree more! The dining room looks beautiful and so do your curtains. Great post to start off the new year!!

  4. Deena Cate says:

    They look fabulous!! I’ve always loved the ease of these curtains…. need them at my house!

  5. Kara Taylor says:

    What is happening at the top? Are they just folded over? Looks great (as always!!!)

  6. Lisa Trueper says:

    The curtains and your dining room are perfect! Thanks for your words of wisdom. I’ve spent too much time being stressed about how my house looks before a gathering and you couldn’t be more right–no one cares! Happy New Year, Liz!

  7. Did u fold it? No stitching?look perfect

  8. Julia D. Riemer says:

    Love these! I think I am going to try these in my living room/ dinning room.

  9. I agree with you 100%! Thanks for the reminder! I will be extending an invitation tomorrow!
    Two quick questions – the side table in your room – did you make or buy it? Any info on it you could share? Also, the rug in your room, where did you get it and do you what it’s called? I’m in need of a large rug/carpet and just don’t know where to start.
    Thanks Liz – Happy New Year!

    • Hi Anita! I bought the side table – it was from Wayfair I believe – and the rug is a Seagrass rug from Overstock. Not comfy under the feet, but PERFECT for a dining room! Food wipes right off;)

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