Wednesday, January 25, 2012

One Room Challenge: pelmet fail

In last week's moodboard, I had plans for putting up a pelmet with a greek key detail.  I love the greek key detailing on these window treatments below, and figured I could easily do something similar.



via Little Green Notebook
I thought that a simple white pelmet with some colorful ribbon would be the right idea, especially since I felt that the prior window treatments were too busy and competed with the gallery of picture ledges.  I used this tutorial to make the pelmet, which is fairly easy and cheap, seeing as it is foam board duct-taped together with fabric stapled to the back.

It appears I was wrong.  I am not happy with the way the pelmet came out.  It is too much white, and the ribbon trim is distracting.  Please forgive the dark pictures, I cannot figure out aperture and I find this room really hard to photograph in the afternoon.



The squares appear to be different sizes, but I assure you, I spent much time measuring them and they are the same size.  I will admit that one square is further in than the other.

My first mistake was using a ribbon that was too wide.  I originally planned to do a square in all four corners, but in laying out the ribbon I could tell that a twelve-inch pelmet was too small for the medium size grosgrain ribbon I had on hand.


My second mistake was using a plain white fabric.  The walls and trim are white, and the white pelmet is barely visible as a window treatment.

Are you getting the sense that I am already falling behind on the One Room Challenge of completing an entire room in six weeks?  I think I am about to be voted off the island.

See everyone else's progress:

Saved by Suzy
Dutch.British.Love
Trapped in North Jersey
Nicole Scott Designs
Kim Macumber Interiors
Rue de Emily
The Pink Pagoda
refresheddesigns
Nana Moon Shop
Taylor Morgan Design
Insideways
My Crafty Home Life
House Four
Living Savvy
(A Lifestyle Thing)






17 comments:

  1. I understand. That is so frustrating. Things often take me 2 or 3 tries...I have faith in your abilities. Who would have known that the ribbon was too wide? I can't wait to see how you resolve this one. Have some cheese (have you laughed lately).

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  2. I love that greek key detail and that was what I was origianlly going to do on my curtains too (and my other daughter's room has that foam board pelmet)...we are definitely on the same wavelength! It's so frustrating when things don't work out as planned, but I know you're going to pull off something fabulous Lisa! BTW, I do like the room without the old curtains. That's some progress, right?

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  3. Sorry this didn't work out the way you wanted it to. That's really frustrating. But it's a really creative idea and now that you know what you don't like about it, maybe you can still make it work another way?
    Nobody's getting voted off the island!!
    :)

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  4. I actually don't think it looks bad, but if you're not happy with it that's another story. I'm sure you'll be able to execute it the way you want it to look. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I've seen what you're capable of. You've got this.

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  5. I think you would like it if the fabric was not such a stark white! I love the ribbon! You are not going to fall behind... it will get done! Love seeing that other people try DIYs and fail too! I do that all of the time!

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  6. Don't give up! I actually really like it and think you'll be pleased with your end result, too.

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  7. Aww, don't get frustrated, I can totally relate..believe me! Onward and upward, what's next in the plan? I'll be checking next week for sure:)

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  8. Hang in there! We all make mistakes and while completely frustrating, they are learning opportunities. For what it's worth, I do love the red ribbon.

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  9. I love how they turned out, but I agree, they are somehow not right for that particular space.
    Can we see how the windows look with nothing on them? I'm just wondering if anything is going to look strange next to all that window ledge action and maybe they should just be plain?

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  10. Don't give up!! You will never be voted "off"!! We need your creativity. And, guess what, this happens to us all ... all the time!! I happen to like the width of the ribbon, I think it is the stark white that is throwing you!! I have faith that you will rock our world with your "re-do"!!

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  11. I'm so impressed with anyone who will attempt something so precise and mathematical. My brain hurts just thinking about it. I love red grosgrain. Your windows have pretty proportions and molding. I think I would love them bare.

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  12. Can we be week 2 DIY fail buddies?? I feel your pain! I think it looks good, but I totally sympathize with a project not turning out how you hoped. You can do it! It's a great idea and worth trying again if you're not too frustrated with it. Sending good DIY vibes your way...

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  13. I'm so impressed you attempted this too Lisa and for what it's worth, I think it really looks good! If you're frustrated with it, I'd move on to the other parts of the room and save windows for last. I'm actually stumped on my drapes/or maybe 'no" drapes at the moment. I've come up with the answers to everything except the windows. It's the last thing I want to think about. Good job on your brilliant idea and "full of character" implementation! Can't wait to see next week. You WILL do it.

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  14. I love this idea. It is frustrating when a plan doesn't work out. I ended up painting my project room twice this week because of a color failure. DIY certainly has it's ups and downs. I can't wait to see your finished room!
    ~Danylle

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  15. Great idea and I tip my hat to you to even getting that far! I actually think it is quite nice, especially the ribbon. Hopefully it will work for you in another room? Looking forward to seeing your next move.

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  16. I think you did a great job - even if it wasn't the effect your were hoping for I think it looks very good! Maybe it will grow on you? Either way - I look forward to seeing what you do next week!

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  17. DO NOT give up! It looks great! Maybe not exactly what you hoped for, but keep going! I look forward to seeing more.

    Regards, Whitley Adkins Hamlin
    www.thequeencitystyle.com

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