Monday, April 9, 2012

covering the high window

There will be lots of flash photography in this post.

The high window in the dining room, while contributing to the light and airy feel on our first floor, lets in just a bit too much light.  The light streaming into the dining room bounces off the glass table top from about 10 am to 3 pm, searing our retinas with the glare.
that window up there on the right corner

My requirements for this project that it be extremely cheap, and that it not put any more holes in the wall.  Although I am not exactly following the terms of my lease and the "no screws in the wall" clause (ahem), I am trying to keep the holes to a minimum.

My budget for this project was $5.  I immediately blew the budget by renting a ten foot ladder, which cost $22 for twenty-four hours from Home Depot.  In order to get the ladder home on top of my minivan, I had to buy racheting tie-downs, which cost $17.  (Bungees were not strong enough to hold the ladder securely to the top of the car.)

First up, we tried a tension rod (another $1.97!) with a curtain we already owned.

I did not like this at all.  I didn't expect to, honestly, because I knew that the tension rod wouldn't work with the angled part of the window.  That small open strip still let light in onto the table.  Plus it looked stupid.

I brought that down, hunted around for some spray glue, and raided the garage until I found a sheer curtain from Ikea that used to reside in our living room two houses ago.  I was loath to cut up this curtain, because Ikea doesn't make this pattern anymore.  However, since I was already so far over budget, I decided to suck it up and use what I had.

I measured the window and cut the fabric to the appropriate measurements.  I sprayed the back of the fabric with glue, then started smoothing the fabric out with my hands.  This is sort of like putting contact paper down--you will always get bubbles.  I kept pulling up, respraying, and smoothing out the bubbles.  By the end of ten minutes my hands were covered in glue, much like in second grade when you smear Elmer's all over your hand and peel it off like a second skin.  Good thing I wasn't lighting matches.

And the finished product:



The fabric is very sheer, so while it blocks the direct, glaring sunlight, it still lets in a fair amount of light.




18 comments:

  1. I think it looks great! The geometric pattern actually plays up the shape of a somewhat awkward window nicely.

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  2. Such a smart solution Lisa! I love the colors in the panels down below too. You're making lots of progress.

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  3. Such a smart solution Lisa! I love the colors in the panels down below too. You're making lots of progress.

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  4. That is awesome, and I never would have thought of it. AMAZING! Also, I demand pulled out shot like the first one where you can see the window and the curtain together!

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  5. How was your first holiday without your family? What did you do?

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  6. Awesome- I love it. I really admire how you get this stuff done with 3 kids around. I had grand plans for my weekend (curtains up, etc...), but all I did was clean the 2nd hand file cabinet I bought last week! And go to the park, and dye Easter eggs, and hide Easter eggs....

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  7. Amy, it sounds like you get a lot done too :-)

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  8. That looks amazing. I love how it still lets light in while not doing any more retinal damage.

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  9. Hey now, that looks great! Very nice way to take care of that problem, even though it sucks you had to destroy a curtain.

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  10. I love this solution! The rest of your curtains are fabulous too by the way!

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  11. That's the perfect solution! What a great idea! And I love your new sofa too -- but what a hassle!

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  12. Wow, that looks great! Such a creative solution.

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  13. You are so smart! It looks great.

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  14. That window looks absolutely incredible! I never would have thought to cover it with fabric. Bravo!

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  15. I came across from YHL after seeing your comment about glueing the fabric as I thought it might be a good solution for me (I rent too). I love the effect and think it will work perfectly for me too. Thanks :-)

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  16. Ok stupid question,,,lol.
    Did you glue the curtain ON to the window???
    Can you explain in detail how you did this??
    Thanks :)

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  17. anon--yes, the fabric is glued directly onto the window.

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