Metamorphosis Monday: Library Draperies

When it comes to decorating, I don't mean to be such a foot-dragger.

But some projects don't fall into place. They take time, money, and luck. The library draperies, for example, just didn't work after I got a wild hair and bought a new settee. Actually, they'd never worked. I had them made before we moved in, and, well, they were a little skimpy. And the monogram just seemed a little strange. I'd done it as a joke on Dr. Gollum, but it is never wise to play jokes when draperies are involved.

That said, I loved the new settee but decided the draperies needed a new home.

Down they came, leaving the windows bare for a long, long time.
But they didn't go far. I had them re-worked (I was a home ec major in high school, but I sew about as fast as a skunk waddles across a farm, so I stick to buttons and little things). Panels were added, along with trim, and Mr. Tom hung them in the breakfast room.

This is a "before" picture:

And after:
Time went by. I found some beautiful plaid draperies at Shades of Light, but by the time I got around to measuring, they were no longer available. What to do.

One night I was looking at the online sale items at Neiman Marcus, and I spotted striped draperies. I ordered a "test" pair and waited. Normally, I shy away from stripes/stripes. The settee has muted stripes. Surely I didn't need to add more. I bought two rods at K Mart with glass finials, and called Mr. Tom. The draperies arrived--but they had very bright purple stripes. After a bit of tucking and hiding, I banished the purple, but not all of it, I rather liked it; Mr. Tom and I thought they looked great. "Order the other panel!" he said.

I went online to order the other pair--only two were left, and they were (gulp) 96 inches, not the 108 that I needed. I found the fabric online. Sadly, it had been discontinued.
Solution: I ordered two panels and tucked one into the tieback.
The rods aren't crooked, but I am. Mr. Tom measured and remeasured.
So, the library now has draperies!

Now I'm waiting for the next project--and for Mr. Tom to return from his church trip so he can hang the rods (Dr. Gollum says ladders scare him, and I am too short, and also scared).

To return to Susan's blog for more Met Monday projects, visit

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/