Second story spotlighting items found for weebit’s new apartment: These Aina linen curtains from Ikea. They are $60 a pair, which sounds expensive, but then I checked other sites and hmmm, I think that’s a good/fair price. Each 57″ panel also is 98″ tall — that’s a lot of curtain. They hang very nicely and look expensive. Weebit is very happy.
They come in four colors online. I guess “ours” is the white-looking one, although in person, the fabric reads more “ecru” to me — homemade vanilla ice creamy — like the paint color that I also love.
Of course, I would have prepared pinch pleats on a traverse rod, which is my #1 favorite way to dress a window, no matter what your style. [For midcentury houses, where they used curtains for function, pinch pleats on a traverse rod would have been the preferred solution in most all formal rooms and bedrooms; cafe curtains on a rod may have been used in kitchens and bathroom].
Traverse rods make curtains so easy to open and close. On the other hand, when you use decorative rods like the ones shown above, you have to pull the curtains by hand. And, if it’s an extension rod, the curtains may get stuck on the ‘hump’ where the two parts of the rod connect. This happens with weebit’s curtains. No biggie, though, as these curtains are for aesthetics mostly, to soften the room — she’ll use the honeycomb shade for light control.
Weebit was having none of the busy patterned pinch pleats hanging in my basement stash, which I have collected at estate sales for just such occasions. She wanted simple. So simple it was, Ikea to the rescue. I will add, though, that writing this story, I started poking around and found these linen pinch pleats from Wayfair. The might have made me happier, but then again, at Ikea — we actually went to the store, twice — weebit could see what she was buying with no worries about needing to make returns if an online purchase proved dissatisfactory.
And later, also doing this story… I see that Ikea has a curtain track system for these that looks like it works like traverse rods. You can use their track to pull the curtains open and close with a rod. The curtains attach to loopy doopy things with hooks. This sounds very functional, if you really want to open and close efficiently. I might have tried these instead, if I’d known about them. Maybe next time. That said, weebit likes her decorative rods.
Bottom line: Weebit is happy — so it’s a happy ending!
Oh, and the honeycomb shades are also from Ikea. I love those too. Great deal.
Link love:
Chris says
Pinch pleats, years ago my mother-in-law’s dining room pinch pleat curtains finally gave up. Part of their function was insulation against the single pane windows. I was able to source from this place https://americancustomdrapes.com/. These drapes turned out to be lovely, well made and heavy. Not inexpensive and the selection of fabrics on the bland side because they make mostly for hotels and motels, but I was impressed with their quality.
Kathy says
The ability to buy extra long curtains off the shelf makes IKEA my favorite curtain shopping destination. Great prices, tons of options – I pick up a pair almost every time I go (nearest one is 5 hours away, so only once or twice a year.) Though not actual pinch pleats, I’m happy with the pleating rod pocket – a simple and appealing compromise.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, their selection is pretty amazing. At the store we were at, one of the designs we *really* wanted for the living room was shopped out, alas, so we went with a Plan B. There were a lot of Plan B’s to choose from!
Carolyn says
These curtains will be moving with her to quite a few different homes even with them being so long. After she gets settled in her career, these curtains will be available as is or shortened.
Two theories about her style:
She’s been saturated with color and pattern and your style so wants to take a breather. Hey, there’s a tiki god on the wall!
Her focus isn’t on this temporary home but on studies and trying out her wings. For now, she’s realizing what she doesn’t want and that narrows choices too.
Or… she’s been brainwashed by boring beige & stainless steel – aaaaghhh!
Pam Kueber says
I think she’s just getting started testing her decorating wings. Perhaps most of us start simple? It takes a lot of practice and patience to start combining color and pattern and material effectively. Even then, lots of folks just aren’t interested — so keep it safe and simple.
She will learn. I will make sure of that! 😉
Margie C. says
If you can’t get insulated shades or curtains, using the ‘shrink wrap’ interior plastic ‘storm window’ system really helps block drafts in winter. Big box home improvement stores carry them. E.g., https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-62-in-x-84-in-Clear-Plastic-Indoor-Window-Kit-2120-EP/100353672
or
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Duck-Brand-Shrink-Film-Window-Kit-Indoor-10-Pack/17133826
I’ve used them for years and they hold up very well.
But I’m with you on traverse rods. So easy to open and close.
Jay says
All looks great!
Yes, it’s all about the hang. Bought some ready made lined pinch pleat panels from a local department store last Fall. They went back, they were all polyester and had no weight; the panels would not hang at attention, all flouncy.
Mary Elizabeth says
Yes, the important thing is that your daughter is happy with her own choice! My daughter stopped asking for my decorating advice when she had her first apartment and I gave her some wild 60’s throwback flower power bath towels and shower curtain. Then 20 years later when she was painting her house to put on the market, I helped her with staging. I bought a hand-painted still life (typical rustic table with pitcher and fruit) at Goodwill to cover a hole in the kitchen wall where a shelf had been. She hated it, but left it as part of the staging. Then when she decided to stay in that house, she and her husband left the painting. It grew on them.
Karin says
Those curtains look great! I had to retire my pinch pleats a while back ago (long story). They had great features like fullness and weights in the hems. Ikea was the go-to for the prices, easy return policy and the fact that you can see and touch them in store. However, this hugely popular line was sold out! I had to go with another line with a subtle pattern that was not so subtle when the daylight hit them. After seeing these, I may check again.
Marie Gamalski says
I couldn’t figure out the window quilts… I mean, that link didn’t show pics of them, just customer satisfaction blurbs and some specs… they’re just quilted shades right?
Pam Kueber says
Hmmm… I get the homepage http://www.windowquilt.com/