I did something in the dining room and it kind of changed everything. A few weeks ago, we hung some art on either side of the arched door and it filled in the space fine, but it actually sparked a different idea--a better idea. Why don't we hang curtains on that wall?!
And so we did! *insert all the heart eyes* This is that story, because it involves ordering 3 different velvet curtains in search of the perfect slate blue. These were the winning set.
To back track and answer a question that many of you have asked, "do the arch doors open now?!" yes! You might be able to tell the beam in front of that door is not quite done because we had to cut it down so the door could open. *face palm* So it needs caulked and painted but the size is perfect now. So here's how the doors looked before curtains. It needed something more...grand.
Ta-da!!!
I knew my vision would require a ceiling mount curtain rod since the door trim went all the way up to the ceiling. I searched high and low and found this one on Amazon that is marketed as a ceiling mount curtain rod/room divider. There are sizes ranging from 3ft-36ft!! And it comes in white, silver or black. Really versatile product and after using it, I really recommend it.
To hang the ceiling mount rod, first we searched for a stud and got really lucky. There was a floor joist about an inch out from our door trim all the way across.
It ended up being just a few inches away from the wall so that the curtains could close all the way if we wanted them to.
Get this--the ceiling mount came with a little saw--it CAME WITH IT--so you can cut it to whatever length you need and then you attach a cap (also included) at the ends. We cut ours 1" shorter than the wall on each side.
It's very very easy to install and comes with all these little curtain hooks to attach your curtains to.
Speaking of curtains, I mentioned I ordered three different sets. In my mind I really wanted a slate blue. Not navy. Not super saturated. But just something that complemented the other tones in our home.
The first set I ordered looked like a perfect gray blue online, but called "Natural Gray" but in person they were just a dark charcoal! I returned them.
The second pair I ordered, called "London Blue" (promising right?) were just a little too teal for my taste and were returned.
And finally, the third one was the charm! These "Dark Slate Blue" curtains have just enough gray in them to keep them grounded and enough blue to keep it interesting. They come in a pair and I ordered 2 pairs of the 108" length (4 panels total) for just over $100. A steal!
While Chris hung the ceiling mount, I steamed all the panels on the back since they looked closer to crushed velvet when they arrived. eek.
These curtains had only a rod pocket on the back so I picked up curtain rings from Target. But after testing them, I realized I needed to lose the ring entirely and just use the clip and hook so the curtains would hang snug to the ceiling.
I used the thread line on the back to make sure my clips were all lined up.
And spaced them out evenly--9 clips on each panel.
I can't believe how much it added to the room. It helped soften everything and even gave me the dose of color I have been craving for this room but didn't want to do with paint because of how the living room transitions into here.
A friend asked me how I knew I wanted blue curtains. I knew because I wanted something that complimented all the greenery outside of the dining room doors. And these do so well!
And the view from the living room ain't bad either. ;)
SOURCES
Curtains
Ceiling Mount Curtain Rod
Wall Color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
Trim Color: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams
Doors: Pella
Floors (Dark: Neuro, Light: Magnifica Calacatta Oro)
Table
Chairs
Pendant Lights
Sconces
Vase
Faux Stems
Candlesticks
Buffet Lamps
Fauxdenza
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You solved my curtain dilemma as far as color goes as I was racking my brain on what color to go with and this blue gray is beautiful, unexpected but perfect. Problem is I’m late to the game and they’re sold out. Have you been able to find any other suggestions on Amazon or anywhere else for that matter?
Just curious- how many panels did you use on each side of the door? They look pretty full for just one 50" panel on each side...if you need more than on one each for proper fullness ( and to close when desired), do you just hang each panel next to each other and not worry that they're not attached, i.e. 4 narrower panels vs 2 wider ones etc? Hope my question is clear but we have wide windows and never know how to cover them with 50" panels....
We used 2 50" panels on each side. It really comes down to how long you extend your curtains.
Love it!! It brings such warmth to the room! You can change the color whenever you want - which I think is fun when you can't really move the furniture!
You have a beam that hides yours. Any ideas for someone who doesn’t have anything to hide it?
The beam is a foot away so I actually clipped the curtains so they go all the way up to the ceiling but you could also but a board in front of it!
Beautiful!! I would love to do this in my dining room but want to do it on two walls. How would I do the corner?
I'd have two rods meet in the corner.
Excellent tutorial! Good job with your decision-making on color selection. The pictures and the explanation make this a great tool for those of us who are interested in attempting the same project. Many thanks.
Love this, it looks amazing! Did you see or attach the two panels on each side together or leave them separated?
They are separated--although I'd love to sew them together as soon as I get a machine!
This is a great example of why I love your blog so much. SO many times you've made me think, "Oh I NEVER would have thought to do that!" Whether I like it or not is irrelevant. I always feel inspired to think outside the box and not just follow "pinterest equations" of how to decorate/make things functional.
Just so pretty!...and classy. Love this addition.
Oh looks fabulous and it give me a great idea. Love how you used the clips to hang curtains. This makes it versatile to change out so going to borrow and do a test run.
Love these Mount Curtains in the Dining Room!
Now you have a beautiful showstopping blue moment! It looks so luxurious and elegant. I liked the more minimal look, but I also think your dining room needed something to make it feel more finished, and this was a great choice. Love it!
I’ve looked high and low for ceiling mounting hardware and have seen these.. I didn’t know if they would work or not. Happy to see they work great!
IKEA used to sell a similar ceiling track curtain rod system - not sure if they still do but it was brilliant! We used it in our basement as a room divider and hung chocolate brown velvet curtains (also IKEA) for our son’s “hang out space/bedroom. He was the envy of all his friends! Love yours in the dining room ❤️
Yasssssss, Queen!
I just love that shade of blue that you chose. Gorgeous room, Julia!
I love the view from your living room!
I was wondering if you'd hang curtains at some point just for noise dampening.
Looks lovely. Wouldn't have guessed you'd choose blue, but of course it is stunning. Love how they actually make the light fixtures and door pop even more! So fun seeing how "simple" tweaks so dramatically change a space! Best thing about the core design it is versatile and can be stunning with or without accessories like curtains/art!
Oh, they're gorgeous, rich-looking curtains, but to me they so detract from your beautiful arched door. Maybe I won't feel that way when winter comes and there's snow outside?
That's beautiful and unexpected! ❤️ Question: does it make a difference if you steam them on a flat surface or hanging? I am hanging velvet curtains (also from Amazon) in my bedroom and they definitely need steamed! Thank you!
I steamed the back before hanging, but I'd say that they really relaxed once they were hung.
Wow! Julia, your style is incredible. You are by far the most talented designer I’ve seen!
I’d like to do this separating my master bedroom and bathroom area that had the vanities. we have floor to ceiling openings and no door (it isn’t as weird as it sounds!!!) but I’d love a heavy curtain to pull closed - do you know of any off the top of your head that have finished fabric on the front AND back????!
Hmmmm....not off the top of my head but that sounds so pretty!
Beautiful Decor Information
Not only is this absolute perfection for that room, but you have also solved our walk-out basement/TV/Guest-kid-crash-on-blow-up-mattresses area! I needed a LONG, ceiling mount rod and then I couldn't even figure out how to hang the curtains. I am seriously grateful for this post! I will order through your link so you get some kick-back.
They look so luxurious! Love it!
Can you please oh please put those art pieces back over the fireplace?
I love it! I generally feel curtains add great warmth and texture to a room. well done.
Quick question ....wondering if the drapes glide easily on this style track? Are there ball bearings? Looks amazing, another step in leveling up your already gorgeous dining room (hall!) Enjoy!
Yeah! they slide super easy.
Do they look good with the blue couch in the living room or is that a non issue?
They look really nice together! The couch is obviously darker, but the blues coordinate really nicely--another reason why the warmer one didn't work!
You may have just solved my traverse rod dilemma by using those clips on ANY CURTAINS I want! Bless you! I am going home tonight to give it a try.
YES! These curtains and the curtain color add so much to the room! WOW love it! And thank you for sharing the process of the pleating...I've always wondered how to do that!
This is what I didn’t know I was missing from the space. The photos are always beautiful of course, but I just imagined any dinner parties (post-covid) to be very loud because there were no soft surfaces. But NOW with these stunning curtains I am hooked. The space seems to me to really complement the rest of the house; it’s like another, different kind of jewel box.
I completely agree! Love everything CLJ does, but the dining room felt a teensy bit off, to me. Never would have thought to add curtains but it looks phenomenal!! I love it.
Beautiful! I'm curious about two things:
1 - was this just a happy accident of the too-long length also happens to looks the way you like it? I feel like when I do this at home it never works out and I always have to hem!
2 - for your lamps on the fauxdenza, do you have holes cut in the top for the cords to go down through? From the picture it looks like the lamp closest to the curtains, that cord looks to feed behind the fauxdenza but the one in the nearground looks to go through a hole mid-top? Asking because I'm about to do a similar fauxdenza and don't know what to do for lamp cords. Also how is your hole so small - can the big side of the plug fit through?
Thank you!!
Hi! They answer this question in the comment section of the fauxdenza post, and said they use a special attachment that makes a circular hole about 1.5" wide, and the plug fits through.
Oh wow. It’s a home run EVERY TIME with you guys! They are perfect.
I literally cannot - so, so beautiful. The added softness and balance is just perfect. :)
Love the softness they add as well! Beautiful!
At first I was thinking that the straight line of the curtains would detract from the gorgeous arch, but I was totally wrong! The curtains look so plush and really soften the space up. The view from the living room looks so inviting and cozy into a very large open room. You've managed once again, to teach us how a room can have so many different looks and we get to choose through trying different things, which look we like in that season on our lives.
Beautiful addition! I love the softness it adds to the space.
I just installed the first set you linked in "Distance Blue Grey" for a similar vibe in our bedroom and I'm in LOVE with the slate blue/charcoal vibe. Adds so much depth to an otherwise fairly neutral room.
All the heart eyes! AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE LAMPS ON THE FAUXDENZA!!! Amazing.
Ahhh! I used these exact curtains and this exact hanging method (after seeing your old house’s bunk room curtains) in our downstairs theatre room. They are on all 3 walls (not the projector screen wall),. They help acoustics and look so great next to our almost black walls and ceiling. Love love love.
So pretty! I have to admit, I chuckled because last spring I checked your girls' bunk curtain post before I ordered slate blue curtains for my girls' lofts. I knew you had found a great product for a great price and I was so excited that the same curtain was offered in the color I was looking for. Therefore, the fact that it took you THREE tries is so funny!
Looks incredible!! I guess I’m off to go buy some slate blue curtains myself ????
You mention the blue complimenting the greenery outside and, yes, but when it snows ermergershhh ????????????????
Love that color for curtains. I might have to consider it for my living room. Two quick questions:
1. Does this mean the tree art can go back above the fireplace?! I love those prints and especially loved them on your fireplace.
2. Can you do a post or insta stories thing on how to steam things? I have a steamer. I’ve watched other people use it successfully. But it’s a huge fail for me when I try. I don’t seem to ever actually get wrinkles out of curtains or anything.
Seconding the request for a steamer post! I have the same problem!
I have a Black & Decker handheld steamer I use for curtains, bedding, etc. It's awesome! It's worked great for me. It is far easier to steam when it's laid flat on a hard surface (floor or counter). Hanging is second best. I do find it difficult to get bedding steamed well if it's on the bed (which is too soft to keep it sturdy I think). It also works for wallpaper removal, though I ended up using (and ruining - oops) my boyfriend's valet style steamer for that as it doesn't require as many refills.
Yes to both! Loved the tree prints on the fireplace & would love a story or post on steaming!
They help to cozy up the room
Oh this is a total yes! Just what this room needed...
This so so gorgeous! I have been wondering how echoey that room would be with so little soft material, I imagine these help with any acoustic stuff going on...and they look amazing. The texture and color look perfect, nice work!