It’s hard to believe there’s essentially one work week left of the busiest, most surprising year of our lives. Although I’ve been blogging for nearly 8 years, it has changed so much every year and there have been many times where I have found myself at sort of a crossroads–unsure of which direction I should go. I’m not sure I always made the right choice or said the right thing but I’m proud of where it all has lead us. I’m anxious for 2017. We already have some major projects lined up, both in our home and, possibly, in yours too–and those are always our favorite projects.
We have a full post recapping all the projects and before and afters 2016 brought later next week, but for now, I’m trying to keep my head in the game and focus on finishing the projects still at hand, like the guest room. This week, I got into quite the tizzy about curtains. I let them get the better of me. Maybe you saw my frustration on instagram stories trying to find curtains longer than 84.” We live in a rural area of the country, but small town or not, we’ve given ourselves a budget for the guest room (like most Americans) and I’m determined to stick to it. Yet, I will never understand why every single curtain in our local target is 84″ long or shorter. There wasn’t one longer. I also checked Walmart. Same story. And furthermore! Why are there curtains by Nate Berkus online only available in an 84″ length? He knows that’s not an acceptable length for most homes. We have standard 8′ ceilings in our home and 84″ curtains are high-water or hung right at the window molding–not flattering. I’m confused why this is a thing. I’m confused who is buying all these 84″ curtains and I’m on a personal mission, starting right now!, to change it. (New Year’s Resolution?) I don’t think 84″ curtains shouldn’t exist, I just think that they big box stores should provide 95″-96″ curtains as the standard, readily available option, so they can be hung high and wide, and save the 84″ length as the online alternate. I think it would lead to better sales in stores, and better looking houses on the home front. Who’s with me?!
Other fun things this week:
• After, literally, years of wearing the same shoes, I got a couple new pairs this week as a belated birthday gift. These black loafers (on sale for $48!) and these warm Sorel boots Chris surprised me with. There’s no better feeling than when they know you so well, huh!
• Since adding the custom sectional from Interior Define to our family room, many many of you have contacted them wanting the same exact same thing–we’re so happy to hear that! And while you’ve always been able to work with them over email on something like it for your home, Interior Define officially launched a U-shaped Ainsley sectional this week on their site available with just a click, in a multitude of colors.
• What to get a baby? I want to give these little crocheted unicorn booties to every baby girl I know!
• This Arc Upholstered headboard is beyond!
• I’ve wanted a canopy bed for so long, and Jenny went and reignited that want. Drool.
• I love following this artist!
• Instagram had so many really good updates this week! And, in a sense, they are doing a really good job at becoming a one-stop-social-shop. They’ve added a live feature Instagram stories, very similar to Periscope or Facebook live. My favorite new feature is you can now save images by clicking on the banner to the right under any image and it will automatically show up in your favorites folder. Such a time-saver for me, as I tend to screenshot a lot of my favorite Instagrams and then have to sort through all my photos to find them again.
Lastly, now you can like comments by clicking the heart next to the comment made. It’s a great way for the poster to say thanks and a great way for followers to agree with a commenter.
….and thus continues Instagram’s complete social media takeover, amiright?!
Have the best weekend! My sister and brother in law get in tonight and I can barely contain my excitement!
Love your blog, just discovered it from YHL. As for the 84″ curtains, I didn’t see it mentioned but in our house, but we have baseboard heat (as many in older homes on East Coast might have). With normal ceiling height, I needed 84″ to do high and wide but avoid fire hazard of curtain covering baseboards during winter. It is impossible to find nice image on Pinterest of this set-up but I had to go with function over design. Recently, I had two windows to cover in one room so I bought one panel set in 84″ and one panel set in 96″. Luckily, one panel was available in-store at Target and then I waited for the 96″ to be shipped online. Both are set at the same height where your eye goes, but the bottoms have different lengths. With a table in front of curtain, it works (enough). Hope that helps at all with explanation too.
Julia, I checked in with you months ago about how your sectional has held up and you said it was good. One last checking in! Is it still holding up in the shape of the back cushions, the feel in the seat cushions, the fabric being easily cleanable, and if you still enjoy the feel when you are lounging? Also, does the overhang of the seat cushions on the frame ever visually bother you? Would you change anything about your sectional? Thank you so much if you get the time to reply! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Two thumbs up!
Ummmm YES on the curtains. This drives me absolutely insane. It forces me to online buy online, and usually pay way way more than I want to spend, or go curtain-less, which I prefer to high-waters! So, WITH YOU!
I was *really* surprised to hear your complaints about curtain length. All you need to do is pick a fabric and have drapes made in any length you want. This is why designers (and even just regular people) do custom drapes. It’s not as expensive as you might think, especially with custom shops opening on Etsy. That way, when you design a room, you’re dictating the design and don’t have to settle for or design around what’s available at retailers – your creativity is driving the design and not product availability. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with using ready-made curtains at all, but there’s no need to be restricted by retail selection. All you need to do is pick a fabric and have drapes made in any length you want. Hope that helps gives you some ideas!
We’ve done that a lot in the past, I was just venting my surprise and frustration that there ISN’T ready made options out there. That should be a thing.
Haha. I guess I don’t see the 84″ curtains as a problem. Where does everyone hang their curtains that you need them so long? I guess our ceilings are not high enough and I personally don’t see the point hanging them right under the ceiling. Nevertheless. Love your blog.