This one is for Kasi & Jared...who are crazy enough to try some of my projects!
This year I made curtains for my back deck to help with a little extra shade, and privacy considering we're up on the second level and seen so easy by the neighbors.
So here are some pictures with the basics. The curtains can be any color, but solid & dark help with shade, I used dollar fabric from Walmarts because I didn't want to invest to much money if I didn't like the curtains. $15.00 in material. The rods were a huge problem by themselves (not wanting to deal with the bowing of the rod in the middle, needing to be able to pull the curtains open & closed, but not having them right against the wall so they could move). After a good 40 minutes at Home Depot, and a number of different ideas, I came up with 1/2 inch galvanized electrical conduit. It's strong, easy to paint, light enough to mount & has "U" shaped mounting brackets all ready for you to mount. $8.00 for rods & brackets. Mounting the rods was a little scary, (looking off the back balcony while standing on a ladder)and not a good idea unless you have someone to hold the ladder. So, be careful and wait for your husband to get home! You can't mount the "U" brackets right to the wall because your curtains wont be able to slide open or closed, so I tried a number of things....none worked until I happened to find these little puppies! (look at the mounting picture, they're the little metal thing with the pointed claw on each end between the rod & the wall) They're used to assemble picture frames and they work wonders in holding the rods out away from the wall just enough to let the curtains move. $2.00 in screws & claw things. So, all in all a pretty cheep project if it's not going to work, or if I'm going to change the color of the curtains next year! My only extra advice...add tie downs to the sides of the curtains so that when they are open you can hold the curtains in place & they don't flap with the wind, and if it gets really windy wrap the curtain over and around the railing so that it helps secure them through any kind of a storm...Good luck & have fun! P.S. If you need help with how to measure for conduit or curtains call me!
2 comments:
Shondell and Todd, I am so happy you were able to track us down. We really love you guys and think so much of you and your sweet family. I can not believe it has been so long since we have seen each other. I showed Baylee a picture of Brock and told her that he was her first boyfriend. She is so antiboy right now and did not think it was very funny. He is so handsome. When I think of you guys I think of how talented Shondell is (you made curtains for your deck, seriously), I think of the amazing steak Todd used to grill for us when we lived in SLC, I think of the words, "little jerk" (I hope Todd remembers what that means), I think of the book, Baby Wise and what a great schedule Brock was on and after the first time I watched him I was hooked and that is what I have done with my 3 kids. We love you guys and miss you so. I promise from here on that we will stay in touch better. By the way, Shondell, you look gorgeous and Todd looks pretty handsome as well. Your boys are darling. I am so happy you have a blog so we can keep in touch. Take care and talk to you soon.
You are Awesome! That helps a ton. I will try to look for the fabric this week and hopefully steal you for an hour to show me.
I say you're brave in posting this cause everyones going to want to do it too. :)
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