There was something missing.
A brand new home featuring a large, family-style kitchen. Solid maple cabinets and hardwood floors. An island, big enough for a crowd to gather around. And a eye-catching barn door leading to the pantry.
But Carol felt there was something missing. Color.
While she loved the neutrality of her new home she was ready for color.
A bold kitchen cafe curtain became the answer.
The only window in the kitchen is above the sink and looks out to the home’s back patio.
When I met Carol she had decided on using this red floral with the green & blue tassle trim. When I asked if she was open to using a bold, contrasting fabric with the floral she was all in.
We looked at several other options, including a teal blue, but we both agreed this stripe was the one.
On the front, I included a 3″ band of the black stripe along the upper edge of the curtain and attached the trim at the bottom of this band.
The best part of this curtain is the lining!
Remember, the back patio is located just outside the kitchen window. When you’re outside you get to see this bold stripe instead of a boring solid white lining!
I LOVE this part!
Neither of these fabrics are thick but instead similar to a thin canvas or duck cloth. After attaching the rings I left the panels tied like this for several days to encourage the curtain panels to fold and hang the way I wanted.
Kitchen Cafe Curtain
BEFORE…
AFTER…
The window measures 56.5″ wide x 45″ high, inside.
The panels are each 50″ wide x 33″ long.
The curtain rod is 5/8″ in diameter with 1″ twisted metal rings, sewn on.
Down the hall from the kitchen, and just as you exit to the garage, sits a red mudroom bench.
Carol asked for a cushion for this space. We chose to use the same black & white stripe accented with an apple green velvet cording.
There is a small return, about 2.5″ on each side of the bench. This allowed us to create a “T” shape which gave the cushion more interest rather than making it a plain rectangle. And it fits like a glove!
While this kitchen and mud bench were beautiful as they were…now they’re stunning with the addition of a new kitchen cafe curtain and mud bench cushion in these bold fabrics.
Sources
Black & White Stripe – Hobby Lobby 44″ wide
Apple Green – Casablanca, Fabrics Unlimited OKC
Red Floral – Triple Crown by PKaufman color Pompeii
Tassle Trim – Buckingham, Fabrics Unlimited OKC
YOU MIGHT LIKE…
THE GALLERY – Where you’ll find loads of inspiration for your next project!
CAFE CURTAINS – VALANCES – SEWING TUTORIALS – PILLOWS and MORE!
Everything looks beautiful! I always admire your beautiful creations. The fabric you all chose for the curtains is the perfect thing to brighten up the space!
Thank you, Shannon!
love your work– thanks for sharing
Thank you, Constance!
You are a fabulous seamstress, your talent is never ending!~ I would never pick some of the fabrics that you do, it wouldn’t occur to me…and I love them!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Awww! Thank you, Kim! You are very welcome!
I so appreciate you taking a moment to comment to let me know you’re finding inspiration here! Thank you!!!
Hi Sonya I love your decorative style I have kitchen window that is 73 inches wide 50 long and I want to do the cafe style valance with the curtain rings…..What do u suggest my length should be….I want to go the width 2times my rod length but am no to sure about the length. Thanks
Hi, Matilda! When you mention “cafe style valance” I assume you’d like a valance that droops like many of the cafe curtains you see on the blog. I make most valances between 18″ and 24″ long. It will depend on how high above the window you plan to install your valance but considering your window is only 50″ long I’d suggest an 18″ valance. I hope this helps!
WOW! That curtain adds so much pop to the kitchen. Love the cushion as well. You really do beautiful work.
Thank you, Jeanne! This kitchen is so beautiful to begin with but I agree, the curtain adds a much needed pop!
Beautiful! You are soooo talented and I love your fabric combinations.
Awww! Thank you, Maria! Finding just the right fabric combination makes all the difference in the world.