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Sonya Hamilton Designs

The Best Cafe Curtain for a Traditional Dining Room

By Sonya

Pleated Cafe Curtains

A dining room that’s a bit timeless yet collected and eclectic all at the same time. How do you choose the right window treatment? 

Floor length panels were the first thing that came to mind and definitely an expected option for a formal dining room. Maybe too expected.

Anytime you add long panels to a room you add a touch of formality. We were looking for a more casual option that would still suit this traditional space. 

Pleated cafe curtains were the answer. Tailored yet more casual than long panels. Plenty of light pouring in with the option for privacy and light control. And beauty.  

Traditional Dining Room

Brenda’s dining room is full of timeless and classic pieces. An oriental rug, antique Elizabethan-influenced table with sideboard and a Williamsburg style chandelier. The only thing missing is curtains.  

Pleated Dining Room Curtains

Once we’d chosen our curtain style…

There were many more decisions to make. 

Where to place the rod?  With cafe curtains the best placement is 2/3 to 3/4 the height of the window. When you have paned windows it’s best to place the rod in line with a horizontal divider or in the center of a pane. As long as you stay within those perimeters you’re good. Brenda preferred the rod a bit lower so we placed it in the center of the pane. 

Lined or Unlined? Generally this depends on the fabric. Sheers would of course be unlined. But for our fabric and the look we wanted we used a napped lining which is a bit thicker than a regular cotton lining. 

Create 2 curtain panels per window or 1? We chose 1 panel for each window. Since our windows are only 26″ wide we felt 1 panel per window was best. If we were using a sheer fabric 2 panels would work. 

To Embellish Or Not To Embellish? Again, this choice is personal preference. Brenda loves tassels and fringe so To Embellish was the obvious choice. 

Tasseled & Pleated Cafe Curtain Cuff

The fabric we choose was a small, almost tone-on-tone, leaf pattern in pale gold.  

Pleated Cafe Curtain

Pleated Cafe Curtains

Pleated Cafe Curtains – All the Details

  • Each curtain is 1.5 widths of material – approximately 75″ wide. 
  • Cuff measures 6″ long plus a 2″ tassel fringe.
  • Each curtain includes 7 @ 4″ traditional pinch pleats.
  • Windows are 26″ w x 63.75 (inside).
  • Doors are 33.75″ w x 80″h each. 
  • Window panels are 44″ long. Door Panels are 54″ long. 
  • Windows used an inside mount bracket. Doors used a french door bracket. 
  • Custom rods are 5/8″ diameter in a rope pattern. Rings are 1.5″ in diameter.
  • Rings are ring-on-ring style used with pin hooks.  
  • Door rods include a “button” welded to each end in place of a finial. 

Pleated Cafe Curtain in a Traditional Dining Room

It’s customary, when installing cafe curtains on a functioning french door, to hem the panels 2″ below the window. Even though we talked this through sometimes it’s hard to envision just how all our decisions will play out. 

Pleated Cafe Curtains for French Doors

After installation, the shorter length didn’t feel right to Brenda. Fortunately the panels included a double 5″ hem. By reworking the panels to include a smaller hem we were able to lengthen them to 6″ below the window. This seemed much better. 

Either option…2″ below the window or 6″ below the window is acceptable. 

Pleated Cafe Curtains for French Doors

Tasseled & Pleated Cafe Curtains

A closer look at the custom hardware – including french door brackets and the welded “button” on each end of the rope rods. The main reason we used the button was because it’s smaller than a finial. 

Pleated Cafe Curtain

The Best Option

Our cafe curtain is tailored, pleated and embellished with a matching trim. Three details which flow seamlessly in a traditional space and make this curtain the best option for a timeless dining room.  

 

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WELCOME


Hi, Everyone! I’m Sonya. Welcome! Would you like to create unique home decor that’s true to your decorating style? Curtains, pillows, bedding? Here at Sonya Hamilton Designs you’ll find the resources to accomplish just that. Or contact me for a custom order. I’d be delighted make your new decor items for you!

Custom Orders

colorful cafe curtain and valance

CUSTOM ORDERS are available!
Visit the SERVICES page for all the details. Or contact Sonya at sonyahamiltondesigns@gmail.com

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