Mission accomplished! This weekend I set out to improve my closet situation … I considered hiding the mirror with vinyl (thanks for the comments!), but ultimately decided that I hated moving the doors back and forth, they were heavy and I like being able to access the whole closet at one time, so I decided to remove them …
and put the ruffled draperies in their place! Yes it is a little confusing to have them in the before photo (I wonder if that is where I got the idea from?)
I measured the length needed, luckily it turned out that I just needed to be one ruffle short. So I could hang these as 90″ panels again, I simply folded one ruffle under and pinned on the back (about 8 safety pins per panel) This worked well on my draperies because the ruffles hide the pins, since I only pinned through the back panel of the drapery.
I purchased a drapery tension rod from Wal-Mart for $6.97 that would work for the 58″ opening (if it was 48″ or less it would of been only $2.97)
I adjusted it to the correct length and installed inside the upper track for the previous doors.
Then I cut a 3M picture hanging stripe in half, and installed it on the back of two hooks purchased from Joanns last fall on clearance (Urban Outfitters has identical ones here)
Since these aren’t actual tiebacks they don’t hold the entire drapery, just kinda pinch it open
I think I actually prefer that look …
And that’s it, a super easy/cheap update that took about a 1/2 hr total and only $6.97!
I have plans for new draperies for the windows … involving Ikea. I was going to make the 3 hr. trip this weekend, but yet again they are out of stock of an item that I want, and making the trip for some and not all the items didn’t make sense. So new draperies will be put on hold for at least one more week. I wish Ikea shipped more things!
I hope that you had a great weekend!
modern jane says
So feminine and pretty. Great choice!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oooh i love them! i love the gray and ruffles!
Jenna at Homeslice says
Looks so beautiful! I love ruffles. I totally agree… I wish Ikea would ship more items.. we only go when we visit family out of state so it's not too often!
Sarah says
Me too! I used to go when we visited family in Maryland, but now we are too far!
Tiffany says
I just found you via pinterest and I am IN LOVE with your blog! I will be getting a lot of ideas from you, I can already tell. Thanks for your inspiration!
Sarah says
Hi Tiffany! Thank you! Let me know if you try any of my DIYS 🙂
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Great idea. They look fab!
Kimberly Price says
You should really make these for people like me who can't sow at all 🙁 but i would totally buy them from you 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Kimberly, I'll let you know if I decide to sell mine 🙂
Kimberly Price says
okay that would be perfect! 🙂
Shalagh Hogan says
As I racked my brain to remember the coolest ideas I'd seen on camouflaging the sliding glass doors, there you go and put the plain site perfect curtains in their place. Dontcha love the ruffles? I love your tenacity to muscle through whatever technical/rigging problems you encounter. Bravo, Ms. Sarah.
Anonymous says
You can try eBay for ikea curtains but pay a bit more.
Amanda Thomas says
Saw this on Pinterest. THANK YOU for sharing this fabulous idea! I hated my closet doors, too. I took them down months ago and have had a completely open closet, searching for the perfect thing. Now I can finally hide that hideous pile of shoes.
Sarah says
It is such an easy solution! Let me know if you try it 🙂
Mary lou calderon says
where could i find this curtains?
Sarah says
here's the post! http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/knock-off-anthropologie-draperies.html
Lara Hejtmanek says
Thank you for sharing this! I hate the old wooden shutter closet doors b/c they are forever falling out of the track. I've not seen how to install the rod, so thank you for sharing this picture. I'll be doing this asap!