The window above the sink in the kitchen originally had no window treatment. I didn’t want to do anything right away, because I thought I should live here and shop around for some options before doing something I don’t like. I’m in the kitchen for 80% of the day preparing three meals a day as well as cleaning up said three meals a day. Not to mention, the countless sippy cup refills. The kitchen is pretty much my domain, and I didn’t want to do something that two months from now I would regret. I love all the natural light that comes in the kitchen window, and after a few weeks of living in the new place, I decided I would do cafe curtains. They let a TON of light in and still offer privacy. This is the part that Brian was the most thrilled about. With the lack of trees in the back yard, he was afraid that everyone was watching him load the dishwasher or get a glass of water. Also, cafe curtains would give me that modern/cottage look I’m going for throughout the house. Now that I knew what I wanted to do, the shopping began. I figured I would see what was out there or recruit the help of my dear Mom, who happens to be the designated custom curtain maker of the family. She also gets every catalogue known to man and as I was perusing her Pottery Barn catalogue I saw the following:

I love the oil rubbed bronze rod with matching clip rings. I also love the subtle pattern to the curtains. So the quest began to find something just as cute, but on the cheap. Cue the napkins. Yes, napkins. Not paper napkins, but the most adorable cloth napkins from Target. Yep, that’s right, TARGET!I went there scrounging around for some ideas. I first found the rod and clips. I figured I am going to need them anyway, and the oil rubbed bronze rods were $4.83 a piece. Also, the clips they had to match were about five bucks for a pack of seven. As I am walking around, I am thinking what a pain it is going to be to take a trip after the kids go to bed to a fabric store or try and cart all of them with me to find some fabric that I like. THEN, (cue “Alleluia” song) I walk past the table linen aisle. Miracle of miracles I saw these adorable napkins that compliment the shades of bright white, sculptor clay grey, and rain washed blue already existing in my freshly painted kitchen. I thought 20” x 20” napkins are large enough to make some small curtains, and they are already pre-hemmed. No need for my Mom to help me sew some fabric or do iron on tape a la Young House Love. Although, a phone call to Nana was still made to help me out.So I got home, and with a little help from Mom, hung the rod brackets, clipped the rings to the napkins and hung everything just as things were getting dark and my husband was putting the kids to bed. Ta Da cafe curtains. Total I used four napkins to accommodate the width of my window and to have the wavy ruffly look to them. What about you? Anyone out there every DIY their own curtains? Perhaps out of sheets, table clothes or any other pre-hemmed fabric? Note: Thanks to Pottery Barn’s winter catalogue for the above picture and inspiration.