Last week we decided to get new curtains for our sliding glass door. It’s always had ugly, cheap vertical blinds that were put in when the house was built in the 80s. We went to Bed Bath & Beyond and splurged ($76) on beautiful wine colored curtains with tan streaks and grommets across the top for threading on a curtain rod. Then to find a curtain rod. The metal rods at BB&B were only $12, but they telescope to cover a large span (we need about 6 feet) and require a third bracket in the middle for support. We want to be able to push both curtains to the left side during the day, so as to be able to go in and out the door without a curtain in the way. So any rod that needed a bracket in the middle wasn’t going to work. The guy who was helping us at the store suggested a wooden rod, and showed us their selection – basically stained dowels – that started at $25 each. We passed on that and decided to think about it for a few days. We decided to just go buy a regular dowel and stain it ourselves.
Then on Wednesday we went to an appointment with our midwife. We both noticed the curtains she has in her office over her sliding door – supported on a piece of bamboo! It looked great – exactly the look we wanted. She said that she got the bamboo at a local hardware store for $2.99 for 8 feet. So after we left her office we went to that store and got ourselves a piece of bamboo and two brackets to hold it up. $2.99 instead of $25 pleased me greatly. That project is on the list for today, I’ll let you know how it ends up.
Mrs. Micah says
Very nice. We found an excellent piece of bamboo to hang a Nepalese cloth painting. It fits in nicely with the painting itself, for a more organic look. (Though I know there isn’t bamboo in Nepal…I think…maybe there is…)
Bellen says
Drat! We just paid $26 (at 50% off) for a 9 ft. rod with center bracket for our sliders – wish I had known yesterday. At least now I have a better idea for the bedroom. Thanks.
Jessica says
I just bought a house and went through the whole finding a curtain rod thing. I looked at every store. I found a great one at Target. They actually have a great selection. I have a less than 6 foot short one in my living room. I suggest you try looking over there. I want to say it was under $20.
Janice says
What a great idea. I’m in a new house with tons of windows covered by those temporary paper shades that I’ve had up since move-in day in 8/2006 (I’m so ashamed; just pitiful!) Can you post a picture of your finished project. I’m in desperate need of inspiration and my imagination was lost somewhere in the move.