Window Covering for Front Door

 When we moved into our new home we were left with some pretty horrible front door curtains. Oh how I hate the bright gold door handles and am so happy I painted them!

My options were pretty slim as to how to fix this problem. My dream solution was to purchase the beautiful wrought iron window inserts, easy to install but the design I love runs a few hundred dollars each. So as you guessed I could not justify it, especially since I had far more pressing design issues to tackle (like the peach and green colored floor tile that I cropped out of the front door image). Second option was the plastic film that you stick to the window. I tried this and I could not get all the bubbles out. Plus it was hideous and it made it so you could not see out the window to see who was at the door. My third option was to replace the hideous curtains with other curtains. Although I did not like this option it did seem to be the only one I could do at this time.

I decided I would use the Ikea Anno Inez panel curtain as my fabric. It was just slightly wider than my window, so I would not have to have a seam on either side of the panel. Each Ikea panel is approximately $10 and I was able to do two windows with it.

The end result, I think, looks like custom blinds because it has no seam on the side but see what you think.

To save even more money, I decided to use the lovely bright gold hardware from the existing curtains. I had Heirloom white spray paint on hand so I gave it a quick cover and they looked so much better.

I measured the distance between the two curtain rods, added approximately 2 inches to each end (4 inches total) for seam allowance and a pocket for the rods.

This fabric is stiff and I was able to fold under the fabric and press the seam with my finger to create a fold.
I folded the fabric around the rod and create a pocket.  I sewed the one side and then pinned the second using the same method.  NOTE: Be sure to test that the curtain fits into the hardware on the door before sewing the bottom seam (believe me double check even if you know the measurements are correct...I didn't check one and since I wanted the curtains to be tight it didn't fit.).

These curtains give me the privacy I needed, allows a lot of light to come in, had a slight pattern (which I love) and most importantly allows me to see out the window when I am close to it.