Custom Window Treatments Using PVC

Update: Some have asked how I hanged these.  Please see this post published on June 15, 2015.

I LOVE my custom PVC window covers!!!  A huge thank you to Tracy at soulstyle for coming up with this idea.  I thought about DIYing these, but Matt and I do not have the tools to do so.  And I figured that would be a lot of cutting and sanding!  If you have the tools and a simple design, I don't see why you couldn't achieve a similar look yourself.  I enjoyed working with Marc from Acurio Latticeworks who was really helpful and patient.  I contacted him a year ago, but I finally got around to ordering my panels just a few months ago.   They cost me a total of $130, which to some people may be cheap or expensive.  For me, it's a bit on the pricey side for window treatments, but I was willing to spend the money because I didn't like the other options I had thought about. 

1. Blinds-  When I think of blinds, all I can picture in my head is a little boy slamming the doors and the blinds swing and sway and crash into the door.  It's already a headache to hear the door slam, so I don't want to add any more noise to that.  Blinds can break too.  My nieces and nephews have proved that to be true.  
2. Blinds inserted into the glass so all you have is a slider to open and close them.  I vetoed this right away with no good explanation.  I just didn't like that option.
3. Curtains.   Me: "Hey son.  You want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  Oh, and while you are at it, go ahead and wipe your nasty, sticky hands on my nice curtains.  You already do that with the table runner."
4. Vinyl-  Are you familiar with those vinyl privacy stickers you buy at Home Depot or Lowe's?  They kind of look like etched glass.  I haven't found a design yet that I am particularly fond of. 
5. Bed sheet.  Been there.  Done that.
6. Nothing at all.  Um, these windows face West, and science and common sense tell me the sun sets in the West.

So it was worth it to me to fork out the money for custom window treatments, and PVC ones seem to be the most practical.  They are light in weight and won't fade in the sun either, which happened with my bed sheet.  Bonus?  I will take these panels with me when we move, so it won't be a complete waste of money.  I would like to use them as a headboard!

This is what I can see when I am sitting on my couch.  Nice art, don't ya think?

This next photo shows you what I can actually see when I am standing at my sink or near the fridge.  Basically, when I am across the room.  I can watch Owen run across the yard, so I get some privacy from the design but also some visibility, which is nice.  What looks like frost is actually a reflection of the PVC on the glass.

Here's the view on the deck.

I'm including this shot only because I have to include my chicken.  Baby is a Brown Sussex, if anyone is wondering.

And at NIGHT time . . .

Some of you may be wondering if there are any downsides to PVC window treatments.  I have not come across anything yet, but I will definitely keep you informed.  They stay in place just fine, even when Owen slams the door.  Maybe I'll make a video showing you the install.  It's fairly simple.

BEFORE . . .

And AFTER . . .

Looking good, don't ya think?


Projects left to do for the kitchen

• Finish the back side of the island
• Center the light above the island and fix the ceiling
• Replace the design above the chalk wall with something else
• Art
• Rugs?

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!