Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Re-purpose? And giveaway.

I was shopping at my favorite store, a local thrift shop called H2O, and as usual I was determined to find a treasure. This place has lots of junk at really cheap prices. What's not to love?



I was almost done combing through the bargain basement when I saw a smooth and elegant piece of fabric shoved in the piles of yucky 1980's pilled sheet sets. I pulled out the fabric to investigate and found what appeared to be a curtain panel, about 40" by 108." The tag said "West Elm," so you know I bought it even though it was pricy at one whole dollar.



It appears to be brand new with packing creases still intact. I looked on West Elm's website, but this particular curtain is no long available. Their similar panels are $60 and up for one.







The fabric is a smooth, sheer burlap and the edges are bound in satin. Really a dramatic and lovely piece.






I'm a fan of West Elm for their sophisticated, modern country decor. Rustic finishes made chic with polished accessories. But wow, is their stuff expensive!





But now my question is.... what do I do with my amazing curtain panel?





My earlier shirt-turned-pillow inspiration tapped out my genius. I'm at a loss.


I don't have any single windows in the house where this panel could go, so it needs to be re-purposed.  Please, please leave a comment with your ideas. 


If I use your suggestion, I'll send you a Starbuck's gift card.


Thanks in advance for your help!

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11 comments:

Kelleigh @ Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs said...

I think that would make a gorgeous table runner for a table (duh) or the top of a dresser. And, if you have any leftovers, you could give me the rest! I've been wanting to make a burlap table runner for the dresser Susan gave me for my family room! (Under the mirror!) Add a few burlap and white satin rosettes along the unfinished edges and maybe dress up the white trim with a thin satin ribbon. Great score!! MAN, I wish I could escape this house and go shopping!!

simplykersh said...

I'll leave my comment here to have a chance at winning with my skirt idea. My idea would be similar to this http://www.kukyideas.com/journal/2006/07/tiered-skirt-tutorial.html but using the fabric to make all 3 tiers with the cute trim along the bottom hem (that way you wouldn't need to hem either) and adding a liner under it with some plain cotton. I would be temped to bump it up to adult size, but that is just me - they are really comfortable skirts. Or it sounds like there is enough there to make each of your girls one - and they are super cute kid sized!

Ariel Wilson said...

Maybe a window valance? Other than that I have no idea...

Anonymous said...

Is it tall enough to cut in half and have two panels for that window, or maybe a shorter window? Eric + Jenni

Shawna said...

I know you are probably pillowed out but I was searching for something else and stumbled on a pillow made for reading a book.(on Etsy : Reading Pillow) I am not sure if this material would work for that, but I thought the idea was cool none the less. :-)
Shawna

april said...

My suggestion is on facebook ;-)

Anonymous said...

You shop at H2O too? Most people you say "H20" to turn their nose up, but I always find really sweet stuff, for cheap! (Once when I was just about to leave the "bargain basement" I found a HUGE old gold frame. The plan was to use it for family pictures. That never happened... but now it sits behind my bed as a cool headboard of sorts!)

As for your curtain, do you have a doorway you could use it in? Like to the laundry room or something? Or you could even take a door off a closet and use it there... like a "pretty" linen type closet (if there is such a thing. ...My excuses to Martha Stewart and my mother ;) .)

Jill said...

Well, I'm in agreement with Kelleigh! It would be a beautiful table runner. You could even roche or pleat the edges to add a feminine flair. I can't wait to see what you do with it :}

Aunt N said...

Hi Alysun,

I had fun playing with a table runner design and instructions. Not sure how to attach either of those to a comment . . . can you send me an e-mail at sawatu@gmail.com to let me know how to get them to you? Not looking for the starbucks gift card, just having fun designing . . .

LaNea's friend,
Annette

Sherri said...

have you seen how on some of the design shows they pair a nice panel with similar or contrasting yardage? I'm thinking a room divider, or false closet for some of the storage containers, or furnace room in the basement. Paint the walls a matching warm color. (basement occurred to me because its the only space that still needs attention)

Melanie said...

Wow - sweet find! I love West Elm too. I'd never heard of it before I visited their Boston store and I've still never bought anything there!