I recently added new curtains in our Carriage House to break up the long narrow space, and I’m going to have to file this under “things I should have done a long time ago.”
Talk about a change for the better!
Our Carriage House is roughly 9-feet wide by 30-feet long. Have you ever decorated a tunnel? That’s the situation with our Carriage House, and we have to fit a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and an office into the space.
I have received many well-meaning suggestions to add wallpaper or wainscoting to this space to give the walls interest. However, because it is such a long space, those options will cost many more pennies than I want to spend right now.
Also, I haven’t recovered from the trauma of trying to remove the old wallpaper from these walls. It was one of those situations where the wallpaper would not leave gracefully, and we ended up with significant drywall damage. There’s only one thing that distresses me more than uncooperative wallpaper and that is drywall sanding dust. It’s a nasty job.
But let’s not get bogged down in my issues, and instead focus on the bright spot at the end of this trauma tunnel.
Curtains.
Curtains seemed like the easiest and most affordable way to add interest to the walls, and visually break up the long narrow space. I can always (and probably will) do something more complicated to the walls later.
Our Carriage House is where Handy Husband keeps his office, and it is occasionally used as a guest room.
For Handy Husband’s sake, I want to decorate a space that he feels comfortable in. He’s not super picky, but we have been married long enough that I know he doesn’t want to work in a space that is drenched in Barbie pink. Go figure.
The new rug I added six months ago was my design jumping off point. I pulled color inspiration from that, but ultimately let Handy Husband weigh in on his preferred color: red, blue, creamy tans, or burnt orange. Predictably, he chose blue.
I was going to veto his choice because this is not a decorating democracy I thought blue curtains might feel too cold, but then I found a pattern that added a creamy white to the mix. It was the perfect compromise, and isn’t that what marriage is all about?
Unless we’re talking about how to load the dishwasher. Then there’s a definite right way.
Good thing the Carriage House doesn’t have a dishwasher.
Here’s an older photo of the kitchenette without curtains.
Below is roughly the same view with curtains and the cabinets painted a different color.
Wall color, counter, sink, and floor are all the same though.
I’ve always found it annoying that the kitchenette counter doesn’t extend all the way to the wall. It’s a complete waste of space, but now that design flaw works to my advantage because I can hang the curtains to the floor.
And for the record, I did hem the curtain hidden behind the cabinet even though no one would ever be able to tell if I didn’t. I was really tempted not to though. I wish life would award bonus points for stuff like that. But it doesn’t. I checked.
The Carriage House does have window blinds because we figure our guests probably appreciate privacy.
So while we don’t need the curtains for functional purposes, my goodness, they sure are pulling their weight from a decorating perspective. In fact, they instantly changed the way this room feels.
One of my kids walked in mid-process and said, “Wow. It feels cozier in here.”
Cozy. Homey. Softer.
These are all adjectives I’ve used recently regarding the Carriage House now that I’ve added curtains to this long, narrow space. These words are a definite upgrade from the words we used to use for this space: ewwww, gross, and smelly.
I have sporadically worked on this room for six years. I usually do one or two things per year. One year it was painting the vanity. The next year it was new sheets and a quilt. This year it has been a rug and curtains.
I have no idea with next year will bring, but I am toying with the idea of painting the trim a contrasting color. If my current timetable holds, I have plenty of time to think about it.
The benefit of slow decorating is that when I do make an intentional change out here, I REALLY appreciate how it looks or feels. Maybe you can relate to this feeling?
Have you decorated a quirky spot? Were curtains the answer to all of your problems?
Let me know! You can do so by leaving a comment on this blog post, emailing me here, or reaching out via direct message on Instagram or Facebook. I am slow to respond to Facebook messages because I don’t spend much time there.
Happy Decorating!
Room Sources
Blue Curtains (These are 80% blackout. The fabric is heavy because they are lined, but also a tad bit silky, so I didn’t have to iron them! That never happens. I hemmed them with hem tape because I don’t use a sewing machine. The Carriage House isn’t the only thing that’s quirky around here. Ha!)
Wall Decor – Thrifted
Blue and Red Rug – Loloi (The design is printed on the rug, so there isn’t pile. His rolling chair has not damaged it in the six months we’ve had it. Crossing fingers this holds.)
Bench – Handmade
Headbord – Handmade
Kitchen Rug – Thrifted
*affiliate links in this blog post*
Thanks for following along on this slow decorating journey! I appreciate you. If you’d like another blog post to read, I’ve got you covered.
Carriage House Gym: Part 10, Reveal For Now