Privacy Please

When we moved into the new casa, we encountered an interesting "problem" that needed to be solved right away.  You will understand the emergency circumstances in a moment.

Our guest bathroom has a beautiful large window.  It lets in a ton of light and the "view" consists of leafy verdant trees.  "What is the problem?" say you.  Well, let me just put it out there because there is no delicate way of saying this.  The toilet is eye level to the side yard and the glass is translucent....no frosty treatment, no stained glass, no built in blinds.  ZERO privacy.

We obviously sought out complete privacy for our guests and ourselves, but the idea of blocking out the light with a solid window treatment seemed depressing.  However, anything sheer just would not do...unless we wanted our neighbors to be treated to a constant peep show.

Very much a problematic engineering issue.  Regular fabric or bamboo roman blinds (my personal preference for all windows) are hung from the top of a window frame and then rolled up to let in light.  Well, duh, the toilet is next to the bottom part of the window instead of the top part of the window.

I must have had design ESP because I filed away this idea in the back of my mind sort of knowing my next Nola house would present some kind of weirdo window issue.  I thought this was a genius way to handle "privacy at the bottom of the window" issue.  Reverse roller shades!

Both of these images are from the Cottage Living (RIP) Idea House in West Hollywood.  I will pull my issue from my archives (RIP, II) to provide more information on the designer, etc.  

If reverse roller shades can be executed, why can't reverse roman shades be executed?  They can! 

Our Roman shade with faux pleating at the bottom for purposes of a lil visual interest....didn't want there to just be a big flat piece of fabric affixed to the window.   (Please inquire with me if you need the name of a truly fantastic and affordable seamstress for shades, drapes, and any other household fabric projects) 

I hope this is a solution for you if you live in an old house with funny issues like this one.  It was an easy and affordable solution to installing wooden interior shutters...and it definitely matches the aesthetic of our house more than the aforementioned shutters.  

Cheers, 

JSH

P.S.  The fab fab (fabric) is from Calico Corners.    I love CC as a source for very very affordable fabric.  Their lines are becoming progressively more youthful and hip, too.  

P.P.S.  The shower curtain is from Pottery Barn Teen.  Yep, I said it.  I asked my alterations lady to add the thick strip of solid green fabric along the bottom to "customize" it a bit.  A great and affordable way to make a "big box store" find your own. 

Corps de Tutus

I cannot take any credit for the popularity that a gaggle of little girls along the Uptown parade route will soon gain. It is courtesy solely of my friend, Julie.

What will cause grown women and their Mardi Gras rugby shirt-wearing children to stop in the streetcar tracks, stare, and inquire, "Where did you get that?!" or squeal "That is so adorable!" ?? Why, the homemade "no sew" tutus Julie and I have created (err--will create), of course!

On one of her short eight mile runs one weekday morning, Julie was distracted by the precious tutu in the window of the chi chi baby store on Magazine, Angelique Baby. She says she is not crafty, but, without any prompting, she declared that she was going to make one for her little girl, Lucy. In my usual style, I was overbearing eager to join in the crafty fun. After scouring one too many youtube videos, making an insane amount of pilgrimages to scary craft stores with stained carpets, and some minor trial and error, we are in business!

No longer, however, are we making just une tutu for Lucy. Nope. We are creating at least one for Lucy, one for our visitor, Cup Cate, and, um, twelve for Julie to take to "Parent Involvement Day" at Lucy's school. Then, of course, the multitudes of adult tutus in both Mardi Gras colors as well as Saints colors. We have pre-orders, thank you very much.

Now the kitchen looks like a 1950s prom dress exploded and Beau is looking at me with fear. I know he is thinking, "What project is she working on now and how will it devalue my new house?" as I continue to maniacally cut three (or six, based upon the size, of course) inch strips of tulle. All of the toiling is worth it though....if I can avoid wearing a nudie suit on Mardi Gras Day AND spread the costume wealth to at least fifteen little revelers, then we have succeeded.

Without further ado, behold, the delightful confections...

Here is the tiny tu...I wish my waist was 21 inches. I think it would make a festive collar for a canine carnival!

Here is the tiny tu next to the big 'un. I think they look quite professional.

Here is the link to the helpful youtube.com video made by our girl, Julie F (Poor Julie F. doesn't know that she is our girl...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7aSPMEn7S0&feature=PlayList&p=7167794AB02FF9A1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32

as well as the link to the awesome Angelique Baby if you want to avoid all of this fun and buy one for your very own King Cake bebe...

http://www.angeliquebaby.com

Cheers,

JSH

P.S. Email me if you want more detailed/ further instructions.
P.P.S. The tutus can be worn by boys too. This is an equal opportunity blog. Just sayin'.