Hello, readers! I’m Amber from the design blog, Simple Dwellings, here to show you a glimpse into what I’ve been up to this summer! With the warm, carefree days of the season almost behind us, I still have some time for DIY projects. I made a promise to myself that I would get a lot of painting, furniture refinishing and house work done this summer, but that wasn’t the case. I really tried, but the nice weather and relaxing seemed to take precedent. (There’s still some time left, right??) I did manage to get some things accomplished, though. For the longest time now, I have been meaning to raise our drapery rods higher, giving the illusion of more space. When I saw this image, I knew it was time:
It’s amazing that those windows are the same size! So, when we repainted our kitchen walls a lighter color, we also got to work hanging the drapery rods higher. Here is our kitchen now:
We went with the 95″ Farrah window panels from Target and chose the cream color fabric. It is actually more of an oat color, which I love. You really can’t beat the price of these panels at $13 each! I decided to hang them with drapery rings and pinch the back of the fabric when clipping them. It gives it a bit of a pinch pleat look and allows the panels to hang only a couple inches on the ground. I am so glad we decided to raise the rod. We also made the curtain rod a little wider when rehanging. Hanging them high and wide is advice I heard that I will always remember. It really works!
I also tried one more DIY project that made a big impact. I am in the process of painting our interior doors black, and I have one door down! Here is what it looked like before:
And here is the after:
We went with Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath, which is a muddy, gray/black color. With a few other changes in the foyer, it does look like a different space. So, I guess all is not lost, since we did get some things accomplished. I still have a furniture paint sprayer sitting in the box, waiting to be used. More on that soon, I hope! 
Thanks so much for having me here today, Elizabeth!
Great job Amber!! I love the black door (of course
And what a difference those curtains make!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door recently posted..garden stool makeover
Hanging the curtains higher like that has such a huge impact. The curtains look great—and I love the black door!
Love your black door, I think I’ll try it in my home. It gives the foyer the WOW look and is wonderful with your wallpaper.
Love the black door! And I always try and hang my drapery panels higher…as close to the ceiling as possible. I also outside mount my woven blinds to continue the look of height…this makes it seem as if the window is taller too!
Laura@Elegant Nest recently posted..Dog Days of Summer…
wow! What a big impact both the curtains and black door make! The room looks so big with the curtains hung high and wide!
whitney @ drab to fab recently posted..Master Bath…choices, choices!
these are fabulous changes and DRAGON’S BREATH! thanks so much for this suggestion. love it.
come visit soon.
michele
Thanks so much for having me here today, Elizabeth! I am honored to be at your wonderful blog and your amazing readers were so sweet!
Amber B @ Simple Dwellings recently posted..Guest Posting at The Mustard Ceiling
The black door looks great! Love the wallpaper too!
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Donna @ A Designer’s Perspective recently posted..Southern Living Idea House 2012 Part 2
I’m going to chime in on the black door love…it looks awesome! And I am totally sold on the curtain hanging thing, it makes such a *HUGE* difference!
Aubrey recently posted..Stealing the spotlight