House in Progress Diary

I have huge fabric opinions (see here: http://sarahlookingin.blogspot.com/2007/02/if-you-know-me-even-little-bit-you.html). I don't think that your fabric is too girly...it certainly doesn't have bunnies or anything ridiculous on it. I think that the problem is that it you are working with a garage and no matter how un-girly the fabric is, a garage maybe needs something that is super sturdy looking and "manly". My opinion would be that it's not the fabric that is too girly - it is that the location is a place that calls for something overtly masculine.

Perhaps a tan colored canvas or burlappy fabric. Something hefty.

I like it. I say leave it up and don't say anything, and he's stop noticing. :)

If it's not an attached garage, why have any curtains at all? If it is attached, some pattern with cars or tools.
POPS --30--

What if you took some "man fabric" like a tan canvas, and trimmed out the bottom with your fun Urban Outfitters fabric? I love a good compromise ;)

Try having a husband with an interior design degree.... we have had some serious throw downs, and we're always passive-agressively moving and hiding each other's tchotckes.

Divide things equitably. Aaron gets to decorate the garage. You get to decorate the house.

--Eric

Is the aim to keep people from looking in (and casing the place for theft?), or simply to decorate? If the first, I agree with the burlapy suggestion. If the second, why not turn the pretty fabric panel into cafe curtains - either use the pretty stuff for both the valance and the curtain, or pick a coordinanting (and manly) fabric for the curtain, and top it with the pretty fabric valance.

Frankly, almost anything makes a garage window prettier! Hee hee - have fun retraining Aaron's sensibilities!

I totally hear you on that. We've been married three years and for most of it, our (read: my) lovlies sit in storage. I mean, who wants to get dust all over everything? But oh how I miss them all!

As for the curtains, maybe a stripped awning canvas?

I agree thet the pattern is not "girly" at all, however they do seem somewhat light weight. I think a heavier weight fabric would be better in a garage. ( I like the awning stripe idea) But hey, you allready had them- which counts for something in my book!

My garage curtains are red gingham. I didn't even put them up, a boy did.

Oh, you gotta do this in honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday:

http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/detail.php?p=32451

She has a pretty morbid idea elsewhere on her site for curtains with a dead body silhouette.

I agree with the first Elizabeth. Striped awning canvas would be nice. Either that or some sort of roll-down shade. I just don't see fabric curtain in a garage. Give him something manly and then take some of your things out of storage that make you happy and put them on display!

How about something ominous, care of Martha Stewart?

Curtains

I like the curtains. Pitch a fit!

I vote for the striped canvas. You just can't win with a man! LOL

p.s. If he wins with the curtain, then he can't say anything about you pulling out your adorable things. :-)

I don't think the curtains are boy or girl. They are perfect for a bungalow style home OR garage because they are "nature." And they look really good with the trim color. So, yeah, pitch a fit.

I don't think the curtains are boy or girl. They are perfect for a bungalow style home OR garage because they are "nature." And they look really good with the trim color. So, yeah, pitch a fit.

I like your curtains. Or you could do what we do and leave the detached garage windows fairly dirty so it is hard to see what is inside (to deter thieves). In the summer our windows are pretty well covered by the plants growing in the window boxes.

I like the curtains too- but if you compromise on this, maybe he'll compromise on some of the indoor things... So how about some pin-stripe material? Or a plaid?

I really like your curtains - they're really not girly at all, and they reinforce the "outside" feeling of the backyard. I think if I had that garage, I'd want curtains, too. I'm assuming it's a small city lot like ours, and the things that aren't "finished" really stick out at me. (Like our entire backyard.)

If you're having to change, though, I'd go for stripes of some sort. The Nautica collection of home dec fabrics at Joann has a lot of nice tailored choices in good colors. (And you can wait for a 50% off sale!)

My apologies for the excessive quotes there.

I just saw this blog today, and it must be "rubbing off on me."

http://www.quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

Sarah--How did I not know these hidden talents of yours? Okay, I'm definitely hitting you up for recommendations sometime.

Kjerstin--I always knew that you were my favorite sister-in-law ;) Squeeze that adorable kid for me and give her a big mooshy kiss.

Pops. I love you. But no car curtains. Not when I have to stare at them everytime I walk out of the back door.

Cat. Whoa. Martha is TWISTED.

Bonnie and ILoveUpstate--I have to use my fits judiciously. Aaron is pretty fit-proof.

Mindy--I love your idea and wow. Teague majored in ID? That WOULD be a daily throw down. But you guys end up with such gorgeous collaborations!

Eric---Shhhh. It's my master plan!

Carol--After I laughed, I seriously considered your technique. I mean, what is not to love about low maintenance?

Diane, Elizabeths I & II, Sandy, C, Stuccohouse, B and Ellen--I think stripes might be the way to go. But gingham sounds good. And a dark red is right up my alley. I agree that a heavier curtain might make more sense. Anything is better than what is there now! Discarded polyester curtains from the 60's (ish) and dead flies tangled up in spider webs.

Well, I'm a girl and I think those are super girly girl curtains too. Maybe you should look into something canvas like. You can still get canvas in different colors with designs on them.

From a design perspective, I'd nix the curtains just because they look like sheets in the window. Maybe if you put a sheer panel on the glass side and maybe a sturdier green panel, that'll de-girl it.

Um, holy crow, Faboo Mama? Is that really you?

I love your blog!

Hmm, no matter what blog I am at, I see a post title like that and I think, "OMG, she's preggers!" It was like a bad tease!

Those curtains are too nice for the garage. I'd get something you wouldn't care about or could wash easily. Garages get so unbelieveably dirty so quickly.

(Sorry, Jeanne!!!)

Hi! Yes, it is me. Thanks for the props. I love your blog too! I was checking back in to see what you've decided with the curtains and saw your comments.