Red

Cheater Shades and Red Frames

We need roman shades for a few rooms in our house. I’m thinking about tackling the real-deal sewing project for the shades I want to put in our living room. But the others will hang in bedrooms, and I think I’d like to do something a little faster there. I still use and love my…

We need roman shades for a few rooms in our house. I’m thinking about tackling the real-deal sewing project for the shades I want to put in our living room. But the others will hang in bedrooms, and I think I’d like to do something a little faster there. I still use and love my shades from mini-blinds project, but when I need something really sturdy, that can be used and abused, and I’m in a time pinch, I just glue fabric to store-bought fabric or bamboo shades.

I glued this heavy linen (Schumacher’s Zimba) to bamboo shades from Home Depot for Abbey’s kitchen redo. I used spray glue to adhere the front and Fabritac to glue the wrapped around edges. I also glued a piece of black-out liner on the back for a cleaner look from the outside. If you’re going to use bamboo shades as the base, make sure your fabric is thick or else you will see the texture of the bamboo peek through a little bit. Using a fabric shade as a base is an easy project too (as seen here).

PS How cute are the framed pictures in Abbey’s kitchen? She picked up a ton of the $1 frames at IKEA and framed her toddler son’s art. Such a big visual impact for not a lot of money. Reminds me of this Steven Gambrel room.

Bottom photo by Seth Smoot, styling by Kendra Smoot for this Cup of Jo house tour.

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21 thoughts on “Cheater Shades and Red Frames

  1. Tanya, the've held up well! I think you can expect the miniblinds to work for a couple of years perfectly (in my experience) and I haven't had any issue with the glue bamboo shades. They are secured on the fronts and on the back sides, so there ends up being a lot of support.

    Kate, You should check Wayfair, JC Penney online, and Overstock. xx

  2. Hi Jenny, love the idea of gluing fabric to cheap fabric blinds just wondering from your past experience how well they stick for the long haul?

    Thanks
    Tarnya

  3. Can you share some of your go-to sources for the fabric or bamboo ready-made shades? I checked Target (store, not online), and did not find much.

  4. Tanya, the've held up well! I think you can expect the miniblinds to work for a couple of years perfectly (in my experience) and I haven't had any issue with the glue bamboo shades. They are secured on the fronts and on the back sides, so there ends up being a lot of support.

    Kate, You should check Wayfair, JC Penney online, and Overstock. xx

  5. i just bought some cheap fabric romans from JC Penny and i plan on glueing my own fabric on top… i'm kind of winging it. i will glue the fabric on the back side and add a grosgrain ribbon to make it look more finished but in your opinion should i spray tac the fabric on the front like in the bamboo shade hack? i'm worried it will get a bit stiff. maybe i should put a few stitches in somewhere? any tips would be greatly appreciated!

  6. I am inspired every time I come over here! I love the idea of gluing the fabric to bamboo shades – I think I can handle that : )
    xo
    Ashlyn

  7. love the framed art! that is a great idea and I am sure her child loves seeing their "works" on the wall! The glued shade idea..not so much.. I guess it is quick, but I wonder how long the fabric would stay… maybe fine in a window that is away from direct sun….

  8. OMFG this is an AMAZING idea. I have bamboo shades on almost all of my windows, and lately I've been feeling like 1 or 2 rooms could use an update. Now I know exactly what to do, and on the cheap no less! Thanks Jenny!

  9. Thanks for the reply Jenny. I love visiting your blog everyday hoping to see a new project or a glimpse of your place. I live in Australia and dream of coming to NYC one day, hoping 2015 will be the year I get to bring my family for a New York Christmas.

  10. I am loving the red frames. Our guy's nursery is red and I have been looking for some frames for his room! They were at Ikea all along! Thank you

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