The new (hopefully brighter) year is upon us. Maybe my creative muse will return, maybe not.
It occurred to me that I haven’t done a household items post in awhile. Both of my prior such posts originated while meditating in The Important Room. Let’s see what the rest of the house has to offer, shall we?
Walls, rugs, lamps, couches, chairs – not a lot of inspiration there, at least not today.
Electrical cords – they could definitely be the basis of one of my darker posts, but again, not today.
Windows – a very popular topic for many writers, and probably every one of those writers can do a better job of it than I can. I don’t need that competition, at least not today.
But what’s that on top of those windows? Oh, right – CURTAINS!
Curtains can be inspiration for darker posts, too – “It’s curtains for you, my friend!”
Or they can be the symbol of a bright future: “Curtains up!”
Curtains, when properly hung, can be comforting, soothing – and can draw the eye to the brighter outside world. Curtains can bring together the individual elements of an eclectic (read, “garage sale”) décor.
Curtains can be used to define space – perfect for delineating the seating and sleeping areas of a studio apartment, or for separating the halves of a shared bedroom when siblings don’t always get along (also good for hiding those faces they’re making at each other).
Curtains can be used to retreat from that bright outside world, or to keep the lunatic from across the street from staring into your living room. Curtains can be moved aside just so, to make sure that same lunatic isn’t now finding his way up your walk to your front door.
(Oh, wait, that’s my neighborhood, and hopefully not yours!)
But curtains, like everything else in this world, have a finite lifespan. Eventually, they become faded and tattered and need to be replaced. Replacing curtains is not as easy as one might think – as I found out when we renovated our house, the curtains I love are no longer available in any local stores. Thanks heavens for Amazon and other online stores. Sometimes there’s even free shipping!
Once the new curtains are up, you are left with the old ones, but they can be useful, too.
Need a cover for that back seat in the car so the dog hair (and muddy paw prints) don’t invalidate your lease? Try a large, sturdy window curtain (a shower curtain works especially well – perfect size, and it has all those little holes that can be used to tie the curtain to the head rests).
Got little girls who play with dolls? You can cut the larger household curtains into doll-house size window curtains, or you can make beautiful little doll dresses.
Got little boys who like to play super-hero? Large curtains make wonderful capes. Even better if they’re a little tattered – perfect marks of the hero’s ability to survive the most dangerous battles.
Only have four-footed “children”? The sturdier curtains can be used to recover the doggie or kitty bed. Simple, cheap – and you won’t be so upset when those little claws destroy it.
(Or, if you’re Puppy Cody, you get a cover – curtain or comforter – thrown over the living room couch, you get your own fluffy pillows, and you dare anyone to try to move you off “your bed” when you’re already on it.)
Finally, don’t let’s forget the obligatory Google search on our chosen household item. Want to know the history of curtains? Here’s a link (and it’s well worth reading – I know I learned a lot): http://www.history1700s.com/index.php/articles/14-guest-authors/1229-curtains-what-s-their-history-and-how-they-came-into-existence.html
I believe that’s enough for today. I’m thinking of setting up a “Household Items” category on the sidebar for those of you who love these types of posts. I could maybe add to it periodically whenever the non-muse hits me.
Let’s see what I can cook up.
Here’s to 2017!
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
You are inspiring me. I think I will take down my living curtains and toss them in the washer. Bet they will be a lighter, brighter color 🙂 Happy new Year. Nice omelet! Did you have to break any eggs? (Just kidding.)
LikeLike
I was amazed that egg photo turned out as well as it did, and I got to eat the prop (once the cheese melted). I’m almost afraid to take my curtains down to wash – they’re so nice and starchy now, especially those yellow ones. I’m not sure they’ll hang right once washed. (BTW, the “aqua” ones are really tan – gotta love those filters!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
We don’t have curtains in the boat, we have towels. Way cheaper than buying material or getting them made, and our lining is a double white sheet cut to fit. I confess I didn’t make them. Hubby did. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm ….. towels. I might be able to do something with that!
PS you’re very lucky. It took my husband 20 years to figure out how to sew on a button.
LikeLike
I’d rather go out and buy a new shirt, I hate sewing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I recently had to repair some curtain rods that were damaged by an Irish Setter defending her territory from the paper girl.
LikeLike
LOL. You should write a post about it, Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! I love when words are opened up like curtains and let all sorts of different lights in.
LikeLike
Damn, I wish I had thought of that sentence first! I bow to you.
LikeLike
You make me giggle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are some good ideas — also, napkins, if they’re the right fabric.
It is stupid hard to replace curtains. Just ridiculous. I went through this over the summer, replacing my sheers. Part of it may be how long I waited to replace the sheers, but they’ve gotten so expensive, and trends are NOT my friend. I took my MIL’s advice and bought a poly blend, which she assures me will last, with many washings, until I’m too old to care.
LikeLike
I hear you. I couldn’t believe how hard it was to find simple café curtains for the kitchen. And I really wanted Cape Cod curtains for the living room, but there were only a few online, and way out of my price range. Just as well. I wound up going with just valances (and blinds) so the new window frames are highlighted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is nice to appreciate window frames 🙂 Cape Cod do run crazy high, also, anything scalloped or ruffled. It’s a wonder the whole world of windows isn’t cloaked in sheets 😉
LikeLike
or newspaper. We’ve done that in the past, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How many people have you said “it is curtains to you, my friend!” lol 🙂
LikeLike
Me, personally? None. Not CM – who knows? Fortunately, as a mere figment of my imagination, she can’t follow through on threats.
LikeLike
Old curtains make great floor covers, too. When you want to paint your house.
LikeLike
Nuts. That was actually the first thing I thought of, but I forgot to put it in the post. My bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I was able to draw the curtain back on your first thought.
LikeLike
And I’m glad that there’s always that one reader who’s able to one-up me at any given time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was super clever the way you broke down the different usage of curtains – and truly a great category – need to read it again / but like the up view angle with the fresh white curtain too –
Happy new year CM
LikeLike
🙂 I felt it was time for a silly, light-hearted post. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was really well done….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, CM! And thank heavens for Amazon for I do not have much luck in store shopping any more. All I see is junk or mostly! Really enjoyed your post … well written! I do think your muse is returning. BIG smile!!! ❤
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy. These days I find myself doing everything except grocery shopping on-line, and hubby does most of the grocery shopping. Big change from when we were younger, right? I still remember when all stores were closed on Sundays, and on-line shopping was not even a speck in some genius’ thought process. Heck, back then we didn’t even have malls, just plazas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The quality in stores around here is shocking. My hubby is always complaining about the boxes he has to tear up to prepare for the garbage. I used to love going shopping but no more. I remember the good ‘ole days …. boy have things changed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Curtains are a pain to wash!
LikeLike
Washing’s not so hard. It’s the starching and ironing that make it difficult. I have starching and ironing.
LikeLike
Well done again! I love how, like me, you look at things from so many angles. New perspectives and sharing them with others is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing this with us all.
LikeLike
Thank you! It’s amazing what you can find if you really look, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly is.
LikeLiked by 1 person