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Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always <i>tried</i> to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. We were never all that diligent about sorting... until we moved to Brooklyn Heights. People <i>really</i> care about recycling here (including and maybe especially the people that live next to us).  :) There might have been a situation where they tattled on us for not sorting good enough (whoopsies).<br /><br />I have to say though, I'm actually sort of grateful we got busted. We were pushed to figure out a solution where we carved out some space to quickly and easily sort out our plastics, glass and paper. And now, recycling is a breeze, truly, and I feel less guilt-ridden. Like we are doing our part.<br /><br />Here's how we did it:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0210.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We have a little closet right by the front door on the parlor level. It's across from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fpowder-bath-updates.html&ei=tJMcUZnuBqfg0QGduYH4Aw&usg=AFQjCNGxAj6vcJLrVQagKrQuUR1tO2vFHA&sig2=GTeMUBCQv6kP_w2i5Hpuig&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">powder bath</a> and around the corner from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Fdiy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html&ei=kZMcUbPZPIqy0AGZxYHgCg&usg=AFQjCNF_4kam5zqX3h1eC_twk7EEiey2Tw&sig2=EjniMYfV9_Hc3rOyhSBL8A&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">the kitchen</a>. I think it was meant to be a coat closet or maybe even a pantry at one time. Mostly it was just disgusting. (seriously)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0215.jpg" /></div><br />The painters the landlord hired to paint the brownstone before we moved in did a pretty shoddy job. They didn't paint the insides of <i>any</i> of the closets. I mean, what? Weird. So slowly I've been tackling one closet at a time to fix the situation, but I hadn't had a chance to do the recycling closet until recently. See that gross cream color? That was the color of the entire house before we moved in and it just looked<i> </i>dirty. (doesn't the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fcabbage-white.html&ei=T5QcUcfUNsiU0QHQiIHIAQ&usg=AFQjCNFq7fYkO009USf8p9qQJ_jw0c6wcw&sig2=f82B0V_9WsDo229izJdaHg&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">Cabbage White</a> look much more fresh?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0225.jpg" /></div><br />Gross. I'm am totally disgusted by the state of this closet and I live here. Apologies. No wonder I was no good at recycling! Who would want to open the door for this view:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0246.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/12DSC_0251.jpg" /></div><br />30+ years of cream paint in a garbage closet is bound to look bad, even after a few scrubbings! So a new coat of paint in the closet was added to the to-do list. But probably the biggest issue we've had with the recycling situation is the girls had trouble figuring out how to sort items in the identical bins we had in the closet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0261.jpg" /></div><br />So on the fly I primed and painted just the outsides of the bins with chalkboard paint. Then I went outside to the recycling bins in front of our house and snapped photos of the two sorting guides.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1277.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1275.jpg" /></div><br />I'd been dying to put my chalkboard pen to use <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fdinner-party-at-my-place.html&ei=2pQcUZ-gCMWI0QHcloGoBQ&usg=AFQjCNEoa7m7EfwTy1EAP4W5F0Qxe-mJ4A&sig2=6vtL6E5CXbFJSifG1trnBA&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">again</a> (they are so cool - totally recommend picking one up at an art supply store or you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003360RFG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003360RFG&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">buy one here</a>). Gracie and I chose a couple of items to display on each of the bins and talked about layout and then she got to work with the chalkboard pen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1344.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1348.jpg" /></div><br />Claire was a little bummed she missed out on the illustrating action this time, but that's the good news about chalkboard (pen) recycling bins - the pen wipes off with a wet rag, so she can have a turn as often as she likes. Whatever helps them to learn their sorting, right? :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0263.jpg" /></div><br />Also, don't the walls look about a million times better? They got a fresh coat of white paint, which  was a huge improvement on its own, but horizontal stripes make every space more fun. Especially in tiny little secret spaces, where the stripes surprise you every time you need the broom or go to throw away an empty olive oil bottle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0356.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0297-1.jpg" /></div><br />And I'm happy to report that the mini-makeover and the new recycling bins have totally improved our recycling habits, and by a lot. The girls are just about pro-level recyclers now and it's so cool to see them excitedly taking ownership over what used to be a chore for us all. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0278.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to hear what you guys do to make recycling (or anything to live a more green lifestyle) an easy habit for you and your family. I'm working on adding more eco-friendly cleaning products into my housekeeping routine. My sister in law is a budgeting super-star and an all-around phenomenal housekeeper. When I mentioned this post to her, she says she uses and completely loves <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>, and I'm excited to take her word for it and try it myself.<br /><br /> <script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/550827?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <i><br /></i><i>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>. You don't have to compromise to be clean when you use hard working, plant-based cleaners by The Clorox Company.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Check out <a href="http://youtu.be/EUE5a-k1quk" target="_blank">this quick video</a> to learn more. :)</i></div>

Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always tried to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxe...

6:00 AM

Stripey Glass Table Lamp

Stripey Glass Table Lamp

Some of you asked about the table lamps in my bedroom and I just noticed they went on sale ! $89 is a steal for these beauties considering ...

10:36 PM

Dishes and Decor (A Wannabe-Foodie Decorator's Dream Day)

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0009.jpg" /></div><br />Last December I had one of the coolest days <i>ever.</i> Lean Cuisine is reinventing and they invited famous chefs and farmers and a handful of bloggers to come to a round table event here in New York just to eat and chat about food and style. They held the round table at one of the coolest venues I've seen - Haven's Kitchen in Chelsea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9860.jpg" /></div><br />All day long I was sneaking photos of the decor at Haven's Kitchen. Seriously, I want to move in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9971.jpg" /></div><br />This staircase was stunning with the great, graphic art on the black walls. It was really cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0003.jpg" /></div><br />Everywhere you looked - amazing, amazing chairs!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9976.jpg" /></div><br />I loved this idea of creating an inset out of subway tiles for a chalkboard wall in a kitchen. I would love to do something like this someday. Uber-chic menu planning!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9888.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9869.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9872copy.jpg" /></div><br />While the decor at Haven's Kitchen was completely drool-worthy, the day was all about the food. We were grouped into three teams for the round table. On each team there were two chefs, a style expert (the bloggers), and a farmer. My team's farmer was Josh Kilmer-Purcell, who had (seriously) won Amazing Race the week before, has a <a href="http://beekman1802.com/" target="_blank">wildly popular blog</a> of his own, and a TV show on the Cooking Channel. Also there could not be a nicer man on the planet.<br /><br />Our team's chefs may or may not need an introduction. Brad Farmerie is the owner of Michelin star rated PUBLIC and competed on the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef. He was hilarious and the life of our party, for sure. And James Beard Award-winner Michelle Bernstein of Top Chef fame is probably one of the most famous chefs out there, so I probably don't need to tell you about her successes. I will say that I want to fly down to Miami to hang out with her for a week straight, just to hear her tell stories and share wisdom. Seriously, what an inspiring woman.<br /><br />And then there was me. My job was to shop around the city for some pretty things to set the table with, inspired by Josh's produce and Michelle and Brad's dishes. And then just eat and talk about food and style. Best job ever, right? I could so easily do the eat-decorate-talk-eat-decorate-talk rotation until the cows come home.<br /><br />Here we are making plans for the dishes and decor. We all decided something more rustic and earthy would be perfect for the table setting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0013.jpg" /></div><br />While the chefs got to work in the kitchen, I hopped into a giant van, armed with two assistants, but with only two hours to rush around the city and buy everything to set the table for our team. I'll admit, it was a teensy bit stressful, but mostly it was just really, really fun.<br /><br />My first find was actually at West Elm. These wooden antler candle holders were just the look we were after - modern, sort of Scandinavian and a bit rustic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9907.jpg" /></div><br />We shopped at about ten other stores and things sort of fell into place. It was fun to see what my fellow bloggers <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/" target="_blank">Liz</a> and <a href="http://www.styleandpepper.com/" target="_blank">Jessie</a> found while they were out scavenging for place settings and flowers too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0007.jpg" /></div><br />I checked in with the chefs just before dinner (it smelled <i>so good</i> in that kitchen) and they loved the direction our table design was going.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0006.jpg" /></div><br />And here's what I came up with for my version of a Scandinavian/rustic/modern table:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC1.jpg" /></div><br />I bought the striped linen at Jem fabrics and literally ripped it into two wide strips so the edges would be a little frayed. I tried to have a lot of textures on the table - linen, woven chargers, smooth woods and soapstone, hand-thrown porcelain, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC4.jpg" /></div><br />I found these mini enamelware mugs in the clearance section at Sur la Table. I'm discovering that I like to have a big floral centerpiece and then little individual flowers at each setting. I think it is so pretty and makes guests feel special. Also, how great is this antique engraved silverware that we borrowed for the dinner? It weighed a ton and made everything taste even more delicious. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9957.jpg" /></div><br />I found a lot of the little accessories at thrift stores and at Pearl River Market.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC2.jpg" /></div><br />The soup tureen was probably my favorite thing on the table, though. Michelle had a fabulous Celeriac soup on the menu, so she asked me to pick up a tureen. I really wanted to find something unique to be the focal point of the table, but everything I saw out shopping that wasn't all white was really fussy-looking. So I bought a plain white one on sale and picked up some porcelaine paint at the art supply store and painted on the bright red border on the tureen. I really love how it turned out. Just enough color for our "rustic" table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC5.jpg" /></div><br />The flower arrangement was another favorite part for me. I didn't end up having the time to pick up enough flowers to completely fill the creamy white faux bois vase I had found at Housing Works, so I filled the empty spaces in the vase with herbs I snuck from the kitchen and even some leek stems, which kind of look floral when they're cut on the diagonal! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC3.jpg" /></div><br />You'll have to keep an eye out for <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/" target="_blank">Liz</a> and <a href="http://www.styleandpepper.com/" target="_blank">Jessie's</a> posts about their table settings - they both did a really great job. I love those talented ladies.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0014.jpg" /></div><br />After the table setting was done, the food was brought out and that's about where my memory drops off. (TOTAL FOOD COMA.) I ate <i>way</i> too much, but how was I not going to at least taste every single one of those super-delicious dishes made by super-duper-famous chefs!? No choice in the matter at all. It all was so, so good.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0012.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I was so honored to be a part of this round table. Meeting all of those talented, creative people, hearing their thoughts about the future of food, and, of course, tasting all that deliciousness was nothing short of completely inspiring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS The entire event was filmed (there are lots of clips on Youtube), if you're interested in seeing a little more from the day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n3sztVXFieQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div> <script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/551185?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <br /><i>This post is brought to you by <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%3Bh%3Dv2%7C4029%7C0%7C0%7C%252a%7Cm%3B266444376%3B0-0%3B0%3B90100001%3B31-1%7C1%3B52069209%7C52028982%7C1%3B%3B%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D%253fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.leancuisine.com%2FIndex%2FIndex.aspx&k4=5980&k5=551185" target="_blank"> Lean Cuisine </a>. I was invited to the <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%3Bh%3Dv2%7C4029%7C0%7C0%7C%252a%7Cm%3B266444376%3B0-0%3B0%3B90100001%3B31-1%7C1%3B52069209%7C52028982%7C1%3B%3B%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D%253fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.leancuisine.com%2FIndex%2FIndex.aspx&k4=5980&k5=551185" target="_blank"> Lean Cuisine Culinary Round Table </a> and was provided with a stipend for the visit and experience. All thoughts and opinions surrounding the experience are authentically my own.</i>

Dishes and Decor (A Wannabe-Foodie Decorator's Dream Day)

Last December I had one of the coolest days ever. Lean Cuisine is reinventing and they invited famous chefs and farmers and a handful of bl...

7:00 AM

DIY: Roman Shades from Mini-Blinds (Revised!)

<i>Thank you again for your votes with the Homies! It's the home stretch (voting ends tomorrow! yikes!), and the race is so, SO close! If you have a minute, I would <b>love</b> your vote <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-home-design-inspiration-blog-the-homies-2013-183531" target="_blank">HERE</a> and/or <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-home-project-diy-blog-the-homies-2013-183534" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Winning would mean a lot of great traffic for me for years to come. Thanks a million! xo</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/Shadesminiblindsafter.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>One of my most popular posts ever is a no-sew project where <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-shades-out-of-mini-blinds.html" target="_blank">I made roman shades by glueing fabric onto mini blinds</a>. I think it was one of the first tutorials I ever put up. So crazy to think about how long ago that was! I've done the no-sew project a bunch of times now and I've figured out a few tweaks that (if you're willing to pull out your sewing machine) make the shades look a little more professional and will help them last much longer than the all-glueing method.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/shadesfromminiblinds5.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />You'll still use the mini-blinds mechanism for the base (which helps keep the cost of this project <i>way </i>down), but the vinyl slats get ditched. The result is a slightly more relaxed shade, which I often prefer over perfectly stacked flat folds of fabric that look a little too-uptight or something. Also, I usually suggest a linen for DIY-ing roman shades because the loose weave is super forgiving for those of us that struggle to cut an exactly straight line. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/shadescloseup2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Okay, let's jump in!<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br />As you can tell from the photos, I ended up going dark on the walls in our master bedroom. The color is Benjamin Moore's Anchor Gray. I'm in love - it's really pretty and moody. I wanted to find some fabric for shades that complimented the wall color, but that was still in on the lighter side. I popped into Mood and they had this really pretty linen from a Marc Jacobs line that called to me from across the room. (one of my favorite things about Mood is they often tell you what fashion house made and used the fabric first - the printed silk section is <i>OUT OF THIS WORLD</i>)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1203.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /></div><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">The linen had just the right amount of black and brown and blue to work right with the new wall color. </center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0215.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Then Mood came to the rescue again. As I was waiting for the elevator after checking out, I was admiring the tumbling block pattern on the floors (<a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-balcony-floor.html" target="_blank">remember here</a>?) and I suddenly thought of a vintage trim I bought years ago and had been hoarding for the perfect project.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1207.jpg" />   </center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I checked and there was <i>barely</i> enough to trim out two roman shades (so it must have been fate), and I was ready to roll. :)</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1263.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">So, I know tutorials (especially ones involving sewing) can be a little confusing, but trust me that picking out the fabric is the hardest part of this easy project. :) If you're tackling this make sure you read through all the steps first so you have a general picture of how everything works together. The individual steps will be a cinch once you get the full picture.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">1) Buy a cheapie vinyl mini-blind to fit your window (you can choose to mount it inside or outside of the sash). Cut your fabric to be three inches wider and four inches longer than the dimensions you want the finished shade to be. </center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">2) Press your seams with a hot iron. For the seams along the sides of the shade, I folded a little more than half an inch, twice:</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0236.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><br />And then along the top and bottom of the shade, I folded about an inch of fabric, twice, so that the raw edge is hidden:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0246.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3) If you don't want to line your shade, go ahead and skip this step. I chose a lighter liner (just some mid-weight white cotton, really) that wouldn't really block the light, but just sort of give it a nice filter. It also helps the shade look better from the outside of the house. You can do a black-out liner here if you want. Be sure to use a heavy-duty gauge sewing needle on your machine, though, if you do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can cut the liner out to be pretty close to the dimensions of your finished shade. You just tuck the liner under the seams of your shade fabric so no raw edges show. Pin everything in place.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0251.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4) Sew along the perimeter of the shade - just one big rectangle. And that's it for the machine sewing!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0269.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5) Pull out your mini blinds (remember to keep the mounting hardware!) and completely cut off the heavy slat at the bottom. Snip all the strings.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0279.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then snip off all the ladder-shaped strings, being careful not to cut the cord. Pull off all the slats and the ladder strings so that you're left with only the top mechanism and the thicker cording.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0281.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">6) Lay your shade fabric face down with your mini blinds mechanism and cords laying on top in place. Using the cords as your guide, mark out where you want your fold lines to be (I just drew little X's with a pencil). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think a 10" gap makes for a nice fold size. Here's an important part though: I wanted there to be a bit of a drop on the bottom of my shade so that the trim wouldn't be hidden by the folds. So I made a mark at 8" above the bottom of my fabric. (this will make more sense in a second)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0287.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">7) Sew one of these little drapery rings at each of your markings, or basically where the cord meets the fold lines.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0303.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used invisible thread and stitched all the way through to the front of the shade. My shade is pretty wide, so there are three cords in the mini-blinds mechanism, so I ended up sewing 18 plastic rings on by hand. This is by far the most tedious part of the project, but it should only take about an hour. If your shade is shorter, you'll probably only have two cords and much less ring-sewing to do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1239.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">8) I used a small slat of flat, 1" wide wood and three very small eyelet screws to make the bottom part of the shade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1241.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">9) Glue the bottom slat 8" above the true bottom of the shade, so that the folds would not cover the trim. Be generous with the fabric glue, but make sure there's no seepage happening through the front of the fabric.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(also, you can sort of see the line of three plastic rings sewn in place here, 10" above the bottom wooden slat)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1247.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also glue the top mechanism to the top of the shade. You'll want to leave a little bit of fabric on the top and sides (I should have left more room on the sides). Also, make sure your cord is coming out of the back of the mechanism and isn't glued down to the fabric.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1254.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">10) Thread your cords through all the tacked down plastic rings and then tie the cord to the eyelet screws in your bottom slat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1258.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Then just hang your shades like you would a mini-blind, using the mounting hardware that came with the blinds, and you're DONE! Unless you want to add trim like I did, but that's just a matter of a quick line of fabric glue. I usually do shade trim in a U-shape so the top of the shade has no trim.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/shadesfromminiblinds4.jpg" /></div><br />The biggest benefit of this approach over the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-shades-out-of-mini-blinds.html" target="_blank">no-sew version</a> is there are no ugly mini-blind slats peeking through the fabric. And the finished product is probably more durable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/Shadesfromminiblinds3.jpg" /></div><br />I love how soft and relaxed the linen looks and I think it works for my space, but if you're looking for perfectly straight folds with no slouching at all, you'll have to sew in wooden dowels along every fold. I've done it once before and it was about three times the amount of work and ten times the cost of these relaxed shades, but they are really lovely.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/shadesfromminiblinds2.jpg" /></div><br />It is SO nice to have window treatments up so we don't have to keep the shutters closed all the time! And seriously, isn't this trim just perfect? So worth the wait to use it here!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/shadecloseup1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>PS Don't forget to <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-home-design-inspiration-blog-the-homies-2013-183531" target="_blank">vote</a>! Thanks again!! :)</i></div>

DIY: Roman Shades from Mini-Blinds (Revised!)

Thank you again for your votes with the Homies! It's the home stretch (voting ends tomorrow! yikes!), and the race is so, SO close! If y...

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