DIY Dyed Curtains

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

When I set out to lighten up our family room, it seemed that everything I chose was white.  White slipcovers, white curtains, white walls, etc.  It looks great in magazines right?  After adding all of this white, my husband and I decided the room needed more color somewhere.  I have been drawn to blue curtains lately - especially against white walls.  Here are a few examples...

Decor Pad


The image below is from our living room.  The curtains are linen Ritvas from Ikea I purchased for around $35/pair. 


Over the weekend I picked up 2 boxes of denim blue rit dye.

I followed the directions on the box and here is the result...


They need to be pressed a little better, but you get the idea.  Much better. 

Additional questions answered here.


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43 comments:

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Rene, I love them. That dye really did the trick.

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  2. MelissaSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Great job! That house from D Magazine has had me thinking blue lately, too. Too bad my grey curtains are the one thing in my living room that's actually OK as is--oh, for an unlimited budget...

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  3. AndreaSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    What a great idea. I love the way the blue pops against all the white.

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  4. Mr. Goodwill HuntingSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    THe blue is an excellent touch. Dye is such an inexpensive solution to a number of the ikea products.



    Great color choice.



    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  5. FranSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Rene, it's perfection!! I've used RIT dye on our bedroom curtains and I loved how they turned out. You can't go wrong w/RIT dye!

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  6. ℳartina @ Northern NestingSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Great job Rene! Adding that little bit of color really makes the room pop! Martina

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  7. BrandiSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    wow, what a difference. i love how they turned out.

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  8. KatSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    ooh! they look great!

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  9. AngeSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Ooh, I have been thinking of using RIT and now you've done it and it looks fabulous! :) Also love the blog header change up. I like the color of the drapes, not what I would think denim blue would be. Thanks for inspiring as always!

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  10. ReneSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Thanks everybody! Ange, that is good to hear because the last thing I would want is a pair of toughskins hanging in the family room ;) Ha!

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  11. Kelle DameSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    They look great! You're brave! I totally would have chickened out! Now you have a handy new skill too :)
    Kelle
    xoxo

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  12. An Urban CottageSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    The blue looks awesome. Nice to know you can wash them. I washed my Pottery Barn drapes and ruined them. I ironed another Pottery Barn panel...also ruined it. I have since bought a steamer.

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  13. CindySeptember 13, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Oh Wow, they are very pretty! The blue is such a yummy calming color, and it looks like the dye worked really well... cool!

    Cindy

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  14. AshleySeptember 13, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    LOVE IT! And what is a cheap-chic solution than Rit dye?

    Love the pop of color, Rene!

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  15. ANNESeptember 13, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Wow, that color is perfect! Wonderful look. I've been moving toward blue myself; am changing my green drapes to a french blue and cream plaid...

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  16. hartmomSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Wow Rene those look great! I have been thinking the exact same thing...I have a lot of white too and I'm very attracted to blue curtains lately. Yours look fantastic!

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  17. Simple DwellingsSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Wow! Rene, that looks amazing! Great job! I would have never thought of that- what a genious idea. :)

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  18. CalypsoInTheCountrySeptember 13, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Rene,
    They look beautiful! Dye is such a simple, inexpensive solution that makes such an impact. I just dyed a headboard slipcover recently and was thrilled with the results!

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  19. HollySeptember 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    A great look and such a great color - I love all of your inspiration photos. Love that vase you picked up too.

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  20. Rebecca Gibbs @ gibbgabbSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    LOVE THEM! great job! I feel like it never comes out the same color as the dye bottle says...this summer i dyed the white band of a rug the RIT taupe color and it turned pink! Glad yours turned out so great! - Rebecca

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  21. TessaSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    yep, so, so much prettier! such a smart gal you are!! xo

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  22. lisaroyhandbagsSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    What a great idea - they look awesome :)

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  23. The Vintique ObjectSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    A little RIT on the Ritva does just the trick. They look really great, Rene. The color turned out to be such a pretty blue. I'm glad you didn't stay with white.
    Camille

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  24. Colleen @ MuralMaker&MoreSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Goodness, you're brave. But what a beautiful result! Love the shade - just perfect!

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  25. WendySeptember 13, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Rene, I got a pair of linen drapes that color on clearance from TJ's for $3 + tax! I haven't hung them yet, but I'm gonna. :)

    P.S. I miss the picture of the cottage and vine. :) The header collage you have is lovely but your trademark door and vine set you apart. Would love to see a reprise.

    blessings!

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  26. GingerSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Go, girl. Even though I'm usually such a green-lover, the denim is working for me. Love it.

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  27. Courtney {a thoughtful place}September 13, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Oh, get out of town! I have those hanging in our bonus room and it's too much white for me, too! Wow. Very impressed and so headed to pick up RIT. And I love the blog header change up. Darling.

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  28. Lisa - A Room with A ViewSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    The curtains are a nice touch with the new color and tie-in the blue from the other accessories - great idea!

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  29. {hooked on hickory}September 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    perfect shade of blue, rene!

    ashley

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  30. {hooked on hickory}September 13, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    perfect shade of blue, rene!

    ashley

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  31. Laura TreveySeptember 13, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Now that is pretty cool! They look amazing ~

    xoxo

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  32. xinexSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Love it!...Christine

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  33. Kristens CreationsSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Oh wow! Your curtains turned out great! Love the color. Kristen

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  34. Carmel @ Our Fifth HouseSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I love them in this color! Really makes the bamboo shades look richer.

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  35. My Many MomentsSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    They turned out great! I have been chicken to try out dye. I have a lamp shade I have been wanting to dye. I love the purple.

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  36. SHERRY HARTSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Was it really that easy????? I can't believe the difference it made. I also can't believe that you had that conversation with your husband...that would not happen at my house :)

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  37. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Hi Rene,

    Curtains look great and inspiring!

    I too have been thinking about using dye on my (different from yours) IKEA curtains.

    What really freaks me out about the process is using my washing machine for the dye job. Did you use your washer or something else? Any tips or tricks you could share would be greatly appreciated.

    Robin
    happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

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  38. Elizabeth@themustardceilingSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    They look amazing...you just made my day! I just painted the master bedroom and wanted to change the drapes to a soft gray, but didn't want to buy new ones. I have the same Ikea drapes and I wanted to dye them, but it made me nervous. Your's turned out so beautiful, I think I might just try it.

    Did you use the washer? If so, is it a front loading or top loading? I talked to my mom about it and she thought maybe it wouldn't work in the front loading.

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  39. refresh restyleSeptember 14, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Perfect choice! I forget about dyeing stuff, thanks for the reminder!
    Debbie

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  40. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda GSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Great idea and transformation! The blue curtains look beautiful and give a great burst of color! :)

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  41. casey at loft and cottageSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Fabulous idea, as always! They came out really great, Rene. Just a little soft color, perfect for warming up for fall.

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  42. A Vintage VineSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    What a great idea and the color is perfect!! I have some canvas ones, maybe I could try it on them! Thanks for the inpsiration!

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  43. Isabelle BSeptember 29, 2013 at 4:36 AM

    This is the perfect post for me as I am just about to buy white Ritva curtains and try dyeing them :-) I wasn't sure if the linen would take the dye (if it has been treated) but now I know it will work! I'm using Annie Sloan chalk paint to dye them a burgundy colour :-) Thank you for the post!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! Your questions will be answered here or you can email me at rene.cottageandvine@gmail.com

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