Friday, August 03, 2007

Fickle

I knew that this would happen. Sometimes I forget that I've known myself for a long ol' time. You'd think that the years of experience and, hopefully, insight gained during that time would have taught me a thing or two along the way.

Not when it comes to curtains, I guess.

A few weeks back I had this wild idea that if I sewed up some curtains for the baby's room - we would spring into action with the painting and ~ VOILA ~ we'd get the crib put together, set up the closet, choose a rug and...you get the picture. The good news is that the project did inspire movement and I am so proud to report that the room has been beautifully and painstakingly painted by jzboy. (I merely assisted, made lunch/dinner/tea, did most of the other chores in the house, poured beer and played DJ).

I am now struggling with an unsurprising quandary given my history with creative projects. You see, I'm not sure that I like the original curtains anymore.

Darnit. This is where the lapse of insight comes into play.

The paint that we picked out, Peach Organza, is a very nice color. In fact, I LOVE the color. I'm just not sure that it matches anymore. Here is the original curtain with the new paint:


I put the alphabet cards on the ledge b/c they will find their way around the perimeter of the room - at least on two walls. Each card has a water colored picture of a flower starting with the corresponding letter of the alphabet. That is part of the reason why I chose the fabric that I did (Alexander Henry) b/c of the splashy, scribbly, fun floral design.

Here is some other fabric that I purchased for another project (yes, I'm becoming quite a fan of Alexander H). Isn't it cute? I love the vintagey animal print and the green/orange accents. And, yes, I like the way it goes with the new paint.


My concerns are that it doesn't really "go" with the floral card idea, that I'll tire of the animal print and that it will feel too "nursery-ish" after a while and, of course, there's the fact that I've already got a set of curtains ready to roll.

I'm ambivalent. I'm fickle. Even as I write this. I'm thinking that the original might just be ok. But, gosh, I do love those animals. And, I could stop by this other fabric shop Saturday to see what they've got that I didn't see at the first place. This can not go on for the next 12 months. The whole idea was to move forward.

Its silly, I tell you. Just plain silly.

27 comments:

Stacey T. said...

Fabric is wonderful...all of it. I wish I had a HUGE house with a room just for fabric. I like the 2nd curtain, though....it's a great contrast.

walternatives said...

I like the second curtain, too, but it doesn't seem to go as well with the flower prints. What color is most often featured in the flowers? My vote? Get exactly what you want - don't fret over not using the original curtains. Pick another fabric if it feels like you need to. What is the dominant color in the flower prints? Maybe that should be a consideration. You'll use all that fabric eventually, sewing for your wee one. Another idea is brewing, but I have to send you the visual.

K said...

Gosh, darn it, you'll just have to go shopping for some curtain fabric that your REALLY LOVE! The new paint is gorgeous and so are the alphabet cards. Your mission: Go boldly and search for new fabric!

See you tomorrow!

Joannah said...

They are both nice, but I really like the first one. It seems to go better with the cards above it, too. I would keep with the floral theme instead of introducing another theme. JMHO. ;-)

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I think the first one goes better with the floral cards too....could you switch out the prints to different ones, then just switch them back after? Or will that not work with the rest of the room?

Mamacita said...

Um.....I'd have to see the bedding to give you an honest answer. I like both fabrics. I like mix-n-match. But then what do I know?....we have african safari animals with pink and lavander princess colors.

kitchu said...

Animals. GO animals. It's so different, adorable, perfect. And not everything has to "match" in theme or in color. Mix it up. Life's a mixed bag. I am so digging that animal fabric.

Plus animals walk on the earth. And there are flowers on the earth. It all GOES, really. :O)

Jenni said...

I like the 2nd fabric too. I'm jealous that you painting the room. We finally moved the sofa out of Baby B's room, maybe when it isn't so nice outside I tackle that project. It it were me, I might take a gander at some other fabrics and then stress some more. = )

Jacquie said...

Wow, they're both great. I love voting on other people's decorating choices because I don't have to live with the outcome. But I can't this time. Like 'em both.

rubyiscoming said...

didja get the floral cards from LAND OF NOD? i love LOVE LOVE that look! what about stripes instead for curtains? i love the fabric, but agree it doesn't REALLY go w/ the cards.

besides, you are WAY ahead of us on the nursery - i am soooo putting it off until i actually feel like ruby is "near" - just my way of coping, i guess.

Polar Bear said...

I LOVE the cards. Those are fantastic!!! As for the fabric I think I like the first one a tad bit over the second. I think because I love the flower cards so much and I think that fabric goes better.

I know that probably doesn't help, but I'd thought I'd throw it in there. :)

Debra Sue said...

I am with Kim, go with a stripe to offset the cards. I like the floral too.

Totally not a seamstress here, so with that being said, can you use the animal fabric to make something else? Like a cute sundress or slipcover for a play chair that goes in another room?

Like I said, I know nothing about fabric, but that animal one is too cute not to use somewhere.

Anne Marie said...

Honestly, I think the new fabric goes better with the cards too. If you get past the idea of the flowers themselves, and OK, maybe the organic, swirly lines of flowers, I actually think the colors in the cards go better with not only the walls, but also the colors in the cards. And sorry, that was one of the worst run-on sentences in history.

So, are you going to have to get a third fabric to make yourself feel better about this? If so, keep us posted!

And BTW, I would say it's the opposite of fickle, I would say it's knowing what you like when you see it!

Anonymous said...

Ack. I'm just as bad. I like both fabrics, the first because it's cute and goes with the cards, and the second because it's funky and original. See, this is why I haven't started our nursery yet, I'm too wishy-washy!

Irena said...

I'll give me 2 cents eventhough you know I am not qualified. I like the color scheme of the second one better. And I'm not big on things matching so much, so the animals don't bother me. If you did decide to try another fabric, I would consider something with stripes, as others have mentioned, or even just a solid color. Boring, huh?

Glen and Andrea said...

I think the first fabric definately goes better with the paint colour than the animal print does, but I don't think that particular floral goes with the cards that well, but for a whimsical little girl's room either fabrics are fine.

I adore the animal print but I have a soft spot for this type of design. You could make something else out of that faric like a little bean bag seat etc. I would probably be tempted to make it into little dungarees/overalls!

Michelle said...

I actually think the original curtains go quite well with the paint color. But I love the animals too. Gee I am a big help. And where did you get those cards? I LOVE them!

tundrachica said...

Let me mix it up for you girlfriend...a lil' tie dye...I'm not going to choose because I can't!

Oh yea...Um...where's the 5 thing meme? Hmmmmm????

JMCS said...

The wall color is just beautiful! I really like both of the fabrics, but I think the 2nd one is my favorite. Of course it does not go with the flower cards, but maybe you could use those elsewhere.

Hugs,
Jonni
:)

Tamara said...

For what it's worth I like the first curtain better. But the animals are cute too. Anyway, I'm always telling Alexis it's a girls perogative to change her mind.

Joelle and Chandler said...

stick with the first one - DO NOT SECOND GUESS!

signed,
your friendly interior designer buddy

Tammy said...

Picking curtains is a booger - not quite as painful as swimsuit shopping, but not easy. Good luck.

Love the paint color.

How's that for help?

Anonymous said...

All I've got to say is...me too. On the fickle thing. Sigh.

My curtains came first, then the rest of the room. So, I've got no good advice...I love your choices, and you're the EXPERT on color, so go with your gut instinct, I guess.

4D said...

I like the them both but the first one works with the colour IMHO.

Keep smilin!

"M2" said...

I vote for the new fabric too.
I have been living this window treatment/paint matching issue for years now. :)

Beth and Shayna said...

Both fabrics are so cute and you are so great at creating. I am sure you will decide on the best one for Buttercup!

Beeb said...

the alphabet cards are beautiful! go with what looks best with them - they will make you smile and I don't see one tiring easily of them.