Drop cloth curtains and new gray paint

I shared the kitchen in its new gray paint a couple weeks ago, so I thought I would show the music room since it also got the same color paint. 

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For a reminder, here is what it looked like last year. 

I created the sheet music wall last fall, and although I liked it then with the blue paint, I really like it now with the light gray. I love how the raspberry velvet on my grandmother’s antique settle looks with the light gray walls and the rich colors in the Turkish rug too.

I also switched out the shades I made and added DIY drop cloth curtains to match the ones on the windows. That made a *huge* difference and really added noticeable visual height to the room. Plus, those shades were a pain to fold back up neatly after using. All I did was buy one 9′ x 12′ canvas drop cloth and cut it down the middle then serge the raw edges. I also cut about a foot off the bottom then folded over the tops and attached cafe rings. Voila — so, so easy. If I could afford 35 yards of dupioni silk, that’s what I would have on all the windows, but since I can’t, I don’t, and this is an affordable substitute:-)

On the other side of the room, I changed out the art to this antique Irish pub print. When I first picked this color of light gray, I had in mind matching these old tongue and groove doors. The darker gray peeking through, was the inspiration for my cabinetry, doors and trim — all out of the old house.

My parents had the “Rules of This Tavern,” print, that came from a family friend, but I  always loved it and thought this would be a great place for a little humor.

Here is the room before…

 

…and here it is now.

I certainly love it and am so glad I made the change once I got it in my head to do so. My advice — follow your instincts:-)

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27 Comments

  1. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
    March 3, 2015 / 1:56 am

    Oh I just love the new color! It feels calm and sophisticated!

  2. Something Nice and Pretty
    March 3, 2015 / 1:57 am

    Everything looks so beautiful! I love the gray and the drop cloth curtains, I'm always going to try them but never do, yours look great!

  3. Susan
    March 3, 2015 / 2:16 am

    I absolutely LOVE the changes!!! The drapes and paint make everything look so elegant and the chandy just pops!! It's very, very calming and I would do the same exact thing in my own home.

  4. La Vie Quotidienne
    March 3, 2015 / 2:50 am

    This looks spectacular. The color is wonderful and the drapes really add to the effect. It really is a great change.

  5. Pamela Gordon
    March 3, 2015 / 3:21 am

    Oh I love this new grey paint on the wall! I liked the blue too but the grey is softer and goes with everything. I also like your drop cloth curtains on the door. It all looks beautiful.

  6. Sarah
    March 3, 2015 / 4:06 am

    Beautiful, Anita! How do you get your hardwood floors to shine like that? Your curtains are charming and so is the new look.

  7. Laurel Stephens
    March 3, 2015 / 4:23 am

    The new color and curtains are just beautiful. I didn't think this room could get more lovely than it already was, but it is!

  8. Seeking Lavender Lane
    March 3, 2015 / 1:20 pm

    What a difference! The room looks so rich now! The wall color is perfect for this space, and I absolutely love the drop cloth curtains. I could not even tell it was a drop cloth looks so rich in here! Just beautiful : )

    Deb

  9. Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things
    March 3, 2015 / 2:02 pm

    It is a beautiful color. I love drop cloth! Your curtains look fabulous.

  10. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
    March 3, 2015 / 2:45 pm

    Love it. The gray is gorgeous. Such a beautiful room.

  11. Różana Pracownia Wandy
    March 3, 2015 / 3:16 pm

    Często tu zaglądam i podziwiam wspaniały dobry styl. Z przyjemnością oglądam stare meble, zachwycam się piękną podłogą, i wyjątkowymi wspaniałymi aranżacjami – pozdrawiam serdecznie

  12. Rue
    March 3, 2015 / 9:56 pm

    I really like the new color and I never would have guessed that those curtains were made from drop cloth. They look great 🙂

  13. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
    March 4, 2015 / 12:53 am

    Oh Anita that last shot is stunning!! Love the new color!

  14. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic
    March 4, 2015 / 1:29 am

    Beautiful and elegant Anita!

  15. Chatfield Court
    March 4, 2015 / 7:02 am

    Beautiful room Anita! Love the new paint color and drapes.

  16. Mary B
    March 4, 2015 / 1:45 pm

    Exquisite! is the piano runner a drop cloth piece, too?

    • Anita Diaz
      March 4, 2015 / 6:17 pm

      No, Mary that is made from matelassé upholstery I had:-) Thank you!

  17. Wild Oak Designs
    March 4, 2015 / 4:04 pm

    Gray is so perfect with the doors! Now your room is inviting and warm….the dropcloth drapes are perfect…nice job! I have dropcloth drapes too….I love them….They wash and wear beautifully, year after year! and they are warm….
    Great job…
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

  18. The Style Sisters
    March 4, 2015 / 5:10 pm

    Gorgeous! The color and the drapes..I love the texture in the room as well! Please come link up to my party CPW (Centerpiece Wednesday) and share this post with us! thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2015/03/centerpiece-wednesday-diy-recipes.html
    Karin

  19. Seawashed
    March 5, 2015 / 1:20 am

    I like the grey so much. Our home is mostly white with pale greys. We painted all our oak cabinets in our kitchen and throughout our home Martha Stewart Sharkey Grey. It is more of a greige and calming. So I like your new grey walls. Beautiful.

  20. Unknown
    March 6, 2015 / 12:34 am

    The picture of the tavern rules, chair & table is stunning! I really enjoy reading your blog. Timeless feel and history of your family past. Kathleen in Az

  21. Anonymous
    March 6, 2015 / 7:04 am

    great post..

    obatherbaluntukfaringitis33.blogspot.com/

  22. Shirley@Housepitality Designs
    March 6, 2015 / 4:32 pm

    So, so beautiful Anita….love the drapes and I so love gazing at the gorgeous photos of the room..you have so many amazing pieces of furniture and so many treasured things….love the corner with the phone and the wonderful Rules of the Tavern.

  23. Southern & Style
    March 8, 2015 / 5:06 am

    I love the new color, it really makes the room feel so serene! & I honestly would have had no clue that those beautiful curtains were made from drop-cloth if you hadn't told us-it really does look great 🙂

    xoxo, SS

    The Southern Stylista

  24. Larain
    March 15, 2015 / 10:24 pm

    I love the curtains and I am a great fan of grey. Just a quick question, I live in Australia and the drop sheets we get here are certainly not useable as curtains, I have read many blogs where drop cloths for various decorating finishes, are they relatively inexpensive and what is the fabric?
    Thank you for sharing.

    Larain

    • Anita Diaz
      March 16, 2015 / 12:57 am

      Hi Larain, I usually get the ones at Lowes here which are canvas. They are not all the same as in different weights. Here is a link to some I have used: lowes.com/pd_126332-968-58801/6FF_4294729404__?productId=1008353&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

  25. Tiffany Jones
    January 11, 2021 / 7:54 am

    Thanks, that was a really cool read! my profile