AnnArborChic's Profile

I guess I'm going against the grain here, but if it were me, I would do a crisp, white, somewhat sheer drape on each of the 3 windows (either remove the existing blinds or just go in front of them if you can't take them down). If you can hang the new window treatments from closer to the ceiling, that would be great too (as Butterfly suggested). With a light drape, I don't see why you can't just open it up when you want to use the balcony door and also see the nice stained glass. This also gives you more of a symmetrical look, which--personally--I tend to prefer. Also, I think the small space between the 3 only adds visual interest (certainly not a detriment in my opinion).

Here's the trick: a mangle iron (AKA rotary iron). They are incredible!! Miele sells the professional (very expensive) version for about $2,000; however, you can usually find a vintage one on eBay (maybe Craigslist, too) for around $100 to $150. Even the ones that are 40 years old work incredibly well. Ironing your sheets to crisp perfection will never seem so easy.

Never posted here before, but this topic is so timely! I just had a hemming disaster with Ikea's Lenda drapes. The ones I purchased claimed they are 98" long and 55" wide. I wanted to drape two walls with 250% fullness so I purchased 8 sets (16 panels). I measured one right out of the package to ensure its length matched what was advertised--indeed it was 98" from top of the loop to the bottom of the panel. Great!

So I proceed to take 5" off each of the panels, as I want to end up with 93" panels. I carefully measure, pin, press, and sew over 400" worth of material. I get halfway through and realize something looks a little funny...so I start to measure from top of loop to bottom of hem: 98", 95", 93.5", 96", 95.5", 97"...WHAT?!? Turns out the drapes (right out of the package) vary in length anywhere from 98" to 103" (most are in the 100 to 101" range). The first one I measured that turned out to be 98" was a complete fluke.

NOTE OF CAUTION: Ikea has absolutely no quality control when it comes to manufacturing their drapes. I know the price is attractive, but if you must purchase them, measure from the TOP of EACH panel before hemming. Save yourself the time, energy, and frustration!

Their return policy is a nightmare, so don't expect much.