DIY Network

Walters' Living Room The Material girls help these newlyweds break out of their brown box and into a serene living room. From "Material Girls" episode DMTG-212

Newlyweds Keith and Katie Walters want to get out of their brown rut and give their home a fresh new look. The Material Girls recommend using a palette of blues and greens to transform this bland living room into a hip, modern space.

Before: Boring Living Room

After: Rejuvenating Space

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Keith and Katie start by painting the walls a vivid green. Then April and Katie make simple valances for the windows. The valances are hung with a curtain rod on the top and bottom.

Room designed by Kelly Keener.

Valance

Valance

Materials:

fabric (Waverly 669863 Linear Spa)
lining
iron
pins
scissors
sewing machine
measuring tape

1. First measure your window and cut your fabric accordingly. Add extra fabric on the sides, so the valance can hang like a cornice board (we added 6 extra inches to the side hems). Also be sure to add extra fabric for the rod pockets. (We wanted our valance to hang 10" so we cut 20" in length.)

2. Lay the lining face up on the table and the fabric face down on top of the lining. Then fold the sides in 3" and press. Cut away any excess lining to make it easier to sew.

3. After cutting away the excess lining, fold the sides in again to make a 1 1/2" fold. Press the sides to make straight edges and pin.

4. Sew a straight stitch all the way down both sides.

5. Fold the top and bottom of the valance in 5" and press. Fold the top and bottom under again to make a 2 1/2" pocket and press again. Then pin and sew.

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