You'd better sit on your hands because after seeing this you're going to want to rip all the curtains off your walls and throw them in a ditch. Interior shutters for the win. The minimalist solution for a heritage home.
If you already know you want to make interior shutters you can go straight to my full step-by-step tutorial on how to make them.
Once upon a time I bought $15 curtain panels from the discount bin at a fabric store. As far as home decor decisions go, it was right up there with buying a shag rug from Costco. When I finally threw the discoloured, flattened rug out, I suspect many pounds of potato chip crumbs, tv remotes and socks went with it.
You can see my old horrendous curtains AND the Costco rug in this post I wrote on how to create a gallery wall. I still miss my gallery wall.
It wasn't my most inspired move to impulse buy curtains for my entire house based solely on the fact that I was out buying buttons, but at the time I needed something fast and cheap. I hung them up and loved them for the first 2 weeks or so. That's the period when I still had the WOW I saved so much money!!! adrenaline rush. Then I noticed in photos my curtains looked kind of ... well dusty rose. I have nothing against dusty rose, it's just that I hate it. Therefore I hated the curtains. Obviously I couldn't keep them so I immediately got rid of them 10 years later.
In that time my love affair with cell shades ran out as well. I had those on my windows in addition to the curtains. But cell shades are nearly impossible to wash, have a tendency to break and need to be custom cut to size.
So I spent a decade thinking about what to use as window coverings and THIS time it was going to be something that would last. Enter the interior shutter.
I finally got rid of the horrendous curtains and built these shutters with some birch plywood and trim. If you look at the photo above you might think to yourself ... "But there's no room to actually open them. Stupid Karen." And you'd be right. But I fixed that by designing shutters that ...
... fold in on themselves making them half the size they appear on the windows when they're closed. I've never loved anything so much in my life. I'm certain of it.
The two windows at the front of my house have a clear stained glass transom over each of them so I did the interior shutters at ¾'s the height of the window for those two windows. That way light still comes in the house during the day even if the shutters are closed, the transoms become a design feature in the rooms whether the shutters are open or closed and they're still high enough to create complete privacy.
I don't have a lot of extra space around my windows. There are buffets and tables and couches everywhere. Like some kind of house or something. So annoying. I had to come up with a solution that would allow me to have full sized shutters that would fit into a tiny space.
I created a concealed hinge folding shutter. And they work perfectly. The hinges that allow the shutters to fold in on themselves are hidden by a strip of trim down the centre of each shutter.
After figuring that whole thing out I realized I had a bit more figuring out to do. Because they're on hinges and made out of very lightweight ¼" plywood the shutters have a tendency to want to pop open. A few magnets here and there and a latch (that is actually a picture hanger) at the bottom and my problems were solved.
I assume you realize I'm only referring to my shutter problems. I still have those Idris Elba, potato chip and always grabbing the grocery cart that pulls to the left problems.
The shutters are a basic shaker style which makes they really easy because the trim joints in the corners are all just straight butts.
These shutters are astonishingly versatile. Because they're on hinges I can maneuver them open many different ways. I can open them so they're folded on themselves like you see below, or just crack them open a bit like you see in the photo above plus a multitude of other ways.
If you feel like your house needs some sort of architectural element, this could be your answer.
So how long did this take? I figured it would take me a full day to make these shutters. Knowing I'm always wrong about this sort of thing, I doubled my timeline and gave myself a weekend. Then I laughed and laughed as I entered day 5 and I was still making shutters. The tears didn't start until day 7. But they were tears of joy because the shutters were finally done. 5 windows of shutters made, painted and hung in 7 days.
I know that probably seems like a long time but these babies are here for good. There's more to making these than you think. It's not hard, there are just a lot of steps, mainly in finishing them. Stuff like sanding and gluing and hanging.
For more, click on over to my tutorial that outlines exactly how to build them.
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Aislin
I got cut off registering to chat! I have seeds ordered to put in paper pots, that I made while tossing cookies, and IV shoved up my arm. Now everyone else wants pa
Aislin
This is my favorite blog! I sit at chemo, and after chemo, and dream...but, you encourage me to DO! I rewired my electrical outlets to the USB port kind, stopping to toss toxic chemo cookies....electrician wanted $25 an outlet....and I got so brave after the 7 th outlet...I got crazy and wired a dimmer switch!
I bought a bread linen, and am making bread twice a week...it is the reason my muscles hurt so much rolling bread is tough work...chemo is easy....reading bread recipes.
Jacquie
Best of luck with your treatment. I'm sure your positive attitude will get you through :-)
Karen
LOL! You're the reason I do what I do Aislin. Good luck with your treatment. ~ karen!
whitequeen96
OMG, you are a GENIUS! I especially like the way you figured out how to keep them from opening by using magnets and a picture hook. That ingenuity is the mark of true brilliance! I really like the way they look, crisp and clean AND they highlight the gorgeous transoms. I bet you keep sneaking downstairs at night to look at them, don't you?! Give yourself a big pat on the back.
Karen
Mainly I just stay awake so no need to sneak downstairs. ;) ~ karen!
Danni McLaughlin
So excited to see the tutorial. Just bought a little house with super weird windows (sizes, locations, etc) and I have been puzzling on how to deal with them.... this might be perfect. Do you worry about sag?
Karen
Hi Danni! The shutters shouldn't sag. They're very light, each panel is only 7-8" wide and there's no real framing around them to loosen. They're flat panels of wood. It's hard to explain, you'll see more in Wednesdays How-To post. :) ~ karen!
cris
Don't we all worry about sag?
Heather Y
I freakin’ LOVE these shutters! I am so desperately wanting to update my window coverings and just can’t find any I like....okay, okay...I have found some I like/love but there is NO WAY they fit into my measly budget. These shutters would be PERFECT! My husband is a State Trooper and doesn’t like the windows uncovered at night. (He doesn’t like the thought of some of his, let’s just call them “acquaintances,” being able to see us but us not see them...solution these bad a$$ shutters)! Win-win for both of us....which is good because I’m going to “recruit” him to help make ‘em. I, well we, eagerly await your tutorial!
I have to tell you, I love your postings! I feel like I am talking to a good friend when I am reading them. I enjoy learning new things and you inspire me to look at things from different angles.
Karen
Thanks for saying that Heather. :) That's my goal. ~ karen!
Grammy
Beautiful! Your old curtains were driving me crazy. Now, every single room looks good with the crisp, clean lines of your shutters. I'm pretty sure I never saw those gorgeous transom windows before. Enjoy them, and then let us see how great the ones you make and install in Lynn's treehouse look.
Karen
Ha!!! Everyone tries to force me to relax and then they throw in things like "and you can make me shutters at the same time.", lol! ~ k aren
Melissa
I’ve thought about doing this for awhile, will be so interested to see your tutorial!
Angela
Stunning❤️ I really REALLY love them. Nice work!!
Karen
Thanks Angela! They turned out great. :) ~ karen
Peg
Nice! Great change from curtains and blinds.
Sherri
So funny, I was just looking at how to build a set for my bedroom- both for the look and to reduce the crack of dawn light that defeats even blackout curtains. This was on Friday while planning a Home Depot and Ace hardware trip. Life interferred with my grand plan on Friday and Saturday, oh and Sunday, but I am reinspired to make it happen. Thanks.
Love the decision not to cover the transom!
whitequeen96
I have tried EVERYTHING to defeat the crack of dawn light that gets around curtains, blackout shades, blinds, everything! I finally found the answer and it's easy. Voila!
https://amzn.to/2qinFiw
Hope it's OK to post the link.
These Contoured Sleep Masks are cheap and block out all the light. It's adjustable, and I wear mine upside down because it fits me even better. At first I didn't like the idea of sleeping with my eyes covered, but I'm so used to it now that it cues my body to go to sleep right away. It's a blessing!
Catherine
I wear something similar at night because I have dry eyes - thanks for the link - they're cheaper than what I wear and they might work just as well.
kddomingue
Hey! Thanks for the link! These look perfect!
Sherri
Thank you for the thought and the link- I have no desire to be up with my chickens!
Lois Baron
Niiiiiiiiiiice!
Trish
Oh, I’m in!
Paula
Beautiful! I am definitely going to 'borrow' this idea. New trim shaker style trim in the house and I don't want curtains to cover it; this post is so perfectly timed!
Gayle M
I am struggling with window covering issuespecially as well. Cure entry have Lowe's aluminum 1 inch blinds. Hate. Would love shutters...but I also like "keeping an eye" on the neighbors. You know. You know. The ones who moved into my pastor's house three years ago, and after almost gutting the place, said they'd invite us over to see the renovations. Last time I bake THEM a cake. Still wondering what was so wrong with Pastor's house...
I digress, apologies. My house is a meter 1050 sq feet, and I'm worried it might become claustrophobic after a while. Like during the winter of 2018 that lasted into summer of 2018. (Will spring ever come?)
I do love them on your windows. Classic. Nice job, really worth your effort.
Gayle M
I guess I had better pay attention to autocorrect more closely. Currently have aluminum blinds, and the house is just 1050 sq ft. Tiny by most standards in these parts... I'd welcome any suggestions, fellow followers...
Sarah McDonnell
put up shutters then go to the neighbors for a prayer meeting. Easy peavey. They probably get that all the time in a pastors's house.
Gayle M
How I wish my pastor still lived there! At least he and his wife were sociable and friendly. In the spring and summer, she would play with the kids under the huge tree in the yard, waiting for daddy/hubby to get home from work. We'd sit for them for free ( his family out of town, hers in Australia). These new owners don't even open their curtains...
Ev Wilcox
Spring? What is this "spring" of which you speak? Northeast Ohioans know not of what you speak...sigh.
kddomingue
Jeez, I live in South Louisiana and we're still getting cold snaps and running the heater.....
in APRIL for the love of pete!
kddomingue
I eagerly await the tutorial! The shutters look really great! They may be the solution to my living room windows. Dog snot is much easier to clean off of wood than white curtains which require ladders and taking down and laundering and ladders and hanging back up again!
ronda
i agree! dog snot and drool are a pain to clean off windows!!
kddomingue
Yeah, ask me about the French door that I foolishly put in out in going out to the backyard!
dana
I love those shutters, Karen. They look awesome!
Karen
Thx Dana! I'm really, *really* happy with how they turned out. ~ karen!
Lynne from Design The Life You Want To live
I had to add some treehouse-ness with a pic for inspiration AKA bribery (?) :) We need to get some rock stacking done STAT. You go first.
Karen
Hahah! I've actually been thinking of rock stacking since I posted that artist doing it on my Facebook page! ~ karen
Vicki LEUNG
THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL!!
Wendi
So beautiful, Karen! I especially love how you can now see those gorgeous transoms! I need some fresh new ideas about a new covering/treatment for my living room bay window. We still have the “Totally 80’s” vertical blinds on them that came with the house when we bought it...ten years ago. Ugh 😑
Jan in Waterdown
Oh goodness those verticals are beyond bad eh? We put them on a sliding patio door back in the 80's and I hated them after about 10 minutes! They were fabric with a really gross matching valance. What were we thinking???
Lynne from Design The Life You Want To live
I realllllly think you need to have an extended visit in the treehouse this year, and make these for the treehouse windows. Deal. Done. Okay, see you soon :) x
Phyllis Kraemer
I'll come and help you Karen...and you can boss me around! Then we can go to Keady and drag Welding man with us...and who knows ...the beach is just 1/2 hour away from Keady!!
Karen
LOL. Dan has *already* decided I'm going, and then to Keady and then to his pond/lake to swim. Although I'm afraid of that pond/lake. ~ karen!
Phyllis Kraemer
Well...I think you would love Sauble Beach..Dan would too!!