Simple Kitchen Decor

Collecting flea market treasures is fun but what do you do with all that stuff? If you have a passion for teacups (or any small object with a finger-grip or a handle), we've created some quick and easy ways to show off your finds and decorate your kitchen windows. These projects are designed to inspire you to try unusual decorating ideas and add color to your kitchen while showing your personal style. They are easy, adaptable to most windows, chairs and cabinets, and can be completed in about 30 minutes.

Cups and Curtains

Turn your favorite teacups and saucers (watering cans, measuring cups, teapots, gravy boats, etc.) into decorative drapery fasteners. Here's how:

Materials and Tools:

wooden or metal cup and saucer rack the width of your window
square, soft antique tablecloths or panels of fabric — 1-1/2 to 2 times the width of the window
pompons, lace or any decorative trim for the bottom of the curtains

Steps:

1. Install rack or insert pegs above the window according to the manufacturer's instructions. Hot-glue or sew decorative trim to the bottom edge of the fabric.

2. Drape fabric on pegs as shown. Slide cup handle over the fabric and peg to hold fabric in place. Display teacup saucers above the window on the rack.

Simple cloth napkins (old or new) make eye-catching window dressings.

Seasonal Window Treatment

Napkins (old or new) make eye-catching window dressings. From chiffon to canvas, there's a wide range of fabrics, textures and colors to choose from. Give your room a vintage feel by using soft, faded napkins found at antique stores and garage sales. For a crisp, trendy look, try new napkins in checks, stripes and plaids. For a fancy affair, splurge on gold napkins or red and green for the holidays. New napkins range in price from $2 - $12. At these prices you can afford to buy new napkins and create a different look in your kitchen each season.

Materials and Tools:

napkins — three for a 36-inch window, three to five for a 42-inch window
tension or decorative drapery rod

Steps:

1. Sew decorative buttons on one corner of the napkin as shown.

2. Fold the napkin in half to form a triangle.

3. Drape napkins over a tension rod as shown.

Designer's Note: For a different look, layer antique lace napkins over crisp new ones or combine plaids, stripes and checks together. This is especially striking if you use fabrics that share the same colors — for instance, blue and white check napkins on top of blue and white stripes.

Ditch the Doors!

Many turn-of-the-century country kitchens had fabric panels instead of cabinet doors to hide pots and pans, and the colorful materials added texture and warmth to the room. To create old-time charm in your kitchen, remove the cabinet doors beneath your sink and skirt the open area as shown with a floral or check tablecloth.

Materials and Tools:

thin wire
2 small eye-bolt screws
tablecloth: 1-1/2 to 2 times the width of the cabinet's opening and slightly longer than the opening.

Steps:

1. Top of the cabinet curtain: Create a channel for the wire, by folding and pressing a 1-1/2" hem at the top of the fabric or tablecloth (wrong sides together). Measure 1" from the fold and sew with a straight line of stitching from one end of the fabric to the other. String the wire through the pocket of the fabric.

2. Attach the screws to the cabinet directly below the sink. Measure from the screw on the front of the cabinet to the floor, subtract one inch from the measurement and mark and hem the cloth. Thread the wire through the eyebolts and twist the wire to hold the drape securely in place.

Designer's Note: To give instant age to lace or new fabric, pour strong coffee into an old tub or kitchen sink and soak the fabric until you achieve the look you desire. Test a small sample of your fabric first to make sure you like the effect .

Use print tablecloths and dishtowels as curtains and slipcovers!

Dishtowels as Slipcovers

Sometimes all a room needs is a little color to give it new life. You can easily perk up your kitchen with slipcovers for your chairs made from vintage dishtowels or linens. Here's how to do it.

Materials and Tools:

dishtowels, new or old
coordinating ribbon

Steps:

1. Create ties (four per chair) by cutting ribbons into sections approximately 12" long.

2. Stitch a ribbon to each corner of a dishtowel.

3. Fold fabric in the center and drape it over the back of the chair.

4. Tie ribbons as shown to hold slipcover cover in place.