~Bamboo Shade~
I have loved the look of bamboo shades for a while now. A beautiful bamboo shade paired with gorgeous curtains is a look to long for! Here a few examples of the look:
via BHG
via Traditional Home
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Sometimes…It’s Okay to be Fake
When I began my home office makeover I really didn’t intend to use a bamboo shade. But one day I was at the Dollar Tree and I found this…
I stood there holding the placemat…moving it…bending it…and then it struck me! I could create the “look” of a bamboo shade without it actually being a working shade. Which is fine, because I don’t need the “shade”…just the look!
I love it! I love the bamboo with the Chinoiserie style fabric of the curtains.
The bonus…quick, easy and cheap!
Let me give you the details…
I wanted the placemat to “roll” under like a real shade, so I knew that they would need to be hung from the side of the placemat. Does that make sense? Basically the “sticks” would need to parallel to the top of the window.
I measured the inside of the window because I knew the shade must hang inside the window. It also removes the need for any type of hardware.
The inside of my window is 34″ wide. I used three placemats, which were 13 inches each. Two of the placemats were cut down to 10.5″ and the third one was kept at 13″. I arranged them with the 13″ placemat in the center.
I put a small amount of hot glue down the edges of the placemats and joined them together.
Next, I needed to create the “strings” that real shades have. Plus, I needed to hide the area where the placemats were joined together with the hot glue.
I simply hot glued a strand along the area of the shade where the placemats met.
When I added the twine, I wrapped it over the top and left some length on the bottom because when I “rolled” my shade under a little, I was able to use the extra length at the bottom to hold the folded end up.
I created the rolls of the shade so that it would have the appearance of a real shade, pulled up to let the light in. I pulled the ends of the twine around the back of the shade and hot glued it to the back, at the top. I added some extra hot glue along the seams on the back of shade to reinforce where the placemats meet.
Once you have the shade constructed, all you need to install the shade is a staple gun! I placed the shade inside the window and went underneath the shade to staple it to the bottom of the top window seal.
As you can see, about an 1 1/2″ of the shade sits flat on the underside of the window seal. I stapled it about every 6″. When you are done stapling and you lower the shade it will look nice and flush against the window seal.
I love it!
It’s one of my proudest DIY moments!
I love my DIY faux bamboo shade made from three $1.00 placemats! It’s an easy, stunning look! Just remember, it’s not a working shade. But if you want the look and do not need the privacy or light filtration, then it just might be the answer for you!
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Fabulously smart girl! They looks super
Will definitely be pinning this wonderful low cost idea 
))
Thank you Shannon! I appreciate that!
That is genius! I love it!! Will definitely be pinning too!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted…Cool Use for Napkin Rings….as Drapery “Hold-Backs”
Thanks Nancy! I really appreciate that!
Awesome, Leslie! What a great and inexpensive DIY project.
Leah recently posted…[Paleo] Caramel Pecan Bars
Thank you Leah! I’m really please with how it turned out. Inexpensive just makes it even better!
This is DIY genius! They really do look real! What a fabulous idea!
Jeannine recently posted…Baby Name Blocks ~ Amelia
Thank you Jeannine! I really appreciate it. Have a great week.
Leslie
Leslie, I just love it! What a great idea and it looks beautiful. Brilliant, thinking girly!!!
Thanks Denyse! I’m really glad I though of it. I love the look!
Thanks Denyse! I’m glad I thought of it. I really like how it turned out!
Brilliant! I never would have guessed they were placements! What vision you have!
Laurie @ House of 34 recently posted…Sew Red
Thanks Laurie! I really like the way the shade turned out. So glad you stopped by.
That’s such a great idea … and it looks so real!
Thanks Randi!
I am totally amazed at how well this turned out ! Who would have thought. Sometimes the look is all we are after how clever of you to find a way to make it happen.
peggy
Thank you Peggy! That’s so true! Sometimes you just need the look…
Wow! I so know what I’m doing in my dining room now to go with my sheers. Brilliant!
BTW, I found you through Transformation Tuesday
Jessica recently posted…For My Great Grandmother
So glad you found me Jessica! I’m glad you liked my “shade!” I’m heading your way now.
Leslie
What a great idea! You should be proud of this project. It didn’t cost much but it looks like it did.
Thanks Heather! I do love how it turned out! I’m thinking of using the idea for some of my other windows.
Leslie – your makeover is like a room from a magazine!! WOW!! You are so clever to use placemats and twine to create an expensive looking roman shade! Love your new curtains and that Waverly (I think it’s Waverly!) pattern stencil! Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity at Project Inspire{d}!
Heather recently posted…Moss Projects – Décor Ideas
Thanks for the kinds comments Heather! Made my day! I’ve still got a lot of work to do in that room, but it’s proving to be fun. I love my “shade.”
Leslie
girl, that is way too cool. Might have to give it a try
Thanks Kathy! Do it. So easy, cheap and it turned out great!
Looks amazing girl! Love them!
Kimberly @ A Night Owl recently posted…Create & Inspire Party | 3/1
Thanks Kimberly! I was very pleased with how it turned out. Have a great week!
Leslie
That is SO cool, Leslie! What a clever idea. It looks real, looks awesome! I’m sharing a link back in this week’s DIY highlights! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity!
Thank you Roeshel! I am honored to be included! You have made my day!!!
Have a great week.
Leslie
You are awesome! Brilliant idea!
Thank you for the compliment! I love my new shade! Have a great week.
Leslie
You’re clever diy Roman shades are my feature pick for Project Inspired features post today! So happy to feature your creativity friend! http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/03/project-inspired-week-2-linky-party.html Hope you can swing by the party tonight at 8 pm EST
Heather recently posted…Designer Interview {Part One} ~ Darlene Weir ~ Fieldstone Hill Design
Thanks so much Heather! I really appreciate your support! You have made my day!
Leslie
You are a genius! I have wanted blinds in my kitchen forever, but my windows are wonky and I’d have to special order. Special order = $$$$$. I’m too cheap for that. I have passed these very placemats at my local Dollar Tree with the thought that they’d do the trick for me, but couldn’t figure out the details. And thanks to Pinterest, I’ve stumbled upon you and your instructions! Thanks! I’m off to Dollar Tree!!
I’m so glad I could help Beverly! I hope you like yours as much as I do mine! Have a great week.
Leslie
I have been trying to find an idea like this for so long. Thank you so much for your brilliant creativity! I just googled faux bamboo shade and found your site. I wanted a shade in the kitchen to match our working ones, but didn’t want to pay for a real one since it is never closed. Thanks so much!
Thanks Gina! I’m so glad you found me! I think this is a great way to get the look without the high price!
Genius! I love creating new uses for these placemats. Your idea would work well as a valance too! Thanks for sharing!
Angela @ CreativeBlossoming.com recently posted…My Beachy Zen Haven: a Bedroom Makeover
Thanks Angela! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a great weekend.
Love this, and it just what I need at work. I think I’ll take it a step further and make it a working shade by attaching a second cord of twine all around it, but hot gluing only the top 9-12 inches and fold up the shade, then tie it.When the afternoon sun comes, I’ll just untie the cord for shade. I can’t staple here, so I’ll just take some wide ribbon and hot glue tabs on the backside so it can hang from a skinny tension rod. Thanks!!!
Thanks Susan! Love your idea! Have a great weekend!
Love these Leslie!! Happy to feature such a fantastic project!!
Bonnie @ Uncommon recently posted…Bamboo Shades from Placemats
Thank you Bonnie! I am thrilled! Have a great day!
Wow! What a fabulous looking easy inexpensive way to dress up your windows! Love it and am pinning for later use. Thanks so much for sharing this great tutorial!!
Krista @thehappyhousie
Thanks Krista! I’m so glad you liked it and thanks for pinning!
What a fabulous idea!! I never would have even *thought* that these weren’t the real thing. We’ll be featuring this at Someday Crafts tomorrow, so come check it out if you have a minute!
Miranda @ Someday Crafts recently posted…Vintage Mason Jar Vases
Thanks Miranda! You’ve made my day! I’ll be sure to stop by!
Genius! You are so clever! Your shades look great.
Thank you Brandi! Glad you stopped by!