Are you scared of power tools? I was. Anything that involved more than a hammer and nail used to be off limits for me. I'm still no "Handy Manny" (for those of you with pre-schoolers) but, I've recently broadened my tool wielding horizons to include cordless drills.
After moving this summer we had lots and lots of projects. Many of them were small easy projects that were way down on my hubby's priority list... things like hanging towel bars, curtain rods, heavy pictures, etc. It also happened that these "low priority" tasks for the hubs were high priority tasks for me!
One afternoon I was really sick of the toilet paper sitting on the back of the toilet... so tacky. I went and got the cordless drill and a box of what I later found out were drill bits. I had seen hubby do this a lot so I had an idea of what to do. I opened the package of my lovely new oiled bronze toliet paper holder and low and behold there were directions in side for newbies like me!
The directions told me which drill bit to use to make the appropriate size hole for the screw anchors and I proceeded to drill holes in my wall and hang up my toilet paper holder all by myself! It sounds very trivial but it made me feel so good to know that I can tackle these silly little projects by myself, with my new bff, the cordless drill!
The directions told me which drill bit to use to make the appropriate size hole for the screw anchors and I proceeded to drill holes in my wall and hang up my toilet paper holder all by myself! It sounds very trivial but it made me feel so good to know that I can tackle these silly little projects by myself, with my new bff, the cordless drill!
Today I decided to hang up the curtain rod over my annoyingly naked French doors.
I found out that it is very hard to take picture of yourself doing a project on a stepladder so I enlisted my 5 year old to help. I also found out that my camera is not capable of taking a non-flash picture of a window... sorry in advance for these crummy-washed-out-from-flash pictures.
Here is the "naked" French door... so boring:
Here are the tools you need to hang a curtain rod:
I found out that it is very hard to take picture of yourself doing a project on a stepladder so I enlisted my 5 year old to help. I also found out that my camera is not capable of taking a non-flash picture of a window... sorry in advance for these crummy-washed-out-from-flash pictures.
Here is the "naked" French door... so boring:
Here are the tools you need to hang a curtain rod:
You also need a level which you will see pictured later on. :)
First, make sure you measure the bracket for the appropriate length of the curtain. It is very stylish nowadays to hang curtain rods up near the ceiling and let the bottoms pool on the floor. However, since this is over a French door and we'll be moving them often (when the frozen tundra finally melts) I stuck with the standard curtain rod slightly over the door trim and curtain bottoms just barely touching the floor.
After you've measured from the floor up, make marks on the wall using the bracket holes as your stencil.
Now it's time to get your new bff (the cordless drill) ready for action. My curtain rod came with instructions that told me what size drill bit to use so I didn't have to guess. I found the proper size and attached it to the drill. This is done by spinning the front area (see below) to the left, sticking in the bit, then spinning it to the right to tighten it around the bit.
Then drill the holes that you marked with your bracket "stencil".
Once the holes are drilled, stick in the screw anchors then hammer them flush with the wall.
Now, pull out your level to make sure your curtain rod will be nice and... well, level, and make marks for the drill holes for the other 2 brackets.
Now that you've got your screw anchors up we can put up the brackets.
Find your drill bit with a Phillip's head (if that's the kind of screws you're using) and attach it to the drill.
Hold up your brackets to the pre-drilled holes, stick the screw through the bracket hole, drill it into the anchor. Try not to scuff up the wall like me :)
When attaching the 2nd and 3rd bracket, I always wait to screw them in really tightly until I check them with the bracket next to them and the level.
Nice and level :)
Now it's time to put up my gorgeous new panels...
They look a little busy in the picture but they really pull my room together.
Here's a close-up of the fabric...
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Damask! :)
As always, thanks for visiting my blog. I love your comments and it makes my day when I have new follower so please, follow me! :)
Bummer! For some reason I can't see all the pictures! Good for you wielding a drill...hubby prefers if I stay away. I've tried to be Handy Manny myself, but he always ends up having to fix my mistakes (ie, redrill, spackle, paint). You go girl!
ReplyDeleteWay to go girl! Great job! Great tute! Great fabirc! : )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabric and a job well done~! Applause and go getum with that drill:-)
ReplyDeleteYou go girlfriend! I love the print!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Rachelle
Amen on the love for Damask...I just redid my guest room using (too much of) it:)
ReplyDeleteLove the print on the fabric. The doors looks awesome. Great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Sometimes we all need instructions, whether we know it or not. :) (The panels are pretty too - they match your blog design!)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE power tools...and have those same curtains :)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!!! They look fantastic! I love that your 5 year old took the pictures. Too funny!!
ReplyDeleteI love those curtains. Where did you find them?
Great job! I am so terrible at getting things straight!! Looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking it up to my party!!!
XOXO
Jen
just discovered your blog....great posts.
ReplyDeleteI am a handy woman, too. Not afraid to use hammer and drills. I did my living rooms long/wide window using the plumbers pipe and finishing it off with my beautiful two silk like red shower curtain and old rods decorative ends.LONG & STURDY and no one knows it's a piece of long simple metal pipe.
Thank you for posting this...I googled "drilling holes to hang curtain rods" and you came up...I am about to go to Home Depot and buy a drill since my husband is not handy and I am tired of hiring someone to come and do every piddly little job...that to me is a big job since I don't know how to do it....so now because of you I have the courage to give it a try....and BTW I love the damask....
ReplyDeleteAnne
Thank you for actually going through all the trouble of documenting everything in order to help others trying to do the same. It turned out pretty nice actually, and the design complements the door color, Kate. The addition of the curtains helped set the cozy mood within the room. Good luck in future projects! :)
ReplyDeleteRoxie Tenner @ Window Treatments Philadelphia
Nice article any what can you say about makita 18v cordless drill
ReplyDelete