West Elm DIY Shower Curtain

If you're like me, and you love stripes, then you went bananas for West Elm's striped shower curtain when it first made it's catalog debut a couple of months ago. I have been wanting it ever since, but with a $40 price tag, I just haven't been able to pull the trigger and buy it. That got me thinking of how I could recreate this same look for less. Here is what I came up with.

West Elm Stripe Shower Curtain $40
Walmart's Maytex White Shower Curtain $19

Determine the width of your stripes by using this handy dandy formula:

1. Measure the full length of your curtain and divide that number by twice the number of stripes that you want to have, minus one to get the exact thickness of each stripe. Example: The Maytex shower curtain is 72 inches in height. I want 4 stripes, so I double that number (4x2=8-1=7), then divide 72 by 7 to get the thickness of each stripe (roughly 10.2 inches).
   
2. Use your ruler to make your marks (I would use a fabric pencil of some sort).
3. Tape it off, and you're good to get paintin'.

Add this paint from Martha Stewart ($2.94 for an 8 oz. bottle).....

and voila! you've got the same look nearly half the cost.

Washi Tape

Ever considered decorating with tape? Well you should. And after seeing these images, I am convinced that I need to try this in my own home. Washi tape is beautiful decorative Japanese masking tape, and it literally has hundreds of uses. It comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors, which makes for endless decorating ideas. And the best part? It's not permanent. It's a great inexpensive alternative to wallpaper. Now go get some Washi tape, and get decorating!

via hanna's room

via decor8

via project wedding

Jenny from The Little Green Notebook was inspired by this image in Southern Living

via Little Green Notebook

via the happy home

via sincol