black curtain rods

What would be the best way to change shiny brass curtain rods to an antique brass or black finish?

Yep, as the others have suggested, give them a light sanding to scuff them a bit, so the paint will adhere.

If you haven't used spray paint lately, you're in for a surprise ... there are SO many cool new spray paint products available! It is available in various finishes (flat, satin, gloss) as well as textures (stone, hammered, crystal) ... I love the hammered black and hammered silver finish.

For an antique brass finish, you could probably just lightly spray a coat of black ... I mean stand back and just VERY lightly mist! ... over your sanded brass. Or you could use a dark gold (not bright gold) as a base, and add black (lightly) over it.

If you decide on black (I would), you could spray it evenly all black (matte, satin, or gloss), or use one of the textures ... or start with a flat-black base coat and very lightly go over that with silver. Gives the look of pewter (dark shiny grey) and you can adjust how shiny you like it by using more or less of the silver. If you put on too much silver, just add a little black!

In any case, it's an easy, fun, inexpensive project! Do it outside if you can, and don't try it on a windy day! Have fun!

Which Came First - Curtains or Drapes?

A curtain or drape is fabric that hangs over windows and doors to control indoor temperatures, cut out light, maintain privacy and are decorative.

In old time England a curtain maker was a man that draped fabric over windows. A draper was someone who sold the fabric. Drapers were retail stores where fabric and sewing materials were sold. Today the terms curtain and drapes have interchangeable meanings. The modern tendency is to think of curtains as unlined and they come in a variety of lengths. Draperies are those that draw completely closing off the window.  

With the increase of the single family homes, the curtain and drapery industry has experienced high growth. They usually have their own section in a department store, while some shops are specifically dedicated to selling curtains and drapes.

There are a variety of options for home owners to choose from for any window treatment in their home.  They come in many designs, styles, fabrics, patterns and colors. Some of the fabrics available are silk, cotton, satin, nets, chintz, lace, linen, polyester and thermal insulated materials.  

As utility bills rise consumers are becoming more aware of the advantages of curtains and drapes for their functionality. They can provide a cost savings at an environmental measure. Some drapes also dampen or reduce sound from the outside. Another drape has a cloth lining that gives superior insulation. If you are not a sound sleeper, they have black out drapes to darken the room. These were often used in time of war.

Curtains and drapes can be made with a varying degree of thickness and a different degree of light absorption and heat insulating qualities. They can also stimulate your attitudes and moods. For a casual relaxed atmosphere choose shorter lengths of material. For a more formal dressy look, generally the longer curtains look more dignified. All of these choices will inspire your family and friends when they look in or out of your windows.

What most consumers want are high quality well designed fabrics at affordable prices that results in a furnished complete look. It is more cost effective to purchase ready made panels or standard curtains then custom made. Also make certain you figure into your budget the accessories needed to hang the curtains. Then you will have a good idea of what expenses you will be expecting.

For an inexpensive distinguished effect there are swags. They serve no function but earn their keep by looking dramatic. There is a do it yourself scarf swag that you sew the pleats together on an angle and drape it over the pole. Quite a statement can be made with this design.

Curtain rods hold the curtains from the window top and let the curtain fall to its full length. You can coordinate the color of the rods with the curtain or the wall.  The rods and curtains can be simple to intricate, but they will give new life to your surroundings.

Decorative accessories can add the ingredients you may be longing for. There are tiebacks, tassels, trimmings and headings. Some types of headings are standard, pencil pleat, French pleat, cartridge pleat, slot pleat and puff ball headings.

The standard heading is the most common. It comprises of one inch tape that is gathered up into a narrow heading. The pencil pleat is without a valance and it gives a pleasant finish at the curtains header. The French pleat is often used with extra stiffener in the fabric to produce full regular folds. The cartridge pleat forms a goblet shape in the top of each pleat. By stuffing polyester into the top of the pole it helps maintain the curtains shape. The slot pleat is simply a pleat formed by cutting slots in a cased header and fed through a pole. The puff ball heading is most impressive and easily accomplished. You employ the same method as the slot pleat, but leave twelve inches of fabric above the slot. The excess above the header is balled up into a puffball shape.

Not all windows look beautiful and having draperies or curtains can hide many flaws. So do yourself a favor and start doing your research and let your true personality come alive. 

Author Bio: Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.Wall-Decor-Concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.

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Carnation Home Fashions Adjustable 41-to-76-Inch Steel Shower Curtain Tension Rod, Black List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $10.74 You save: $9.25 (46%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Shower curtain tension rod. Features Heavy-duty shower rod with adjustable sizing; 41 to 76 inches long Made from durable steel with rubberized end caps for protecting tile Installs easily and stays put with a simple tension mechanism Decorative color selection coordinates with many bathroom decors Matching hooks available separately

Umbra Edge 120-to-170-Inch Expandable Drapery Rod, Burnished Black List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: Too low to display   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Umbra Edge drapery Rod, Design: Mauricio Affonso, is stylish and useful. This 1” rod will keep your draperys held up and your windows looking ever so good! Burnished black finished metal rod and cast finials. Rod extends 120” to 170”. Look for matching drapery holdbacks. Umbra is the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Expandable curtain rod with cast finials Made from metal with a burnished black finish Simple yet stylish; versatile coloring Extends from 120 to 170 inches Measures 1 inch in diameter

Umbra Coretto 24-Inch-by-36-Inch Tension Rod, Black Sale Price: $19.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Simple and clean, the Umbra Corretto tension rod is perfect for any room including kids rooms and bathrooms. With a black finish, this tension rod complements many drapery styles. No hardware or screws required. Sized to fit spaces 24" to 36". Umbra is the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Decorative tension rod so no screws or hardware required Simple and easy to use, allows molding to be visible Black finish Rod extends 24? to 36" Design: Matt Carr

Maytex Velvet Blackout Panel Curtain, Black List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $17.12 You save: $22.87 (57%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Heavy weight luxury velvet window drapery panel that completely blacks out all light in a room when closed. Thermal lined that will not crack or chip away in use. Features Single blackout-style panel curtain from Maytex; great for home movie theater with light and noise blocking ability Crafted in 100-percent cotton velvet; acetate blackout backing insulates for greater energy efficiency Curtain rod pocket installed for easy hanging; Maytex recommends purchase of 2 panels for 40- to 48-inch window Measures 84 inches long by 40 inches wide; dry clean only Luxury

Umbra Staff 48-Inch-by-88-Inch Drapery Rod List Price: $26.99 Sale Price: Too low to display   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Umbra Staff drapery Rod is Design: Thea Yuzyk. This stylish and useful rod will keep your draperys held up and your windows looking ever so good with the matte black finished metal rod and cast finials. Rod extends 48” to 88". All hardware included. Umbra is the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Includes one metal rod with two cast finials .5" diameter Espresso finish Rod extends 48? to 88" Design: Thea Yuzyk

Umbra Coretto 36-Inch-by-54-Inch Tension Rod, Black List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $22.89 You save: $7.10 (24%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Simple and clean, the Umbra Corretto tension rod is perfect for any room including kids rooms and bathrooms. With a black finish, this tension rod complements many drapery. No hardware or screws required. Sized to fit spaces 36" to 54". Umbra is the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Decorative tension rod so no screws or hardware required Simple and easy to use, allows molding to be visible Black finish Rod extends 36? to 54" Design: Matt Carr

Umbra Adjustable Wall Bracket, Black List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $7.99 You save: $2.00 (20%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Need a way to hang your favorite rod? Our adjustable wall brackets will attached to your wall to do just that! The brackets are made of metal and can be sized to hold a maximum 5/8" diameter rod and can extend 3" to 4.5" from the wall. Available with in black. All hardware included. Umbra is the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Two adjustable steel brackets for use with maximum 5/8-inch diameter Set of two Black finish Rod extends 3" to 4.25" from the wall Design: Umbra Design Group

Levolor Classic Square Rod Set, Black, 3/4-Inch Diameter, 66 to 120-Inch Width Sale Price: $34.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Levolor-kirsch 43983.770 66" To 120" Sqaure Design Rod Set, BlackLevolor-kirsch 43983.770 66" To 120" Sqaure Design Rod Set, Black Features:; Square design rod set; Rod and finial set is ideal for any decor; Set includes 2 finials, brackets and a telescoping pole; 66" to 120" Features Set includes 2 finials, 4 brackets, a 0.75-inch diameter rod and mounting hardware for convenient and easy installation The Levolor Classic Square finial features a geometric shape with clean lines Telescoping steel rods are sturdy and easily adjustable from 66 to 120-inch to fit medium to large windows. Levolor offers additional set sizes, holdbacks and clip rings to complete your entire decorating project Our decorative rods can be easily cleaned with a soft dry cloth.

Levolor/Kirsch 7004244492 60"-120" Black Universal Curtain Track List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $29.10 You save: $0.89 (3%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Low profile traverse rod. Ideal for patio doors, large windows, and room dividers. Use with curtain panels or pleated draperies. Ceiling or wall mount. Inlcudes rod, hardware, extendable baton, and carrier clips. No. 7004244490: Extends 38" to 66", black Features Levolor/Kirsch 7004244492 60"-120" Black Univ Track LEVOLOR/KIRSCH/NEWELL

A&F Rod Décor - 24 Curtain Clips w/ Hook - Black Sale Price: $8.50   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Features Material: Metal, Color: Black Hook opening: 1/4 inch Clip length: 11/16 inch total length (hook+clip): 1-1/8 inch