'Newly Married, Newly Drapes'

From birthdays and baby showers, I have exhausted every idea when it comes to finding the right gift.

This past weekend, I attended a beach wedding from one of my good friends from college. Slightly recovered, I have come back to my New York office to discover another of my coworkers is getting hitched.

Now what do I get her? Kitchen knives, martini glasses, bathroom accessories – I’ve gifted it all before!

I’ve started to think outside the wedding registry and build on a central theme, which inevitably led to my tackling of the drapes.

Drapes are often the most neglected and least replaced in the home. A set of curtains for the kitchen, living room and bedroom would tie in the design of each of the rooms to another, especially since the couple probably hasn’t purchased curtains since their single days.

Linen Grommet Curtains

These linen blackout curtains (now $34.99) measuring 63” with a tie-up shade are perfect for a relaxed, but kitchen chic look.

The multifunctional curtains can be tied up during the day to allow light to flood the space while cooking, or be let down at night to better insulate the home.

The unlined single curtain layer is made of a triple-weave, giving these curtains a light linen texture just in time for summer.

Linen grommet blackout curtains

These linen grommet blackout curtains (now $69.99), in a similar beige color as the tie-up curtains for the kitchen, are an understated look for the living room.

The same triple weave texture can be found in these curtains, which measure 104”x84”. And if you like to easily draw the curtains open or close, the grommets are easier to pull aside than other curtains.

For a married couple starting from scratch, a grommet pair of curtains is a wonderful starting point for their home.

Zebra print on blackout curtains

Multifunctional, understated and basic – these are qualities that we look for when decorating our home for the first time.

But when it comes to the bedroom, we all want to have a little fun. These zebra stripe blackout curtains ($69.99) are still functional in colors like beige, blue, burgundy and olive.

Yet, the zebra strip is a welcome detour from traditional curtains in an all-over color. And keeping eco-friendliness in mind, there is no better solution to reducing heating and cooling costs than a pair of blackout curtains.

And the newlyweds lived happily ever after…

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Decor Innovation