Doesn't say how big the windows are or yardage required. Doesn't divide out labor either. But it's bargain compared to what I'm paying for custom curtains and rods.

You can find nice curtain rods on-line and install them yourself for a fraction of that cost, if you're at all handy or have someone to help you.

Oh my.

Thanks for the sneak peak, ILR. Every so often I bemoan living in the back of beyond on a farm where things like custom curtains just don't exist (we're a six-hour roundtrip from the nearest big city), but with so many windows in our new house, there's no way we could afford custom.

shhhh.... don't tell, but I've been using AmazonBasics black curtain rods for my Ikea, Pottery Barn, and Anthro curtains : ) . And my husband does the installation; I tip him with homemade cinnamon buns lol.

Out of curiosity, I Googled "select metals" and "kingston finials" and this 2017 wholesale price list popped up on Canadian Shopify,

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0711/8609/files/2017_Select_Metal_Price_List_-_2017SMPL-D.pdf

I sure am glad that I sew. I also hung all of my curtains, drapes and blinds. Those prices are insane. I do not mean to sound rude but you should be able to do much better then that.

Carol,if you paid $40 for four sets of cafe curtains, all labor, that person is not making a living wage. I don't know where you live, but those are poverty wages in my area.

Mrs. Pete, I had two rods, a pair of sheers and a pair of draperies and a shower curtain hung and two people were here for a few hours. I sincerely doubt you can hang two rods, level, with proper anchors, if necessary in 15 minutes.

The above is not throwing up some panels from Target on adjustable rods and calling it done, sorry.

The above prices fall about in the middle where I live, I've seen higher and lower...we don't know what the fabric costs. The polished nickel I am sure is an upcharge.

Thanks guys. I really do appreciate all of the comments. Even the ones that made me feel a little guilty for wanting custom curtains in a couple of my windows! We have a ton of windows too and I’m putting blackout Roman shades in the bedrooms except for the master bedrooms. Custom curtains there. Honestly they weren’t much more expensive than Restoration Hardware black outs. Plantation shutters in the master bathroom. Cheaper than custom curtains believe it or not.

all of the rest of the windows in the house will remain bare. At least for awhile.

i know these prices are high. But they don’t seem any higher than other prices I’ve paid for custom curtains overall around here.

the hardware is what freaked me out. Some of you seem to think it’s par for the course while others do not. Not sure what I will end up doing but these two windows need curtains for semi-privacy and I want light and airy. I’ll let you know if you are interested.

heres the laundry room windows. Kitchen has exact windows. Curtain will go to bottom of mullion.

I think the rings are also probably adding a lot. Classically the rods would be very plain so you could probably get away with a plain end cap.

I have done this sort of very basic solid brass rod (the same used to hold runners) for cafe curtains. But for more informal finishes than yours.

http://www.meltonworkroom.com/brass-hardware-38/

shhhh.... don't tell, but I've been using AmazonBasics black curtain rods

I'll tell you a secret: I was looking at Walmart's curtain rods earlier this week. I really don't understand what custom rods could have that these basic rods don't. Curtains, yes ... rods, no.

Well, unless you have a complicated curtain ... like a bay window, a corner window, or a sliding glass door.

I sure am glad that I sew. I also hung all of my curtains, drapes and blinds.

I can sew, but it is not a hobby that I particularly enjoy. Regardless, curtains and drapes are THE EASIEST! Straight seams. Home goods take time but not great talent. The hardest part is probably finding appropriate material, and the material isn't cheap.

For anyone who doesn't sew at all, consider calling up the home ec teacher at your local high school. In all likelihood that person sews well and would be interested in taking on a few small projects at a reasonable price.

I used Etsy for custom blackout curtains

Blackout curtains are worth the extra cost. Without any "shine through", they look nicer, and the extra weight makes them hang well. Of course, they require a stronger curtain rod.

Mrs. Pete, I had two rods, a pair of sheers and a pair of draperies and a shower curtain hung and two people were here for a few hours. I sincerely doubt you can hang two rods, level, with proper anchors, if necessary in 15 minutes.

As I said above, I can absolutely hang one curtain rod (of course I'd make it level and sturdy) in 15-20 minutes.

Of course, I really do know window treatments; in college I worked in a sewing /home decorating department. And I don't have to stand around getting instructions from myself about how I want the curtains hung.

Even the ones that made me feel a little guilty for wanting custom curtains in a couple of my windows!

There's nothing wrong with wanting really nice curtains! But I don't accept that really nice curtains need to be custom or that they need to cost this much!

Very pretty space, ILR! I hope you'll show us the curtains when they're up : ) .

Don't apologize for your choices. It's a combination of what you want, what you need, and what's available in your area.

Thanks Pal for your comments.....much appreciated.

Thanks Becky. Lol, the money tree is picked clean!

I really don't understand what custom rods could have that these basic rods don't. Curtains, yes ... rods, no.

I do know that when you get custom rods, you don't have the problem with adjustable rods where one part is thinner than the other and 1) it is visible when the curtains are open and 2) it does affect how the curtains hang.

I do know that when you get custom rods, you don't have the problem with adjustable rods where one part is thinner than the other and 1) it is visible when the curtains are open and 2) it does affect how the curtains hang.

Yes, details matter, but you don't need custom rods to achieve this end.

You can buy non-adjustable rods even at places like Lowes and Home Depot. Not the right size? They tend to be sold "right size" for standard windows, but you can buy a size up /cut down the rod ... voila! Quality look without a custom price.

You can buy non-adjustable rods even at places like Lowes and Home Depot. Not the right size? They tend to be sold "right size" for standard windows, but you can buy a size up /cut down the rod ... voila! Quality look without a custom price.

Very true : ) .

Pal...fun website. Beautiful linen fabrics. Yes, my space is probably not right for that hardware but it is really classic and lovely.

Not knowing the size, how many you need and your fabric costs, it's hard to say if the price is high. It doesn't seem to be, especially if there are multiple windows.

The hardware seems a bit high, I can check when i get into the shop tomorrow. I did find this website that carries Select hardware.

https://www.designerdraperyhardware.com/select-drapery-rods-kingston-3-4-inch-4-foot-smooth-complete-drapery-rod-set-33786/?set=7122&cid=603&bid=31991&rid=32005&action=2

I decided a short while back that the blinds on our master bedroom window were letting in far too much sunlight. :p So I got one of those pressure mount rods to go above the window (the window is set sort of recessed so the wall on the right is further outward into the room while the left side is in line with where it meets the corner of the wall the closet door is on) and some blackout curtains to go on it. Much happier with the fact that the sun isn’t so blindingly, piercingly, unbearably present when I get the rare chance to nap.

I sew quite a bit, and it’s true that sewing for the home is more or less uncomplicated - just requires patience and committing the time necessary for a proper looking, quality result. The materials are also more costly now than they once were years ago...it’s not an inexpensive hobby and I don’t understand how anyone can actually make something for less than it costs in a store...It may have saved money in the past, but things have really changed with the advent of ‘fast fashion’ and goods made overseas to be sold here.

I am so glad I sew!

Another option, if you want semi privacy, a partial view and light, is to use frosted window film on bottom of window. Of course it is not the same look as curtains, but sometimes it is a good solution. I used it on the bottom of my living room to block out my neighbour's truck.

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions guys. It really is appreciated. I wish I had the time to sew. I did it in high school and after and I really did enjoy it. I may take it up again someday. No excuses...we are all busy but got my hands full right now with mom in assisted living and building this dam* house which is what I call it when I don’t call it the Money Pit.

Torreykn...used your website and found the same hardware designer and I chose. Just guessing on size and other parameters but threw a few things in and looks like her hardware may not be extremely overpriced...wow, who knew that hardware could be so high. I’m in shock. But at least I know that my company is not gigging me which honestly I knew they weren’t. Good people just trying to make a living.

found the fabric online after a quick google search. It’s a beautiful sheer, almost dotted Swiss look. Designer showed me several fabrics she thought would look good and I chose this one. Online it’s 35. a yard! I suppose I could ask her to bid a cheaper fabric. Wow..fabric is high too. No wonder shutters are cheaper.

overall, I’ve had my eyes opened on cost of things and this has been educational. Thanks to all of you for the posts.

It’s a beautiful sheer, almost dotted Swiss look.

Sounds swoony : ) . Please post when they're up, ILR.

I'd love to learn to sew. I bought a simple Singer sewing machine on sale at Christmas a few years ago -- it's still in the box but now that we're in the new house, I'd like to learn. There are some Ikea linen curtains that need hemming -- good practice!

The materials are also more costly now than they once were years ago...it’s not an inexpensive hobby and I don’t understand how anyone can actually make something for less than it costs in a store...It may have saved money in the past, but things have really changed with the advent of ‘fast fashion’ and goods made overseas to be sold here.

Sadly, that's true. My mom made most of my clothes when I was a child -- all my dresses were super cute --- but material costs so much more now, and let's not even get started on patterns and notions. My mom was skilled at using leftovers from another project (or old adult garments) to make children's clothes, so often her material was free or next-to-free. I always assumed I'd make my own children's clothes, but the cost of ready-made clothing came down and consignment stores popped up everywhere (when I was a child, kids' clothes were worn until they were rags -- we passed around bags between the cousins, but no one ever thought of selling used kids' clothes). So I sewed very few things for my kids.

Material appropriate for curtains (or other home goods) tends to be even more expensive than clothing material -- and it tends to be sold in specialty stores. Still, it's not hard to sew home goods. You might not save money on soft goods, but you can probably get a nicer product for the same price you'd spend at a big-box store.

ILR, sent you a message with pricing I paid here in LA.

@MrsPete

My mom made a number of dresses for me when I was a kid, including the one I wore as a flower girl for her brother’s second wedding (by the time he married the 3rd and final time it was easier to buy a ready made dress :p) and when my dance costumes needed to be sewn she made those too. Those dresses and costumes are special memories for me, my mom‘s last sewing project is the quilt she made me several years ago - she only hems and mends things now.

I made a duvet cover for our bed a couple years ago, pillow covers for the stationary back futon in the basement family room, and pillow covers for the sofa with chaise in the living room. The duvet I used some king sized flat sheets to make the front and back, then splurged on some pretty material and satin ribbon to ’dress‘ it up. The pillow covers for the futon I made when we still lived back in SoCal and I had access to a fabric warehouse store, what I didn’t buy in materials there I got on Etsy. The sofa + chaise pillow covers I did with cheap Walmart flat quarters in solid navy for the backs and fancier flat quarters from Etsy. The pillow forms themselves I made by ’cannibalizing’ old pillow stuffings (washed and dried in lingerie wash bags before re-use) mixed with shredded leftover fabric scraps and shredded clothing scraps, to go inside the outer covers made from an old white sheet set that was too dingy to go on the bed but since they weren’t holey they were serviceable to use for my pillow project.

And yes, these projects were a lot of work. The total costs on the duvet, I spent less than I would have to buy a one of a kind duvet. With the pillow covers themselves I broke even, and the pilow forms ultimately cost me nothing since I used what I had on hand.

Holy MOLY!! I would pay that for a room of gorgeous drapes and hardware maybe, but in my laundry room, no way! Tension rod and pack-o-linen rod pockets, thank you!!

Now, my kitchen is a different story. I would (do) want pleated cafe curtains on rings there because I would open and close them every day, and because my kitchen cost a fortune and I want it to look good. Even with that I would expect to pay no more than some few hundred for a French return rod and matching rings spanning 3 windows. Finials on a cafe curtain rod? Too fussy. I don't even get where they would be in the laundry room pic you showed. On the trim? I would actually prefer a tension rod to finals over the trim.

as far as installation goes, it costs a bit more than cinnamon buns over here to make it happen and it takes a tad longer than 15m to get them hung, but they are well hung and they are straight ;)