5 surprisingly OK things in the Country Curtains catalog

Annie Elliott | September 15, 2010

Someone must have done the recycling.

Elle Decor – gone. House Beautiful – gone. Spanx catalog…oh, that one was thoughtfully laid aside for future consideration…

But what’s this? A catalog from my youth. Country Curtains, it says across the top. “FREE SHIPPING on phone orders,” the sticker reads.

Isn’t Country Curtains the evil force behind the proliferation of ruffled, rod-pocket swags and valences in a 50/50 blend?

Heaving a great sigh, I thumbed through this catalog as I tucked into lunch…and I was pleasantly surprised!

Here are 5 items from the Country Curtains catalog that I would recommend to clients and friends – or even purchase for myself.

1. Seersucker bedding. Crisp, clean, and 100% cotton, I could see a combination of the White and Blue Stripe colorways in a girl’s bedroom. (Since we’re in that mode.)

2. Red Geranium accent pillow. How cheery! Think sunroom, with natural wicker furniture.

3. Textured Woven roller shade. Given Hunter Douglas’s outrageous prices*, I definitely would give these a try. Especially under a pair of drapes.

4. Tension rod in Pewter. Tension rods are notoriously unattractive, but Country Curtains’ Decorative Spring Tension Rod looks rather elegant. Perfect in a kitchen or bathroom, where you have my permission to hang vintage hankies or dishtowels with clip rings.

5. Hemstitch curtains. They do have that rod-pocket top (of which I am not a fan), but the white ones are 100% cotton and tasteful in a bedroom.

Dorky but probably very useful bonus item: “Curtain Tender” in Pewter (not pictured). A 40″ rod for pushing back ring-top and tab-top drapes. Hm!

*There’s no question that Hunter-Douglas offers an excellent selection of products, good quality, and warranties. But good heavens, they can be pricey.

Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She has been quoted in publications from The Washington Post to The Seattle Times and is considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.