HAPPY NEW YEAR, DIY SHOW OFF FRIENDS! 2011 was awesome and wishing you an even better 2012. Welcome to the First DIY Project Parade of 2012!

12 foot curtain rods are expensive!  I love the look of our new affordable DIY curtain rod made from pipe and fittings:

I knew True Value would stock the materials I needed:
2 – 6′ galvanized steel pipes (True Value will cut/thread the ends to any size)
3 galvanized 1/2″ flanges
3 galvanized 1/2″ tee fittings
3 1/2″ connectors {nipples}

Drywall screws

2 finials and 1 wine cork

Tools:
Stud finder
Drill
Screw driver
Level

I gave all of my pieces a coat of Krylon‘s hammered metal:

1.  Find and mark studs. Measure/mark the height you’d like the curtain rod to hang (not my hairy arm!).

2. Attach “tee” to flange using nipple. Do this for all three pieces.

3. and 4.  Slide on curtain rings onto pipe at this stage. Tip:  Keep curtain rings clipped to plastic casing they came with or clipped to index card or piece of cardboard to help keep them in place during installation (not shown). Attach two flange sets to the ends of a pipe.

5.  Hold pipe with flanges on each end up to the wall, mark holes for screws (use a level to make sure rod hangs straight) by starting a hole with a spade bit or nail (hammer lightly).

6.  Four screws to each flange.

7.  Attach last flange set to remaining pipe.

8.  Slide on more curtain rings (I use 7 for each curtain panel).

9. Screw one end of pipe into the tee that’s secured to the wall.

10.  Twist flange so it’s flush to the wall.

Note:  The installation process will scuff your walls…you’ll need to touch up.

11. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other end.

12. Choose 2 finials that fit in your space and match your style. I spray painted mine to match the pipes.

13. Cut a piece of a wine cork in half.

14. Shave down the sides. (Make 2 pieces, one for each end of the pipe.)

15.  Push a piece of the cork into the end of the pipe.

16.  Screw the finial into place into the cork.

Done and ready for curtains!

I love the industrial look. {No Sew Drop Cloth Script Curtain Tutorial here}

More photos of the sitting room “Christmas un-decorated” coming up!  🙂

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