DON'T DIE TRYING, TRY DYEING!

When you think of modern design, chances are curtains don't automatically pop into your head. Grandmas house and the little country cottage antique store down the street, yes, but a minimalist, sleek interior space, most likely not. Last week Manhattan's newest introduction to modern hotels, The Standard, was asked to place curtains on room windows after hotel staff encouraged guests to parade around their rooms naked, taking sleek to a whole new level (apparently it's hip to flash people in Union Square!). Because this behavior wasn't up to most people's standards, the hotel reluctantly covered up guests drooping and dangling things by hanging curtains! On a much more conservative side of town another minimalist came to me with window pains. In a fairly modern room she wanted simplicity but didn't necessarily want her neighbors watching her try to achieve it! So, to spruce up her naked windows we purchased simple sheer curtains and dipped the bottoms in fabric dye to add a splash of color. It wasn't rough to create a modern look to ensure the neighbors won't see her in the buff!

DIP STICK

I purchased a tube of fabric dye at Michael's arts and crafts, placed it with water in a plastic square tray used for soaking feet (follow directions on dye bottle..some are a tad different). Marked where I wanted the color by taping blue painters tape 18" above the bottom hem, and dipped away. After drying for an hour they were ready to hang out in the window!

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: One hour

COST: Bottle of fabric dye from Michael's Arts and Crafts: $5.99

STRESS LEVEL: Fit to be dyed: LOW