I started them last January (I think), but ran out of “fit to spray paint” days before it was time to go balls to the wall on the Bistro, so they were only done on the brick side of the room. I decided yesterday (Saturday) that because it was going to be warm on the weekend, I was going to finally finish the windows!

When we bought the house, I liked the shutter thingies, but didn’t care too much for the little curtain-y things on them.

This is how they looked on the side toward the room.

The side toward the street.

At one time, I believe they had glass in them because there was a space in the frame for it, but it had been removed.

The strip of velcro that had held the curtain things on was sun-dried and crumbling, but easy to remove because it was just stapled on.

I was going to do all frosted glass, using this because it’s faster, easier and less expensive than etching or sandblasting, and if I ever decide I don’t like it anymore, I won’t have to replace the glass, I’ll just have to buy a can of paint thinner and a pair of rubber gloves. The windows are decorative only, don’t get wet, and since we don’t use the fireplace, all they’ll ever need is dusting.

P wanted to be able to see outside a little without opening the shutters, so I decided to do a pattern, but nothing really busy, and something that would allow us to see out to the street if we wanted, but not so much open that anyone on the street could see inside. I settled on a 1″ wide band at eye level, a 1/4″ vertical stripe, and 4 fleur-de-lis on each pane. The stripes were easy–painter’s tape–but decals are expensive, and with 32 panes, I needed a lot. I found stickers on ebay for leaving a light spot in a design when you get a spray tan, and because they’re meant to be disposable, they weren’t expensive, and were available in large lots. It’ll be a long time before I forget 4 1/4″, 1 5/8″, 1 5/8″, 4″, 11″, 17 1/2″ and 24″ because I marked them 33 times (32 panes, plus one that broke because ACE cut it crooked and I tried to force it).

FINALLY! On Sunday, January 18th, my window project is complete, including the replacement of the broken pane because I already had my stuff out to take down the shutter, and I was already pissed off at whomever invented the slot screw head.

Random table picture because the light looked like it was possible to take one not too backlit.

My next project is my bathroom (ordered the fan/light kit last night), but I’m going to keep the floor under that ugly carpet in mind! Soon, it’ll be warm enough to think about my Walstad tank plants, and stripping that hideous wallpaper from behind the tanks and in my office. There’s no end in sight for my Projectin’!