Small oars work well for kid's room or bathroom curtains.
Wooden oars with a natural finish, or that are whitewashed or weathered, add unexpected style when used in combination with, or in place of, curtain rods. Oars work well in rooms that employ a look that is nautical, country, vintage or eclectic. The key is to select the proper size and weight of oar. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Hold the oar up to the window and check that it is long enough to cover the curtain rod.
2. Mount a stepladder and check the sturdiness of the curtain rod hardware. Standard curtain rod hardware probably won't take the weight of an oar without pulling out of the wall. If there are already strong curtain rod brackets installed, you're set to attach the oar. If your current brackets will not hold the weight, check to see if brackets are installed in wall studs.
3. Install curtain rod brackets if needed. Wooden brackets that are open on the top and hold thick curtain rods or dowels are ideal for holding oars. Hold the bracket above the corner of the window frame and insert a screw in the top hole. Screw it in and repeat to anchor the bottom of the bracket. Brackets installed into wall studs will hold more weight.
4. Center the oar on the curtain rod. Loop the cord around the oar's handle three times and around the bracket three times. Pull the cord so it holds the oar firmly in place. Check that there's enough slack to allow the curtain to open and close. Make the cord looser if needed to assure the curtain moves freely. Tie a double knot and cut the cord.
5. Use a large utility clip or C-clamp to attach the oar to the curtain rod in the center if you're working alone. If you have help, have an assistant hold the oar in the middle.
6. Tie the oar to the curtain rod bracket on the other end. Hold a carpenter's level on the oar handle to check that the oar is straight. Untie the cord and pull it tighter on the end of the oar that's lowest to straighten it, if needed.
Tags: brackets installed, check that, curtain brackets, curtain hardware, three times, wall studs