I have always admired the romantic look and feel of a canopy. As a little girl I imagined that princesses must have large beds with sheer canopies draped over the sides. I must admit that after I moved into my first apartment in college I added some sheer curtains that hung around my bed to create a “canopy” feel to my room. I absolutely loved it – and it did make me feel a little like a princess. And no, there aren’t any photos to document this canopy-phase of my college years (phew).
Now that I have daughters I love to decorate their rooms. We aren’t big on “princess” themes but I still have a fondness for romantic and soft textures. I had been wanting to create a reading nook where my oldest daughter can escape into her books. She is learning how to read and I know she will love to spend time in this new space. I’m sure there will be some dressing up and princess pretend games to be had as well!
After browsing at canopies online (and not loving the price tag that came along with them) I decided to DIY my own version. I needed sheer fabric, an accent trim to run along the opening, a circular piece for the top, and string to hang it from a hook in the ceiling. After some searching I found this set
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Materials Needed:
• Embroidery hoop
• Ikea Curtains
• Ribbon/string
• Accent trim
• Scissors
• Ceiling hook
• Drill
• Paint and paintbrush (optional)
Instructions:
First you will need to open your embroidery hoop and separate the two rings. You can paint the outside of the larger ring and bottom side of your embroidery hoop with any color, I choose to paint mine white so that it would blend in with the color of the curtains. The outside and bottom of the hoop are the only parts that are visible when you hang it up, so you don’t need to paint the top or inside of the hoops.
Next you can add accent trim to your curtains if you’d like. I choose to add some color with the trim since her room already had plenty of neutral greys and whites. Then I stitched the trim on by hand because of the delicate texture of the curtains.
Then you will string the curtains along the larger hoop. Make sure to space the curtains evenly on the hoop.
Next you will cut 3 equal lengths of ribbon/string and tie the end of each one to the smaller ring.
Then you will re-assemble the hoops placing the smaller one inside and screwing them tightly together.
Then tie the ends of the 3 strings together at the top. You can also add a dab of hot glue to secure the knot if you feel your knot isn’t secure enough.
Next you will drill a small hole in the ceiling where your hook will go, and then screw in your hook. Hang your canopy on the hook and you’re done!
I love the sweetness of this little reading nook. The canopy gives it a soft and feminine feel, and creates a fun place to get away. Do you think she’d notice if I snuck in there every once in a while?
