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Isn't it a funny thing how your style and likes change throughout your life? Well, I can tell you one thing, I never did like my kitchen to begin with. So, that hasn't changed. But, I did pick out my black appliances and liked them at the time. Yeah, I probably would have gone for stainless steel ones if the price was similar. They weren't, so we got the black appliances to match our black counters. Sounded good at the time. Didn't realize how much I would hate them later. I've, of course, done some updates to this kitchen since we bought the house years ago...but the appliances have remained the same. No sense in getting new ones just because. These ones work well...so for now, I'm stuck with them. I've been trying to soften up this kitchen, and make it more "cottage". So, I decided the next step was to make a cover for this dishwasher. Yep. Sounds funny, but actually turned out pretty cute!
Here's the before. Not bad, but it just is too much black with the counters for me.
Supplies:
48"-54" width linen fabric, approx. 42" long if you want a ruffle at top, otherwise 39 inches long. Or skip the sewing and get the pack below:
Step 1:
This little guy is what makes all the magic happen! It's a magnetic cafe curtain rod so it sticks to any appliance. My dishwasher is tricky since the top 4 inches or so is actually plastic, hence the big ruffles the top to cover that. I had to figure out a way to have this work, and cover the top section. There are multiple ones available on Amazon, you can find smaller ones for fridge doors, and longer ones like this one below. This goes out to be about 28" long which is more than enough for the average dishwasher.
This end is plastic, but once the fabric is pulled to it, you can't see the magnetic part, and the plastic end looks good. But here's a good look at what I mean by having to place the rod lower since the upper section isn't metal. And the big ruffle on top to cover the plastic part :)
I love how it broke up the black from the counter top, and just softened the hard edges a bit. I'm trying my best to not paint these wood cabinets....so all these little fixes I can do to help me love the space, will keep these cabinets wood longer :) But really....I'm itching to paint them although I really do want the wood to shine and stay!
Step 2:
I'm going to spare you the sewing machine pictures, and just show you the after so you can get an idea of how I hemmed this and added the ruffles. ... and also show you that I didn't hem the edges at all :) This was supposed to be a quick thing that ended up staying! So, if this bugs you, then I suggest you hem the raw edges.
I folded the fabric over a good 5". I then sewed a seam from the top at 3.5" creating what will be the ruffle. Then sewed another seam right above the bottom edge at about 4.75" from the top creating your rod pocket.
Step 3:
I then hemmed the bottom edge, folding it about 1/2" up and sewing it.
I then placed it onto the rod, ruffled up the top ruffles into place which stay pretty well since it's gathered. This works so good! I can actually open the dishwasher with no problem, and the rod stays in place unless some little one starts to play with it.
What do you think? Think you'll try this? Think it's going to be one of those weird things my kids think about later when they are adults and can't believe their mom did that? Ha! I often wonder :) Out of all the decor I have done, I think this might be up there...but for now, I definitely love it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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