If you've got a preloved dishtowel hiding in your drawer, it's unlikely that you'd think to hang it in your kitchen window. And we were the same – until we saw what Martha Stewart could do.
The lifestyle tycoon is no stranger to a few surprising kitchen (and garden) tips, most of which she shares via her media empire – and this one is no different.
'If your hunt for a window treatment to fit a tricky space has you ready to throw in the towel, try sewing several together instead. That's how we created this chic and simple café curtain.' It is hard to believe the curtain in question (below) ever had a life as a place in your dishwashing routine.
Okay, we admit some of our more eclectic (shall we say) towels are not fit for purpose – but it is certainly possible to create new kitchen curtains from the material we already have in our home. And we love this trick so much that we'd be tempted to invest in specially selected towels for this purpose. Whichever way you choose– this is what it involves.
'Cut an assortment of same-size dishcloths (we used semi-sheer linen ones) up the middle, and hem the raw edges; then mix and match the panels, alternating prints, and colors,' she says.
After finding the perfect dishtowels for your kitchen window curtains, Martha says we should stitch the sections together before simply attaching the finished product to a rod – 'for a custom creation that's easy – and breezy.'
The process of turning a dishtowel into a certain is refreshingly simple – but knowing which towel to use can take longer. It's important that the chosen material is the right size to fit the window frame – while leaving a little gap – to achieve the unmistakable café curtain aesthetic.
Of course, we love the semi-sheer linen material seen in Martha's kitchen (of course), but a thicker material (like microfiber) will block out more sun, while still allowing for a fashionable finish.
Curtains aside, it's no secret that Martha is a force in the kitchen – so of course, you can still tap into her style in ways beyond your windowscape. We're starting with these picks from her recent Amazon collection.
In Martha Blue, this Dutch Oven is an asset to any colored countertop – but in true World of Martha style, its qualities are far beyond its aesthetic. What we really love about this piece is its durability – thanks to its cast iron construction that is said to distribute and retain heat evenly. It's noted as perfect for slow simmers, braising, stews, and casseroles, because of course, the desire for a warming winter dinner is still very much there.
Mastering the art of dining table styling is something that is important around the calendar – but with Martha's help, the process has never felt quite so seamless. The set comes in several colorways, but this white and blue combination is a timeless choice. The set includes four 11-inch dinner plates, four 8-inch dessert plates, and four 28oz bowls – perfect for intimate dinner parties (or larger affairs, if you take two sets).
When investing in – and organizing pots and pans – you could do far worse than following Martha's lead. She is a kitchen master, after all. So, unsurprisingly, her 10-piece stainless steel cookware set has a place among our favorite picks. We love that these pieces are made from an aluminum layer, designed to encourage uniform heat distribution to cook your favorite recipes evenly.
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Wooden kitchens normally bore me – but this timeless design by Amber Interiors is the most perfect example of how to get them rightTexture, contrast, and well-executed details make this kitchen a design masterpiece
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Sofia Coppola decorates her stairs with garlands, poinsettias, and bows for a Christmas aesthetic that will look just as good in 100 years – it's replicable from $8The filmmaker's entryway perfects an ageless, festive style thanks to its red and green color scheme – and it's so easy to get the look
