How-to Make an Easy Seashell Window Treatment

Being “down the shore” last weekend and seeing all the” beachy” decorating reminded me of a window treatment I made for a segment I did for Lifetime Television’s,  Our Home Show.  The segments topic was “super easy no-sew window treatments”. I demonstrated how to make 3 or 4 treatments using all sorts of items.  I can’t remember all of them – I will have to go look at the tape, but this seashell one was my favorite.  I gave  other actual “demo” treatments to my friends after the show was taped, as I couldn’t use them all in my house.  I kept this one however, thinking in the back of my mind, I may have a house on a beach someday and will want to use it.  So it has been packed away in my basement, patiently waiting to see the light again.   I don’t have a house on the water yet, but I thought it might be a fun project for anyone who loves shells, the beach, and easy no-sew window treatments.

Here is what you need:

Hammer a nail into the top of the window moulding on each side of the window.

Drape string or ribbon on the nails to measure how long you want your seashells to drape.  Remove the ribbon/string and measure the length.

Cut chain with wire cutters to that measurement.  If you don’t have wire cutters, when you are purchasing the chain, know the length in advance and have them cut it in the store.

Tape together one end of a small bunch ( 1″ in diameter) of raffia

Weave it in and out of the chain.  About every 4-5 links.

My raffia was 36″ in length, shorter than my chain so I had to add a new length of raffia.  Start the second one where the first one ended.

Remove tape.

Tuck ends into chain. Don’t fuss too much as it will get covered with shells.

Hang the raffia and chain on the nails, making sure ends fall evenly on each side of the window.

This next step should be done beforehand.   This is one of those steps that are best done while you are comfy on the couch watching a movie as it is the” mindless” part of the project or what I refer to as the “production line aspect”.   Hot glue wire ornament hangers to the back side or inside of all your shells.

The front will then look like this.

Once you have enough shells to cover the chain, start hooking them all along the chain. Try to mix and match shells along the entire chain to create visual balance.  To cover the top portion of the draped section, you can bend and mold the ornament hooks to get the placement you want.  If you want a more dramatic look, you can add another chain, just drape a bit lower than the top one.  If you have a long window, you could make a few dips (swags) go across the window. 

I am just putting this up for the summer.  If you have a wall in your basement or storage area you can hammer in two nails  a window width apart and hang the finished treatment there intack in the off season.  Cover to protect it.  This way you won’t have to take it all apart, but it will be safely out of the way and ready when you want to re-hang. 

Tagged as: Beach House Ideas, Decorating with Seashells, Summer Decorating Ideas