Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Part 2 ~ Do It Yourself Custom Window Film - Beautiful, Easy and Inexpensive!



I promised you I would share the results of my window film project in my girls room!  Without further delay, here it is! 
 

For the bathroom project and beginning instructions that apply to this project, see Part 1.

All you will need to purchase to complete this project is a white Elmer's Painters marker, clear Con-Tact brand adhesive liner (it says clear but it actually looks frosted), masking tape (if desired), and Windex glass cleaner (or other brand). 

I do almost all my shopping locally but for your convenience and/or comparison, I've included links to the products listed so that you can see what I'm referring to.  I know that a lot of folks shop online now so perhaps these links will be an added convenience for you, if you are one of those "on-line shoppers".

Supplies ~

Elmer's Painters Opaque Paint Marker, Medium Tip, White (7333)


Con-Tact Simple Elegance Shelf Liners, Clear, 5-Foot Roll (Pack of 6)

I freehanded most of the project and am very happy with the results, however, I think I may have gotten a bit carried away at the end.  It was a good experience and my girls are happy with it!


Photo of window prior to covering with film.
The girls' room faces a heavily trafficked street
with a lot of foot traffic as well.  We've been
concerned about privacy issues in the past so
covering this window with a frosted look just
seemed like a natural choice.


1) After cleaning the window, I applied the film
as instructed in Part 1


2) Film applied as shown in Part 1


3) Beginning stages of my freehand creation with the
Elmer's Painters marker.


4) Decorating in process.  I love the way the paint looks
dark with the daylight shining through but at night,
it is very white.  I think the change in appearance is cool!


Finished view from outside at night! 
See, I did get a bit carried away.
Perhaps I should have just left the bottom sections plain.
Oh well! The girls like it!


Top section in the morning light.  I left this uncovered except
for the cutouts so my girls can see if it's sunny, snowing or
raining from their bedroom.


Another view in the morning light




Yet another view in the morning light, right top two sections



Bottom sections in the morning light.
 

11 comments:

  1. That is one of the coolest projects I've seen lately!

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  2. I've wondered about older homes. They are always lined with huge old trees. Trees that block out all the light. What I wonder about specifically is whether when the owner built the house if they had visions of blocking out all the light entering and warming up the home. I mean, if the house is a hundred years old, thus before mass electricity, then I would suspect that the idea of blocking out the views and light with a big over grown tree is relatively new in the lifetime of that household. Say only 50 years.

    What do you think?

    - Cloud

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure about every area of the country but here (Kansas) the summer heat is worse than the winter cold lately. So I would be thrilled if trees covered our windows in the summer months!

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    2. I like the idea of purchasing very old historic styled homes. Ones you would find minimal if any insulation. Convert them over to straw bale fill tight homes. They have these cheap old world houses in Detroit. Gets my DIY inclination buzzing. :)

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    3. That's an incredible idea! I'd love to see that!

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  3. That is a very cool and I really like what you did with the top!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks triblemama! I especially like the top too!

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  4. Your artwork is fantastic. Nicely done.

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    Replies
    1. George,

      Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words!

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  5. I keep finding non-adhesive contact paper. Was your's adhesive? And did you always use a white painters marker? The flowers look black on the inside and white on the outside. Thank you. I love this idea! My daughter is going to do it for her room as part of Mommy Camp this summer.

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