1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These sinks are tempered. Tempered glass is regular glass that has been heated to a very high temperature, and then quickly cooled. This procedure strengthens glass, making it 5-7 times stronger than regular glass.

Sink glass is fairly thick. Typical thicknesses range from ½ inch to ¾ inch. You can go about your normal grooming habits such as brushing your teeth, combing your hair, shaving, applying make-up, etc without worrying about breakage.

Like look of these above counter glass sinks, but don’t want glass? Consider a porcelain vessel sink. You’ll get look without worry.

2. Know your space The most popular bowl sinks are 15-20 inches in diameter, about width of your keyboard. They’re about 5-8 inches deep, about length from base of your wrist to your ring or middle finger.

Make sure that you have appropriate amount of space to accommodate sink and accessories, plus maintain ample space away from edge of counter and wall so that “fear of leaning on it” factor is no longer a factor. 12-15 inches around entire sink will do.

Don’t have much space? Then try a pedestal sink. Pedestal sinks are sinks that are pre-mounted on a space saving pedestal. Don’t want to sacrifice floor space? Try a wall mounted glass sink countertop. Both options will give you an ultra modern sink while conserving space.

Have a large bathroom to fill? A glass vessel sink vanity can help consume some space. You’ll get a glass sink and a roomy counter that comes together.

Tools needed: calculator, pencil and paper, tape measure, yard stick, pins, scissors, iron, thread and sewing machine.

Decide what color or pattern will work best with your room décor now. Going to fabric store is always one of my most fun times, I keep my imagination open and get swatches of fabrics (and prices) first time to see what all my options are. Take swatches home and start eliminating them by laying them next to major parts of already decorated room (couch, chair, tables, walls, etc). Once you’ve decided on your fabric start measuring.

To measure for material, decide how long you would like valance to be. Where will you place curtains in window? Will you do them café style or halfway down window? Maybe you only want a small space between valance and curtain, use your imagination, draw a sketch of window and do some placements on it to see what looks good.

Once you make these decisions, measure from your top reference point (top of window, top of rod) down to where you want valance to end. Add additional 7” for top and bottom hems(this will give you 3” for top hem, which rod will go through and 4” for bottom hem). Let’s say you want your valance to be 10” long, add 7” for hem and you have 17”. Now measure for your bottom curtains. The same goes here, measure from top reference point (where your curtains will start) to just BELOW or ABOVE windowsill. Add 7” to this length. EXAMPLE: 32” bottom curtain length, add 7” = 39”. Write all this down. For width across, measure across window from outside to outside molding. Depending on how “full” you want curtains will be deciding factor on how much material you purchase. Normal fullness recommendation would be twice window width, or at least ½ again as much. We are going to be very basic, let’s say a normal window is 36” across X 60” length. This means you will need to calculate double width for valance and curtains, but remember curtains are split in middle. Most material will run 36”–44” (regular material) to 60” (drapery & upholstery material) in width. If you choose a fabric width of 36”- 44”, it will be easier to just use width and cut a little off ends it needed.

Now it’s time to go get your material! Take your swatch, sketch and measurements with you! I would recommend a pliable fabric that is easy to work with (cotton, broadcloth, etc). Have your material store sales person help you with calculating amount, and give you any details in laying especially if it has a design going a specific way or has a nap. In most cases, 3-3½ yards should be plenty per window.