Cafe Curtain Inspiration

Our front door has a window in the top half. I need to sew new curtains for the window and sidelights. I'm trying to decide whether to duplicate the shirred curtain that's currently on the door, or something else. I have some wonderful soft tan/white striped sheer fabric to use.

I don't mind the shirred curtain, especially since I plan to install an actual rod on the door (instead of the ghetto-fabulous current method of screws and string left by the previous owners). But I really like the cafe curtains. Here's some examples I found around the interwebs:

Southern Living
This is what our door looks like, but a single door +
sidelights. And much uglier. NOTE TO SELF: need to
upgrade door hardware ...

Simply Seleta

Urban Grace

Martha Stewart

I do like the pleats ... ugh, but how to attach to the rod, it needs to look good from the outside too ... more research and maybe some trial-and-error is needed, I think.

xoxo