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HGTV’s Erin Napier shared a photo of a colorful paper chain draped over the window in her daughter’s room, prompting a low-cost DIY idea for adding color without replacing curtains or blinds. The decoration can be made from cardstock strips and hung over a curtain rod or with suitable hooks; the report does not specify a price or provide a direct endorsement quote from Napier.
A colorful paper-chain decoration seen in an Instagram photo shared by HGTV’s Erin Napier has inspired a low-cost way to add color to a window without replacing its curtains or blinds, according to a Hunker report. The project uses cardstock, scissors and tape or glue, though the report does not state an exact cost or quote Napier directly endorsing the idea.
The photo featured a paper chain draped across the window above a desk in Napier’s young daughter’s room. Hunker describes the chain as a playful alternative to a conventional valance, while noting that it can also be layered over existing curtains, blinds or window film. That makes the decoration an option for renters or homeowners who want to change a room’s look without buying new window coverings.
The suggested materials are cardstock, craft scissors and clear tape or glue. Hunker recommends thicker cardstock to help the rings hold their shape and suggests using a ruler, tape measure or cutting mat to make strips a consistent width. Its instructions offer two strip sizes: 2 by 6 inches for broader rings or 1 by 6 inches for a narrower chain.
To assemble it, form one strip into a loop and secure the ends, then thread each new strip through the previous loop before closing it. The chain can be extended until it is longer than the window, allowing it to hang in a shallow dip. In Napier’s photo, the ends were tucked over opposite ends of the curtain rod. Hunker also suggests adhesive hooks or thumbtacks when that method is not suitable.
A Color Change Without New Curtains
The project offers a small-scale way to change a room’s appearance using inexpensive craft materials rather than replacing window treatments. Because the chain can sit over curtains or blinds, it adds a temporary decorative layer while leaving the existing setup in place. The source describes the idea as affordable but gives no materials price, so the actual cost will depend on what a household already owns and the cardstock it chooses.
The design is also easy to adapt: a rainbow palette can make a child’s room more playful, while a limited set of colors can suit a quieter scheme. Seasonal colors are another option. The chain is decorative rather than functional, however, and does not provide privacy, light control or insulation like a curtain or blind.
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The Instagram Photo Behind the Idea
Hunker’s report connects the project to an Instagram image shared by Napier, the Home Town co-host and homeware store owner. The image showed the chain at her daughter’s desk, with the paper loops arranged across the window like a valance. Hunker presents the craft as a way to recreate that look, rather than reporting a new product launch or a formal DIY collaboration.
The article’s headline describes the project as one Napier approves of, but the supplied report includes no direct statement from her about the craft and does not establish that she published step-by-step instructions. The confirmed connection in the material is the image of the decoration in her daughter’s room; the how-to guidance is presented by Hunker.
Cost and Hanging Details Vary
The source provides no exact budget, materials list by quantity or build time, so readers cannot calculate a standard project cost from the report. The number of strips depends on the window’s width, how much the chain is extended and how deeply it is draped. The article also does not say when Napier shared the Instagram photo.
Hunker characterizes the chain as light and says it is unlikely to pull down curtains or drywall, but it provides no tested weight or mounting guidance for particular surfaces. Adhesive hooks and thumbtacks may not be appropriate for every wall finish or curtain arrangement. Readers should follow the mounting product’s directions and avoid placing the chain where it could interfere with window operation or present a hazard to young children.
Choose Materials and Plan the Draping
Anyone trying the idea can first decide whether the chain will be a narrow accent or a more prominent display, then choose cardstock colors and cut strips to a consistent size. Making the chain a little longer than the window allows room for a gentle dip, but the final length and attachment method depend on the window and curtain-rod setup.
Hunker does not report a product launch, scheduled follow-up or response from Napier. The next steps are practical rather than news-driven: check that the intended attachment point is suitable, assemble the loops, and adjust the chain’s length before hanging it. Any further details about Napier’s post or her own instructions remain unreported in the source material.
Key Questions
What inspired the paper-chain window decoration?
Hunker says the idea was inspired by an Instagram photo shared by Erin Napier, showing a colorful paper chain across the window at her daughter’s desk.
What materials are needed?
The suggested materials are cardstock, craft scissors and clear tape or glue. A ruler, tape measure or cutting mat can help make strips a consistent width.
How long should the paper strips be?
Hunker suggests strips measuring 2 by 6 inches for a bulkier chain or 1 by 6 inches for a more delicate look. The number of strips depends on the window and desired drape.
How can the chain be attached?
The report says Napier tucked the ends over opposite sides of a curtain rod. It also suggests adhesive hooks or thumbtacks if the rod cannot hold the chain, with suitability depending on the wall and mounting conditions.
Does the report give a price or quote Napier?
No. Hunker describes the project as affordable but does not provide an exact cost, and the source material contains no direct quote from Napier about the decoration.
Source: hunker.com
