Most interior designers work their rooms around where the light comes from, so if you’ve got a window, chances are  it’s a focal point. It is imperative, therefore, that you dress your windows properly, considering a number of factors before you make your final decision. Below is a short guide to help you make the right choice for your curtains.

Tone

The first consideration you might make is the overall formality or intended casualness of the room. A formal living or dining room with elegant furniture requires equally well-dressed windows. Classic drapes in silk damask or velvet with swags or tie-backs over sheer netting is appropriate for this level of formality, whereas a simple, natural, slouchy Tab-top would better suit more laid-back surroundings.

Detail, Coordination & Contrast

Silk fringe or rosettes, and other fancy trimmings are often used in living and dining rooms, but if you prefer a clean, simple line, then by all means use what you like. If you’re a minimalist, you won’t be happy living with fussy details.

For a more casual, but still sophisticated room, panels or drapes of natural silk in colors which coordinate with the floor coverings and upholstery make a nice statement. Wool blends and linen are also chic in this setting, and should meld with your chosen furnishings. For example,  a softly draped wool panel is superb with an overstuffed couch, and dark polished wood tables.

Materials

You’ll need to decide what fabrics and materials best suit the environment, tone and function of your room. For example, if you’re furnishing a bathroom window, it is wise to select a material that is fairly water resistant, like cotton, wool or hemp. If you’re decorating for a bedroom, consider a blackout lining and a heavier fabric to block out the light. Drafty hallway? Interline your draperies with thermal lining to lock in the heat and save on your energy bills. Think carefully about light too. Silk curtains, for example, fade easilly when exposed to harsh sunlight, so if you are going for the luxury look in a naturally illuminated area, be sure to line the material carefully.

Exhibition or Privacy?

A fourth factor to consider is the windows themselves. Think about how you plan to use the windows. Is there a beautiful view, and lots of natural light that you would like to make use of? Or do you live in a city with a view of an alley, and a need for privacy? Voiles and semi sheer fabrics are the chicest way to get the ‘net curtain effect’ with an element of style, allowing you to see out, but preventing others from seeing in.

Tastes, Preference & Fashion

A fifth factor is your own personal likes and dislikes. If you like an eclectic, or even eccentric, look, use the colors and fabrics that you like the best. If you choose colors in the same value, that is all pastels or all brights, and patterns in the same size range, you can mix and match fairly easily. Busy room? Go easy on the paterns and stick with block colour.

Since the beginning of time, mankind has endeavoured to add a sense of individuality to their living environment. Today, we have many spaces we call our own where we can express our personal taste. The interiors and exteriors of our homes are a great potential canvas for our personal creativity. Occasionally, however, we’re out of ideas. Mentally blocked. Completely stumped. While using the colour ‘black’ to perk up a room may seem like a daunting prospect, it’s actually far better decorating option than perhaps it seems. 

 Black is best used to add drama and contrast to a room, and is frequently the colour of mystery, sleekness, and elegance. While many shy away from using large amounts of the colour on walls and panels, it can be a great way to add a luxurious, modern touch to a room, providing it is well illuminated and in a large, open space; it is not advised for small, dark places as it will enhance that hemmed-in feeling.

Black also makes a great accent colour. Accent colours can be picked up in throw pillows, curtains, rugs, and other decorative accessories. Black shutters, accent trim, and front doors can also makes an excellent accent to your exterior paint colour, diffusing borders and highlighting show-off areas.

Black is frequently used in conjunction with white to make the ultimate monochrome contrast. The vibrant pop of primary colours used in contemporary styles aids a room by creating the impression of depth when used alongside black, just like the vivid hues of a sunset against a black landscape. Rugged black iron work can add a whimsical touch to an eclectic interior. Black also works great against any paint colour from soft pastels to jewel tones.

Each room of the house can benefit from a black decorative piece. Black curtains in a bedroom can add a sexy richness to the room. Black curtains also have the added benefit of letting less light in for the late sleepers. Really, black curtains can be used to great effect in any room. The bathroom can be updated with black towels and toiletries. Black appliances give a kitchen a clean, modern look. Lamps with black bases or black shades make excellent accent pieces in any room of the house. A black blown-glass bowl set on a side table can be a great conversation piece.

Searching for the perfect black focal piece can be an adventure in itself.  The Internet provides a great variety of choices, and you can also shop for the best price. Other great places to look are interior decoration stores, home improvement stores and department stores. If you are looking for a deal, try flea markets and garage sales. Hunting for a find at these venues can be like treasure hunting; a productive and exciting way to spend a Saturday morning.

Try decorating with black. Don’t be scared of it. Adding small black accents to update your style, or think ‘big and bold’ to really create a statement. After all, it does go with everything.

Nearly every household has an embarrassing stash of junk that they keep hidden from plain view; under a bed perhaps, or stuffed behind a screen. Even in the most extreme of circumstances, effectively concealing your clutter this doesn’t have to be a tedious, expensive undertaking. Plenty of simple storage options are available to keep your jumble out of sight.

Forget hiring a closet organizing consultant, or pay to have an elaborate shelving system installed. Comparison shopping for some basic storage items will ensure the best value, and there are ways to hide your storage that are both reasonable, and pleasing to the eye.

Some companies offer cubby units with coordinating bins, often in wicker, canvas, or plastic. The bins can be removed, or left in the unit to store books, shoes, toys, or any item that would usually end up shoved into a closet, or lying on the floor.

Short or tall cabinets can be found at a reasonable cost, containing several shelves concealed by double doors. Discount stores often sell attractive units for the price, with faux wood fronts in finishes not previously found, like espresso and birch. More utilitarian cabinets may cost even less, since they are often designed for garages. They can be used in less visible places, like basements, or can be hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling curtain suspended from a rod.

Curtains can also be hung from existing structures in the home, like alcove walls, to hide unsightly storage solutions. Another idea is to attach curtains to the undersides of tables to create instant storage space.

Some manufacturers have started making modern, reasonable storage solutions that fit into a home’s decor because they look like furniture. One such item is a scaled-down version of an armoire, with hooks for hanging jackets, purses, and keys, and an area for small items like shoes below. Why not double the useage, and use mirrored doors for a bedroom closest?

Room dividers are another way to hide clutter. A corner in a low-traffic area makes a convenient spot for cheap, open shelving, or stacks of boxes. An attractively designed decorative screen, which you can customize by covering it in your choice of fabric, will render the storage invisible.

The tried-and-true area underneath the bed is always a good bet. Some companies have acknowledged this otherwise useless space’s potential by creating attractive storage boxes, made of wicker or cloth. However, if the bedspread touches the floor, inexpensive plastic containers designed to fit under beds will do. Even shoe boxes or other small containers will work, as long as they can’t be seen.

Pocketed pouches that hang from the backs of doors make stashing small items simple. Those lacking dresser or desk space will find them handy for holding those oddball items that can wreak havoc on the best of organizational intentions. Even shower curtains can be purchased with pockets for sponges, soap, razors, and other bathroom accessories.

Finally, hat and coat racks are old standbys for a reason. They confine jackets, caps, and sometimes umbrellas to a small area, and prevent household members from tossing their things on furniture when they take them off. Wet items also have a chance to dry without dirtying the rest of the dwelling.

These storage ideas can be implemented for little money, and may spur you to come up with your own storage ideas. If you’re good with a hammer and saw, a talented seamstress, or even just quite resourceful, you’re really in luck. The possibilities are endless.

Everyone knows that kids are notorious for putting things in their mouths. And, if your child suffers from allergies, you know just how challenging it can be to protect them from the various environmental hazards that constantly crop up from nowhere. Your child spends a lot of time in their own bedroom. It is where they sleep, dress and play. Finding hygienic and safe fabrics and furnishings for decorating children’s bedrooms is an important, but often challenging task. Just knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Panic not. With a bit of know-how you can transform your child’s bedroom into something that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also good for their health.

Flooring

If hygiene is a priority for your child’s bedroom, then flooring should be your first port of call. Most homes come furnished with carpeting. However, it is the least favourable floor covering, and is excellent at trapping and hiding allergens. Dirt, dust mites and germs can live in the pile and padding for a very long time, so the best thing to do is get rid of your carpet altogether.

Other healthier and more affordable options are available. Choose a nonporous flooring material such as tile, wood or bamboo. Bamboo is also a highly sustainable material, making it environmentally friendly and an added eco bonus for the ethically minded. Pay attention to the installation process with all types of flooring. For example, wood flooring can be installed using various methods, including toxic glues. Instead, choose a product that floats on the subfloor and snaps tightly together with no additional adhesive to irritate sensitive lungs.

Cork is another material that is ideal for children’s rooms. It is not only hypoallergenic, but also soft and easy to walk on. Surprisingly, despite the spongy nature of the material, it doesn’t harbour dirt, dust mites or allergens. It is one of the most hygienic options for decorating your children’s bedrooms.

While using hard flooring material is better for keeping things clean, they can be boring to look at. One of the best ways to freshen the space is to add a throw rug. Choose the material carefully. You want the rug to be able to take the abuse that the kids will surely give it, but also be able to be laundered easily so that little nasty things aren’t trapped inside. The best choices are natural cotton or linen. They are both durable and easy to clean. Cotton rugs can be thrown into a washing machine, whereas linen is hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to germs, hence why linen sheets are used so frequently in hospitals, and linen is one of the only natural materials used in the human body during operations.

Furnishings and Bedding

Once you have taken care of the flooring, it’s time to think about furnishings. Again, natural materials shine in this area. It is possible to buy dressers, beds and other furniture that is either unfinished or naturally finished with things like mineral oil. This type of furniture can be harder to clean than a varnished product, however, so keep plenty of Magic Erasers on hand if your child is a budding interior designer himself. You also may want to look into metal. Metal is an easier to clean choice and doesn’t hold dirt. However, be sure that all edges are rounded and that there is no possibility of the piece coming apart and exposing the child to sharp corners.

The bedding in your child’s room is probably the biggest culprit when it comes to matters of hygiene. Your child is in contact with the bedding every day. Dirt, dust mites and allergens thrive and multiply in the warm, moist environment. Choose only natural, hypoallergenic bedding materials, such as silk, bamboo, cotton or linen. Linen, bamboo and silk naturally kill most common allergens and can be mixed with other fibres, such as cotton, to make a more comfortable and durable bedding material. Cotton is ideal because it is easy to launder and is naturally free from allergens when processed properly. It is also available in dozens of styles, colours and patterns, making it the ideal choice for children’s bedding. These fabrics are also perfect for other applications in your child’s room, such as curtains and pillows.

Whichever material you choose for your child’s bedding, it is important to launder it regularly. Aim for once a week as a minimum. If your child has more severe allergies, you may even consider laundering or airing it out several times a week.

Toys and Accessories

Making sure your child’s toys are safe is extremely important. Toy manufacturers often neglect to make their products hypoallergenic and germ-resistant. Luckily, after care products are readilly available to help you manage the muck. Soft toys like teddy bears can be laundered with solutions to make them less likely to hold allergens. Hard objects can be regularly soaked or wiped down with an antibacterial wipe. While more and more companies are tapping into this niche cleaning market, wood toys are making a comeback. Also, keep an eye out for items that are made with natural materials or pre-treated to repel allergens. Certainly worth a google-search!

Bored of your boudoir but can’t stump up the funds? Tired of your living space, but worried about saving pennies? Decorating your home doesn’t have to be a bank-breaking excerise. Below are a list of tips, hints and suggestions to help you plan your re-design on a budget, whatever your financial situation.

1. Think simple, big, open and neutral. Go for timeless, long-lasting looks that are easilly adjustable. A natural carpet, wooden floor or cream interior allows for multiple changes in soft furnishings and colour-schemes, without the hassle of a complete refurbishment each time you fancy an little something different. Insure you prioritise good lighting. Poor illumination will dampen your colour scheme and shrink your space.
   
2. Save the evnvironment, save your pennies, and steer away from fads and trends, particularly if you’re a sucker for disposable buying! They won’t last long, and be off-trend in a season. So if you are cutting back, cut it out.
   
3. Choose slices of your complete vision. Don’t rush to complete the masterpiece straight away and bull-doze into your overdraft without the cash to cater for it. Save up for a great pair of curtains, a set of vases that may otherwise sit just outside your price range, or a stylish sofa that feels as good as it looks, and will last you a life time. Remember, some things are worth waiting for!
   
4. Prioritise. It’s all well and good splashing out on a vintage candelabra to set off a spectacular mantle piece, but if there’s nowhere to park your derriere, then the function of your living room is lost. Buy the skeleton items first, deck out the innards afterwards. Prioritise on your spending too. It is worth, for example, paying more for a comfortable, great-looking sofa that will last a life time and holding back on ornaments until finances allow. Writing a list separating your room needs and wants is always a good exercise. Number them from most to least, and plan your budget accordingly.
   
5. History, as they say, has a habit of repeating itself; an endless cycle of by-gone styles circulating year on year, just waiting for the chance to be thrown back onto our walls and wardrobes for the on-coming season. The lesson here? Think vintage.  If  you’re lucky enough to have a relative or friend with an attic full of junk, get raiding! If not,  try flea-markets, thrift stores, and auctions for stand-out pieces to add a timeless sense of character to your dwelling. And if the thought of leaving your lovely home brings you up in a rash, why not shop from the sofa, and browse the internet for vintage online.
   
6. Stuck for ideas? Let the décor choose you. Shop for a style, pick an individual item to set off a room, be inspired by a particularly poignant piece of artwork, and let the item work the room. Choose a colour scheme that fits with the item, and carry the theme through the area to be decorated. In this instance, you may wish to spend more on said item of inspiration, and boost it one or two places up the priority list. This needs to be in balance with the rest of the room however, so be wise with the amount you do spend. Be sure to make this treasure the focus of the room and well displayed too!
   
7.  Be unique. Don’t make the mistake of buying all your items from one place. Shop around for an individual style to prevent your space looking like a knocked-off show room.
   
8. Remember, you can do a lot with a little. Think  throws, wall-hangings, rugs, and fairy lights for an instant transformation on a very small budget. Why not paint a panel of the wall to add a splash of colour, instead of saturating the walls with a single shade? An old minimalist Japanese trick to remember is ‘bring the outside in’. Plants, pebbles and natural fabrics can do wonders for your living space, and are well worth forking out for.
   
9. Think DIY, and where you can, customise. Doll up a dull piece of furniture with a fresh coat of paint and a handful of stencils. Transform spare fabrics into throws or cushion covers. If your sewing machine savvy, why not try making your own curtains? Check back at this blog for a great guide on how to create your very own pair. Happy saving!

PART TWO

It’s no secret that the colour of a room has an incredible affect on the way we perceive our interior surroundings. Equip with paint and brush alone, we have the power to manipulate the size of a space, artificially create the appearance of sunlight, conceal flaws and accentuate stand-out features. But have you ever thought of the psychological impact the hue of your home has on your overall well-being?

From lurid yellow, to not-so-grisly grey, here is Part 2 continued from ‘Shades To Suit Your Mood’

Yellow
The colour of natural warmth, cheeriness and optimism, yellow can create the natural impression of sunshine, even where it doesn’t exist. Fantastic for use in an office, study, or, indeed, in the kitchen, research indicates that yellow can increase the metabolism and enhance concentration. However, it is one of the more difficult colours for the eye to take in, and can be overpowering if overused. Subtle furnishings and decor in this shade is advised. A bunch of sunflowers, a yellow-hued painting, or a single wall can really work to your biological advantage. Think saffrons, golds, ocres and creams if the thought of lurid lemon scares you. However, beware. According to science, people lose their tempers more easily in yellow rooms, and babies have been shown to cry more. Avoid in the bedroom.

Orange
Much like yellow, orange can cheer up the darkest room, and provide a welcoming sense of warmth and vivacity in a dull interior. Symbolic of wealth and joy, splashes of apricot and rich terracotta goes fantastically in the kitchen and dining areas. Chance in any north-facing room to cosey-up the walls with a Mediterranean twist.
Green

Symbolically the colour of nature, green is calming and refreshing, and great when used as a relaxant in bright, large spaces. People waiting to go on TV often wind down in the ‘Green Room’ before making their on-screen entrance, while hospitals frequently use the colour to calm patients down. Green is the easiest on the eye, and opticians even suggest that green environments can improve overall vision. Jades, limes, willows and forest, greens are ideal for lounge rooms and living areas.
Purple
Purple denotes luxury, wealth and sophistication. As it is rare in nature, purple can often appear artificial to the eye, so when choosing for the home, it is best to select subtle hues of heather or deep, iris shades. Avoid deep violets and purples in the kitchen, office and living areas, as studies have shown the colour to induce feelings of fatigue. Use deep rich flashes to accent and luxuriate a cream backdrop. Why not a try a panel in the hallway, or a sumptuous throw over a natural cotton bed spread?
Brown
Solid, reliable and abundant in nature, brown can be used anywhere and with any colour. Light shades can imply genuineness and honesty, and thus oats, flaxes and foals are very good for furnishing an office environment, or calming down the busy colours of a jam-packed room.
Grey
Grey, like brown, has the power to harmonise with all colours, and is a great background to use in a richly saturated environment. It has a calming, neutralising effect on the mind and is a designer’s favourite for use in bedrooms and living areas. Best used in combinations however, as grey alone can appear cold and dull the atmosphere. Warm up subtle silvers with with deep greens, ocre yellows, and rich purples.

(more…)

So, you’re looking for curtains to keep your rooms nice and cosy? Choosing a thermal lining for your curtains or Roman blinds is an easy way to help reduce energy loss through your windows – and save you a few pennies on your heating bill at the same time.

Tests have shown that 80% of energy is lost through your windows and that good quality thermal curtains can help retain 30% of that heat. In short, you can shave roughly 20% off your annual utility bill, simply by fitting thermal curtains.

For added effectiveness, choose interlining as well as a thermal lining. An interlined and thermal curtain or Roman blind will help to keep even more heat in, at the same time as giving your curtains a fuller and plumper look.

The only real difference between thermal and blackout lining is that blackout lining has an extra acrylic layer to block out the light. This actually makes blackout lining more effective as a thermal insulator than thermal lining but it will prevent light from streaming through the fabric; which is an attractive look for most rooms other than a bedroom.  For more information on blackout linings, click here

If you want the thermal properties, at the same time as letting a little bit of light through then go for thermal lining.

Thermal lining is just a little bit more expensive than standard cotton lining (around 5-10% more), but the added long term benefits when you inevitably start saving money on your energy bills it’s going to be well worth the investment.

Thermal lining is made using a poly/cotton mix (blackout lining made from 100% natural materials doesn’t yet exist). Most curtain companies offer white and off-white colour thermal lining and choose the best colour to match the fabric you’ve chosen.

Some people considering thermally lined curtains are concerned by the way that their curtains will hang. Don’t be. Thermal lining is a fraction of a millimetre thicker than cotton lining and will hang well.

Click here to take a look at the Natural Curtain Company’s range of fabrics – all available as both thermal curtains and thermal blinds.

With the semi-bleak outlook of today’s economy, we are all becoming increasingly concerned with cutting costs and saving money. But, not only is it important to save cents…We are looking for ways to “save cents” that also “make sense.” What better way can we save money than by similarly cutting energy costs? If we can simply implement these easy energy and money saving strategies, we will all be expanding our wallets and resting our weary minds before we know it.

1- Good Quality Curtains

The strategy topping our energy-saving list is that of hanging good quality curtains. This may seem like a menial task; however, if it is done correctly, it will save energy and money by acting as an insulator, reducing heating and cooling costs.

For added energy-saving creds, get thermal or blackout lining sewn into your curtains or blinds and increase their insulating properties by up to 25%.

2- Thermostat

To further reduce expenditures, pay close attention to the setting on the thermostat–it should be set as low as is comfortable in both the winter and the summer. Dialling down just 1°C can save you £30 annually.

3- Switch off Switches and Appliances

Always switch of your plug sockets when you’re not using them. You can save tonnes of energy every year if you simply turn off your TV at the plug socket every night. Did you know that your DVD player consumes 85% of the power it uses, when it isn’t even in use? Not only this, but for things such as mobile phones and MP3 players, once they’ve finished charging you’re helping to preserve the life of the battery by unplugging it.

4-Stick Foil Behind Your Radiators

One of the easiest and most effective ways to save money and keep heat in is to stick some ordinary kitchen foil behind your radiators (shiny side facing the radiator). Sure, you can go out and buy expensive insulation to stuff behind there, but this is just as efffective at a fraction of the price.

5-Give your Tumble Dryer a Break

With summer looming, make use of the sunshine and dry your clothes outside. If you don’t have a garden or balcony, try installing a make-shift washing line in front of a window. Not only will you cut your energy bill, you’ll cut down on ironing time, which of course, is what really matters!

6- Set your Timer

With this summer expected to be one of the hottest to date (where have we heard that before?!), using your central heating should be done as rarely as possible. However, if you insist on using it, make sure to set your timer to switch off 30 minutes before you leave the house, and no more than 30 minutes before you’re due to get home. If your heating takes longer to kick in, you should seriously think about insulating your home better.

7- Plant Trees

Planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home to keep it cool and shady in the summer and light-filled through the winter is probably one of the ‘greenest’ things you can do save energy.

8- Replace Lightbulbs

Consider replacing regular light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs or CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). They last about 10-15 times longer than regular bulbs and save you around £9 a year if you change all the lights in your house. On average, you save about £100 over the bulb’s lifetime.

9-Insulate Drafts

Find and seal cracks, gaps, and leaks and add insulation to protect the home against air loss. This practice alone could potentially save 20% on heating and cooling costs. To locate possible leaks, use a lit incense stick and hold it next to an area with a potential outside air pathway (doors, windows, electrical boxes…). If the smoke flows horizontally, this indicates a leak that needs attention.

10-Regular Servicing

Finally, as a general rule of thumb, have heating and cooling systems serviced once a year to ensure optimum performance efficiency.

By completing these 10 simple tips, you can save yourself time, energy, and money. In today’s society, we need all three, and everything always makes more sense when we’re saving cents.