Curtain and drape headings- Top Tips

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

There are many types of curtain and drape headings and they are created, usually, by the application of a heading tape and a draw cord. Here is a quick look at the most common ones.

Standard

The most common form of curtain heading is the standard one. It comprises of a one inch tape that is gathered up into a narrow, even heading. This is most often used for informal curtains and in hidden areas, under valences and behind pelmets for instance. When employing this method of curtain heading on net curtains or sheer, lightweight drapes a synthetic tape is available thus ensuring that a reinforced curtain rod is not required.
The standard form of curtain heading is generally used on dormer windows and cottage windows. It only uses one and a half times the width of the curtain and so is extremely economical on materials

Pencil Pleat

The pencil pleat is employed where there is no valance or pelmet and it gives a pleasant finish at the curtain header. Most interior decorating styles will be enhanced by this form of drape heading, especially modern ones. Remember to allow about two and half times the width of the window in fabric to allow the pleats to present themselves nicely.

French Pleat

This style of curtain heading is sometimes referred to as the french pleat. It is often used with extra stiffener in the fabric to produce full, regular folds in heavy fabric, velvet for instance.  As with the pencil pleat it is important to allow at least two and a half times the width of the window in fabric to allow the pleats to achieve their fullness and to give a pleasing effect. The pleats are usually fanned across the window and have a button sewn to the bottom of each one.

Cartridge Pleat

This is often called a goblet pleat and takes it’s name from the goblet shape that is formed in the top of each pleat. This shape is held by stuffing polyester or tissue paper into the top of each pole to help the curtain retain it’s shape. It is most usually used in formal settings where the curtains are full length and have a very formal feel to them.

Slot Pleat

As the name suggests this is simply a pleat formed by cutting slots in a cased header tape to feed a pole through. It can be improved by allowing a quantity of curtain to stand above the header tape. Once again ensure that you leave twice to three times the length of the opening to give a pleasing finish and to allow the pleats to stand up.

Puff Ball Heading

This is a very impressive curtain heading that is more simple to achieve than you might imagine. You employ the same method as for a slot pleat, allowing at least 12 inches of fabric above the slot. The curtain is then fed onto the pole and the excess above the header tape is simply balled up into a puffball shape.

Whichever curtain header you decide to use you can be sure that a little time and effort will impress visitors who look into and out of your windows.

Designing Your Home Office

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Once you have taken the plunge and decided to work from home you are going to need to consider your working environment. Too many people think that working from home means that they can effectively handle phone calls from the kitchen table, or work well into the night cuddled up in front of the television. And while you may be able to get away with this type of working style once in awhile, you will need to design a home office space that is effective and efficient.

A well designed home office will allow you to be more organized, more productive and definitely more professional. There are a few things that you will need to consider when you are designing your space. Do you entertain clients in your office? If so, you will want a separate entrance to your home office. It is not very professional to have clients walk through your kitchen with dirty dishes in the sink in order to get to your office. Read more…

The Best Home Decor

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

The progress of home decor gives a lot of positive impact to the community! Now, the public desire to have a unique home has increased. According to some research, many people want to have a house with a typical design of other countries so they can have another design house than the other. With the advancement of technology, you will get lots of information about home decorating easily on the site Homedug.com which has the most complete of home decorating design today! This is the inspiration of renowned architects, so they can create an amazing home for their client. Now, your turn to determine the best decoration for your house!

You’ve found the best Home interior design ideas collections for rebuilding a new atmosphere in your home! There are many options which you can choose to change the appearance of your home. This site invites you to the appearance of your home with a brilliant idea! The kitchen cabinets designs will provide inspiration to create the best kitchen cabinets for your kitchen. It’s so amazing idea!

If you only want to change the look of your bedroom, this site provides the Bedroom decorating ideas that have a lot of design options, both modern and traditional. Let’s visit it!

More Home Design Ideas to Build Perfectly Nice Home

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

When you plan to have a new home; it is better when you build it than purchasing the ready-to-use one. By building your own house; you can make the design based on your most favorite style and models. You can manage all the parts of the home in any size you want; based on your need and favorite size for home activities.

To make the home completely perfect; nice, comfort, cozy and having your favorite characters; you should get some home design ideas, get the best one for you and apply the design in the home building process. As much as idea you read; you can more easily get the best home design for your new home; based on the area you have for the house and also the building design as your favorites. To get Modern home design ideas; you can visit Homedecorg.com. There are various kinds of home designing ideas in this website; about how to make a nice home and then you can apply the design to the home that is going to be built.

No matter what is the home that is going to be built; it is good for you to find some ideas to it perfect. Some ideas for interior design are also available completely in categories. If you live in an apartment and need some new atmosphere; just get the information of interior design ideas for apartments. The well designed staying will certainly be cozier and enduring.

Decorative Outdoor Lighting

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

The interior of a house or commercial place should complement the exterior, and vice versa. This can be achieved by creating an artistically balanced ambience by using decorative outdoor lighting fixtures at different angles and points. For example if for a small garden or deck canister sized lighting fixtures create a loud and crass effect. To get the right balance the area should be highlighted by using small lights closer to the ground, on tree trunks or eaves of structures around.

Light designers and manufacturers realizing potential of decorative outdoor lighting introduced shapes, styles and finishes in consonance with changing times. Decorative outdoor lights in neo-classical designs, informal or contemporary and stylistic create harmonious setting matching the interior with the exterior. Purpose also decides design of decorative outdoor lightings. For pathways, lightings with top covers or shades are preferred as light is directed out and down but not on the face. There is nothing worse than to be momentarily blinded by instant glare. One does not need a beacon on private property but a decorative light to focus on special features of the house as well as safeguard it. In commercial places such as malls, hotels, schools, colleges, clubs the decorative outdoor lighting should be artistic as well as utilitarian. Compact fluorescent lights, ground level moon lamps, post lanterns are some of the designs that help control glare and spill.

Another transformation from old to new is the use of decorative outdoor lighting with timers and photo cells. One can visualize the gas-burning lamps of 1800’s used to light streets. We have come a long way but nostalgia plays a hand as same idea is incorporated in electricity bulbs available in flame shaped designs. Whatever the design or style from diamond shaped to opal, antique lamp posts and shades, lights with frosted exterior, guests and visitors should not be inconvenienced by faulty placement and design selection. Instead of being influenced by neighbors, store catalogues or particular shape and color consider requirement, budget and appropriate lighting. If pathway is long and dark then hang Chinese lanterns or wanting to create a partition in the lawn then plant tiki torches available in different sizes and color.

Choices are unlimited, requiring a level headed thinking mind to select decorative outdoor lightings.

Elements of Interior Design

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or “starting from scratch” with an empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything.  The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter. The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how you use these elements and are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

Element #1: Space
Space defines the boundaries and sets the limits on the functional and decorative things you can do.  Usually you will not determine the space; instead, you will be faced with the challenge of using the existing space effectively.

Element #2: Line
The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it comes to setting the overall mood or feeling of a room.  The lines of window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In most situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) rather than curved. Your choice of emphasizing the direction of lines will determine the mood you want to create.
•    Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance the horizontal lines found in most furniture.
•    Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling. They work well in casual rooms or as relief to the strong verticals of formal rooms.
•    Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be disturbing unless supported by verticals or opposing diagonals.
•    Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from becoming too stiff. Use curved lines with some restraint to keep the room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.

Element #3: Form
Lines that join together produce the form, or shape, of an object, which in turn impacts the overall feeling of a room.  Straight lines create rectangles, square and triangles. Curved lines form circles and ovals. The rectangle is the most popular form and is often the dominant shape in a room. Triangles provide stability and curved shapes soften the contours of objects.

Element #4: Color
More than any other element, color can make a room beautiful. Color can set the mood. It can make a room warmer or cooler, larger or smaller. It can hide unsightly features or call attention to the center of interest. Even with the simplest furnishings, the proper use of color can transform a room.

Element #5: Texture
Texture is playing an increasingly important role in home decorating. Visual texture is a material’s apparent smoothness or roughness. To maintain and enhance a casual feeling, use fabrics that are more heavily textured, nubby or rough visual texture. Smooth, shiny surfaces such as silk, moiré, chintz and silk-like looks support a more formal feeling in a room.  Using several levels of complementary textures adds variety and maintains interest. However, it is a good idea to avoid dramatic contrasts in texture.

New Couch Covers Can Transform A Room In Minutes!

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

New couch covers can work wonders at giving tired looking furniture a much-needed new look, for not much effort or expense.  If the upholstery on your couch is looking worn or outdated, then fitting a sofa slipcover over the top can instantly give it a fresh lease of life.  Couch slipcovers are designed to be really easy to stretch into place for a snug-fitting appearance, and most can be machine-washed, which means there’s no need to stress about pets or children getting dirty marks on your favorite sofa!

Couch covers are not just incredibly simple to change, they are affordable too, so if you’re looking to give your room a makeover without blowing your budget on new furniture, fitted slipcovers could be the solution!  Many people like to buy more than one set of slipcovers, so they can change the image of their room to suit the occasion or to match the seasons.  Furniture covers come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, from classic floral designs to bright and bold modern prints, so there’s something to complement all kinds of décor.

In addition to being perfect for instantly covering up signs of wear and tear, furniture slipcovers are ideal for protecting good quality upholstery from damage.  Chair and couch covers are made from a range of attractive fabrics that not only look and feel great, are durable enough to stand up to daily use.  Popular choices include stretch cotton, denim, twill and velvet.  Whatever your personal tastes or the theme and color scheme of your home, you’re sure to find some slipcovers that can help you achieve that fresh new look for your room.

Tips to know Before Choosing Curtains

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

Consider the style, size, and shape of the window, and what you want the curtains for. Think about the room, its proportions and what it’s used for, the upholstery, and accessories. Curtains can be hung from rods in a number of ways. Although most are functional rather than stylish, some decorative types are available. The right choice will not only enhance the window but also turn an ordinary room into a really special place.

Here are ten household helpful hints for choosing curtains:

1. Match curtain fabric with upholstery to unify space that seems untidy.

2. Use carpet to mark off space. A rug is ideal for establishing a social zone within a room.

3. Fabrics with classic patterns give a period feeling to the ambience of a room.

4.  Remember that the bed linen, tablecloths, and towels also contribute to decoration.

5.  Sheer curtain and gauze enable us to filter light.

6.  Venetian blinds allow control over the amount of light entering a room.

7. Do not limit curtains and blinds to just windows. They can be used in an excessively long passage or hallway. Blinds make good screens.

8. In rooms with a lot of pictures, different colored walls, or furniture, it is suitable to use neutral tones for the curtains and upholstery.

9. Take advance of fabrics by using them to renovate your furniture.

10. Use rugs and tapestries as hanging on a wall. Their color and texture are unbeatable and they improve acoustics.

Bunk Beds – Superior Space Savers

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

bunk-bedHave you ever considered the idea of buying a bunk bed? There are many styles to accommodate your needs whether it be for your home, a dorm room, gift or a variety of other reasons. A bunk bed can be a fantastic solution for a room that has no space to spare. These types of beds can be extremely practical in many different situations such as a home where children share a room, a student dorm room, a business staff accommodation and even save a lot of space at the cabin or cottage.

A bunk bed is found more often than not, made of wood, but can also come in metal. There are many types to choose from depending on what you need it for. Types of bunk beds include L-shaped, triple bunk beds, twin over full bunk beds, standard and loft bed types. Also check out a trundle bed, which may be particularily useful for kids who like to have sleepovers, as it slides out from below your child’s exhisting bed like a drawer. These types of bed have the ability to make a small room appear quite large, and feel like that too.

With a bunk bed, many people have a concern with safety. Well, before you purchase one of many bunk bed styles available, you want to make sure that it is sturdy. Some good quality stackable beds can support 400 lbs per bed, which means they are not only for children, they are also great for adults. Please take the time to enquire about the different lengths available for you, as they really are a great way to add space and style to a room in your home.

Designing with color

Author:  /  Category: Interior Design

The use of color is also something very personal. It stimulates our senses, power our mood, and helps create a particular ambiance. How we respond to an individual color depends on our nature, extroverts tend to feel happy with bold colors, while introverts prefer more passive colors. Through using specific combinations of color, combined with a careful consideration of simple color schemes is often the most effective.

Try not to use more than one or two principal colors in a room, as well as a contrasting or balancing tone. The best way to choose a background color for the room is to trial with a palette of different shades and tones, in combination with the color and textures of the furniture and materials. Remember the general color schemes of a home have to be in agreement. The walls define the space in a room, while the colors, to a large degree, define the mood.

Colored light, furnishing materials, and structural proportions, we can create a home that is welcoming, helpful, and comfortable. Walls are similar to background music: each color tone is like a musical note can create a pleasant-sounding harmony while others grate with each other. The color with which we surround ourselves will without doubt have an effect on us, and so it is important to feel comfortable with our choice. A discussion with a professional color consultant can help to decide individual needs and select appropriate color.

Colors can be divided into three main groups: those that stimulate and uplift, those that relax and calm, and those that provide harmony or balance. So, having taken a number of things into thought when decorating a room, such as the size of the space, the amount of light, the function if the room, and the style and mood we wish to create, we finally, and most importantly, need to consider the needs of the people who use it.