Posts filed under 'Home Improvement'
Health Hazards with Cheap Blinds
I have nothing against blinds, but the ones I like and suggest to my clients are either way too expensive or require high maintenance – and since our topic is affordable window treatments I am not discussing that option today. On top of that as recently as January of this year (2009) there was a huge recall of blinds sold at Cost Plus because they posed a strangulation risk to the children. Additionally some vinyl blinds are known to possibly cause lead poisoning (To read more go to http://www.state.nj.us/health/iep/lead_miniblind_alert.shtml). If you have toddlers crawling around putting everything possible in their mouths or licking the blinds – you need to be extra careful. With this in mind let us go about draping our windows in chic, yet affordable style!
Different kind of Fabrics
I could write 100 posts just on the fabrics and I am sure I will come back to it a lot in my subsequent posts but for today I will keep it simple. We can go with either organic or non-organic fabrics. So what is the one major difference between these kinds of fabrics – it is the insecticides and pesticides! Cotton growers across the world are using a lot of pesticides and it is believed that 25% of that spraying is actually absorbed by the plant and stays in the fabric. So if safety is your main concerns and you have kids who would play with it or put the curtains in their mouth then organic fabrics is the way to go. For affordability and durability I would stick with cottons, especially in the bedrooms.
2 Simple & Elegant Ideas
(a) Block Prints – There is a lot of variety to be had just within the block print designs and if you’d rather get something readymade without doing customizations then block prints is the way to go. You can pick curtain panels in breezy natural fibers to softly filter the sunlight, creating a relaxed and stylish mood. From the oranges to the greens to the yellows block prints are available in all possible shades and give your room the elegant look you have so desired for. The images below show you a couple of different options.
(b) Patchwork – Patchwork was initially made popular by use in quilts and over time taken the fancy of design connoisseurs like you to be used for other home furnishings including curtains. You can make a patchwork curtain by either using the leftover fabric at home or you can buy one readymade. If you do decide to make it yourself just make sure you are using the same weight fabric and also the materials that require similar care – after all you cannot take it apart every time to clean! What a patchwork end product looks like is shown below.
Both the ideas above are generally very affordable and available in a variety of colors and patterns. They add a lot of color and character to the room and keep some light filtering in at the same time.
Coming Next: Do’s and Don’ts for the Guest Bedroom
August 8th, 2009
Creating the right look for your windows can add a wealth of richness to your home and room. Whether it co-ordinates with other areas or blends with the color theme there are many options that can help revive and refresh your room. I have a few ideas I have put to use to create exciting and expensive looks without breaking the bank.
Creating them yourself with a few simple stitches to finish
If you have some skills in sewing or a machine at home it makes total sense to make window treatments yourself. It allows you to spend more on the fabric or save overall. There a number of great tips for creating and stitching your own pieces and you can decide the best hardware to hold them. Buying fabric can often be cheaper and sometimes you may not need a lot if you as you plan to do different themes around the house. You can buy sale pieces or off cut pieces as they can be tailored to your window needs. Measure and decide how you want to create the effect i.e. whether it needs to be long and draping or shorter. Based on your preference checkout deals on the net or go see if your local textile retailer has fabrics on sale. Sometimes you may also find fabric you have at home. If you have some more embroidered or heavier design material this can work great as a try. You can also find many add-ons such as sequins and small gems to sew into the fabric and add significant wealth and glamour to a plain piece of fabric.
1) Great tips to save money on your window treatments
a. First place to look is around the house, you may be surprised at what you have that can be used for trimming and edges.
b. Add glamour by visiting a local gem store and getting coordinating sequins or gems to sew onto the fabric. You can place these evenly across the entire curtain drape or finish the edges and add wealth to the look. It also really doesn’t take so long once you get going.
c. Consider the theme of your room, sometimes you can find window curtains and valences on sale that may not coordinate in an entire set but in different shade can also work to build a color them around your room.
d. If you decide it is easier to buy, which of course for many it can be, check out our website for offerings alongside coordinating bedding. When purchasing items all together you can receive even further discounts.
You can also buy ready made plain curtains and treatments which sometimes can be cheaper and add more glamour at home with trims or sequins and other decorative add-ons that can spice up your treatments.
2) Creating the right themes and coordinating colors
a. Think about the look of your room and what works with that. Take into consideration the furniture and the wall and floor colors. Sometimes offsetting with contrasting plain colors adds a subtle and elegant look. However if your sofas and walls are plain with no trim on the wall edges it would make sense to add more heavier pattern or embroidered window treatments to offset this.
b. Adding a net overthrown on the top of the window with a lighter look and feel can look classic and modern if done correctly. Make sure you pick good fabric which is slightly stiffer so it can hold in a wrap around format but still soften the overall look.
c. For long French windows using silk or net full flow curtains gives a great look with a sheer and flowing feel. It’s also very affordable as you can buy netted fabric for a lot less then the thicker fabrics for a heavier full look. Using dark colors also gives you the shade needed with the light feel of netting and silks.
3) Alternate ideas from around the house
a. You can always find some great things from around the home that can give you great ideas for you window treatments and use some items that were in storage. If you have clothing that has heavy patterns or embroidery that you no longer wear, this can be used in a think twist edge to line the edge of your curtains. Sequined handbags and gems can provide you with great add-ons also.
b. If you have any lace in the house this is also a great edging for country home treatments.
There are always ways to create great looks at an affordable price. I hope this gives you a few tips for your next window treatment project.
Coming Next: Window Treatments: Part II
August 7th, 2009
Only ONE Focal Point
Let me first address the issue I see in a lot of houses – making every corner of the room stand out. This is the wrong strategy and gives the room either a cluttered or very busy look. There is no hard and fast rule on what should be the focal point in your bedroom, as long as there is only one which attracts the attention.
Different Focal Points
Bed
Usually the bed, being the largest piece in the room tends to be the natural focal point and probably the most messy and ignored. That’s why it is key to create a great theme and the environment you are looking for with the right bedding and pillows. From bright to calming cool colors this can completely change the outlook of the room and focus your attention on what you have worked on the most. If you select plain bold bed spreads or quilts and co-ordinate with differing pillow colors you can create multiple fresh looks throughout the year
Accent Wall
Having an accent wall with a contrasting color is a great way to start. Any wall can be an accent wall, however in my experience I have seen that the wall behind the headboard works the best. It not only gives the room a lot of structure the contrasting color enhances the look of your bed without taking the focus away from the wall. Add a couple of paintings, small mirrors or wall hangings as per your preference to further enhance the look.
Fireplace
If space is not a constraint then my other favorite for creating a focal point in a room is the fireplace. If you live in a cooler climate with lots of snow, then this is the winner hands down. A fireplace need not be very large and can still look very beautiful. Add a decorative door and screen to the fireplace and paint the mantle in a contrasting color to the walls. A great spot in your own bedroom to relax and reinforces the point I made in the previous post about removing clutter and creating a peaceful zone in your bedroom.
Draped Windows
If drapery/curtains is your thing and there is good sunshine filtering into the room then this is not only a good strategy to add color but also to create a focal point away from the bed, if that is what you desire. There is endless variety when it comes to curtains and Furnitureopia.com does not carry them. However sites like http://www.draperyconnection.com provide a lot of choice. Make sure that whatever window treatment you do complements your bedspread. Being the miser I am, I should also point out that expensive drapery is not the only way to decorate your windows and there are many cheaper alternatives you can use to get the look and feel your desire. I will cover cheap alternative window treatments in my next post.
Finally, think in terms of what would add the most comfort for you and use these ideas accordingly. When it comes to your bedroom, it should always be comfort first.
Coming Next: Affordable Window Treatments
August 6th, 2009
Paint the walls!
A fresh coat of paint always changes the room instantly. It adds a fresh look and gives the room energy and freshness. It is also relatively cheap as long as you take tips and do it yourself. A quick trip to Home Depot where you can get an expert to give you some good DIY tips also would be the best place to start.
DIY with a little help from friends and family
There is always someone in the family that can be quite handy in the home. A great way to get things done fast and get the help you need without hiring a professional contractor. Call over the right people, order some food and get to work.
Trying to buy everything new can add up very quickly and become daunting fast. I think a good balance of new and old ads character and modernism to your room at the same time. Take a look at what you have, the choice of what needs replacing and what needs to go depends on a few important factors, which items could look great if they were refurbished and which are just to worn and torn to gain anything, which have sentimental value or family heritage, it is definitely worth keeping those items.
Balanced with what you know costs a lot versus simple fixes like coffee tables, casual dining sets, wine racks which can change the look and feel of your room without breaking the bank.
There is a lot of good information available to help you improve some of the items in your house, read more about this at http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement.htm
<a href=”http://www.furnitureopia.com”>Furnitureopia</a>Furnitureopia has a range of choices that are affordable and can complement your room when you decide what the essentials are.
Customize it yourself
There are many items that you may already have the can be transformed with a little bit of home customization.
You can always shop for a range of fabrics or cloths at stores, markets and sales. Many a time off-cuts, imperfect and discontinued items are discounted even more. Since you will use them to your own measure it doesn’t matter. If you have your own sewing machine or check out a few easy ways to recursion a stool or complete a look with fabrics this can be a great way to save money and turn basics into designer.
Not everything needs to match perfectly.
We always see the perfect home picture with the perfect finish and clear symmetry. Although I love clear symmetry I am a big believer in making a home a home. Buying items that work well together but don’t necessarily match design and finish can work really well. Look out for great deals with colors and basic themes in mind.
For example if you see a great sofa and a contrasting couch see what you can add to accessorize and make it work together. A cushion matching the couch fabric on a contrasting recliner can quickly help differing pieces blend well together. This way you can buy the odd piece bargains and create symmetry of your own.
Coming soon: Bedroom Elegance on a budget
July 28th, 2009
