Doorways give viewers the first impression of a room. Maybe the door seems too secretive or is just boring. With a little decorating savvy, you can replace that door with a more artistic and expressive door curtain. There's a door curtain to complement every decorating style. You can use shimmering transparent fabrics, velvets, lace or even make a patchwork or applique door curtain of your own creation. Beaded curtains are another attractive alternative.
The first thing you need to do is to measure the width of the doorway. With fabric, you'll need 2 ½ to 3 times the width of the doorway for your finished door curtain. The added yardage gives a richer appearance. Beaded curtains come in standard widths.
You'll need a curtain rod for fabric door curtains. Hardware and department stores carry many types of rods to complement your fabric. Wrought iron rods are elegant, with elaborate finials and twisted or rolled rods. Brass rods are attractive and go well with a Victorian theme. White painted metal, spring-loaded rods work well with heavy fabrics where the rod is not exposed. If your choice is a beaded door curtain, you needn't buy a rod, as these come with a built-in rod.
Now comes the fun part! Choosing your door curtain may be like trying to choose between two dresses. Both are great and it's hard to choose between them. Focus on the style of the room and the effect you want to create to guide you.
For an alluring look reminiscent of the Arabian Nights or the exotic, incense-laden fragrances accompanying graceful Indian dancers, look for sheer and shimmering fabrics with metallic threads. This type of fabric exudes mystery and grace, with a delicate and airy quality that floats on the breeze as you pass through the doorway. This type of fabric must be kept clean and dust-free to retain the sheer gossamer effect.
Velvet door curtains hint at Victorian luxury and a rich feeling of comfort and softness. Deep shades are the best candidates for door curtain use. Short cut velvets and velveteens are best used in well-lit areas. To show velvets to best advantage, consider tying them back with gold tassels at one or both sides.
For quaint, country decor with that “yesteryear” feel, a patchwork door curtain can set the stage to perfection. Handmade patchworks, appliques and wall-hanging styles in picture form can be just the thing. Picture-style wall hangings can tell a story or simply display an artistic design.
Beaded and bamboo style curtains display a mix of 1960's hippie expressions and an Eastern flavor. Faux-crystal beads and cute plastic bead shapes are other choices to consider. Glass beads are pricey, but give a sparkling, luminous effect from ambient light.
Whatever your desired effect, with a little imagination and a bit of foot work, you can change a doorway into a portal of style.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Black out curtains
My girlfriend has commented that I am one of the fussiest sleepers that she has ever met. I can hardly blame her for saying this. I keep her up all night with the tossing and turning. I wake up at the first sign of sunrise. We go to sleep later than I used to when I was on my own, so I get less and less sleep these days. I have tried several kinds of curtains, but none of them would work. I tried sleeping with a sleep mask on, but I would always knock it off in the middle of the night. Until I made some really good black out curtains, my sleep habits were making us miserable.!
You see, most black out curtains are misnamed. For some people, they work fine. Blackout curtains do black out at least half of the light. They are made of thick vinyl, so little light can penetrate. Even still, more of it gets in than should. You would think with technology the way that it is, and with the rate of sleep disorders in our society, someone would come out with a decent design for a blackout curtain. Up to this day, however, a good set of black out curtains is hard to find.
I used to get around the problem with a simple homemade solution. It didn't look that good, but it worked. You see, in lieu of blackout curtains, I would hang a blanket in front of the window. I would pin it there with small nails or thumbtacks. I have never been a big fresh air person, so the fact that I completely blocked any possibility of ventilation did not bother me. When I really needed to get some air in the room, I would just prop up the black out curtains with another nail.
Unfortunately, this idea didn't work for my girlfriend. You see, she is much more of a homemaker than me. She expects to have real curtains in the room. Since I could not find black out curtains that were dark enough for me, for a while we fought about it. Finally, she made me some curtains. They blocked out the light perfectly. She is an expert seamstress, so her homemade black out curtains were of the highest quality. Now we are both happy. I can tell you, our relationship has really benefited from the change!
You see, most black out curtains are misnamed. For some people, they work fine. Blackout curtains do black out at least half of the light. They are made of thick vinyl, so little light can penetrate. Even still, more of it gets in than should. You would think with technology the way that it is, and with the rate of sleep disorders in our society, someone would come out with a decent design for a blackout curtain. Up to this day, however, a good set of black out curtains is hard to find.
I used to get around the problem with a simple homemade solution. It didn't look that good, but it worked. You see, in lieu of blackout curtains, I would hang a blanket in front of the window. I would pin it there with small nails or thumbtacks. I have never been a big fresh air person, so the fact that I completely blocked any possibility of ventilation did not bother me. When I really needed to get some air in the room, I would just prop up the black out curtains with another nail.
Unfortunately, this idea didn't work for my girlfriend. You see, she is much more of a homemaker than me. She expects to have real curtains in the room. Since I could not find black out curtains that were dark enough for me, for a while we fought about it. Finally, she made me some curtains. They blocked out the light perfectly. She is an expert seamstress, so her homemade black out curtains were of the highest quality. Now we are both happy. I can tell you, our relationship has really benefited from the change!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dressing Up Windows With Curtains And Drapes
A window management of curtains can add a unique lay a hand on to a room or a window and can also add a measure of solitude. Whatever you end up choosing, a window treatment of curtains can not only add some color or consistency to a room, but also can sometimes solve problems you may have with a window. There are many types of curtains and drapes to choose from. One of the most common is the box pleated curtain or drape. These curtains are pre-gathered into pleats at the top of the curtain so that they always have a neat, tailored look. These can be a little more expensive than just a plain curtain, but the extra fullness can affix a nice lay a hand on to your window cure.
It is probable to spruce the leading, fundamental edges of curtains in a variety of ways. The most common method that is employed is to use a flounce that either matches or contrasts with the fabric of the curtain. This approach can be varied by adding multiple frills, one which matches and one which contrasts or one that is plain and one that is patterned. If your curtains have a rounded corner it is possible to extend a frill from the top of the corner to the base of the curtain and it is also possible to add piping that joins the edge of the frill to the leading edge of the curtain.
It is possible to turn your leading edges into something more chic by employing fan pleats that extend down the curtains leading edge so that they do not collect dust in the pleat pockets. Picot edging can also be created using a picot braid, or by creating overlapping fabric triangles that are attached to the leading edge. This is an exceedingly pleasing to the eye effect but it is quite difficult to achieve and may be a bit beyond the get in touch with of the proletarian curtain maker.
Various best ways to add mode to your home is with window curtains. They habitually allow you to set the doldrums and compliment the style and personality. Window coverings are the perfect way to show off your decorating genius. Let the light current in or create the retreat you hunger after.
It is probable to spruce the leading, fundamental edges of curtains in a variety of ways. The most common method that is employed is to use a flounce that either matches or contrasts with the fabric of the curtain. This approach can be varied by adding multiple frills, one which matches and one which contrasts or one that is plain and one that is patterned. If your curtains have a rounded corner it is possible to extend a frill from the top of the corner to the base of the curtain and it is also possible to add piping that joins the edge of the frill to the leading edge of the curtain.
It is possible to turn your leading edges into something more chic by employing fan pleats that extend down the curtains leading edge so that they do not collect dust in the pleat pockets. Picot edging can also be created using a picot braid, or by creating overlapping fabric triangles that are attached to the leading edge. This is an exceedingly pleasing to the eye effect but it is quite difficult to achieve and may be a bit beyond the get in touch with of the proletarian curtain maker.
Various best ways to add mode to your home is with window curtains. They habitually allow you to set the doldrums and compliment the style and personality. Window coverings are the perfect way to show off your decorating genius. Let the light current in or create the retreat you hunger after.
Curtains For Home With Country Looks
A quaint home in a country setting is the American dream of millions of people. While the country home image is dreamed of, not all of us have the opportunity of owning a country home. However, you can create a country style decor in a condo in the city, with comfortable country style furnishings reminiscent of the look you love.
When you imagine that charming country home, with pies cooling on the windowsill, what does your mind's eye see on the windows? Country style curtains are certainly the window treatment of choice! Cheerfully checkered or plaid curtains are the epitome of country style curtains. Lace and patterned fabrics also convey a genteel country warmth. Fruits, flowers, and fishing motifs are closely associated with the country lifestyle, making good choices for patterned country style curtains.
For the warmer months of spring and summer, choose a fabric thin enough to flutter in the breeze, but not so transparent as to compromise your privacy. Muslin, all cotton and lace fabrics have a quality of down-home goodness. Fabrics in checkered or plaid patterns are the quintessential country style curtains, with their bright squares of color and cheerful, comfortable look in keeping with a country look. If choosing plain muslin, try trimming the hems with tassels or pompoms of a bright color.
During the cooler weather of fall and winter, you may want a change, using a heavier fabric, both for added insulation and colors more suited to the season. Having two sets of country style curtains also helps avoid becoming tired of the scheme, giving your rooms a fresh look.
Fruit motifs are popular, with apples and pears suited to most seasons. Darker floral patterns can give a cozy feeling to your cool season country style curtains. The farmhouse and barnyard motifs may lend just the look you want. Do you have a fisherman in the house? There are fabrics emblazoned with jumping fish and rod and reel designs.
Still other possibilities include fabrics printed in large panels of one complete scene per panel,much like a mural. These fabrics come in window-sized panels, creating the look of a wall hanging.
When choosing your fabrics for country style curtains, consider your furnishings. If your sofa and chairs have an elaborate pattern, go for a smaller pattern with a unifying background color that complements your furniture. For example, with sofa and chairs in a blue background with an ornate floral pattern, a simple, small pattern with a large background area of a coordinating color will produce a unified and uncluttered look.
In this scenario, plaid country style curtains are a good bet. Simply choose a plaid which picks up the colors in your furnishings with the dominating color which best coordinates to create a balanced mix of light and dark shades.
So if your dream is a country look, but your home is in the city, you can still have the country look, with just a trained eye for the mood.
When you imagine that charming country home, with pies cooling on the windowsill, what does your mind's eye see on the windows? Country style curtains are certainly the window treatment of choice! Cheerfully checkered or plaid curtains are the epitome of country style curtains. Lace and patterned fabrics also convey a genteel country warmth. Fruits, flowers, and fishing motifs are closely associated with the country lifestyle, making good choices for patterned country style curtains.
For the warmer months of spring and summer, choose a fabric thin enough to flutter in the breeze, but not so transparent as to compromise your privacy. Muslin, all cotton and lace fabrics have a quality of down-home goodness. Fabrics in checkered or plaid patterns are the quintessential country style curtains, with their bright squares of color and cheerful, comfortable look in keeping with a country look. If choosing plain muslin, try trimming the hems with tassels or pompoms of a bright color.
During the cooler weather of fall and winter, you may want a change, using a heavier fabric, both for added insulation and colors more suited to the season. Having two sets of country style curtains also helps avoid becoming tired of the scheme, giving your rooms a fresh look.
Fruit motifs are popular, with apples and pears suited to most seasons. Darker floral patterns can give a cozy feeling to your cool season country style curtains. The farmhouse and barnyard motifs may lend just the look you want. Do you have a fisherman in the house? There are fabrics emblazoned with jumping fish and rod and reel designs.
Still other possibilities include fabrics printed in large panels of one complete scene per panel,much like a mural. These fabrics come in window-sized panels, creating the look of a wall hanging.
When choosing your fabrics for country style curtains, consider your furnishings. If your sofa and chairs have an elaborate pattern, go for a smaller pattern with a unifying background color that complements your furniture. For example, with sofa and chairs in a blue background with an ornate floral pattern, a simple, small pattern with a large background area of a coordinating color will produce a unified and uncluttered look.
In this scenario, plaid country style curtains are a good bet. Simply choose a plaid which picks up the colors in your furnishings with the dominating color which best coordinates to create a balanced mix of light and dark shades.
So if your dream is a country look, but your home is in the city, you can still have the country look, with just a trained eye for the mood.
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