Comfy Carpets & Chic Curtains by Lorna Sixsmith A colourful vivid carpet will create a statement and accented with cushions or paintings will create a coherent and vivid design scheme.
C
arpet is back - with a bang! Gone are wooden floors and minimalism. Carpets are not seen as old fashioned anymore, as there is now so much choice of good quality carpets, a plethora of colours, textures and fibres to choose from which will enhance the comfort and practicality of your floor as well as looking stylish and modern. There are many grades of carpet available too and research suggests that carpet with natural fibres can be better for people with high levels of allergies than wooden floors. The reason for this is that dust and other allergens are trapped within the carpet pile rather than released into the surrounding air. It is better to have these held down until the carpet is vacuumed and removed, than airborne by continual shuffling of shoes, as is the case with smooth surfaces. If you have a wooden floor, then large textured rugs are the perfect way to add interest and warmth. A large rug that sits between chairs and sofas works really well to connect the seating and create a more convivial, relaxed atmosphere within the seating zone, particularly if the room is large or openplan.
Dramatic rugs really enliven a stained or painted floor. By using a large rug that is centred between the sofas and armchairs, the rug acts to connect the seating and define the area. 16
For kids: It is so much more enjoyable and comfortable playing and rolling on a comfortable carpet in their bedroom or the living room - perfect for playing Lego, cars and rolling about. Even playing video games can be more comfy when sitting on
A subtle striped carpet looks equally well on the stairs as in the hall and landing. Striped carpet is very fashionable now too. Fenland Stripe is available at Treacy’s Carpets and Furniture, Bennettsbridge. a carpeted floor. And with a comfy carpet, you may be tempted to join them more! Hallways: Striped carpet is very fashionable now - either with subtle stripes or very vivid colourful ones. Striped runners such as those designed by Roger Oates are very stylish and are becoming popular. Look beyond beige: Use bright colourful carpets to banish the doom and gloom and bring cheer, energy, enthusiasm and comfort into your home. Plain carpets can show every footprint so a carpet with a subtle design or additional texture will be more user-friendly.
Curtains
Windows are like the eyes on a house, and gorgeous curtains will set them off beautifully, adding an important element to the dĂŠcor of every room. Curtains not only frame a window but also offer privacy, warmth and shield the room and furnishings from too much sunlight. Before you even start to decide on a fabric choice, there is much to consider about your curtains first.
Length of curtains
In my opinion, full-length curtains look far more elegant. However, if the radiator is positioned under the window, it can mean the heat from the radiator goes up behind the curtain rather than into the room. If it is a large window, the only option may be to have a shorter curtain (to just below the window sill) that can be drawn and have elegant full length dress curtains framing the window. Shorter curtains (to just below the sill) will look fine in children’s bedrooms or a bathroom. Pooling (or puddling) whereby the curtain is about 18 - 24 inches too long and pools on the floor creates a relaxed yet sophisticated look. However, they are not child-friendly!!
Hang loose or tie them back?
I would always suggest using tiebacks to keep back curtains. Tiebacks not only give curtains a defined and elegant shape but they can also act as an embellishment - think of them as the crowning glory, a sort of hat and shoes to a lovely wedding outfit! There is a huge choice of colours, shapes and styles to choose from - to suit any fabric or style of curtain.
Gorgeous fabric tied back by an elegant tieback creates a lovely shape with which to frame the window, from the outside and inside.
Lining
For a child’s bedroom, you might consider using a blackout lining this makes it much easier to get children to sleep on sunny summer evenings and it may even keep them asleep after 6 am on summer mornings too. Interlining (a fleecy lining sewn between a normal lining and the curtain fabric) will add weight to curtains and make them look heavier and more luxurious. It will also exclude draughts and prevent the fabric becoming faded by the sun.
Headings
French/pinch pleat headings are the most popular type of curtain headings, providing a classical and contemporary look, especially if created with a 6 inch buckram. These look best with a simple chunky wooden pole. The goblet pleat heading is more formal and classical than other headings and more suited to sitting rooms or master bedrooms. They look best with very high windows and full-length curtains. The round pleat is normally filled with Dacron or wool, so it keeps its shape. Elegant swags and tails or valences are also very formal and dramatic. Eyelet curtains are ideal for a modern contemporary look. One can choose from a variety of different colours for the eyelets. They offer a durable curtain finish. The curtain pole simply travels through the eyelets and the curtain pleats stack back neatly. Lovely in children’s bedroom curtains too.
Some Types of Fabric Appliqué: Fabric on which a pattern in another fabric has been applied with hand stitching. There are some fabulous children’s ranges using this effect. Crewelwork: Indian cotton with an embroidered chain stitch pattern in wool. Gorgeous. Damask: Damask fabrics are usually silk, linen or cotton with a design woven into them. They tend to be quite large traditional designs so more suitable for formal rooms. Gingham: Lightweight checked fabric, usually cotton. Lovely for a country kitchen look. Linen: Hardwearing made from spun fibres of flax. A natural material and can crease easily. Organza: A lightweight, semi-transparent material, usually made from silk or cotton. Silk: A natural, luxurious fibre produced by the silk worm and found in many different weights and weaves. Silk can fade when exposed to sunlight and so when using silk in curtains they must always be interlined. Taffeta: A synthetic man made fibre that gives a silk look. It is found in many different weights and weaves but is no comparison to the real thing. It does not drape as well but from a distance can be a good copy. Velvet: A cotton or silk fabric with a deep, luxurious pile. Ideal for formal rooms. Voile: A light, semi-transparent fabric with a high yarn count, made from cotton, silk or rayon. Lorna Sixsmith is an interior designer at Garrendenny Lane Interiors. You can purchase online home accessories and gifts at www.garrendennylane.ie 17