Decorating & Design
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What today's windows are wearing What today's windows are wearing
What today's windows are wearing ofWhat today's windows are wearing Draperies are back. In the '80s, opulent swagged draperies loaded with fringe and tassels and topped with elaborate valances made some windows seem like perpetual debutantes. As the '90s progressed, there was a move away from excess. Minimalist decorating schemes led to a desire for plantation shutters, bamboo blinds, Roman blinds and tab-topped panels in cotton or velvet. The latter, simple and affordable, became ubiquitous. This is what today's windows are wearing: 1 Exquisite gossamer sheers - worlds away from the familiar frilly or harsh-textured polyester ones – now have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns. 2 Velvet is a continuing trend. Designer Scott Yetman feels that velvet is the best material for drapery. "In art class, you're often given a folded piece of velvet to draw, because of the way it catches the light," he says. 3 Sheers in dramatic colours like cocoa and smoke are a trend, as is combining two tones of sheers. 4 Patti Watanabe of The Work Room in Toronto notes that longer, looser pleats (five to six inches long) are now popular – they look less prim and proper than shorter, tighter ones. Double, rather than triple, pleats are used for the same reason. 5 Draperies with grommets, a simple treatment, are a continuing trend. 6 Extra-long fabric puddled on the floor has been replaced with floor-length draperies. But Scott Yetman likes drapery fabric to puddle just a little – a few inches – the way that well-tailored trousers "break" over a shoe. 7 Fun patterns that exhibit a sense of whimsy are becoming more popular. Valentina Manzo of Kravet/Lee Jofa Showroom in Toronto says that zebra stripes and giraffe spots are emerging patterns. Kravet also offers a sheer with single feathers stitched in at random intervals – a look that's whimsical but also modern, even Zenlike. 8 Rather than lavishing fabric on swags and valances, designers have turned their attention to creative hardware. Rods, finials and tie-backs in wood, metal, glass or ceramic are treated almost like jewelry.- Credit
- Kateri Lanthier
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Privacy with a view Privacy with a view
Privacy with a view ofWindow wonders Q Our front window needs a window covering that will allow us to enjoy the view but also ensure privacy. Any ideas what would work best?-- Hannah Coleby, London, Ont.A Your front and side windows are two very different styles -- the smaller one has mullions while the front is a single pane of glass. For the front window, I suggest a window covering that stacks to the bottom, allowing light and the view through the top of your windows and maintaining your privacy. A Silhouette window shade from Hunter Douglas is versatile enough to meet your needs, and its sheerness will diffuse the incoming light. To soften the overall look of the window and provide some colour, I'd suggest adding a soft fabric valance or Roman-style blind to the top of the window. If privacy isn't an issue with the smaller window, then simply hang a fabric valance that matches the living room window in order to link the two, and keep the side window uncovered to show off its charm. Exemplary exteriors Q What paint colour do you think would work best for my varnished-wood front door? The exterior of my house is painted sage green and beige tones. -- Lucy Da Costa, TorontoA Ideally, the colour of your front door should complement the colours that you may want to consider changing as your decor evolves. Painting the walls will help in the short term, but replacing the carpet will make the biggest difference, since the seafoam green colour dominates the room and prevents you from updating the room's look. For now, paint the walls a taupe colour with a hint of green like White Sage 410-2 from Pittsburgh Paints; it will help neutralize the carpet and blend with its green tones.When the time comes to replace the carpet, choose a more neutral colour like light camel or caramel for a warm tone that will look great with your existing furniture. In your overall decorating scheme, be sure to restrict unfashionable colours like peach and seafoam green to lamps, throw pillows and any artwork -- these accessories can all easily be changed as home decor trends change.- Credit
- Karl Lohnes
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Treat your windows right Treat your windows right
Treat your windows right ofChoosing window treatments Window treatments are essential for blocking out light, maintaining privacy and, for interior decorator Candice Olson, hiding her pregnancy. “Thank God for blinds,” says the host of Divine Design on W. “It's my way of protecting my neighbours from me!”Window treatments come in a variety of styles, colours and materials to help you achieve the look you want and the coverage you need. But with so many options, narrowing them down can get a little tricky. Selecting window treatments Function should be your first consideration, says Kimberley Seldon, host of Design for Living on HGTV Canada and STYLE AT HOME decorating editor. That includes the desired amount of sunlight and privacy, as well framing or distracting attention from a view. “Look at the room architecturally,” adds Candice. “If it's a beautiful window, sheers are the answer. If it's a problem window, drapery can hide a lot of flaws.” Next, think about the look you want. “Any style of treatment can be used in any type of room – it's the decor that dictates the style,” says Kimberley. “An elaborately pleated drapery and valance look perfectly fine in a formal, traditional room, but absolutely out of place in a modern interior.” Still, some rooms have issues that need to be addressed. In a kitchen, for example, Candice prefers to keep things simple, taking into account airborne grease and food particles. For the bathroom, a soft sheer and simple valance work to soften hard surfaces. And don't forget about the humidity. “Anything with body will just sag, so it needs to be on the simpler side,” she says. Bedrooms are tricky with both softness and light-blocking priorities. “Typically, we'd do multiple layers, like a decorative side panel, a sheer behind that and then a blackout roller blind,” says Candice. Budget is always an important factor. “It's amazing how much drapery fabric costs,” says Candice. “And wood shutters are a nice, clean, simple treatment, but they're super-expensive.” And finally there are the trends. Trim is all the rage for fall, with traditional flat braids, cords, gimp and ribbons taking on a new life in tone-on-tone modern window coverings, says Kimberley. “It's like adding a beautiful necklace to a simple dress – it makes all the difference.” Going natural is also turning heads. “Anything that has a natural texture just takes the edge off of modern interiors,” says Candice. “It's a way to balance everything else that's so sleek and streamlined.” Blinds, curtains and shutters Weighing the pros and consWindow treatments fall into three major categories.Blinds are screens typically on a roller or have vanes or slats and come in an enormous variety of materials, from fabric to wood. Keep in mind that many also come with poles and cords, which could be hazardous if you have children. Venetians offer flexible light control and can be inexpensive. Cellular shades are coveted for their honeycomb shape: two layers of pleated fabric connected to produce air pockets, which increase insulation. Verticals, usually made of PVC or fabric, also offer high light control and extra insulation. Roman blinds, which fold together when up and lie flat when down are well-suited to modern interiors and offer a tailored look. Motorized blinds are a boon to loft living and two-storey windows, but are very pricey. Shadings, another expensive alternative, have fabric vanes held together by sheer fabric on either side. Light always penetrates to a certain degree, but vanes allow for privacy. Curtains are fabric that hangs from a rod or valance and can be tied back. Curtains refer to treatments that don't reach the floor – those that do are drapes. While curtains add elegance, natural materials such as silk fade in sunlight, while sheers allow sun to penetrate and fade your upholstery and carpeting. Therefore it's best to add a blackout liner placed between two layers of fabric or behind single curtains in your choice of material and colour. For natural materials, Candice suggests opting for a synthetic mix – polyester and linen, for example – to help the coverings last a little longer. If you have children, be wary of any hazardous trim or accents.Shutters are often wooden hinged or solid panels that cover a window for privacy and light control. Popular right now are plantation shutters, which have thick, wide slats. Wood offers great insulation and a clean look, but shouldn't be used in high-humidity areas like kitchens and bathrooms. In some instances, shutters can also come across as stark, says Candice. “If windows are small in scale relative to the overall wall they're on, or if there aren't numerous shutters to create a rhythm of repetition throughout the space, shutters can sometimes look quite cold or bare on their own."- Credit
- Heather Camlot
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How to: Clean window coverings How to: Clean window coverings
How to: Clean window coverings ofHow to clean window coverings Window treatments are not just decorative; they allow you to control the amount of light coming in -- essential to avoid the bleaching of furniture or the sun's staining of wooden floors -- as well as the degree of privacy. All window treatments should be dusted monthly. Deep-cleaning techniques depend on the material you're treating.Fabric shadesMonthly: Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction).Once a year: Dry clean.Fabric vertical blindsMonthly: Close blinds so they lie flat. Dust with the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction). To spot clean, take down the slat and lay it on a flat surface. Blot the stain with a sponge dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and tepid water. Treat heavy stains with a commercial upholstery cleaner (test on an inconspicuous spot).Once a year: Have a professional clean blinds using a dry ultrasonic technique (look in the Yellow Pages under "Window Treatments -- Cleaning and Repair.")Honeycomb shadesMonthly: Dust with a feather duster or the dust-brush tool of the vacuum (set on low suction). Spot clean with a white cloth dampened with tepid water and mild dishwashing liquid. Blot only; do not rub.Once a year: Have a professional clean the blinds using the injection/extraction method (check the Yellow Pages under "Window Treatments -- Cleaning and Repair.")Metal and vinyl venetian and vertical blindsMonthly: Close blinds so they lie flat. Moving from top to bottom, dust with a feather duster, lamb's-wool duster, barely damp soft cloth, or the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction). Close them in the opposite direction and repeat.Twice a year: Wipe each slat individually with a cloth dampened with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Never use abrasive cleaners, which will damage the finish. The slats of vertical blinds can be taken down several at a time and laid flat to make wiping easier.Pleated shadesMonthly: Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set suction on low). Regular vacuuming is the only way to clean these shades.Solar shadesMonthly: Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction) or wipe with a damp cloth.Twice a year: Wipe with a cloth dampened with warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid.Draperies and curtainsMonthly: Dust using the upholstery tool on the vacuum (set on low suction).Once a year: If fabric is washable, launder in the machine on the Gentle cycle. Hang to dry and iron while still damp. If fabric is not washable, dry clean. Draperies and curtains in the kitchen or bath or in particularly dusty climates may need to be cleaned more frequently.Wood blinds and shuttersMonthly: Close slats so they lie flat. Working from top to bottom, dust with a feather duster, a lamb's-wool duster, an electrostatic cloth, or the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction). Close them in the opposite direction and repeat. Wood blinds and shutters should not be exposed to steam or moisture in a kitchen or bath.Twice a year: Wipe each slat with a slightly dampened cloth, then dry.Woven wood and bamboo shadesMonthly: Dust with the dust-brush tool of the vacuum (set on low suction).Twice a year: Gently wipe with a lightly dampened white cloth.Excerpted from Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart. Copyright 2006 by Martha Stewart. Excerpted with permission by Clarkson Potter. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced without permission in writing from the publisher.- Credit
- Martha Stewart
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8 trends in window coverings 8 trends in window coverings
8 trends in window coverings ofWhat today's windows are wearing Draperies are back. In the '80s, opulent swagged draperies loaded with fringe and tassels and topped with elaborate valances made some windows seem like perpetual debutantes. As the '90s progressed, there was a move away from excess. Minimalist decorating schemes led to a desire for plantation shutters, bamboo blinds, Roman blinds and tab-topped panels in cotton or velvet. The latter, simple and affordable, became ubiquitous. This is what today's windows are wearing: 1 Exquisite gossamer sheers - worlds away from the familiar frilly or harsh-textured polyester ones – now have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns. 2 Velvet is a continuing trend. Designer Scott Yetman feels that velvet is the best material for drapery. "In art class, you're often given a folded piece of velvet to draw, because of the way it catches the light," he says. 3 Sheers in dramatic colours like cocoa and smoke are a trend, as is combining two tones of sheers. 4 Patti Watanabe of The Work Room in Toronto notes that longer, looser pleats (five to six inches long) are now popular – they look less prim and proper than shorter, tighter ones. Double, rather than triple, pleats are used for the same reason. 5 Draperies with grommets, a simple treatment, are a continuing trend. 6 Extra-long fabric puddled on the floor has been replaced with floor-length draperies. But Scott Yetman likes drapery fabric to puddle just a little – a few inches – the way that well-tailored trousers "break" over a shoe. 7 Fun patterns that exhibit a sense of whimsy are becoming more popular. Valentina Manzo of Kravet/Lee Jofa Showroom in Toronto says that zebra stripes and giraffe spots are emerging patterns. Kravet also offers a sheer with single feathers stitched in at random intervals – a look that's whimsical but also modern, even Zenlike. 8 Rather than lavishing fabric on swags and valances, designers have turned their attention to creative hardware. Rods, finials and tie-backs in wood, metal, glass or ceramic are treated almost like jewelry.- Credit
- Kateri Lanthier
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5 ideas for holiday windows 5 ideas for holiday windows
5 ideas for holiday windows of5 festive window decorating ideas Like a toddler who demands more than his fair share of attention, the mantel is a holiday scene stealer. But not this year. With Christmas around the corner, I'm determined to introduce a new contender for holiday favourite: the window. My living room is blessed with two large windows that face the street. Putting decorating efforts there will not only improve interior views but also provide festive cheer to the neighbourhood. Here are some holiday decor ideas I'm considering, which I hope will inspire you as well. Welcome wreathWreaths aren't only for the front door -- they work beautifully in windows. To fill a window 36 inches wide, opt for a 24- to 30-inch wreath. Start with a permanent wreath as the base (an excellent investment), and add fresh greens like noble fir, eucalyptus, white pine, or magnolia leaves, which were used to make the dining room wreath in the photograph below. In my kitchen window, I like to hang a rosemary or bay leaf wreath. Fresh greens dry naturally and remain lightly fragrant throughout the season. Word of caution: Remember that dry materials are very flammable.Tailored topiaryForgo the traditional "horizontal" garland and create a "vertical" display of holiday topiaries or potted plants. The tailored presence of a topiary is especially suited to formal rooms. A single tropical orchid is ideal for a more modern or global look. Whether using an orchid or topiary, set it in the centre of the ledge, allowing the tip to rest slightly below the window's centre line, then frame it with greenery draped above the window and cascading down each side.Glowing candlesEnhance holiday lighting schemes by placing tall hurricane lamps in windows. Or if the windowsill is sufficiently deep, fill a tray with a variety of candles to create a glowing display. Battery-operated candles provide a welcome glow without fear of fire. If you do opt to use real candles, be sure to take extra care: avoid placing them near draperies and furniture, and never leave lit candles unattended.Kissing ballMistletoe makes an ideal accent. Cover a floral foam or Styrofoam sphere (nine to 12 inches in diameter) with mistletoe or other greens. Using wired ribbon, make a loop for hanging and attach it to the ball with a T-pin pushed into the foam. Suspend from the top of the window. Choose red, silver or gold ribbon for traditional schemes, and white, blue or green for contemporary looks.Hanging iciclesIn living or dining room windows, suspend strands of pearl beads, rock crystal or holiday lights from top to bottom within the frame. This sparkling display is easy and impressive. TIP If you're building a new house or remodelling, make allowances now for future holiday electrical requirements by placing plugs where required.- Credit
- Kimberley Seldon
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Choosing drapery Choosing drapery
Choosing drapery ofChoosing drapery Shelley Levy of the Walls Windows Furnishings Association in Toronto says, "When decorating, draperies may be one of the last elements to be chosen. The tremendous choice of fabrics makes it easier to treat them as the final thing." She notes that the window itself is the most important part of the treatment. If you want to make a window seem larger, you can run drapery along a track or on a rod past the window, along the wall. You can de-emphasize a window by choosing a fabric that won't stand out against the wall colour. Mounting draperies as close to the ceiling as possible will help make the ceiling seem higher. Coordinating draperies with throw cushions may be less "matchy" than trying to repeat the fabric on other pieces of furniture. Designer Scott Yetman says, "In design, nothing should be an afterthought. I did a project recently in which the drapery fabric was considered as important as the artwork." Ready-made versus customMost designers advocate having draperies custom-made, but if you can sew, there are many instruction books available, although the results might not be as impressive. Sharon Templeton of Drapes and More in Toronto says, "With ready-made drapery, you're limited in the sizing. Many new homes have nine-foot-high ceilings -- ready-mades tend not to be long enough. They're usually not as full or rich-looking and may not be lined." Choosing your own fabric, rather than buying a ready-made drapery, also enables you to make coordinating cushions or cover a chair with the same material. With custom-made draperies, you can also ensure that the lining coordinates from one room to the next so that there's a continuous look from the outside of your home. Custom draperies do, however, tend to be more expensive than ready-mades.- Credit
- Kateri Lanthier
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Gift guide: We shopped till we dropped to find the best gifts for all the home lovers on your list; Going green: Make your home look freshly festive with do-it-yourself projects featuring lush greenery like moss, silver sage, myrtle and ferns; Decor... more -
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