Tag: design tips

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Tips to hanging your curtains the right way

Curtains control light, give you privacy, create warmth and add texture and color to your space. They complete your room! Not only are they pretty to look at but they can also give the illusion of width and height making your window seem higher or wider than it really is. We have put together a few handy guidelines for you to remember the next time you want to add curtains to your window treatment – after all you want your windows to look the best they can be.

TIPS TO REMEMBER

1. Choose a curtain rod that is longer than the window you would like it to cover. A longer curtain rod will allow the curtains to hang on either side of your window – covering them completely when drawn but not blocking the view when opened. This creates the illusion that your window is much wider than it is.

2. If your curtains are not purely for decorative purposes, you need to make sure they are much wider than the actual window they are covering so that your pleats are full when drawn. The last thing you want is for your curtains to look stretched out and flat. The curtains should be twice the width of the actual window for you to take advantage of a fuller look.

3. If you would like your window to look much higher than it really is, raise the curtain rod! Place your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible, instead of on the top of your window. This will make your room appear higher than it really is.

4. Your curtain fabric should fall straight down to the floor. If you are worried about the curtains touching the floor and getting dirty, then raise them about 3-5 centimeters above the ground.

5. Fabric is key – choose the right curtain fabric that will match the look and feel of your room. If you prefer a more casual look, go for lighter shades. Darker fabrics give you more privacy and create a more formal sophisticated feel to the room.

When hung correctly, your ceilings could look taller and your room could look much bigger. Some curtains are hung too low or too narrow with not enough fullness…don’t let this happen to you! Put our handy tips to the test and you won’t go wrong.

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Using plants in interior decorating

There’s nothing like an indoor tree in a room. It immediately brings the outside in, making the room feel fresh and more alive. Not to mention, it does a great job filling awkward, empty spaces. Using plants in modern design is a challenge because modern design seems to demand clean lines and simplicity. Nature, on the other hand, tends to be wild and chaotic. However, there are many ways to add the plants into the interior design as a creative layer. Plants are as important as other accessories in the space. Well-chosen plants — artfully displayed — enhance your home’s unique look and make it feel healthier and more connected with nature. In this article I we introduce you to the most beautiful indoor plants and creative ways to use them in the interior.

FIDDLE LEAF FIG

Is probably one of our favourite plants, it is known for its leathery leaves and substantial presence. When placed in an empty corner, helps to round out the room. Added from both sides of the doorway or a window give the room a fresh tropical look. Because of the leaves’ large size each plant has no more then 20 — 30 of them, which does not overload contemporary interiors with too many details. It will look harmonious and natural if you put the plant into a woven pot.

ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

Elephant’s ear, is a plant with extremely large leaves, they can be up to 4 meters long if to measure from the beginning of a stern. Indoor plants are smaller, they can still be up to 2 meters high. They are great for decorating huge spaces such as: lofts, flats with tall ceilings, balconies, offices and bars. They attract a lot of attention because of their size. The interior will look very interesting if yellow accents will be added together with the plant. Black and white patterns will work well on the background.

SKOONMA SE TONG

Skoonma se Tong (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) is one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. The lines of the plant draw the eye up and out of the geometric planter and the grey backdrop shows off the heavily variegated leaves. This plants would look great in bright contemporary spaces, they would also create beautiful silhouettes in poorly lighten spaces, spa saloons, for example.

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8 interior decorating tips to refresh your home

1. CHOOSE A NEW THEME

Whether it is simply a core colour palette or an actual style, try to pick your theme early on and stick to it. This will give you a basis to build upon. When choosing a colour palette try to select no more than 2-3 core colours. You can then utilise varying tones from there. An easy way to start visualising your scheme is to create a mood board. You can do this either digitally or the more traditional way of collecting images from magazines and paint swatches etc. Either way allows you to be creative!

2. INTRODUCE ARTWORK

When it comes to interiors, walls are often neglected. Find a piece of artwork you love and then you can build upon it from there. Whether it is a print, photograph or even a framed tapestry you can pull your colours and textures from the artwork. This will give your space a harmonious flow.

3. PAIRING PATTERNS

Don’t be afraid to pair different patterns and textures together. In fact, it’s encouraged! The trick is to ensure your prints and patterns complement each other. The easiest way to achieve this is to alternate your core colour palette. Ensure you combine a mixture of eye-catching prints with more subtle, or plain alternatives to create balance.

4. GO GREEN

Never underestimate the ability of an indoor plant or two when it comes to enlivening a space. Especially if your colour palette is quite neutral, a pop of green can add just the right complement to just about any room.

5. STYLE LIKE A PRO

When styling home décor, odd numbers generally work best. For instance, accessories arranged in groups of 3 or 5 on a sideboard, bedside table or table centrepiece. Also ensure you group items of different heights, textures and tones together to add visual interest.

6. BUY A STATEMENT FLOOR RUG

Rugs are not only a functional piece of decoration as they add comfort to almost any space, but they are also an important contributor to the aesthetic of a room. The right rug can really create a striking statement without being too permanent. When selecting a rug, ensure you consider the proportion to the size of the room.

7. LESS IS MORE

Soft minimalism is growing in popularity for the way it blends simple, ergonomic features of minimalism with a liveable and warm style. Use the new year as an opportunity to declutter your home by removing unnecessary and outdated items, allowing the opportunity for a fresh space with new design points

8. BRING SOME FUN TO THE BATHROOM

Bathrooms can often be a fairly neutral, nondescript space within the home, however, by adding lush towels with fun patterns or colours, a homeowner can inject their own personality into the space

For more tips and advice on refreshing your space, give us a buzz on 082 950 3142