Tag: interior designer tokai

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Make your home office a glamorous reflection of who you are

Catching up on work from the living room sofa always seemed like a pleasure—up until it became a full-time affair. When the coronavirus pandemic struck earlier this year and sent office workers home, many of us discovered that such improvised setups can also become wormholes of household clutter, nagging family members, and ergonomic strife.

With companies like Facebook and Twitter leading the charge to make working from home the new normal, the home office is finally top of mind once again. Whether used every day of the week or for an occasional evening brainstorm, a well-designed space can help shut out distractions, center the mind, and inspire creativity. Your home office should be a direct reflection of your personal style, passions, and aspirations. One of its biggest advantages compared to a corporate office—where workers are often limited to customizing a cubicle with quirky calendars and potted plants—is that you can do anything you want.

Compared to the upper-crust home work spaces of the 18th and 19th centuries, much has changed. Technology has largely done away with the need for floor-to-ceiling stacks of books, but it has also introduced an armada of plas­ticky components like monitors, printers, and scanners bursting with messy cables—none of which are as appealing to look at as antique globes, sextants, or Roman statuary. As a result, many designers aim to eliminate or hide as much of an office’s technological wizardry as possible. Fortunately, the Wi-Fi universe we now live in allows for a much less tethered feel than the old desktop computer. Many of those peripherals don’t even live in the office anymore—we now mostly put them in closets.

People aren’t printing as often as they used to, so the need for filing cabinets has disappeared, which frees up space for a secondary seating area. You absolutely need a comfortable desk chair, but we also like to include a lounge chair with an ottoman or a chaise for those moments of concentrated reading and thinking.

At the end of the day, a home office isn’t just a place to get things done—it’s a reflection of who you are. It should be designed to your style and your taste, it should allow you to be your best, most productive self.

CA Interiors can assist you in creating a new working environment in your home that reflects you. Contact Sue Hamilton on 082 950 3142.

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3 Benefits of Wallpaper

Source: Hertex

Wallpaper is making a comeback! There are now many different patterns, colours and textures available, which cannot be imitated by paint. If you are considering wallpapering an entire room, or just a feature wall, here are 3 great benefits of wallpaper we think you should know.

Wallpaper Looks Unique

Source: Hertex

It’s not every day you step inside someone’s home and see a wallpapered room or wall. It’s something special, something different. As the popularity of wallpaper increases, so does the range of colour, pattern and texture options. From traditional filigree wallpaper, to modern textures, even wooden and leather finishes – whatever you’re looking for, you can find it.

For a less intense look, you can wallpaper a feature wall, in built shelving or an alcove. This adds interest to a room and creates a sense of depth.

Wallpaper Can Be Budget Friendly

Source: Hertex

Wallpaper is affordable for two reasons:

  1. There is a wallpaper product for any budget. An increase in popularity has seen and increased number of products and brands available, and different brands cater for different budgets. You can also wallpaper a small area, which means you don’t have to buy rolls and rolls of wallpaper.
  2. Although wallpaper has a higher installation cost than paint, it does last longer.

Wallpaper is Durable

Source: Hertex

Modern wallpaper can last up to 15 years, whereas paint may need to be touched up every 3 years or so. Wallpaper is tough and easy to clean. You can even purchase vinyl varieties of wallpaper that are even easier to clean!

To ensure the longevity of your wallpaper, it’s best to avoid wallpapering bathrooms and kitchens, as this will expose the wallpaper glue to excess moisture. Moisture can cause the wallpaper to peel. Bedroom, lounge rooms and dining rooms are well suited to wallpaper.

Because wallpaper lasts so long, when it does eventually begin peeling, you may not be able to find an exact match in order to retouch the damage. It’s best to buy an extra roll or two, just in case.

Source: Hertex

Along with interior and exterior painting, we install wallpaper. If you would like a quick, accurate quote, please give Sue Hamilton a call on 082 950 3142 or email sue@cainteriors.co.za

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What are the benefits of fabric upholstery?

Shopping for furniture is very confusing because there is so much to consider. Your quest for choosing the right upholstery will not just rely on your budget and designs. Among the considerations will be: modern or classic? Low or high back? Detachable or fixed cushions? With this, another question is essential: leather or fabric?

The benefits of having fabric for upholstery

Upholsteries come in different styles and varieties, so there are many options to choose that will fit your home style. Compared to leathered types of furniture, with the fabric types, you can experience the following benefits:

Comfort

The feel in fabric upholsteries depends on the material of the textile and the support system (the frame and cushions). Regardless, the comfort you can experience is something you can always savour and experience. The fabric’s softness and warmth offer you calm and relaxation, easing all your stress away. Moreover, its softness can provide cosiness no matter the season, unlike leathered types that bring sticky and hot feelings in summer and more coolness every winter.

Despite this undeniable comfort, its suppleness should be something that is not too much, to the point that the furniture will not get wrinkled or sag easily. It should keep its shape every time you get up.

Care

The fabric upholsteries’ wear and tear quality depend on the fabric grade. As expected, high-quality fabrics tend to endure weariness better. Moreover, because of its material type, it is easier to clean and maintain. Since most fabric furniture is made with stain-resistant finishes, it can be easily cleaned up when spills happen. A handheld steam cleaner or certain specialty products can do the trick. Also, unlike leathered upholsteries, the fabric ones cannot be scratched or have any unpleasant markings. Especially if you have pets cosying around your home, the fabric ones will be perfect for you.

Colour and Pattern Choices

Another advantage of choosing fabric types in upholstery is its unlimited textures, colours, and patterns. There is undoubtedly a particular colour and style that will surely match the over-all design of your home. It can be an excellent opportunity to express you and your family’s style and personality: either you go for bright colours or bold patterns that grab your guests’ attention or you will choose something neutral and calming style that will be perfect for your home’s decorative pieces.

Costing

If you are concerned about your budget, yet you still want the best, the fabric type will suit both of these goals. Better quality fabrics mean higher prices, yet this is even more affordable than purchasing the leather types.

Tips in choosing the best upholstered fabric

Most of the time, colour, and design are the first things to mind when buying fabric upholstered furniture. While this is also essential to consider, several factors are equally important too and CA Interiors can assist you.

Durability

The robustness of the fabric should depend on the piece of furniture, what area it will be used in, and personal attributes at home, such as the presence of children and pets. If the furniture is something that is used daily, opt for more durable fabric types.

Style

In considering the fabric style, always choose something that will complement not only the furniture but the interior design and feature of your home.

Colour

Another crucial factor in selecting upholstered fabric is the colour. With lots of colours and combinations to check on, always ensure choosing something that has a significant impact on the furniture, especially when the furniture is a large one like sofas and tables.

Benefits Of Using Fabric For Upholstery Guide

If you are undecided about the fabric colours and designs for your upholstery, contact Sue Hamilton at CA Interiors to get exceptional fabrics for your furniture. With lots of choices you can check on, you will definitely never go wrong in having the fabric type that will bring out the best in your upholstery!

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Trending ideas for curtains and blinds in 2020

Draw the curtains in style with the latest design trends for fabric window dressings.

When it comes to choosing fabric window dressings for your room, there’s a lot to think about. Not only do you need to make a choice on the fabric, colour and pattern, but also the style and what it has to offer functionality-wise, as well as how it will be installed in your space.  Each has its benefits, and some potential drawbacks, but you can be certain some styles are more en vogue right now than others. So, we’ve picked some of the most on-trend ideas for fabric curtains and blinds for every room in your house to inspire your choices.

Double up

Getting the balance right between privacy and allowing natural light into your home is one important thing to think about when choosing soft-furnished window dressings. A blackout curtain is important in a bedroom, for example, to ensure you can sleep through light summer mornings, however, every time you close the curtains, you don’t want to be plunged into pitch darkness.

Layering a blackout textile and an opaque textile has become the go-to solution – whether it’s a curtain and a voile or clever double layer blinds.

Hidden tracks

For a less cluttered look, more and more of us are opting for discreet, tracked curtains. Not only do these offer a sleeker option to a traditional curtain pole, it means that curtains can be hung directly from the ceiling, helping to make rooms feel taller and adding a dramatic statement.

Tab top curtains

As we try to transform our homes into peaceful, relaxing spaces, we’re moving away from fussier styles such as pencil and pinch pleat curtains. Look for styles with soft, natural undulations for a more casual feel.

To stick with the softer feel you’re looking to create, choose curtains with tab tops, which means there’s no curtain rings or other hardware involved, while still giving you lots of control over how the curtains sit on the pole.

Abstract geometrics

Geometric patterns are a popular choice for curtains and blinds, especially in homes with a contemporary style. For an up-to-date take on the trend, look for fabrics with more unusual shapes, colours and patterns than standard triangles or hexagons, for example. These will help ensure the space feels sophisticated and stylish for 2020.

Plant-inspired patterns

‘Biophilic design’ is a buzzword for 2020 – it basically means creating a home that’s more connected with nature. As well as filling our homes with plants, nature-inspired prints are a big trend, especially where they can help link the interior of your home with the outside – windows therefore make the perfect spot for a plant print pattern!

Scaled up prints

In the same way that wall murals have become a big wallpaper trend (literally), look out for oversized fabric prints for curtains too. We love the idea of using a border print on curtains or a blind for a more interesting way to bring pattern to your home, such as this cactus patterned voile.

Inspired by any of these curtain and blind trends?

Contact Sue Hamilton on 082 950 3142 or sue@cainteriors.co.za

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Dream bedrooms: décor ideas to put you on cloud 9

Stuart Graham Fabrics

The bedroom is where we go to escape, a cocoon where we unwind, shrug off the day’s toils and slip, hopefully, into peaceful bliss. Décor can have a lot to do with that, creating spaces that breathe personality but are a balm for the soul. From modern to ornate, here are our top-pick bedrooms from our fabric collections to inspire you.

STATEMENT HEADBOARDS

Oversized upholstered headboards are in! In fact, the bigger the better to truly make a statement of luxury. If you’re brave enough, you’ll even upholster an entire wall. Seen here is the new Instinct Collection featuring a headboard upholstered with Memory Cloud, scatters in Memory Canyon and curtains in Mission Ginger. The peachy undertones and smoky blue hues create a wonderful calming space.

SCANDI WITH NATURAL CHARM

Create a bedroom you can feel at peace in with these linen-look, handcrafted designs from the Canterbury Collection. The ten timeless weaves, jacquards and embroideries embrace easy geometrics, trails, dots and plains in a palette of Scandi inspiration.

WHEN A GOOD NIGHT‘S REST IS A MATTER OF GEOMETRY

Characterised by subtle geometrics, the smooth jacquard designs of the Instinct Collection add slick modernity to a bedroom.  The curtains are Cinematic Aluminium paired with  Virtual Sesame scatters.

FEATURE WALL DELIGHT

Wallpapering just one wall in the bedroom goes a long way to personalise the space. Whether you like chic geometrics, misty forest landscapes, tumbling ferns or subtle florals, the Ambience Collection has a wide range of designs from which to choose.

BOLD IN THE BEDROOM

Supersized florals have blossomed in popularity. In a clean and airy space such as this room, a busy pattern can work. South Pacific is ideal for this. The sunny tones of Polynesia Papaya seen here add warmth and personality to an otherwise stark room.

Bring Stuart Graham’s Fabric collection to your bedroom, by contacting Sue Hamilton on 082 950 3142 or sue@cainteriors.co.za