The Joy of Using Fabric

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Maria Samuels

Tags

diy, fabric, fabric on walls, fabric treatments, interior design, Maria Samuels, projects

Fabric has a special effect on your walls. Compared to other wall coverings, fabric can deliver the desired softness, warmth and texture in a room. You have the option to use it as a major backdrop in a room or just as a supporting character to highlight other furnishings.

With wall fabrics, you can either go for a formal or informal look based on the material and technique you are going to use. Understanding which technique best suits a material is a key advantage in helping you finish your improvement project sooner. Also, two factors will help determine which technique is right for you: the look you have in mind for your walls and the amount you are willing to spend for your wallcoverings.

Here are three wall fabric application techniques to help you choose the best design for your home:

Pasting
Applying adhesive to the wall allows a more steam-resistant surface and gives you the chance to strip off the material without any effort. If you are concerned with the residue paste, don’t worry as you can wash them off later on.

When you want to paste fabric, one important thing to remember is to flatten any crack or bump before deciding on this technique. Also, apply a white primer coating on colored walls to pave the way for trouble-free application of your light-colored fabrics.

Photo Credit: Inhabitots

Stapling
With this technique, fabric panels are sewn together and later stapled on the wall. The edges are then trimmed on double welt as a general rule.

A quilted fabric is preferred if you want to also enhance insulation as well as create an upholstered look. First, check the wall to see if stapling fabric on it is possible. Placing furring strips is an option if the walls have holes but make sure the surface won’t be damaged by the staples.

Upholstering
If you decide to upholster your walls with fabric, be ready to spend more time on the project. You can make your room insulated and less susceptible to noise through upholstery batting. Under upholstery batting, padded fabric is flanked by two-layered upholstery covering which refer to materials made from cotton, polyester or foam. Through this, the fabric appears more soft and splendid. Similar with stapling, the edges are trimmed as well.

Upholstering walls help hide the uneven surfaces and other imperfections, including cracks. However, this technique is not recommended in areas where steam and grease are constant source of concerns such as bathrooms and kitchens. You can also apply upholstering techniques on ceilings, but preferably to smaller rooms. This way, you can stretch the fabric very evenly and securely fasten it in different places.

Photo Credit: House to Home

Using fabric as wallcoverings will surely introduce a beautiful appearance into your room. One advice before you settle on an application technique is to purchase a small amount of fabric you have in mind and then scrutinize the material with your room furnishings. This is the only way you can see for yourself if you have the right fabric in mind.

Written by Maria Samuels of InStyle Modern

The Art of Selecting a Modern Bathroom Suite

09 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Alvin Steel, Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

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Do you want to refurbish your bathroom so it has a more modern style? Think about what you need and want in your bathroom for current and future use. A well planned master bath plan can help in selecting a range of bathroom products without spending anything extra.

As we are living in a modern world, the concept of bathrooms has changed a lot. When some family wants a multipurpose space, others prefer separate areas for different uses. A good architect can help in achieving a pleasing appearance to the restroom that is welcoming for everyone.

Design Elements
The contemporary style involves more efficient and modern style basins, baths and showers. Most of the bathroom equipment will be sleek and modern and will have a range of technological features. Its smart to select restroom furnishings that will match with your personality and lifestyle. Try not to select the products just because they look fancy, basic use should also be considered. Simple and elegant products will definitely add more style to a bathroom.

Photo Credit: Fresh Home Design & Architecture

Colors that are popular for creating a contemporary style space are ones that give the washroom a more spacious and bigger appearance such as whites, beiges and creams. Plain and light colors will never fade easily and will never go out of fashion. Designing the bathroom based on a theme, can make it more inviting as well. It is better to stick to two to three colors, rather than selecting a whole bunch. This can result in an unappealing look.

Photo Credit: Trends Magazine

In the past, people liked to spend more time in bathtubs. But today a shower is the preference of the majority. There are a variety of shower enclosures available in the market such as sliding doors, sliding screens, pivot doors, quadrant shower enclosures and wet room screens. These are all good options when choosing to refinish your shower.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Here are a few other elements to consider when renovating your bathroom.

Good Ventilation
There must always be proper ventilation to get rid of moisture. A bathroom fan helps to avoid moisture content and keep the room fresh.

Lighting
Good lighting must be provided to keep the restroom bright.

Storage
A perfect bathroom is one which has storage space to keep necessities like towels, hair dryers, lotions, shampoos and other toiletries tucked away. Having everything you need in the space is a big plus.

Written by Alvin Steel on behalf of Trade Plumbing

Furniture Design Icon Charles Eames

08 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Guest Posts, Leo Parker

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Charles Eames, DAR chair, Dining Height Armchair R-Wire Base, Eiffel Chair, fibreglass, Furniture Design, LCW Chair, Leo Parker, Lounge Chair Wood, modern, Museum of Modern Art, organic wooden forms, plastic, plywood, swivel uk, World War II

Charles Eames is most well-known for his unique use of modern industrial materials. His extensive portfolio of works include fibreglass chairs, plastic resin chairs and wire mesh chairs. Eames was a champion of developing exciting ways of manipulating materials. He moulded, bent, sculpted plastic and fibreglass among other materials to create stunning, fluid, organic pieces.

Furniture Design Icon Charles Eames
Photo Credit: Arnold Newman, 1975

DAR Chair
The classic Charles Eames DAR chair with armrests was first produced in the 1950s and is still as stylish now as it was then. DAR stands for Dining Height Armchair R-Wire Base. It is highly durable chair, an exciting marriage of aesthetics, luxury and comfort. It was also the first industrially manufactured plastic chair.

Eames combined new materials like plastic and fibreglass with original forms. This chair is perfect as a dining chair and would look spectacular in any modern interior. It also has a charming design. The metal framework which supports the chair structure is the reason this piece has come to be known as the Eiffel Chair as it is similar to the shape of the Eiffel Tower. Meticulously designed using pioneering techniques, this piece is a household essential if designer furniture is your prerogative.

Photo Credit: Swivel UK

LCW Chair
LCW Chair was the first chair to be mass-produced using moulded plywood. Originally made in 1946, this modern chair was pioneering at the time of its inception. The subtly curved structure is light and slender and has a harmonious fluidity. LCW is short for Lounge Chair Wood.

This piece, with its innovative and well thought out design, is meant to fit the contours of the human body. Eames experimented with manipulating the materials he used into different shapes and forms. This chair works superbly around a dining table or even as a standalone piece.

One of the most significant pieces in modern furniture design, it was made during World War II and embodies efficiency, reliability and functionality which were major requirements during this time. This chair has sleek and honest appearance and will make any interior look polished. It has been heralded as a status symbol. It is technologically innovative due to the smooth, uninterrupted, organic wooden forms.

Photo Credit: Swivel UK

Although Charles Eames’ furniture is immensely practical it did not lack artistic and creative flair and was always aesthetically appealing. Eames left behind him a legacy of innovation, an extensive and impressive collection of revolutionary pieces. He was also the first designer to be given a one-man show at the Museum of Modern Art.

Written by Leo Parker

Guest Post: Seasonal Decorating Ideas

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

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books, card garland, christmas, Decorating Ideas, diy, holiday, leaves, ornaments, Poles Direct, Shehla Ali, snowflakes, snowglobe, snowman, tinsel, traditional, tree

When it comes to seasonal decorating everyone wants a stylish and sleek look, not the usual commercial over the top presentation. Here are few ideas you can try during this holiday season.

If you always put your decorations in the same place then why not rearrange things. It’s fun and won’t cost you anything.

Instead of having the traditional Christmas tree why not use books to make one. It really is easy and more modern. Just pile on layers of books making the piles smaller length wise on top. Once you have accomplished this, then wrap Christmas lights around it.

Photo Credit: Neatorama

Cut bits of tinsel and tie it on chairs at home. If you have a floor lamp then use that for Christmas décor too.

Use warm colors in your home. This does not mean you have to redecorate everything, just tiny adjustments will enhance your room and give it a seasonal effect. Instead of new carpet or flooring add a rug that will compliment the color of your floor.

If you’ve run out of room because there is too much décor, try taking extra ornaments and hang them on interior curtain poles.
Guest Post: Seasonal Decorating Ideas
Photo Credit: (left) Cozy Little House (right) Free Home Decorating Ideas

Create a display for all your Christmas cards. Stick a piece of string on one of your walls and hang the cards on them rather than causing clutter.

Photo Credit: Summer Holiday Vintage

Pick up leaves or cut out snowflakes and put them in glass frames and display them around the house.

Take an old jar and put fake snow inside of it to create a holiday globe. Include a festive icon such as a snowman or a christmas tree and you’ve created a wonderful decoration.

Photo Credit: Worley’s Lighting