Traditional and contemporary Venetian blinds

Versatile Venetian blinds are ideal for creating a modern uncluttered look. Easy to use controls make them ideal for filtering out or shutting out light completely. The blinds are available with different slat widths to suit the size and style of the window to be dressed.

The blinds are easy to operate and afford the practicality of being able to be pulled up completely to expose the vast majority of the window to allow the maximum amount of light into the room. Venetian blinds are very easy to clean and are the perfect blind for hot and steamy rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Stained Venetian Blinds

Wooden Venetian blinds provide a classic, timeless style for any room in the home. A range of different colours are available with natural wood tones, such as Honey and Ash which will work with and compliment the latest interior design trend of wooden floors and furniture. Richer, darker shades are perfect for a more traditional style home. Stylish and unfussy Venetian blinds are the ideal choice for making a real statement in the home. Contemporary Venetian blinds provide a dramatic effect when made from suede or leather which is ideal for a room with a trendy style interior which can be made to measure for the perfect finishing touch.

Venetian blinds are very practical for use in a kitchen, they are very easy to keep clean and a blind made in PVC resists moisture caused by cooking steam. They offer a safe alternative to curtains to reduce the risk of accidental fires when the kitchen is small as any draft from an open window will not cause the blind to move or billow out over a cooker or hot plate.

A contemporary designed kitchen with white cupboards, black marble work tops and aluminium Venetian blinds offers a clean, chic look to a practical working area. Aluminium blinds are easy to wipe clean and offer the choice of controlled diffused light or having the slats angled to let in light yet provide privacy. During the evening the slats can be fully closed to provide a complete smooth appearance to the window.

A Colonial feel can be achieved when natural wooden Venetian blinds the colour of warm, soothing whiskey are fitted onto the outside of the window recess. During the day the entire window can be exposed to flood the room with light or by having the slats tilted a diffused, subtle lighting can be achieved which will also keep the room cool during the summer, the finishing touches to the Colonial look could include a ceiling fan with wooden blades the same colour as the blind.

The Finishing Touches

A very original way to liven up wall space is to strategically place and hang printed wall art. There are a whole host of different designs and styles available to compliment the décor in any home’s interior design style.

An extremely popular theme choice for contemporary homes is photographic printed wall art depicting scenes from cities around the world, focusing on individual renowned landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan skyline. These styles of photographic printed wall art are typically available in monochrome or subtle shades of greys and blacks which provide a room with wall art which is pleasing to the eye and creates a very modern look.

Printed wall art is suitable to use in any room of a modern or contemporary home. These designs can be used to create specific atmospheres and compliment interior design styles. There are a variety of different subjects to suit all tastes and needs, including close up wall art pictures of flowers which can be used as a romantic and seductive gesture in a bedroom with roses in bold deep, rich reds bouquets or single blooms. Rose blooms or bouquets in delicate pinks are equally as stunning and look great when hung on plain walls of a complementary colour. Alternatively a canvas printed wall art design which depicts single, discreet nude figures sketched in pencil effect on beige backgrounds and framed with black are striking yet subtle. To create an peaceful and serene atmosphere photographic printed wall art of clouds floating across the sky are the perfect answer to help people drift off to sleep, during the day these prints wake up a room and lift the mood.

Designer Wall Art

Many of the printed wall art designs are available in blocks. These use the same design themes and subjects but are equally divided into four squares and should be hung with an equidistant space between them to give the illusion of one large piece of wall art. On a similar concept printed wall art panels comprising of two or three pieces provide a different and interesting way to bring a wall alive. The printed wall art panels are the ideal solution to provide height to a room as they are generally long and rectangular in shape drawing the eye down along the length of the art.

Printed wall art which inspires you is an excellent choice in living or working areas. These photographic pieces of printed wall art can be of any subject, those which have eastern oriental theme may help to focus the mind or bright bold colours can be used to invigorate and motivate.

Plain walls in muted tones can be brought alive with printed wall art designs which show photographic close ups of contemporary or traditional flowers such as freesias or lilies. The prints are of such excellent quality the flowers appear to omit the fragrance of the flower right into the room, stunning white flower heads with bold accent colours of cerise pink are vibrant and provide a clean, crisp look to a wall, while designs comprising of contemporary trees bring harmony and a sense of order.

Which ever style or design of printed wall art is used it will most certainly add the essential finishing touches and as all of the stunning printed wall art pictures are available ready to hang, they will provide a room with immediate impact.

Stylish and practical window dressings

Vertical blinds are a very stylish and practical way to dress a window as they offer great control over the amount of filtered light entering a room. There is a wide selection of colours available in fabrics blinds, from plain natural colours to bright vibrant colours to coordinated and compliment any style of interior design. Patterned and woven fabric blinds offer the ideal solution of dressing for those who wish to achieve a more subtle look to a window.

Hardwearing and durable PVC vertical blinds are water resistant making them ideal for use in a kitchen or bathroom. They are also very easy to wipe clean and many also have an anti-static finish which helps to reduce the amount of dust collecting on them. Some fabric blinds are machine washable and also have flame retardant properties. Heat reflective coatings are also available to keep rooms cool during the summer and warm in the winter. Blackout options are available for use in bedrooms.

New innovations in vertical blinds is to select two different colours, textures or fabric designs of louvers and then choosing in which combinations they are to be made. This brings a new dimension in window dressing which is practical and modern.

Custom made vertical blinds can also be used in bay windows which have specially designed curved header rails.

Lintext Vertical Blinds

Existing louvers which have been damaged can replaced in some designs of vertical blinds. Louvers can also be replaced to entirely change the colour of the blind to coordinate with re-decoration designs without having the expense of replacing the entire system. There are no tools required in is just a matter of unthreading the old louvers and replacing them with new. This offers an affordable and practical way to have new blinds in a room. The replacement louvers are also known as vanes or blind strips which are available for both PVC and fabric vertical blinds.

As vertical blinds are available ready made in various sizes they offer an ideal solution for window dressings in a caravan or campervan, providing total privacy while on the road or during the night and the maximum amount of light when fully opened during the day. The tilt options also provide protection from the sun and keep the ‘mobile home’ warm in the winter when they have the optional heat reflecting backing.

Many people chose to dress windows solely with vertical blinds, however, they look equally elegant when used in conjunction with traditional curtains being the ideal alternative to net curtains in providing privacy.

A Modern Approach to Window Treatments

One of the latest interior design trends is to have window dressings which are swept across the face of the window with soft and delicate fabrics with an abundance of folds reaching down and pooling onto the floor. These lightweight curtains are simply hung from a curtain pole to provide an instant window dressing to compliment a modern home.

Chrome Curtain Poles

To further enhance the window treatment the very latest curtain poles in brushed satin effect metals are finished with etched glass, sandstone or layered wood spherical or conical shaped finials which bring a whole new look up to date look to the window treatment. Clear glass finials which have contrasting coloured glass bubbles or smoke designs captured inside them make a real fashion statement by adding a chic, contemporary look to the window and afford the possibility of co-ordinating the colours with the other soft furnishings in the room, as well as contrasting or coordinating with the curtain fabric itself. For sheer indulgence, rigid curtain hold backs made from glass add a touch of class and sophistication to the entire window dressing and a very trendy twist over conventional tassel cords!

A whole host of metal and carved wooden finials are available to suit the different styles and finishes of curtain poles to coordinate with interior designs of both traditional and modern homes.

Bay or L-shaped corner windows can also be dressed with curtain poles which are designed to be compatible with certain styles and models of poles. A corner ‘elbow’ or bend simply fixes with the straight lengths of pole to provide curtain coverage. One of the advantages of this type of window dressing is that the fixing brackets can be covered by the curtain fabric, providing a sleek and streamlined appearance when the curtains are pulled across the window. When stacked back the curtain will sit gracefully in each angle of the window.

Cornice curtain poles are available in large diameters, traditionally made from wood and are used to hang heavy curtain fabrics. These look extremely elegant when used with appropriate sized curtain rings. Bespoke curtain poles can be made to virtually any length or for a less expensive alternative two matching poles can quite easily be joined together and curtains strategically stacked over the join during the day.

Magnetic curtain rods and poles are an easy solution to fitting a curtain to a metal door or window frame, there is no drilling or fixing required. Alternatively curtain poles which have sprung loaded extendable ends also provide a no fix solution and are perfect for hanging voile and lightweight curtains which are predominately used to cover a window for privacy.

Vertical blinds to suit all window designs

Vertical blinds are a versatile and practical way to provide both privacy and protection from the sun. There are available as ready made to fit yourself or custom made to suit individual requirements.

Ready made vertical blinds can easily be trimmed on both the width and length for a perfect finish to a window. The blinds are available as a complete package which includes the head rail, operating option of either a child safe wand or the conventional cords and chains which tilt the louvers or draws the blind across the window to open them completely. Ready made fabric blinds also have lovers with bottom pockets, a bobble style chain, adjustable louvers and hangers with bottom weights incorporated to ensure the blind hangs correctly. The majority of ready made blinds also come with fixing brackets and screws.

Vertical blinds are the perfect dressing for patio doors, with some designs offering the choice of which side the louvers can be stacked and some are also available with an option of having a split draw. The louvers can be tilted to 180 degrees to provide privacy and the optimum amount of light to enter the room.

A vast range of vertical blinds in different colours and fabric designs are available. Blinds made from vinyl coated materials provide a robust blackout blind which is perfect for use in a bedroom. Other designs are available which have a reflective coating on the back making them the perfect solution for keeping a room cool and blocking out the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun particularly if the window is south facing.

White Vertical Blinds

Fabric vertical blinds which feature woven patterns and textures provide a subtle effect which is more unusual than a plain fabric. The woven patterns on pastel and pale colours are ideal for using in a bedroom or lounge as they provide a soft appearance to the blind.

Vertical blinds are widely available in neutral tones, including the ever popular whites and creams which compliment any colour of interior décor as well as vibrant colours for a more contemporary look and feel to a room.

Neutral tones are a popular choice of window dressing for rooms which require privacy and are an ideal modern approach to use in place of net curtaining.

The durability and versatility of vertical blinds makes them an ideal choice to use in a conservatory. The easy operating systems enables the blinds to be tilted or drawn open depending on the amount of sunlight, while offering total privacy when fully closed.

Venetian blinds in a variety of designs and finishes

There are many different colours of Venetian blinds available to choose from including metallic colours which give the blinds a modern appearance, while the ever popular white PVC Venetian blinds compliment bathroom decors and provide a clean, pristine effect which is durable and resistant to steamy atmospheres. When the slats are angled the blind provides complete privacy yet allows plenty of light to enter the room. Ready made Venetian blinds are made so that they can be trimmed to fit both the width, by a small amount and the length by any amount to provide a perfect fit to the window.

A metallic rust coloured Venetian blind which has contrasting top and bottom rails, cord pull and a clear acrylic twist control presents a modern, contemporary feel, which is stylish when used in a bedroom or study.

Venetian Blinds

Remote controlled Venetian blinds which are battery operated are the ideal solution for people who are less able bodied as the remote allows for the same amount of flexibility in controlling the tilt of the slats for reducing the amount of light coming into the room. Automatic Venetian blind kits are also available to provide a custom made blind for a bay window which comes with three individual blinds. They are fitted with low voltage motors which can be controlled individually to raise, lower or tilt them. The kit includes a receiver and remote control handset. The blinds can also be operated by a timer or be set to work automatically according to the light level. These may be the ultimate indulgence in Venetian blinds and although they are called kits cannot be made at home, they are made and installed to meet personal requirements.

Venetian blinds are a popular choice of window dressing for offices as they are durable and practical. These blinds are available in a variety of different widths, lengths and slat widths which suit large expanses of glass or small windows in boats and caravans. Venetian blinds made from aluminium are fire resistant which is an aspect which needs to be considered both in the office and home environment, especially if the blind is to be used to dress a kitchen window.

The smooth, sleek and slim line appearance of Venetian blinds offer an affordable and flexible approach to window dressings which will suit any room in a home. Although they are generally used to provide a complete window dressing many people use them rather than net curtaining for privacy against the window glass and have contemporary style curtains hung on the outside recess wall.

Why a blue duvet cover?

A duvet makes a great room decoration, especially with the right duvet cover design and colour. It can improve your room’s overall design. If you pick the right colour that matches your room colour and bed sheets, it will enhance the aura of your room. For example, if you pick a blue duvet cover for your duvet, you are choosing the colour of tranquility and refreshment. If you believe in colour therapy, I’m sure you know what each colour means, for each colour has its own healing power.

Blue makes a great room colour, and as you will be spending the night in your room you need to have a soothing colour that can help you rest your body and sleep well. Having a blue duvet cover for your duvet is very helpful. Avoid fiery colours such as red or orange, which can aggravate you and make you restless (not conducive to a good night’s sleep at all). If you have a room with a mix and clashing of colours, you need to sort out which colour you want as the main colour of your room, and if you need to have a secondary colour, it is better to choose white. White and blue colours go together excellently.

Blue Duvet Cover

Colours play an important role when it comes to home or room interior designing. To create harmony at home, you need to have the right colour combination. Say for example you like blue, and so you paint your house in all sorts of blue shades, from dark blue to light blue and everything in between. Just make sure that the colours do not clash with each other, pick similar shades when you choose your furniture, home decorations and even bedding. Pick colours that match with blue, such as white, to enhance the blue and tone in with it, not clash with it.

Do you know that colours can affect your emotional state? Colours can change your moods and emotions. It has the power to reflect your personality and desires. Blue represents tranquility and, just like water, it is refreshing or renewing. It is associated with being the symbol of trust and longevity. For all these reasons, blue is a very powerful colour. This is why blue duvet covers are very popular. When you see blue, it is like seeing the ocean or the sky, and you will feel peaceful. What could be better for a great night’s sleep than a blue duvet cover mimicking the sky and ocean?

You can get blue duvet covers from any shop that sells bedding, such as bed sheets and pillowcases. If you like, you can place your order online, as there are many online bedding shops selling duvet covers, alongside all sorts of duvets.

Diversity of Curtain Fabrics

Curtains are made from a vast variety of different thicknesses of fabrics which each offering a variation in how much light is absorbed and the quality of heat insulation. Sheer curtains made from loosely woven voiles or lace allow the maximum amount of light to enter the room through the fabric. This type of curtain allows people inside the room to have a view outside while stopping passers by from seeing directly into the room, offering varying degrees of privacy during the day. At night an interior light switched on in the room causes light reflection and reduces the amount of privacy. Due to the fine density of these fabrics they offer very little in the way of heat insulation.

The majority of medium-weight fabrics used to make curtains are made from a tightly woven fabric such as polyester cotton blends. They provide a reasonable amount of heat insulation, however, the fabric is not generally thick enough to completely prevent light from entering the room. The choice of these fabrics is ideal when hung with a lining to increase the amount of light absorption, for those who wish to block all light can opt to have a blackout lining. A lining to the curtains will also help to provide more heat insulation to the room.

There are a huge range of different curtain headings which all provide a different design style from which to hang curtains. Heading tape is available in a variety of depths and is sewn close to the top of the curtain, the gathering cord is gently pulled to gather the top of the curtains to create the different looks. The variations in size and fullness of the pleats is determined by the amount of cords on the header tape, which can simply be a single cord for lightweight fabrics or two or more for medium and heavy weight curtains.

Natural colored Curtains

Closed headings are one of the simplest ways of hanging a curtain. The top of the fabric is folded over to produce a channel through which a narrow rod or pole is pushed. This type of heading is generally used for net or lightweight curtains which are not opened frequently.

A minimalist, and contemporary approach to widow treatments is to use curtains which have eyelets situated near the top of the fabric with a pole or rod slid through. Eyelet curtains provide deep folds in the fabric with an unfussy appearance. Modern fabrics such as faux suede or faux leather look very trendy and fashionable when hung from eyelets which have been covered with metal. Metal eyelets also provide a robust heading which enables the curtains to be thrown open without resistance.

Duvet Covers – Spoilt For Choice

The choice of duvet covers is vast, there are colours, plain, patterned or textured fabrics which all are either available to buy ready made or for a unique look can be custom made to suit whatever interior design style and colour theme a bedroom has.

Chic white duvet covers with matching pillow slips create the perfect minimalist effect in a bedroom. Plain white or cream duvet covers lend themselves beautifully to being adorned with numerous contrasting scatter cushions for a sumptuous and inviting look to a bed.

A duvet cover with bold swirling patterns in bright emerald greens, deep electric blue and a touch of bold black against a white main colour provides a really chic and trendy fashion statement for a bedroom. While shimmering oceanic green combined with colour shades which resemble icy lakes give a cool look to a bedroom on hot sultry nights.

Black is always chic and sexy, especially when the duvet cover is made from faux silk or satin, alternatively rich deep crimson teamed with creams adds a slightly more feminine look to the bedroom, especially when touches of ivory coloured lace edge the duvet cover and pillow slips.

Stylised festival flowers in wintry pastel shades of lilacs, green and blue offer a modern elegance and simplicity to duvet cover designs which will team well in both traditional and modern styles of home.

Fresh and sweet heart motifs and patterns add a playful romance to a bedroom in pretty pastel pinks and greens offering a modern alternative to traditional floral prints on a duvet cover.

Children’s bedrooms can be transformed with a new duvet cover which represents their latest super hero or television favourite, girls who favour a princess look can be spoilt for choice with the prettiest of pinks adorned with trims of lace and ribbons, while boys can opt for camouflages and turn their bedroom into a hideaway or camp!

Luxury and designer duvet covers are a great way to add style and panache to a bedroom, more especially when they are teamed with all the fashion accessories and trimmings such as matching curtains, valances and pillow slips.

Kylies New Duvet Cover Range

For those who like all things natural, while remaining in touch with the worldwide problem of animals and plants facing extinction can chose to have a duvet cover where a percentage of the sales is donated to help these endangered animals and plants and the cotton fabric is made by ‘Fairtrade’ manufactures.

The selection of a duvet cover is an individual consumer choice and with the endless possibilities everyone can have duvet covers which reflects their own personal style and moods.

Personalised Roller Blinds

Stunning Impact of Roller Blinds

Although there is a huge selection of different colours and fabric designs available in ready made roller blinds for those who want a blind which is totally unique the ideal solution is to either have a blind made to order or buy a kit and make one at home.

Roller blind kits are available which contains all the components needed to make a spring loaded roller blind including a pre-taped roller with a spring mechanism and operating cords, easy to install fixing brackets are not included with the kits and are sold as an optional extra. The roller has one end mechanism left off to enable it to be easily cut to size for a perfect fit to the window. All that is required to complete the blind is fabric.

Sidewinder roller blinds are also available which come complete with a metal roller, the sidewinder mechanisms and easy to fit metal brackets. The majority of these blinds also come with operating cords or plastic bead-chains which can be shortened to the desired length.

Any medium and lightweight fabric can be used to make a roller blind, for lightweight fabrics or those which are prone to fraying a stiffening solution can be brought which will give the blind a professional finish and also make the fabric more functional.

The versatility the option of making a bespoke blind brings means that roller blinds can be made to match furnishings or soft furnishings in any room of the home. It also means that a blind can be made with the same fabric as curtains, swags and tails to achieve a truly professional appearance to a window dressing.

The bottom of the blind can have a contrasting fabric or be decorated with trims and braids to bring a further touch of individualism and personal touch to the blind.

Roller blind kits are the ideal window dressing solution for windows which are long and thin such as a landing window providing a simple yet elegant style in a fabric of personal choice to compliment any style of décor.

All of the roller blind kits are supplied with instructions and as the rollers are pre-taped there is minimal sewing required, particularly when polyester cotton fabrics are used.

For those who are not confident in making their own blind at home there are options to have a roller blind custom made to coordinate with their décor or furnishings, all they have to do is select the fabric they require!