Creative Curtains
Curtains have the ability to add a lot of character and charm to a room. Expensive fabrics tied together with tassels for instance, give a room a majestic feel, while white, embroidered curtains are cute and sweet and probably best suited to a young girl's room or a powder room.
Those on a budget might need to get a bit creative with their curtains. This can be a fun and simple project to tackle. If you own some fabric that you really like you might choose to hammer its four corners to the edges of your window. Another idea is to throw an ethnic blanket that you might have picked up on a recent trip over a rod. Not only will these textiles add a whole new dimension to your room, but if they are bright colours, they will light up your room when the sun shines through them.
While strings of beads may not be the best way to block out the sun, a lot of people like to divide the rooms of their home with strings of beads.
These beads could be colourful or plain wood colours.
Blinds made out of bamboo can work really well in rooms with lots of sun and plants. You might even consider putting some up in a tree house.
Those serious about their sleep often opt for blackout blinds. These blinds literally block out all light and will allow you to sleep well into the afternoon if that's what you wish for.
There are of course, alternative ways to block out the sun from your house, such as vines, or ivey on the side of your home, planting a large tree on the sunny side of your house or building an actual brise soleil.
Brise soleils are sun breakers, but they are permanent. Sun shading techniques can range from patterned concrete walls to sophisticated wing-like mechanisms.
Generally, a projection is extended from the sunny side of a building, this is used to prevent glass facades from overheating during summer months.
One of the most famous examples of a brise soleil is that devised by Santiago Calatrava for the Milwaukee Art Museum. The moveable wings open up 217 feet during the day and fold over the building in the evenings and cold weather. The brise soleil has become so famous internationally, that it is now considered the symbol of Milwaukee.
If shade is what you're looking for, there are a variety of ways to achieve it. It doesn't matter whether the building in question is made entirely of glass or located directly under the sun, just as it doesn't matter whether you have a large budget or a small one, there are all kinds of ways to get creative with your curtains.
Fabric Architecture Ltd has been specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and installation of tensile fabric structures since 1984. Learn more about Brise Soleils at http://www.fabricarchitecture.com/brise-soleil
Eco Curtains
Are you looking for a way to contribute to the environment or ways to make your home more natural? Then Eco-curtains may be the answer for you. These Eco-friendly draperies are starting to become a trend as people are trying to reduce their toxic overload and trying to preserve the environment for the next generation.
Eco-Curtains are made from almost 100% natural products. They are usually created from organic cotton and dyed with plant and vegetable extracts. These curtains do not have the amount of chemical residues that regular drapery do. Manufactures also tend to use natural materials such as wood for buttons. The curtains come in natural colors which are very subtle and have earthly overtones.
If you are considering investing in Eco-curtains, here are some tips that can assist you with your purchase.
1) Look for the best deals - Eco-curtains tend to be more expensive than regular drapery.
To stretch your money, do some internet research to compare prices. They go on sale at certain times so be on the lookout for them.
2) Color Scheme - Keep in mind that Eco-curtains primarily come in more natural colors, such as camel, green, chocolate, red and white. Since there is a limited supply of colors, you may not be able to get the exact shade of lime green to match your décor.
3) Custom Drapes - If you have the time and don't mind the expense, you can have your drapes custom made. All you have to do is purchase organic cotton or naturally pigmented fabrics like "color-grown" cotton.
4) Fire Resistance - It is not advisable to use fire retardant sprays on your Eco-curtains if you are trying to reduce your exposure to chemicals.
A natural way to get fire resistance is to use a natural fabric such as wool. It burns at a slower rate than most traditional fabrics used in curtains.
5) Linings - You may want to consider lining your curtains. You can purchase them that way or have a seamstress add a lining for you. Lining your curtains will give them power to block out more heat from the sun in the summer by deflecting the sun's rays. In the winter lined curtains can keep the heat in and chilly drafts out. The lining also protects your curtains from fading.
6) Cleaning - Try to avoid dry cleaning your drapes since dry cleaned items contain chemical residues. It is recommended that you vacuum your drapes once a week, and possibly wash them at home. Read your manufactures instructions and follow them. If you must dry clean them, let the drapes air out for 24 hours before bringing them back into your home.
So there you have it. Eco-curtains may be more expensive than the average brands but they are bringing fewer chemicals into the home and are environmentally sound. Your body will thank you for your wise choice. Happy Shopping.
for more information about types of curtains, please click made to measure curtains Or visit window curtains
Classic Venetian Blinds – A Great Alternative To Curtains!
Having the curtains floating in the breeze was a dcor of the yesteryears; if you want to stay updated with todays trends then the classic venetian blinds are the choice for your rooms. Home dcor defines the taste of a man and gets admiration from the onlookers. Though there are many upgradations made in the interior decorators handbook yet classic venetian blinds are still one of the best choices. Classic means a beauty that never dies and indeed when you take a look at these venetian blinds this is the conception that you will have.
There are benefits of the classic venetian blinds such as these are made with the latest designs; they are resistant to damages and they are perfect for families that have children and pets. There are various materials in which the classic venetian blinds are available such as aluminum, plastic or even the plastic ones. While plastic is the most popular material for the construction of the Venetian blinds yet there are other materials that are becoming popular. The aluminum is rapidly gaining in popularity due to the blend of new and old classic designs on a metallic background. The aluminum blinds are simple yet they provide elegant beauty to the rooms.
The dusting of the plastic or the aluminum blinds is very simple and they can be occasionally washed with water and soap. These are easy to use as well. You can use it simply, just raise the height and rotate the stick till the time you have got the ideal angle matching the slats.
It is very easy to install the classic venetian blinds. Decide on the place that they will rest, then screw the bracket in place and make sure that the swing arm is towards you. Then lock the swing arm in place. There are some places within the house where the classic venetian blinds are very popularly used. Bathroom is one such place. This is moist part of your house so it is not a good idea to go for the fabric variety. You may go for the aluminum or plastic ones.
With the use of the classic venetian blinds you not only protect your rooms from dirt, sunlight and humidity but also give the room a designer look!
247 Blinds are the most reputed online stores known for their large variety of blinds of various makes and types. The quality of products has made the company UK's number one retailer in terms of made to measure blinds and curtains. See information about Venetian blinds andClassic venetian blinds. For more information visit http://www.247blinds.co.uk/venetian_blinds.asp