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Formal swag pelmets are draped pieces of fabric which, when attached to a pelmet support board, become a classic draped pelmet. They hang free of the curtain and usually add a classical, ornate appearance to windows.

Here are some rules to remember with swag trimmings: they look best on tall windows in rooms with high ceilings, so be sure that you don’t over-design your room; consider your fabric requirements (swag curtains can take up large amounts of fabric, and this can become a budget-breaker) — plain calico or home-spun fabric is one idea, as the old principle of using fabric generously applies well here. Generous amounts of inexpensive fabric look wonderful next to skimpy quantities of expensive fabric. (more…)

Openings in houses may be voids, doors orwindows. Voids tend to be in areas where security is not a consideration, such as between rooms in an open-plan living area. Doors provide a means of access and security to the building. Windows, however, are designed to provide daylight and a means of ventilation. They should also provide a view, but still allow for privacy when required. (more…)

Rugs can be a unique and complementary part of your total design scheme, adding colour, accent and life. In fact, a rug is often the decorating accessory which pulls a whole room together. It is a versatile design element, easily moved around, practical yet full of creative possibilities. (more…)

Give the lid of the paint tin a good wipe before opening it to avoid getting dust and dirt in the paint. Mix the paint thoroughly and pour some paint into the tray. (Cover the tray with clingwrap or tinfoil beforehand to make cleaning afterwards easier.) Before using a new brush the first time, work its bristles back and forth over your hand to get rid of loose bristles and dust.

Don’t dip the entire bristle area into the paint; you’ll have major job cleaning it and get paint clogging at the base, eventually turning your paint job into a mess. No more than half the length of the bristles should be covered in paint.

The basic rule is work top down and outside in. This means you’ll start with the smaller brushes, do all the corners and edges and cover for roughly 5 cm into the larger areas so that you leave enough space when working with the roller. (more…)

Blockfront

A furniture style usually associated with cabinets made in New England during the mid- eighteenth century. Notable examples of blockfront desks, secretaries, and chests that were outstanding in craftsmanship and design were made in the Newport workshops of John Goddard and John Townsend. The secretary shown here is attributed to Goddard. Most block front furniture is made of mahogany. The pieces have a raised surface at each side with a recessed area in the center. (more…)

The toilet is hissing, spurting, gurgling and generally not sounding too health Maybe you’ve tried one of the following options to silence it — lifting, hitting, ignoring, or for those of you with a violent disposition — kicking! The latter became the most often tried remedy for us as we’ve been plagued by malfunctioning toilet for the best part of our independent lives. How silly, considering a pair of pliers and 5 minutes of fiddling would have solved the problempermanently, if only we’d known.

When you flush the toilet, it starts refilling wit water immediately so the next person who uses the toilet can follow suit. The toilet float-valve stops this flow of water as soon as the cistern is full. If the toilet float-valve does not work, the water keeps on running, driving youcrazy and wasting a lot of water. (more…)

Carpets

Vacuum regularly and get into those corners. If you entertain you would have had to get rid of some nasty stains; if you entertain heavily, you may have had to get rid of some more severe markings, and smells.

Generally, always work from outside in and never brush or rub too vigorously as you may damage the fibres. When using some of the stronger solutions, first test it on an inconspicuous part of the carpet. (more…)

If you want smart, unstereotyped accessories, consider using baskets, even if your decorating budget is limited. Take a look at the many places where you can use them to advantage.

Baskets can be made from the slimmest of twigs, from rushes, thin strips of wood, or any other flexible material woven together. They range in size from small serving pieces to enormous storage trunks. Depending on the shape and type of weave, baskets can go well in classic, country, or contemporary rooms. (more…)

The list of materials that are suitable for decorating bathroom walls and ceilings is so extensive that it is well to evaluate each one carefully before you make your choice. This is especially true for bathrooms where you have to contend with great amounts of moisture.

Marble, ceramic tile, terrazzo tile, or quarry tile are wall materials reminiscent of the opulent era of the royal bath and belong to the luxury class.

Less expensive materials include mirrored walls, vinyl products that simulate marble or tile, and plastic-finished or laminated hardboards. Reproductions of hardboard paneling are easy to install and are available in realistic wood grains. This type can be cut with a knife and applied with adhesive. Wood paneling is available with a plastic finish. (more…)

How to design a children’s bathroom

Planning a bathroom for children means planning for convenience and safety as well as color. Remodeling will be minor if there is an existing bathroom. Just add a few fixtures, fittings, and storage units that suit ages of the children. However, as the need for a nursery- type bathroom will be brief, the bathroom will eventually be redecorated for use by young adults or as an extra bathroom for a guest room.

If you are choosing new fixtures, select them with future use—adult use—in mind, in colors that go with the overall color scheme of your home and in normal sizes and heights. If more than one child will be using the bathroom, double lavatory sinks are a good investment, not only for the younger years, but for adult family use later on. They enable two youngsters to get ready for school at the same time now, and will add extra use to a compartmented bathroom later on. Choose walls, floors, and fabrics for stain-resistant qualities and their ability to with stand humidity as well as for their decorative effect. (more…)