Published
September 30th, 2008
in
Baths, Bedroom, Cotton, Fabrics, Furniture, Mats, Wood |
2 Comments »
Step by Step Sewing Handbag
1 With right sides facing, stitch front and back print fabric panels together along top short edges. Press seam open. Repeat for plain fabric (lining) panels.
2 With right sides facing, stitch print and plain fabric panels together down long sides. Turn to right side. Press.
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Published
September 22nd, 2008
in
Cushions, Furniture, Office, Painting, Pine, Sheet, Study, Windows, Wood |
2 Comments »
This very simple box with its hinged-top lid panels is ideal for storing items such as copier or computer paper, old job files and children’s artistic endeavours.
The box used here is 2.4 m long to suit the standard length of MDF board, but could be shorter. The completed box can be positioned under a window and finished off with cushions, or placed anywhere in your office or study, depending on layout, so that it doubles as a piece of furniture. (more…)
Published
September 12th, 2008
in
Bed, Cotton, Covers, Fabrics, Iron, Quilts, Sheet |
5 Comments »
Draw up a plan of your design on a sheet of graph paper and mark out the width and length of the quilt you wish to make, whether it is a small one for a baby’s cot or a large one for a double bed.
It is traditional to create quilt patterns built around a regular block of patchwork squares, for example in groups of five, seven or nine. For a seven-patch block, the total number of squares making up the quilt would be 49. (more…)
Published
June 1st, 2008
in
Accessories, Baths, Bedroom, Cleaning, Covers, Curtains, Decoration, Fabrics, Furniture, Knitting, Laundering, Nylon, Showers, Windows, Wood |
4 Comments »
There are countless ways that bead hangings can make that all-important decorating difference in your home. They can create a dramatic division and, at the same time, keep space free-flowing. Although they are revivals of the very ornate period of Victorian styling, today’s adaptations are equally at home in traditional, country, Mediterranean, or contemporary settings. They can be used to curtain a window, disguise a nonview, and at the same time allow light and air to filter through. As a divider, they take almost no space, yet give a feeling of semiprivacy in each of the separated areas.
Along with beauty and versatility, there is another factor in their favor—beads require no dry cleaning, laundering, or pressing; all you need to do is wipe them with a damp cloth to restore them to their original appearance. (more…)
Published
May 11th, 2008
in
Basins, Baths, Bed, Cleaning, Cotton, Covers, Curtains, Cushions, Duvets, Fabrics, Furniture, Leather, Lighting, Lotion, Mattresses, Mirrors, Painting, Pillows, Quilts, Sheet, Showers, Towel, Windows |
5 Comments »
The newer trend is for a simpler style of heading, often with the fabric just tied or threaded on to a pole, or wrapped around it. With so many good- looking tie-backs and hold-backs available, the curtains don’t even have to draw in the conventional sense — the fabric can simply be hooked back out of the way.
Curtains like these tend not to be so full, with the advantage that they use up less fabric, and — best of all — they often require little sewing beyond the side seams and hems. They also make more of a feature of the pole itself, so it’s a good chance to try out some of the decorative poles. Quick to make and very adaptable, they are particularly good for small rooms where too much fabric would look over-fussy. (more…)
Published
May 5th, 2008
in
Bed, Cotton, Covers, Curtains, Cushions, Decoration, Fabrics, Lampshades, Linen, Mattresses, Weaves, Windows |
2 Comments »
Large blocks of contrasting plain colours will have a jarring effect, so the easiest way to introduce extra colours to your basic scheme is by adding accent colour. This is colour used in small quantities to highlight areas of interest and break up the background shade.
Accent colour is often used for woodwork detail. Picture rails, dado rails, skirting boards (base boards) and window frames picked out in a different shade from the walls will outline the shape of the room and prevent the main colour from feeling flat and monotonous.
The best thing about accent colour is that you can also add it in movable details. Cushions curtains, lamps and pictures should all be chosen with the overall colour scheme in mind, and as your confidence with colour increases you can add more accessories to try out different effects. (more…)
Published
May 4th, 2008
in
Bed, Bedroom, Carpets, Covers, Curtains, Cushions, Decoration, Duvets, Fabrics, Mats, Oak, Painting, Pillows, Quilts, Rugs, Sheet, Study |
4 Comments »
MOOD CHANGERS
Yellows are stimulating and refreshing and will make the coldest or gloomiest room look sunny and cheerful, so they’re good for kitchens, work areas and daytime living rooms. If you find the brighter shades too much, try a pale primrose or a sandy ochre to give a softer effect.
Pinks are soft and restful — again, useful in a living-room colour scheme (especially if you want to create a more elegant, less everyday look) and their calming effect also makes them good for bedrooms. To avoid too sugary an effect, a yellowy pink such as peach is a good alternative. (more…)
Published
February 2nd, 2008
in
Furniture, Polish, Wood |
5 Comments »
Traditional veneering
Veneering is an age-old craft, practised by some of the most famous furniture makers in their day. It means overlaying one wood with a very thin layer of another timber, for a decorative finish. Expensive and beautiful hardwoods such as rosewood and English walnut have seldom been used except as veneers.
Allied to veneering is inlaying. Here the top veneers are of contrasting woods designed to fit together in a pattern. (more…)
