Interior Design Ideas

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All You Need to Know About Drapes By Sarah Egge

| Published Tuesday, April 15, 2014

By Sarah Egge .

Drapes are curtain panels that literally "drape" the window. Typically, they hang on a rod secured across the top of the window and hang straight down. But there are different variations that range from casual to formal. Here's what you need to know about using drapes as window treatments.

Brush the Floor

The current fashion in drapes is two matching tall columns of fabric that flank a window like sentries guarding a palace entrance. When you buy them in stores or online, there are two standard lengths: 84 inches and 95 or 96 inches. The length of the curtain dictates the height of the rod. If you buy 84-inch-long curtains, the rod must be mounted roughly 84 inches from the floor if the curtains hang from the rod without rings. This lets the hem of the curtains brush the floor. How formal or casual they feel depends on the fabric (cotton versus velvet, for example) as well as the hanging mechanism. Oil-rubbed rings on a matching rod have an old-world look, whereas large nickel grommets sliding on a thick rod appear casual.

Puddling

Another style for drapes is extra long panels with inches of fabric "puddling" on the floor, creating a ball-gown effect. This can be an elegant look for fabrics with the right weight and weave, such as synthetics and silks. Stiff fabrics, such as cotton and linen, or any kind of lined panels, won't flow gracefully onto the floor. If you the puddling effect, buy these drapes from a store or online at the 96-inch length but mount the rod between 84 and 90 inches high to give you extra fabric to play with at the floor level.

Pleated and Gathered

The most popular type of drape is the gathered style, which is most commonly available as ready-made drapes. A panel is flat until you clip it to rings or thread it onto a curtain rod. When the panel pulls to the side of the window, the fabric gathers into gentle waves. Another style is the pinch-pleated drape, which is common for custom-made draperies fashioned by drapery workrooms. At the top of the panel, the fabric is pinched into tight pleats at even intervals, which causes the fabric below the pleats to billow out slightly. This is a more formal look and is often used in hotels, banquet halls, and restaurants.

Hemmed Up

Drapes don't have to be long. Some are hemmed to reach a specific point on the window?typically the window sash or just below the bottom of the molding around the window. These window treatments tend to be more casual than long drapes and are often sewn from lightweight fabrics, such as cotton and muslin. If you buy them in a store on online, the typical length for short drapes is 63 inches.

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9 Things About Decorating on Budget

| Published Tuesday, March 25, 2014

With the recession blues hitting everyone across the globe in someway or another, saving cash and spending wisely is all that is on the lips of one and all. Decorating on a budget though is an art that is far more difficult than just going out and looking for the cheapest deals available. Here are some essentials that you need to keep in mind as you go around looking for stuff that fits your budget just right.

Make a plan and stick to it

The two simplest, yet most difficult parts of decorating on a budget are actually planning perfectly and making sure that you stick to the plan. The planning part of the budgeting is something that most people manage to chalk out with relative ease. But keep in mind that the temptations of the evil-salesman are too much to resist, once you step out. So make sure you take a friend along who will keep your feet firmly grounded.

Plan with realistic estimates and required needs in mind

Before you even make your budget, ensure that you know the actually prices of the furniture and accessories that you need. A rough but fairly realistic idea is what you will need. There is no point in putting in figures to suit your pocket and then finding out that you have been out of touch with reality. Also ensure that your decorating plans are in line with your needs. The needs of a young family are different from those of a bachelor or even a newly wed couple.

Go check out the garage sales in the area

This may not soudn too fancy, but there is nothing low about buying from a garage sale. It is just that some family might be expanding, moving or re-decorating and hence they might be giving away perfectly good stuff for an absolute steal. So take a peek in and pick what you like.

Cost cannot be your only priority

Do not walk around just looking for the cheapest stuff available. Make sure that the quality of what you buy is fairly decent. Otherwise you will have to hit stores again in a mere matter of months as the cheap stuff just withers away too soon and you will be spending twice your budget without getting a fair deal!

Understand the space available and shop accordingly

Decorating on budget is not just about getting the right deals alone. It is also about having the right vision for the space that you intend to decorate. Use a tape and measure the dimensions of your rooms and then understand how large your furniture and accessories really need to be to fit in just right. By doing this, you will not waste money on larger stuff or furnishings that look diminutive.

Recycle and reuse what you have

People forget so often about recycling and reusing stuff that you will be startled at what a creative mind can do out of the trash pile. If you have old clothes, use them for cleaning purposes in the kitchen, make storage spaces out of used containers and this will reduce what you need to buy.

Choose a style that you like

Choosing a style and sticking to it makes your shopping easier, your choices simpler and keep your budget under control. This way you cut out the danger of being tempted to buy something fancy, but out-of-line with the rest of the home. It is commonly agreed that a minimalistic look is best for those on a tight budget. It looks stylish, cool and modern as well!

Keep a look out for DIY projects

The internet today is full of brilliant DIY ideas that are put out in such detailed fashion that you will almost surely find what you need if you can do the searching. It’s creative, makes you feel good and is something that you can show off when people come by.

Shop for furniture that can double up

Makers like IKEA and others are offering furniture and accessories that can double up for more than one purpose. Apart from saving space, they save on cash too.