Like all things, there are just so many choices and it really depends on the homeowner as to what they like and what function the rooms will have.

However, I do have a couple of guidelines that make choosing a little easier.

Roller Blinds have been around for years. You can choose your own fabric and have it bonded onto a backing fabric to create a roller blind. That way you can match your décor and personalize the blind.

Bonded Roller Blinds by Inside Out Colour and Design

Ready-made roller blinds can be purchased from hardware stores and fabric stores like Lincraft or Spotlight. These are usually plain white or off white. The blind mechanism is at the top and when the blind is up you still see the mechanism but get left with a thin roll. They are usually spring loaded so no need for cords or chains. You will need a base bar or a ring pull to raise the blind.

Ready Made roller blinds

I usually recommend a roller blind for a kitchen, bathroom or laundry. They are cost effective, so if you are wanting a covering but don’t want to spend a lot of money, roller blinds could be the answer. If you are using a decorative fabric, make sure the roller is made with a reverse roll so when raised the fabric shows into the room.

Roller Blind with Reverse Roll

Sunscreen roller blinds have become popular lately. This fabric is a PVC or fiberglass coated mesh and allows the light in but still provides thermal qualities as well as the ability to reduce glare. It gives privacy and is a very streamlined look. My preferred area for installing sunscreen roller blinds is in the family living areas as usually these rooms are open to the outdoor living areas and as much light as possible is required.

Sunscreen Roller Blinds by Inside Out Colour and Design

For children’s bedrooms, I usually recommend roman blinds. They sit in the window reveal or just on the outside of the architrave so do not fall to the floor which is ideal if a bed or other furniture sits under the window.

Roman Blinds via Pottery Barn Kids

Any fabric can be made into a roman blind which means the blind will add a splash of colour or texture to the room. Blockout lining can be added to create maximum light control however light will still enter down the sides of the blind between the blind and the architrave.

Roman Blinds by Inside Out Colour and Design

They usually have a side cord that wraps around a cleat (gold or silver), which is screwed into the architrave or onto the wall. Australia safety standards dictate the cleat must be at least 150cm above the ground so the cord does not become a hazard to children.

Roman Blind Cleat

Curtains provide the best insulation as well as the best light control capabilities when blockout lining is added. The styles are endless but the most important aspect is to not be stingy with the amount of fabric used.It will make a big difference to the way the curtain hangs and looks.

Curtains just "kissing" the floor by Inside Out Colour and Design

Consider the style of heading of the curtain as well as the length. Personally, I prefer curtains that hang to the floor as short curtains don’t look right. If there is furniture in the way, then usually I would recommend a blind rather than a curtain but of course all rules are meant to be broken.

Interiors by Sherrill Canet

Curtains that puddle can harbour dust and bugs as well as become tripping hazards for pets and children. My preference is curtains that “kiss” the floor i.e. they sit just above the floor. Curtains are a more formal look so suit formal lounge rooms, dining rooms and master bedrooms.

Puddling via Country Living

Shutters are a smart, streamlined, option which are custom made to suit the window. They can be painted in any colour, however most companies provide a standard range of colours with custom colours incurring a surcharge. Where possible we try and choose a colour from the standard range to help control costs.

Shutters by Inside Out Colour and Design

Shutters can make a room look clinical especially if there are limited soft surfaces in the room so soften the look with fabric sofas, rugs or carpet and textured cushions.

Interior Decor by Inside Out Colour and Design

Each panel is usually split horizontally so if privacy is an issue, the bottom section can be closed while the top section can be tilted to allow light and air to enter the room. Shutters are a good option if occupants have allergies.

Coddington Design via VT Interiors

There are many other alternatives but these are the ones I usually have clients requesting.

If you would like assistance choosing window coverings for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Don’t forget, all these images and more can be found on my Pinterest boards.

Jennifer

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Supre Skinny Jeans in Sunset

Rusty Hyper Walkshorts in Fluro Orange

As I tear through the shopping centres on my quest to complete lists before Christmas, I have been noticing a plethora of orange.

Cotton Dress in Orange by Sportscraft

Blazer Short Sleeve Casual Shirt in Orange

It seems just about every shop window features an orange item of one shade or another.

Sandals by Witchery in Ginger

Corban and Blair iPhone Cover

Pumpkin, Amber, Coral, Clay, Tangerine, Peach, Melon, Splice, call it what you will, but it’s all out there.

Marmot Two Man Tent

I know that once a colour appears en masse in the fashion industry, we can expect to see it in the home industry very soon thereafter.

Sarah Story Design

I don’t mind touches of orange in the home, in soft furnishings, feature walls or even wallpaper, as long as it is in moderation.

However, I am really worried that we may return to that time in the ’90′s when everyone was giving their home a Tuscan makeover by laying terracotta tiles and painting the walls apricot.

Frances Mayes has a lot to answer for!

Authentic Tuscan Interiors

What about you? Are you a fan of orange and it’s many tints and shades?

If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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Paper products?

Corban and Blair

Bed Linen?

KAS Australia

Throws and cushions?

Emma Jay

Fabric remanants so you can get crafty?

Signature Prints

Intersting and Quirky homewares?

Styletto

Go forth and grab yourself a bargain. Some of them are online so you don’t even have to leave home!

If you would like assistance with colour or design for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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Christmas is just around the corner.

via Pottery Barn

But there’s still time to create some beautiful linen for your Christmas table.

Very talented Brisbane lady, Jacqueline has created a range of designs for you to decorate your own Christmas tablecloth, runner or napkins.

Take a look and create something stunning that will be passed down through the generations.

If you would like assistance getting your home ready for Christmas, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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This weekend they are clearing out all their discontinued fabrics and you can grab yourself a bargain.

Linens are under $30 per metre and Silks under $20!

Head over to their Sydney Showroom at 15 Boundary Street, Rushcutters Bay on Saturday and Sunday.

***Sorry, I’m having a few technical difficulties and can’t upload any of the pretty pictures.***

If you would like assistance choosing fabrics for your soft furnishings or upholstery, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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They’ve been very busy creating new styles and patterns while keeping abreast of current trends and maintaining the costs.

Warwick have always been well known for their affordable upholstery fabrics and that legacy continues. I was impressed with the number of releases and the wonderful mixing and matching of patterns and textures for all occasions.

Nordic Collection from $56 per metre

Nordic has a Marimekko influence with bright colours and bold prints. The fabrics are well suited to our relaxed casual lifestyle.

Banco Collection from $76 per metre

Banco has a Retro feel with inspiration drawn from 70′s wallpaper. It has high appeal to the younger first home owners.

Elvira Collection from $36 per metre for plain fabrics

Elvira is a profusion of pattern and colour. With a resurgence for a bit more colour in our interiors this collection is bound to prove popular.

Pan Pacific Collection from $100 per metre

Pan Pacific Collection is Australian Made and Australian inspired. The collection includes fabrics that include names and places of grain and wool companies. These fabrics are ideal for slip covers and soft furnishings.

Anthropology Collection from $56 per metre

One of the brand new releases, is Anthropology. It is influenced by colours and patterns of loomed rugs in bright colours like Watermelon and Navy but also a more subdued palette of Stone and Antique.

Anthropology in Stone

I loved the Stone colourway and thought it would be an excellent transition of brown to grey. Can’t you see cushions in this fabric sitting on a chocolate brown sofa or two occasional chairs like this one sitting adjacent to a black or brown leather sofa.

Fable Collection from $46 per metre

Fable is another recent release and is also woven in Australia. It is a vibrant, fun and young collection in bright colours.

This is a great range of fabrics for every application and every decorating style at affordable prices. All Warwick fabrics are available through Inside Out Colour and Design.

If you would like assistance choosing furnishing fabrics for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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Alhambra Ribbon

Spanish fabric house Alhambra has finally made it’s way to Australia. I was fortunate enough to view the collections yesterday and they are simply stunning. Such bright colours, exquisite textures and reasonable prices. And they also come in wide widths which is just great for bedheads and larger pieces of furniture.

About Alhambra

Sit back and enjoy the show.

Inside Out Colour and Design can supply these fabrics, now. If you would like assistance with fabric choices for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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East by Mokum

The challenge was to create a harmonious collection, balancing beauty and function.

My favourite pattern from this fabric collection would have to be the Water Lily. And it looks stunning in the colour Lagoon.

Water Lily fabric in Lagoon

They seem to have captured that simple and peaceful aspect of Asian art and design. There are fabrics suitable for window coverings and upholstery in beautiful colours.

Kabuki fabric by Mokum on chairs and Nami on windows

If you would like to enhance your home with new fabrics, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

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I thought I’d show you the finishing touches I have recently added to a room makeover.

You remember this one, Country to Hamptons.

Orange checks before

We painted the walls, reupholstered the sofas, purchased new coffee and side table, had new cushions made and bought new lamps.

Revamped Lounge Room

The clients had a console table on the wall behind one of the sofas and we now needed to “dress” the table.

Console Table Before

I was inpsired by this image from Taylor Howes and loved the symmetry of the two lamps and two tall ginger jars. Fortuantely, my clients did too.

Decor by Taylor Howes

I set about sourcing the jars and lamps, but wasn’t really happy with anything I could find. Many of the ginger jars were very Asian, with dragons or the longevity character on them.

Chinese Ginger Jar

The lamps weren’t right either.

I then started thinking that we would end up with four lamps in a confined area and the lounge may end up looking like a lamp showroom! I love lamps, but……

We had used this wonderful fabric for cushions on the sofa, so that led me to thinking about coral. Then instead of lamps, maybe we could use candlesticks?

Coral Trellis Fabric in Porcelain

And I found these wonderful, modern ginger jars from OB Collection.

Bamboo Ginger Jars

So that was it, I had all my pieces. Now I needed to work out how to display them. Fortunately I have a console table too, so I set about mocking up a couple of alternatives.

Option 1

I had a large and a small ginger jar but felt the height was wrong for the two of them to sit together.

Option 2

So back to the original symmetrical look.

My clients loved it and I was able to use a couple of their favourite books to prop up the bowl of coral and shells.

Completed Console Table

You too can create this look, as I have a piece of the Coral Trellis fabric for sale in The Store Room as well as the two smaller ginger jars that I didn’t end up using.

Have a fabulous weekend.

If you would like assistance sourcing items for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

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Maharaja

LIZZO is a Spanish brand of fabrics that was started in 2001. LIZZO produces avant-garde textiles inspired by history and the artistic movements that have signalled change. It then reinterprets them to the modern world.

Botanical

This current collection includes beautiful geometric and graphic prints aptly titled Bauhaus.

Bauhaus

It also reflects our multicultural world with Maharaja.

Maharaja

A reinterpretation of retro and vintage with Paisley.

Paisley

And nature with the beautiful sheer curtain fabrics that make up the Forest collection.

Forest

If you would like assistance finding the perfect fabric for your curtain or upholstery requirements, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

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