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

Related posts:

1. Window Seats
2. Headlines
3. There’s a new kid in town

New Books

The first book was very apt as it was The Stylist’s Guide to NYC. I cannot tell a lie, it was on my wishlist as we were celebrating my birthday in NYC. Unfortunately, that meant I didn’t get a chance to read it until I was back in Australia. However, I had read an excerpt from the book in a magazine and diligently wrote down all the places listed in the excerpt which was part of the Scents and Flower Merchants tour.

My photo of NYC - instagrammed.

The book is by Australian stylist, Sibella Court who has a very small but very full shop/studio in Sydney’s Paddington overflowing with things she has collected over her years as a stylist. Sibella spent 15 years in New York and this book lists many of her favourite places. It’s broken up into particular themes and areas with suggestions for stops for good coffee (hard to find in NYC), food and just to smell the roses.

We found Bond No 9 which has perfumes named after the different areas of NYC.

I had to laugh when I was reading the book back home in Sydney, one of her very first pieces of advice was to have a stash of bandaids, the wide fabric ones, as you don’t want to limp around the city, nor go home early, due to blisters. Oh how I wish I’d read that before I set out the first day. I did have flat comfortable shoes but was not prepared with bandaids which I quickly bought on the way back to the hotel the first night. You do a lot of walking in New York!

Easy to follow maps and suggestions

The other two books I recieved from my lovely friends in my Book Club, were books by two bloggers which I’m sure need no introduction. Grace Bonney of Design * Sponge and Holly Becker of Decor8.

Jonathan Adler has written the Foreward in Grace’s book, Design * Sponge at Home, and he calls it a Bible. I would have to agree. Grace has been blogging for 7 years and the book is a collection and extension of things she has written about online.

Design * Sponge At Home

Sneek Peaks into amazing homes all over the world, DIY projects, DIY Basics like Rewiring A Lamp and How To Paint Furniture, Flower Workshop and finally some Before and After projects with guides to cost and time invested. It really is the Home Decorator’s Bible – inspiration, tuition and knowledge.

A Sneek Peak into gorgeous homes

The subtitle of Holly Becker’s book, Decorate, is “1,000 inspirational design ideas for every room in your house” and that is what the book provides in spades. There is something in here for everyone with tips and quotes from a vast array of creative people the world over.

Decorate - the book

The book looks at Space and how to work with it, finding your own Personal Design Style, Room By Room decorating and finally, Attention to Detail. There is nothing overlooked with colour, texture, layout, displaying collections, storage, styling rooms and choosing fabrics.

Quotes, advice, inspiration and resources

If you have an aspiring decorator in your midst, any of these books would make the ideal Christmas gift.

Related posts:

1. Happy Books
2. Furniture, Decoration and Kathryn Ireland

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.

Related posts:

1. Discontinued Fabrics
2. Affordable Fabrics
3. Cushion Fan

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.

Related posts:

1. Affordable Fabrics
2. Racing Fabrics
3. Seriously Beautiful Fabrics

Firstly there is the launch of the Boutique Markets. These markets originated in Brisbane and are gradually taking over all the capital cities. The offerings look great.

Markets in Sydney

Then in conjunction with the Boutique Markets is Mathildas Market aimed especially at babies and kids. Both of these markets are being held at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

And if you’re looking for some new bedlinen to set you up for spring, you must head to the KAS Australia Warehouse sale.

Winchester from KAS Australia

So what are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope you have a good one.

Related posts:

1. Weekend Activities
2. What to do this weekend?
3. La Maison and Finders Keepers

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.

Related posts:

1. Discontinued Fabrics
2. Seriously Beautiful Fabrics
3. Racing Fabrics

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.

Related posts:

1. Which window coverings will I use?
2. Furniture, Decoration and Kathryn Ireland
3. Spots vs Stripes

Many of the shops were featuring the classic black and white stripes.

Jessica Stripe Dress from Queenspark

Black and white has been gracing our lives for the longest time. It looks very modern yet can be at home in any decor. And no matter what decorator colour you add, your room is going to look fabulous.

via Decorpad

Coloured jeans are also this season’s “must haves”. Watermelon, Steel and Desert are the colours of one particular fashion store.

Sportscraft Coloured Jeans

Those colours sound a bit better than red, blue and brown, don’t they? But watermelon is softer than red and much easier to live with as decor pieces in the home.

Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor

Steel is like a washed out navy and is ideal for a more relaxed room. You could even paint a wall or two in steel rather than the stronger navy blue.

Stel Blue Dining Room

We’ve all been through the browns over the past decade or so. Many of our houses (and wardrobes) still have remnants of chocolate, latte, cappuccino and mocha so Desert is a way to add depth without having to start all over again. It can be teamed with a wide variety of colours too!

Bianca Bed Linen from KAS Australia

And then I saw this stunning colour combination.

via Kookai

The zing of the orange is balanced beautifully with the depth of the cranberry.

Orange and Cranberry for Warwick Fabrics

So what colours are you wearing or decorating with this Spring?

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

Related posts:

1. Summer Fashion
2. Mixing it up
3. I See Red

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.

Related posts:

1. Vote For Mokum
2. Mokum Rugs
3. Spots vs Stripes

It can certainly have challenges though. Like how do you mix a pair of brown boots that you bought new last winter with this year’s predominently grey clothing?

The same thing can happen in your home. You want to rush out and buy up the latest cushions and throws but will they go with your chocolate brown sofa?

This was the topic of my article in the latest edition of St Ives Village Life.

You can read my suggestions here by going to the June 2011 article.

If you would like assistance mixing the latest trends with your existing decor, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

1. Colour Trends for 2012
2. Mixing Old and New
3. Cottage Style