Soft Prints: Seersucker

Seersucker fabric is easy to find, stylish, and timeless. This easy-care, casual fabric makes an excellent choice for kids' bedrooms, guest rooms, and bath accents. Seersucker is a comfortable, light-weight summer fabric. Seersucker is cool and breathable and usually made of 100% cotton. Seersucker is generally striped, but sometimes available in solid colors. The fabric has smooth and rough surface stripes, which gives it a casual, puckered, wrinkled appearance. In this way, decorating with seersucker is similar to decorating with linen. When used in interiors it is often found in informal bedrooms and nicely accents nautical and cottage inspired décor.

 

Soft Prints: Gingham Check

Gingham check prints come in a variety of colors, are an inexpensive fabric choice, and add a soft, feminine, or country touch to rooms. Decorating with gingham adds a classic pattern to your decor, even in small amounts. Avoid using too much gingham as it will become overwhelming, especially in smaller rooms. By using dark wood or black furniture a room can be kept from becoming too feminine. Using white or cream colored furniture compliments a feminine, country, or baby’s room. Gingham prints in reds, browns, and yellows are very popular when decorating country-inspired kitchens and dining rooms. Light pink and baby blue gingham checks are always popular accents in nurseries. The print can be easily coordinated with other prints because of its simple pattern and plain color schemes. Select solid-colored fabrics as the base for gingham accents and combine them with complementary colors.

Bold Prints: Stripes

One of the oldest, most traditional of all fabric prints, stripes come in innumerable sizes, colors, and fabrics. Stripes can be chic, yet subtle and relaxing. Stripes promote order, as the vertical and horizontal lines have a tendency to direct the eye, implying indirect visual pathways.  Striped fabrics are low risk when used in interiors and are easy to incorporate into existing décor.  Use high-contrast stripes in unexpected spots to create interest. In spaces where people don’t linger like foyers or small powder rooms, strong stripes can be charming. Match the size of the stripes to the size of the room. In general, the larger the space, the wider wall stripes can be or larger the print on pillows or blankets. Thin, smaller stripes in a big space can be drowned out by other prints or muted, rather than pop. Likewise, in a small room broad, bold stripes can be overbearing. Blend striped, floral, and solid accessories. For throw pillows join three or four designs that are individually, clearly distinct but share a like color palette. Try a wide stripe, a narrow stripe, a dainty paisley, and a solid. The effect is cohesive while still providing variety.

Bold Prints: Animal

Looking for an edgy way to spice up a room? Let your imagination run wild with exotic animal print motifs. Current design trends mix bold animal prints that are earthy, masculine, and timeless and combine them with soft, colors and lush fabrics. Many people love animal prints, including cheetah, leopard, zebra, and tiger prints. Animal prints have become increasingly popular and more readily available for interiors. The main decorating disaster pertaining to animal print is over use.  The best way to use animal print is to keep it minimal. Limit your choice to one type of animal print and use it sparingly on items in your room. Small accents such as pillows, rugs, or ottomans are great ways to add a striking bit of interest without bombarding the space.

 

Bold Prints: Damask

Damask prints are one of the most popular patterns resurging to create elegant, modern interior spaces. A more formal fabric choice than houndstooth and found in an array of color choices, the timeless look of damask radiates luxury, femininity, and opulence. Damask fabrics are made in a variety of silk, linen, cotten, wool, or synthetic fibers. The pattern can be a floral or botanical print and is woven into the material. The weaving technique allows light to reflect off of the fabric, producing a soft sheen and creating an expensive look. Damask prints are used interior decorating throught bedrooms and living areas and are enhanced with coordinating fabrics, colors, and decor elements. Damask does not have to be the primary, featured fabric of a room. Small touches of damask throughout a room, such as in the upholstery of a chair or a pillow, allow for leniency in color and coordinating fabric choices. Damask fabric that depicts a floral motif or patterns of simple scenes tend to create a more feminine and chic appeal. These types of damask typically require more demure accent colors. Because damask is such a versatile type of fabric, there is no limit to what can be accomplished when incorporated within a home or office space. Subtlety can be the key to decorating with damask fabrics, so remember to not overuse large prints and always blend color palettes.

Do's & Dont's of Floral Fabrics

When decorating with floral fabrics use different sizes and patterns. A good rule of thumb is to use at least one large pattern, one medium pattern, and one small. Mixing the size scales provide contrast and balance. Pattern repetition is always a good idea and does create unity when decorating, but don't overdo it. If you've got floral curtains you probably don't need to repeat the same fabric on any other large piece within the room, such as a couch or bed spread because the curtains take up so much visual space and the print may dominate the room if overused. Always be bold. Floral patterns are best when they're strong. Don’t be afraid to incorporate large patterns and strong colors, they look great. And remember: a lot of small patterns can often look busy and cluttered. Use a variety of different types of fabric with different textures. Mix silks and cottons and keep a coordinating fabric palette; one that uses the same colors or motifs.

Coordinating Prints

Do you love the look of coordinated prints and patterns in interior decor? Coordinating fabrics used in homes, bedrooms, and living rooms create unity within a space.  Prints that mesh well together have similar patterns or motifs and incorporate similar colors, textures, and have a similar hand. You can get a more professional or high-end look when pairing coordinating prints by keeping the background colors the same with comparable patterns. Look for like colors and repeats in each fabric pattern that you choose. Keep your fabric coordinate pairings balanced by including a mixture of large, medium, and small pattern sizes or add plain or textured fabrics for more interest.

Stylish Shower Curtains

Found a fabric in a print and color scheme that you love and wish you had for a window treatment or shower curtain for your bathroom? Why not have it custom made to your liking by the crew at Creative Interiors! Adding a made-to-order shower curtain is an easy way to add pizzazz to your bathroom in a way that is individual, stylish, and trendy. Shower curtains and window treatments can be made in numerous fashions, lined, and even embroidered with a personal monogram! Stop by & browse through tons of fabric styles, patterns, and colors so we can help you easily re-vamp your bathroom!

Finials

While the purpose of finials on bed posts is mostly decorative, they do serve a purpose on curtain rods. They provide a way to keep a curtain from slipping off the end of a straight rod, while adding an artful touch and decorative interest to window treatments. Curtain rod finials come in many styles; including gothic and neo-classical architectural finials, while other contemporary finials reflect minimalist, art nouveau , and other traditional styles of décor. The use of different materials and finishes for finials is as wide as the range of designs, including brass, stainless steel, various woods ,and aluminum. The durability, strength, and mechanics of modern alloys have allowed finial designs to be more intricate, dazzling, and luxurious than ever before.

 

CURTAIN HEADING TYPES

If you are in the market for new draperies, the following guide will help you navigate the various types of curtain headings.  Before hanging, measure carefully and consider how full you would like your curtains to be.  You may need to double or triple width on fabric for the desired heading affect.

Rod Pocket: This is a casing sewn at the top of the curtain, open at each end.  Your curtain rod is slipped through the opening and is only visible on each end.

Tab Top: Fabric loops are sewn to the top of the curtains, at intervals, and the the rod is slipped through the opening of each loop.  These also may have extra detail above the rod for a bow tie.  This is a less formal look.

Pencil Pleat: Stiffened tape is used to create a tighter pleated fabric.  Hooks are used and either placed to show or conceal your drapery track.

Pinch Pleat: Similar to Pencil Pleats but gathers are in uniform sections.

Grommet/Eyelet:  Large grommets (metal circles with the center open) are placed at the top of the curtain panel.  The curtain rod weaves through the grommet openings and gives a minimalistic look to your window.

Box Pleat: Tailored curtain detail that features deep folds down the full length of the panels.  The pleats butt into each other with no intervals between them.

Goblet: Pleats fall from each goblet and retain their shape well. This heading tape has 2 sets of cords and is good for medium to heavyweight fabrics.

3 Fall Colors That Pop!

Burgundy, chartreuse, and auburn colors make great, bold accents to Thanksgiving décor! Burgundy and plums have historically proved the color of royalty and lavishness.  Saturated purples are a deep, sensual color that can provide a potent visual punch with a strong impact. Chartreuse is a color that demands attention. It is bright, full of personality, and makes a great color choice for accent pieces. Aurburn is a warm, welcoming, and vital color. When these hues are pared with gourds, fall apples, berries and birch bark, a chic get together can achieve a glamorous feel. Layering rustic elements with wood, gold accents, glowing votive candles, and crystal goblets can really spice up a room and arouse a luxurious mood.

Cornices

Looking for something to really make your windows standout?  Custom upholstered wood frame cornice boards are a beautiful, fairly inexpensive, and an easy way to re-vamp an outdated space. It’s easy to create your custom cornice in different styles, with limitless fabric choices and an infinite variety of styles to fit any room! Cornice boards can be made exact to any measurements and fabricated so that they’ll fit in perfectly with your home or office design style.  Cornices are ideal for French doors, as there is no free flowing material to get caught in the door jamb. Cornice boards are versatile enough to look great with window shades, window blinds, and window draperies.

Traditional Thanksgiving Decorating

HGTV has a great online article full of traditional Thanksgiving decorating ideas.  These ideas will ensure your home is traditionally styled for a seasonal look that is warm, welcoming, and timeless. HGTV suggests having an embellished mantel, accented with lanterns or candles, pumpkins, gourds, leaves, and your finest polished silver accents. A well-dressed Thanksgiving table customarily has a vibrant centerpiece, fine china, and a season-inspired table cloth. Berries, nuts, figs, grapes, pomegranates, pears, and persimmons can quickly add fall color to the tabletop. Other suggestions made in the article to create a sense of comfort and warmth for guests are the use of the symbolic cornucopia, scented candles or potpourri, and a welcoming fall wreath for your front door.

 

 Follow this link for more on traditional Thanksgiving decorating tricks & tips from HGTV. http://www.hgtv.com/dining-rooms/traditional-thanksgiving-decorating-ideas/pictures/index.html

Valances

A valance is a decorative drapery used as a heading to conceal the top of curtains or draperies.  They typically cover only the top third of a window and are stationary. Valances are a type of window treatment generally chosen for looks and decoration. Valances can offer a certain amount of protection from the sun's glare and UV rays, but minimal privacy. They come in several different material/fabric choices and there are numerous styles & variations of valances that can be used alone or paired with draperies. Using a valance is a great way to improve the look of blinds, not only because it hides the hardware, but also because the flow of the fabric softens up those hard lines. Valances are also a good way to add a splash of color or compliment bare or drab curtains.

 

Teen Bedding

Have a teenage girl that’s outgrown her “tween” bedding and is ready for something fresh, new, and more age appropriate? Let Creative Interiors help you customize something fabulous, funky, and fun! With tons of fun fabric prints in bright colors, trendy patterns, and various textures to choose from, we can create something one-of-kind and eye-catching! Also, let us show you the latest styles in bedding, most unique types of accent pillows, and some great window treatments to go along with your choices! Browse our showroom or flip through one of our many sample books, pick out your favorite fabrics, then simply tell us exactly what you want… Yes, it’s just that simple!

Halloween Fabric Wreath

I thought I would share another easy fabric craft idea with you that will make a great accent to your door for when trick-or-treaters arrive! This simple wreath can be made with a basic styrofoam or vine wreath form and various Halloween printed fabric scraps in oranges and blacks. Polka dots, pumpkin prints, and black & white stripes are great fabrics to choose from for this project.  All you have to do is cut the fabric into 2" wide strips that are 8-9" in length. Tie the strips and tie around the form, rotating and mixing the fabric pattern and colors. The more pieces of fabric you add the more fluffy, fun, and festive the wreath will look! You can even add personal touches, such as ribbon, berries, and gourds once you're done! Happy Halloween from Creative Interiors!

Fabric Embellished Gift Bags

Get crafty and creative with these easy, no-sew, fabric embellished gift bags! Instead of paying $4 or more for a single bag, buy plain ones in bulk and decorate them yourself! All you need is a hot glue gun and fabric scraps, trims, buttons, and other simple embellishments!  DIY gift bags allow a personal and unique touch to gift giving. These bags make a lovely addition to all birthday, wedding, and Christmas presents!

Check out the link below for a quick tutorial on how to add fabric flowers and tulle ruffles for an extra cute touch! http://missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/embellished-gift-bags-tutorial.html

Table Linens

Now that Fall is in full swing the holiday season will be here before we know it! A perfect table setting is a must have for Thanksgiving and Christmas entertaining.  Custom made table cloths, napkins, table runners, placemats, and table skirts are perfect, personalized accents to set your spread above the rest! Table cloths and fabric napkins are easy to wash and can be used time and time again. You can match these items perfectly to the décor in your dining room by choosing fabrics with great patterns, prints, and colors from the huge selection our showroom. These dinner linens can also be embroidered and embellished to your liking! Creative Interiors can create perfect dining accessories that will accentuate all holiday decorations, accent table arrangements, and provide a lavish touch to any dining experience, at a reasonable price for you!

Savvy Slipcovers

Spruce up outdated, worn, or stained furniture with colorful slipcovers. New look, same sofa! Slipcovers allow you to hold on to and continue using your antique and aged couches, chairs, and ottomans, no matter how old they look, by completely revamping them without diminishing their worth. Bring your furniture to life with colorful slipcovers and innovative fabric textures and prints. Choose a slipcover pattern with colors and designs you love and watch your sofa transform into a new piece of furniture. It’s a fairly inexpensive way to update a room when compared to spending a bundle on brand new furniture. Slipcovers are great for homes with small children and pets because they can be easily and quickly washed. It also minimizes a need to invest in more expensive re-upholstery jobs!

Perks of Custom Bedding

Custom bedding can turn any bedroom into an astonishing space, no matter what your style or taste! Custom bedding not only fits your bed and furniture perfectly, but is reflective of your design personality and individuality. When purchasing new bedding, one must often select standard sizes and seasonal colors and prints that are in stock and/or available. Creative Interiors can uniquely customize bedding items and coordinates so that you can have exactly what you need and want, no matter the circumstances! Bed skirts, comforters, duvets, shams, accent pillows, and coordinating draperies can all be made-to-order! The designs are created to fit the style of your choice and you can select your own fabric, colors, prints, trims, and tassels! Gorgeous, one of a kind, high quality custom bedding &  coordinates can all be individually made to order, details customized to your liking, and ready to fit perfectly in your bedroom, generally, within 3-4 weeks!

Robert Allen Fall Fabrics

The Dwell Studio for Robert Allen fall fabrics are now available at Creative Interiors. The collection features trendy patterns, great color combinations, and is really well priced. The patterns are chic, timeless, and fashionable, featuring prints with Moroccan textures, Boho influences, and natural sceneries.

Tassel Trim

We discussed brush fringe last week so now it’s time to touch on tassel trims for upholstery items! Tassel Fringe combines the stylish border of a braid or flat trim with the sophisticated look of tassels. Much like brush fringe, tassel trims can add that exquisite finishing touch to curtains, throws, cushions, and valances. Tassel trims come in various color assortments, lengths, and widths of tassel. Tassel fringes hang particularly well on curtain edges and serve the purpose of making curtain fabric edges more elegant, robust, and luxurious. Depending on tassel size, it can protect them from sunlight and also from dirty marks when drawing them back. This type of decorative trim can liven up any space and add a small spark of elegance to a drab drapery or pillow.

Textile Craze: Missoni Stripes Strike Target

Italian luxury design house Missoni partnered with Target to launch a 400+ item line, all hallmarked with their signature zig-zag textile patterns. The Target Corporation, however, was outdone by its own marketing & promotion on Tuesday, September 13^th  when the highly anticipated Missoni home goods and clothing line exclusively for Target launched, then sold out online and in most stores its first day, even haulting the powerhouse retailer’s website for nearly 12 hours.

According to their website, the company refers to the assortment as “Target’s largest limited-time designer collection to date, Missoni for Target reflects the Missoni values of family, color and quality. Offering a modern, fresh take on the late 1960s, an era during which the Missoni brand flourished into a global force in fashion, the collection features intertwining textures and patterns in a variety of bold colors such as purple, blue, black and coral.”

The Missoni for Target home goods collection included draperies, rugs, pillows, towels, and dinnerware. The legendary textile house was initially supposed to sell this exclusive line through Target until October 22, but the company reports that unprecedented demand for the goods may prevent them from doing so.  

What Can Roman Shades Do For You?

Roman shades present a blend of gorgeous colors and tones with their fabric that give every window an entire space completely decorated with brilliance. Fabric Roman shades also happen to be great light controllers (offering 75-95% UV-protection) and provide ambience within a space. The style of Roman shades is versatile and a perfect alternative to traditional draperies.  They can perfectly blend into any window and interior decorating style, while looking clean with classic and uncluttered lines. Fabric Roman shades come with choices of tear-drop or flat-fold operations and can also be found in a wide array of different finishes, patterns, and colors. They can be accentuated with valances, fringes, and tassels. At Creative Interiors, we can help you select a fabric that suits your style, reflects your personality, and compliments the room and its décor. Our associates will help you select a customizable shade choice and have it accessorized to your liking.

Fall Outdoor Decor!

Fall is slowly creeping upon us! It’s a time for people to move indoors and welcome guests with scents & hints of cinnamon, pumpkin, and apple cider. What better way to greet your guests than with a beautifully decorated entrance. Using materials you may have in your yard or garden, the outside of your home can look as warm and welcoming as the inside. Traditional fall plants, pumpkins, and gourds are customary fall decor items, as well as grape vine and ropes of berries. Scraggly twig wreaths and decorative topiaries can also set a fall entrance apart from the usual.  Scarecrows and bundles of corn stalks can also add to the harvest look, accented by mums and squash.

FALL 2011 Color Trends

Interior color forecasts for Fall 2011 are said to reveal significant ranges in color, from classic warm fall hues of bamboo yellows and coffee liqueurs, to cool marine grays and blues mixed with pale cedar greens. Shades of pale grays and washed-out orchids will continue into the fall, being combined with shades of gold, chartreuse greens, and hints of coral. Shale and deep chocolates will also debut as accents to these colors. Purple will still be attempting an interior trend comeback, being highlighted with pale pinks and honeysuckle accents.

Below are some sample color swatches from Pantone Fashion + Home that are predicted to ripple through interior design trends this upcoming fall!

Designing For Many Parade of Homes Participants!

Creative Interiors is proud to announce that we are currently involved in helping many local residents of the Bowling Green community prepare their homes for the Builder’s Association of South Central Kentucky’s 2011 Parade of Homes. Creative Interiors is ecstatic to have a part in helping local residents create gorgeous bedding, exquisite window coverings, and divine home accents that will all be displayed in homes throughout this year’s tour. We specialize in intricate detailing and custom made-to-order pieces that we hope will set the featured homes above the rest! The Parade of Homes will be held September 15-18th and we would love to hear all feedback from those who attend. We are also more than willing to help you personalize, create, and custom make something for your own home that may catch your eye during this year’s tour! Call us for more information on how we can help make your decorative ideas come to life! (270) 781-7379.

Just Add Pillows

A creative and inexpensive way to totally liven up a space, pillows come in various shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, textures, and styles. Pillows can easily brighten and lighten a room, while enhancing furniture and softening textures. When incorporated into sitting and living areas or included in bedding coordinates, pillows quickly create a cozy, comforting, and relaxing atmosphere. By scattering over-sized pillows around a fireplace or coffee table one can create comfy seating for guests. Mixed and matched decorative pillows spruce up couches and add a splash of versatility to chairs. Combining pillows of numerous textures & fabric patterns allows for interest and personality, especially when joined with trims, fringes, or ruffles. Mixing pillows in different prints gives character to the space, and mingling different shapes and prints in coordinating colors can really do the trick!