Going to Great (Drapery) Lengths

Curtains, Draperies, Sheers, Panels. Many words that help you achieve the same goal: Cover and decorate your windows! You know what style and color you desire, but what length is going to do the job and enhance the look of your room? Let’s explore your options and I will give you the inside scoop.


Long and Luxurious - If you are going for a more formal look, then Full-length Draperies are your best bet. You may have seen draperies that are puddled (meaning there is extra fabric that is bunched up on the floor) and in most cases they emit an air of formal European design (i.e. not practical). They look their best if they are stationery panels (not operable) but they are dust and pet hair collectors so I would advise you to steer clear of this detail. On the contrary, I have my clients’ draperies made so are just barely touching the floor. They are less likely to get dirty and they look a lot neater especially if you are opening and closing the draperies.

Middle Ground - Mid-length Curtains that fall just at or a few inches below your window sill give a more casual look. They look great in Country & Casual environments and we see them featured often in kitchens, bathrooms and kids’ rooms. I recommend that you buy them sill-length for the kitchen sink area and a bit below everywhere else.

Way up There - If you are just looking for something to frame the window but not necessarily cover it, then Top Treatments are a good way to go. They can also be used in conjunction with draperies. Valances, Swags and Balloons are a few examples but please don’t skimp on the fabric. The top treatments sold in most big box stores are sad and droopy. Window treatments are worth a few more dollars and cheap ones are easy to spot. Think of what you see first when you walk in a room. Yep, it’s the windows!

Disclaimer: You may have noticed that I have used the word Draperies and Curtains interchangeably in this article. If you can believe it, some people have strong opinions about the usage of these words! I use the word draperies or sheers for long panels and curtains for shorter ones but it’s really up to you:-)

Like the photos in this article? Please visit Country Curtains in My Secret Database or search for other Window Treatment Sources!

Come and visit Lorrie Browne for my great decorating tips and advice at:

http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/

Unusual Headboard Options

One of our readers, Lauri, wrote in and asked:
“Do you have any unusual ideas for “King” size headboards, other than just the traditional ones the stores offer? Thanks! I just recently discovered your website and I LOVE it!”

Thank you, Lauri, for asking a great question. I am happy to help you come up with some unique solutions to your dilemma. Our vendors offer a lot of lovely headboards, but I think it’s great that you want to try something fun and unusual. First of all, let’s think about the function of the headboard. While exploring your options, keep a couple of things in mind: Headboards provide support when sitting up in bed as well as a nice decorative touch to balance out your room. With that in mind, here are some fun choices.

Paint or Paper - A simple trick that you see a lot in show houses and magazines is to paint or wallpaper something directly onto your wall. Here is a post a while ago about wall decals. The options are unlimited and it’s an inexpensive way to go. A large photo of a flower has big impact!

Found Objects - You can use virtually anything you can find at a flea market or antique shop. Don’t worry about it being exactly the right width, though wider is better than smaller. An old door on its side, a beautiful screen, or even a surfboard makes some surprising and fun headboards.

Artwork - Sometimes you don’t need a headboard at all. A nice collection of well-framed artwork against a dramatic wall color is a showcase in itself. Just make sure you hang it high enough so that you are not leaning against it.

Shop for Paint, Artwork, Wall Decals and Room Screens in My Design Secrets!

For more great interior decorating advice please visit Lorrie Browne at:
www.mydesignsecrets.com

Decorating Inspiration Comes in Small Packages

My Inspiration

Selecting a color palette for your room? With a world of colors at your disposal, sometimes it’s challenging to choose. Even professional designers can get stuck on where to start!

So I am going to give you an inside tip: Look for inspiration in unlikely places.

As I leaf through magazines and catalogs, there are certain color palettes that catch my eye, and it’s not necessarily a photo of a whole room. I love to gaze at china patterns, stationery and artwork. They feature carefully orchestrated hues that dazzle on a small scale. As you carefully observe the interplay of texture, color and scale created by expert product designers you will start to understand their relationships. Smooth china against the textured fabric. Light pinks and corals contrasting with the darker olive greens. It is the variety of colors and textures that make a beautiful and interesting room.

So when something catches your eye, save it and study it and you will soon be selecting colors with confidence and ease. This is a perfect place to start.

My Design Concept

Items listed Clockwise from Top Left: New London Chair from Williams Sonoma in White ($1,800), Green Ribbon Glass Lamp from Shades of Light ($185), Thomas Paul Pillows Flora Orange from Pillows and Throws ($70), Shell Game Plaid Pillow from Beautiful Pillows and Home ($168), Lien Tray Table from Pier One ($79.98), Wall Color Benjamin Moore Sandpiper
All of these items were found by searching My Design Secrets!

Please come visit Lorrie Browne at http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/ for more great decorating advice.

Lampshades (Shady Lady)

http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/

Some will have you believe that choosing the right lamp shade requires calculations achievable only by a NASA engineer, but that’s simply not so. Here are a few tricks and tips for finding the right topper for your lamp:

Size
Make sure the bottom edge of the shade will cover the hardware or socket of the lamp.
Wider shades will cast more light in the area for reading or other tasks.
Choose a shade that is approximately 2/3 the height of the lamp base. For example: if your lamp base is 21″, then your lamp shade should be about 14″ high.

Shape
Drum and bell-shaped style shades are timeless and classic.
Unusual shapes such as squares and ovals add a modern look to your design.
Don’t be afraid to pair a modern shade with a classic base.

Color
White or cream shades allow the most light to shine through. If the lamp shade is dark, most of your light will be directed downward.
Consider whether you want the lamp to stand out as an accent piece or coordinate with other lamps in the room.
Several lamps in a room with similar lampshades create a more serene feeling.

And don’t forget to check if your lamp has a harp or if the shade screws into the socket. These require two different types of shades. Be brave and choose something eye-catching. You will love the transformation!

For more great decorating advice please come and visit Lorrie Browne at:

http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/

Pictures courtesy of LampsPlus. One of the featured vendors at www.MyDesignSecrets.com They carry a wide selection of Lighting and Home Decor. You can also shop for Lampshades from a number of other vendors in My Secret Database!