house exterior design

Everything Is Going To Be All White!

Among the latest interior design styles is to have rooms which are completely white from ceiling to floor and everything in between! Whilst this design style may provide sleek clean lines is it a style which really suits most people's lifestyles?

Don't misunderstand, I adore white and yet I realistically know that even one scuff mark or grubby fingerprint can make the whole scheme look marred! This in itself does not lend to family ways of living and yet having white does have its own distinct and unique advantages.

Firstly if kept well maintained it does always provide you with a crisp, clean look every time you enter the room. It is also one of the most cost effective ways to decorate and dress a room. White emulsion paint is the least expensive on the market along with white Venetian PVC blinds which are available in a wide range of different widths and lengths to suit windows of all sizes. These are also easy to keep clean as the latest designs have an anti-dust coating which reduces the amount of dust build up!

Using large mirrors has always been an effective way to brighten a room and give the illusion of more space. Whilst painting floor boards is the in-trend thing to do rather than just having stripped pine.

Bedding is always available in white, with many people preferring to use white sheets irrespective of the colour of their duvets, and like blinds are among the low cost bedding options.

So rather than viewing an all white room with trepidations think of the stunning looks which can be achieved on the smallest of budgets and you may just change your mind!

Don't Restrict The Use Of Blinds Just For Windows!

The humble blind has more uses than purely window treatments. With a little ingenuity and the necessity to either keep the sun light out along with prying eyes, blinds of all types can be used throughout your home.

Roller or Roman blinds are ideal to use on back doors which are half glass. Wonderful country cottage looks can be achieved using either a plain neutral colour or a beautiful floral fabric, whilst modern homes look equally stunning with bold stripes or patterned blinds.

Blinds are also a great way to cover shelving in alcoves in older styles of home as they are easy to operate along with giving full exposure to the space when it needs to be utilised. Venetian blinds can work equally as well to give a contemporary look when the latest mirrored or perforated designs are used.

Swag and tail curtains typically are used in conjunction with a roller or vertical blinds as this enables privacy at night without having to disrupt the glorious chic look of the curtains. Homes which have pristine window dressing, such as swags and tails, which always look immaculate are created by always leaving the curtains exactly in place! This 'trick of the trade' can also be used to have stunning window dressings without having to have the usual amounts of curtain fabric, however once you have made the choice just to have swags and tails for show only, you will not be able to close them completely even if you wanted to, so give careful consideration as to the disadvantages this may have particularly during the winter months when you need to reduce heat loss through your windows by closing the curtains at night.

Choosing Colours For Your Interiors!

One of the greatest things about interior design is that you can opt for any style you like, it's your home and you should feel comfortable in it! You do not have to keep up with the very latest design trends to have an interior which is stunning.

If you can't decide on which colour you like best or simply have to have them all then simple aspects such as painting your cupboard doors all a different colour can look striking and very stylish! In order that the look is not overwhelmed opt for plain white blinds which enable you to control how much light and privacy you want or need.

Using Venetian styled blinds in a kitchen is ideal, particularly if they are made from metal which has been coated to help reduce dust build up as well as being very easy to keep clean, as they allow plenty of natural light to flood into the room creating a homely, bright and airy space when stacked at the top of the window or when the louvres are tilted open. If you have small windows you can further maximise the use of natural light up slightly tilting the louvres upwards which enables the light to bounce off a white ceiling.

Keep things natural in the kitchen by having easy to clean flooring around the working areas. If you have a table in your kitchen you can opt for a rug made from natural materials to keep the theme coordinated and bring a sense of homeliness as well as cohesion to the room.

Protect Your Flooring From Fading With Venetian or Vertical Blinds

Wooden flooring has been popular for many years, either original stripped floor boards in older styles of homes, parquet flooring in the 1960s along with the influx of laminate style flooring which is being used throughout modern homes.

Interior designers have created beautiful wooden floors which have patterns set within them providing the best of both worlds in terms of both innovation and chic style! The patterns are made from using different coloured wood in the same way as marquetry is used on furniture. Wood inlay coloured patterns can be selected to blend effortlessly with your interior design colour scheme, offering a truly remarkable floor with maximum effect.

However, anyone with a natural floor needs to take care and reduce the risk of staining by mopping up spills as quickly as possible before it has time to penetrate into the wood and also by ensuring the window dressing they choose offers flexibility and practicality in helping to reduce the floor from fading in harsh sunlight. This is of particular importance if you have south facing windows as even in the UK where people may not think there is sufficient or intense sunlight which will damage floors will be astounded to know that the UV rays can cause as much harm to your floor as they can to your skin even on the dullest of days!

Venetain or vertical blinds are the ideal solution as they can look stunning when used as the sole window treatment and equally as striking when teamed with curtains. The great advantage over having either of these styles of blinds is the amount of control you have in diffusing the light or blocking it out completely. Adjusting the louvres correctly will also help furniture and soft furnishings from fading, as well as providing privacy when needed.

Break The 'Rules' With Bold Curtains And Fabrics

Finding new and innovative ways to dress your windows has never been easier with the vast range of colours and styles of fabric which are widely available both on the high street and online.

Go for something daring and bold which brings nature into your home by selecting fabric which has a bold floral print in this season's in-trend colour of gorgeous lime green and white. To add further individuality and chic style to your home rather then opt for a classical curtain at each side of the window, use one wide curtain or length of fabric and sweep it from the top of the window to one side and hold in place with a tie back.

This enables the beauty of the pattern and the fabric to be seen at all times not just when the curtains are drawn together in the evenings. If floral patterns are not to your taste this style of window dressing works equally as effectively with any bold print as well as plain fabric. Keep the weight of the fabric in mind when making your choice as the lighter the weight the more fluidity it will provide.

Coordinate the colour with the rest of your interior design colour scheme or alternatively opt for a deliberate clash of colours to inject vibrancy and a sense of fun into a room. The latest colour clashing is in-vogue in a big way at present which enables you to opt for your favourite colours and do away with the usual 'rules' of interior design, which is an absolute joy for those who can never seem to get their colours coordinated correctly!

However, although colour clashing is in-vogue you do need to be a little careful otherwise you can end up with a miss-mash of colours which look more like an interior design nightmare than chic style!

Cost Effective Patchwork Revival

Patchwork has been around for hundreds of years and has always been used as an effective way of recycling old or left over pieces of fabric and materials. With recession affecting people's spending power, having or using patchwork to create stunning bed covers and even curtains is back in-vogue as an effective way of recycling and making things for 'free'!

Mixing different textures of fabrics brings patchwork right up to date, as in the past it was typically only cotton fabrics which were used. Today you can make patchwork out of any type of material, including lightweight voiles and organza to create sheer curtains which let an abundance of light flood into a room in a soft and somewhat dreamy fashion making this style perfect for bedrooms!

Those who don't feel inclined of have the aptitude to make patchwork, but still adore the country cottage interior design themes and styles, will be pleased to know that it is possible to buy fabric which has the appearance of patchwork! This may be defeating the object somewhat of recycling, but it is a great way to achieve this type of interior style at affordable costs without having to wait for a patchwork to be made!

Next time you have a clear out in your wardrobe why not put the fabric to good use? Or on second thoughts look for lovely cottage style ready made curtains which can simply be hung from wooden curtain poles to achieve the same look in a fraction of the time!

Tips For Achieving Trendy Teenage Bedrooms

Decorating a teenage girl's bedroom can be extremely difficult to achieve due to the ever changing fashions in colours and interior design trends. Making a striking yet simple, practical and very functional bedroom can be achieve with a little ingenuity even on a limited budget!

Those who are handy with a sewing machine can choose fabric to suit the colour trends and transform bedrooms into chic places with coordinating bed covers, curtains and blinds which also offer a different stance on a typical bedroom design by having curtains which close across the bed!

In the past curtains were used to provide extra warmth in cold houses and much needed privacy in days when rooms were shared by the entire family! Modern homes no longer to use bed curtains for either of these functions and yet providing a 'private place' for teenagers is essential in today's modern world!

Opt for a robust fabric for the bed cover to transform the bed into a settee style seating place which can be used during the day. Scatter cushions add the all essential finishing touches which also can be used to inject further colours and texture, combine these with this year's trend of chandelier style lighting to achieve a stunning look which will be envied by friends! Just the type of personal space a young person needs!

Of course the colour combinations can be anything your teenager likes, this style of bedroom design works well with both plain or patterned fabrics, whether the room is left uncluttered is of course down to the young person, however by giving them a space they really love you may be surprised how neat and tidy it will be!

Blinds Are A Cost Effective Window Dressing

Interior design has not only gone 'green' by using the different colour shades of green, the use of natural materials from sustainable sources is also high on many people's design agendas.

Natural cotton fabrics, Hessian and wood are among the most popular choices, combined with colour schemes which are derived from nature. Creating stunning interiors using natural materials has never been more fashionable or more affordable!

One of the most cost effective window treatments are blinds made from bamboo or wood weave materials. These have been on the market for many years as a cheap, yet effective way of covering windows. Without sounding too philosophical bamboo is one of the oldest know methods of covering openings/windows to reduce heat and stop prying eyes from looking inside people's homes.

In the 'seventies' bamboo blinds were in-vogue and where used to create natural looking interiors at affordable prices. The return to being 'closer to nature' and being 'green' has once again seen this type of blind to regain popularity as a cost effective method of providing window dressings either on their own or used in combination with curtains as no longer are they seen as a cheap and only used by students they have become common place in traditional and modern homes.

Nowadays, wood weave or bamboo blinds are used in conservatories and summer houses as an effective way to help reduce heat build-up, along with bringing nature inside the home.

You Can Never Have Enough Storage, Seating or Cheap Cushions!

I always think that you can never have enough storage space, seating or cushions as such I embrace the idea of combining these with open arms!

Window seat are always a great idea in older styled houses where there is sufficient depth on the window sill to enable you sit or lean comfortably against a cushion, if they have built in storage so much the better!


Making use of space in today's modern homes has to be on many people's agendas. With house prices still very high in most parts of the UK, finding a home to enable you get your foot on the first rung of the house buying ladder is becoming increasingly difficult. The houses or apartments you may be able to afford are going to be the smaller ones, irrespective of their age.

However, restoring an old Victorian terrace or choosing the type of design you want in a more modern house is all part and parcel of transforming you living space into a place you can call home. Putting your individualism into each room can be fun and does not have to cost a fortune or look tacky!

For first time DIYers a great project would be to make additional seating for when you have guests and incorporating much needed storage. A simple box style construction made from MDF or ply would be suitable substantial to take people's weight and the top can be simply painted and have lots of cheap cushions placed for comfort, or the more adventurous may like to add a padded bench cover. This can be achieved by buying a block of foam, most suppliers will cut it to size for you, and either making a fabric cover which can be put on and off, in much the same way as a pillow slip, or simply drape it over and tucked in underneath!

Be inspired and make the most of the space you have!

Thinking 'Outside Of The Box' Can Produce Stunning Interior Designs

Interior design is all about finding styles of décor and furniture that you like and are comfortable living with! You may wish to emulate designs, themes and topics which you see in magazines and blog posts as these can give you brilliant inspirational ideas!

Thinking outside of the box is a great way to have a unique perspective on the type of style you want. Be brave and add quirky touches will not only make your home very personalised it can also give you a great sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Up-cycling or recycling is a design trend which is becoming more and more in-vogue and whilst I don't want to harp on about the recession, finding treasures from junk and salvage yards and adding a lick of paint or altering them to compliment your own design flair can be immensely satisfying!

Take a chest of draws; an object which can be used in any room for storing anything you like, not just clothes and look equally as trendy in a all styles of both traditional and modern homes. Leave looking a bit shabby and worn if you like the shabby chic interior styles, add tie backs of assorted colours and you have a practical and very trendy piece of furniture!

Painting old furniture has also seen a revival in the last couple of years, which again allows your imagination to work over-time! Stencilling maybe somewhat outdated, however you could try your hand at decoupage or simply paint the piece in a vibrant gloss colour to compliment the rest of your décor.

'Old Parisian' is another design style which is similar to shabby chic! Paint furniture white and then distress the edges to give it an old worn look, use in combination with soft blue and the results can be stunning!

Image: A Life's Design