Category: fabric

7 Inexpensive Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

Small spaces are really hard to decorate. If you decorate a small apartment with too many things it would be cramped and crowded. If you use too less decorative items, it would look empty and deserted. You have to find the perfect interior décor balance for it to look welcoming and attractive. This is why we have dedicated today’s post solely for this purpose. Here are ten ways to decorate a small apartment especially when you are on a budget.

via pinterest

Lighting

Lighting can either make or break a room. So invest in lower-wattage bulbs because they will allow you to change a room’s mood from romantic to restful. Please don’t handle the electric matters yourself as it can be very dangerous for you and your house. Always go for professional assistance and if you are having trouble finding commercial electricians in your area, http://www.newedgegroup.com.au/can help you out in this regard.

via Provident Home Design

Remnant tables

When buying fabrics for décor never miss out those remnant tables at your local fabric stores. They are perfect for banding drapes, recovering pillows and other handling other sewing projects around the house. These tables can offer you fabrics at 1/3 of the price and are just as good as those on the shelves.

via Apartment Therapy

The Greenery

Having plants in any room makes you feel more alive. Simple green foliage usually lasts longer than flowers. Even the design of a single leaf can make a striking effect. Try putting a single palm leaf or even a slender flax in a giant vase. It will cast a simple yet a modern appeal.

via Apartment Therapy

Focus on Floors

Your floor is also an important part of your house and just like walls, they need your attention too. To completely change the floor surface, try staining wood floors. You can also install a carpet or replace old linoleum. For a quick fix, just add an area rug. Trust us, just by making the floors distinct, your walls can definitely look better.

via Pinterest

Storage Matters

Storage matters a lot when you are living in small spaces. You generally have two options: building under or building up. If you want a dramatic effect to consider building tall bookshelves. You can also take the advantage of the space underneath your bed and store things there. Toffee tables with hidden storage options are also a good item to buy. These things help in keeping the clutter out of sight and improve the outlook of your house.

via Tidbits & Twine

Combining Patterns

Make things fun and colorful and combine patterns, styles and different textures of fabric in almost everything from furniture to window treatments and accessories. It will add color to your rooms and also your life.

via Pop Sugar

Illusions

Cast illusions to give a roomy and spacious feeling to your small apartment. Vertical lines or similar patterns on walls can cast an illusion of a high ceiling. Similarly installing a mirror on a complete wall can make a room look twice its size.

*disclosure this post syndicated by New Edge Group

September 18, 2017
Easy on the pocket DIY wall décor ideas

When it comes to decorating apartment walls, ideas tend to flow but not every time are these ideas successfully implemented. This is because what you have in mind might have a hefty cost attached to it. However, decoration is not always about going out of the way to purchase the best. There are amazing ways to decorate which are both creative and easy on the pocket. So let’s get started with some of these extraordinary DIY wall décor projects.

via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Using fabric to decorate walls

This can be used in the kitchens and if used correctly, they can go really well with Black Stainless Steel Appliances. You can easily get fabrics with floral patterns or even geometric prints easily from the market. Such things are also easily procured from the market at cheap rates. Its very easy to install and adorn your walls. All you have to do is cut the fabric in square or round shapes and have them framed and hung from the wall. You can also attach them to the smooth side of a cardboard and past them on the wall, if you choose to. This DIY home décor idea is easy, economical and colourful.

via Boho Weddings & Life

Wall décor with vintage frames

The best way to personalise a living space is to adorn it with pictures that bring back sweet memories. Such memories look even better if framed in classic frames. Framing old and memorable pictures using antique frames will give an elegant touch to your walls. Also, they add a bit of a drama to the contemporary outlook of your living room. You can find many old vintage frames in the market at cheap rates. All you need to do is to install a picture that you love the most and hang it to the main wall of your room. Trust me; you will love every bit of it.

via caroline | burkatron DIY

DIY shelves

Have you ever imagined making an invisible bookshelf where books just seem to float in mid-air with literally no supports? Well, now you can create one easily! All you need is two sets of metal brackets, a drilling machine and a couple of old books. If your old books are heavy, try going for metal brackets that are made of sturdier material. Start by drilling holes into the wall and place one bracket on the top of the wall and one on the lower end and then slide in the book between the brackets. This will ensure that the book is balanced. Once you are done, you can place lightweight objects such as vase, small photo frames or other books as well on the shelves.

Well, these were the top three ideas, we chose to present to you this week. We hope you like them. If you need further details you can always contact us via email. If you are fascinated and willing to try out these amazing DIY ideas, then wait no further. Go ahead and make your walls stand out in a creative and interesting way!

*disclosure: this post in partnership with AJ Madison

August 2, 2017
Summer Bathrooms: Beautiful rooms to retreat from the heat

Refresh in a bathroom that’s pretty and ready for summer!

Sometimes the only way to restore yourself from the summer heat is a nice cool shower! So make sure your bathroom this summer is outfitted to be your own personal oasis.

Lighter textiles, like sheer drapes and turkish towels, are more suited for the summer heat and humidity.
via Decoist

I love this crisp and slightly Indian style bathroom.
via Better Decorating Bible

If you’re lucky enough to have windows in your bathroom (I don’t), keep humidity at bay by opening them or keeping the shades up.
via Boracay Luxury Beach Resort

Florals are back, and what better and unexpected room to use them than in the bath?
via House Beautiful UK

This bathroom might be traditional, but it feels fresh with the blue garden stool and Peter Dunham’s fig leaf patterned drapes.
via Megan Bachman Interiors

June 28, 2016
Fabrics I am Loving!

Since I’ve been working on my office update, I thought I’d share some fabrics that I am eyeing to help me out with the change:

What do you think?

January 28, 2015
Inspiring ways to use fabric and textiles

There are so many interesting ways to incorporate fabric in your hope besides curtains in blankets! Check out some awesome ways I found:

Frame a favorite scarf. Even if it’s just on display in the summer when you won’t be wearing it, you’ll get more enjoyment from it than if it were just hanging in your closet!

Use shoebox lids, styrofoam, or canvas stretchers to mount your favorite swatches as a pretty gallery wall collection.

Hanging your fabric on your wall as wall art is probably one of the most budget friendly options as well as it being so easy to change out if you ever decide you want a different view.

An extra touch to your luxury bedroom! I have always had a little place in my heart for canopy beds and I love how simple this one is. I might be utilizing this idea to hide our heat pump…

Using some favorite fabric on a table or coffee table is a great way to make an impromptu table cloth or runner.
via H&M

Even if it’s just a simple project like wrapping a lampshade in fabric – it can really help a room pop!

July 23, 2014
Other Blogs I’m Loving

There are some seriously inspiring bloggers in my blogroll and I wanted to show off some of the great finds that they have been posting about on their sites that I am currently loving!

Mocca and Me did a room crush that I couldn’t agree with more! It seriously makes you want to curl up on the couch and open up a book.

These super adorable prints are from liberty heritage fabric but they are found on decor8blog which I absolutely love. Holly is so creative and such an inspiration.

Maria Killam has an amazing post out about using ceramic tile to make a space eye catching. I love the different patterns and options she shows off and how much character they can add to the home.

This fabulous kitchen which uses the two toned cabinets. I’m also in love with how simple and chic it is! Providence Ltd Design took my breath away with this one!

And last but not least, Pink Wallpaper is making me want to spend a little more time outside enjoying the weather this summer!

July 1, 2014
Happy Home – Inspiration for Joy

Happy Home is a new book out by Jennifer Paganelli, creator of Sis Boom Fabrics. You can’t help but smile and feel happy when you see her bright, cheerful designs.

Here is the description from Amazon.com, where you can purchase the book.

Jennifer Paganelli designs one of the most popular fabric lines in the marketplace. In this gorgeous collection, she shows readers how to whip up twenty-one beautiful accessories to transform their space into a sunny, happy home. Each project showcases Jennifer’s fresh, whimsical style—from luxe drapery to cheery tablecloths and napkins. Featuring simple step-by-step instructions, a comprehensive glossary of techniques, pattern sheets tucked into a handy front pocket, and lush color photos, this book makes it exceptionally easy to pretty up every room in the house.

I was lucky enough to review the book, and answer some questions based on my review (my answers are in italic.

· Is there anything about the book that inspires you?
The cheerful colors of the fabric! It’s scary to go bold and bright, and while Jennifer goes all out, she demonstrates ways to also inject it through smaller projects – like pillows, and smaller decorations.

· Have you used fabric designed by Jennifer Paganelli (SisBoom) in home décor projects?
I haven’t – but after seeing her fabric, will definitely consider them for my next project.

Here are some I have my eye on right now, for either my bedroom curtains or a set of cloth napkins:

From the West Indies collection – this plum would look gorgeous next to the pale gray walls in my bedroom.

I also love chartreuse with light gray – so if I do a single panel roll-up shade this geometric from the Poodle collection would look good.

The print above (To St. Croix collection) and the print below (Honey Child collection) would both make for some fun cloth napkins.

· When you look at the projects in the book, who comes to mind? Who would you like to make them for?
Children. I don’t have any children yet, but when and if I’m blessed enough to have them I want them to grow up in a home that with the aesthetic theme of joy and play than perfection. I would make some of these projects from Happy Home for various people – for example:

The market tote, featured which I LOVE – I would make for my mother. I also think they would make fantastic bridesmaid’s gifts!

The party banner would be beautiful in a baby nursery, or used for children’s parties. I could see this being a great piece to pass down and be used by family through generations.

These pillows would be wonderful for anyone’s bed – grown up or child. In blues and greens for a boy would be great, and in the pinks for a girl would be great. It would be a wonderful message for a kid to wake up or fall asleep to.

· Does your experience and expertise as a design and home décor blogger make you look at the book differently?

Yes, because it allows you to create the decor and accessories seen in the book, as opposed to showing you a wonderful space, but when where you have to buy items to achieve the look. When you handmake something, it automatically has more meaning, and is more likely to be special to you for a longer period of time.

How wonderful would it be to give this adorable pom-pom pillow to your daughter who is leaving home for the first time to go off to college?

These projects can also save you money when organizing. Stylish organization tools are always pricey – but check out the boxes below:

They are so pretty!

All of the projects in the book come with a list of supplies needed, a pattern layout, and step by step instructions. Their is also a great section in the back listing resources for sewing and related supplies.

I am in the process of teaching myself how to sew, and I’ll share any creations I make out of this book.

A great resource if you’d like to learn to sew is the book:

Sewing Made Simple by Tessa Evelegh (This book is a work of art in itself, with gorgeous photographs and beautiful projects.)

Do you feel inspired to make anything happy for your home now?

*disclosure: I received “Happy Home” and “Sewing Made Simple” as samples

June 29, 2012
A great giveaway for designers and DIYer’s from Lewis and Sheron Textiles!

So, on Tuesday I introduced you to my newest sponsor, Lewis and Sheron Textiles. Today I’m happy to announce that they are offering $100.00 in store credit to one lucky Decorology reader!

To enter for your chance to win, simply visit lsfabrics.com and browse through their amazing selection of fabrics. Come back to this post and leave a comment sharing the name of the fabric you would buy with your $100.00 credit, and what project you have in mind for the fabric. To comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above “Labels” you will see a number followed by the word “comments.” Click on the word “Comments.” Or, you will see a link, “Post a Comment,” which you click on to comment.

If you receive posts in your email feel free to respond to the email noting that you’d like to be entered in the drawing (don’t forget to mention your favorite fabric!).

Below are a few more of my favorite fabrics…

“Tribal Thread” – I would love to reupholster my dining chair cushions with this.

“Parisenne” – I think would make some really cute, conversation starting table linens – napkins, placemats, or a runner.

The fabric above, “Westminster,” would make a really fabulous upholstered headboard.

“Iskander” would be great for throw pillows.

I can’t wait to hear what everyone’s favorites are, and the projects you’d use them for! Post your comments by Dec. 8th, 6 PM EST, and I will draw the winner at random and announce the lucky reader the next day!

Good luck!

December 1, 2011
Introducing the newest Decorology sponsor and a great resources for designers and DIYers…

Some of you may have noticed my newest advertiser on the left hand column – the pretty blue box that says “Lewis and Sheron Textiles.” I was surprised when they emailed me about advertising because I had just ordered some swatches from them the week before. I had heard about how great their selection/prices were from the post “Fabric Searching on the Cheap” on Cote de Texas. As some of you may remember, I was on the search for a fabric to make curtains for my new apartment. The current curtains are tan and drab and do not tie together my new Iranian rug and my sofa. Below is a picture:

Pretty drab right? Well, I got some amazing tips and suggestions from you guys, and I finally found something I like at the right price point.

The fabric I chose. (I’ll be doing a curtain reveal soon).
via Danielle Oakey Interiors

Well, several of the swatches I tested were from Lewis and Sheron, and they stood out because the swatches were the largest I received – around 18″ L by 5″ W. Also – they were the only store to include matching trim samples at no extra cost.

So, now that I’ve found fabric for my curtains, I need to sew several pillow covers to create some cohesion between my drapes, rug, and sofa. So, I’ve ordered several swatches from the www.lsfabrics.com site, which allows me to sort by colors. I want fabrics with reds, blues, and blacks – all of which are present in my rug.

It’s easy to select a color and see all the trims and fabrics with the selected color.

You can also search by other criteria

Your cart selections are visible on the top of the site.

Below are some of the swatches I ordered from Lewis & Sheron to see if they’ll make good matches for pillowcases.

Stay tuned later in the week for a really great giveaway from Lewis & Sheron!

disclosure* This post is sponsored by Lewis & Sheron Textiles

November 29, 2011
Images from a fairy tale

Happy Friday everyone! Tuesday and Wednesday sorta merged for me, and I don’t know where the week went. Anyway, I’ve had these images from an old ad campaign from Brunschwig & Fils, and I just love the whole enchanted look of these sets.

(CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR A LARGE VERSION)

I like the fireplace treatment in this one, I don’t know if those are real sticks lined up vertically or a screen with an image, but I have never seen it before and think it’s a great idea for a non-working fireplace.
These ads I first saw on 1st Dibs.

March 5, 2010