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Posts Tagged ‘interior decor’

Flickering flames give fabulous effects

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

It is not always the first thing that comes to mind when you are planning a special occasion in your home, but home owner insurance is absolutely vital sometimes, especially when it comes to planning events with special lighting requirements.

Wax attracts

Candles have been around for thousands of years and although high tech lighting solutions are in abundance the flickering light from a naked flame still attracts many of us and candles are used for all kinds of special evenings. Candles come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and some are scented. They will dramatically affect the atmosphere of the room so it is very important that you choose the right candles for the occasion.

Intimate Dinners

Choose food-grade paraffin wax which is the best quality for your important dinner occasions. Soy wax is another quality ingredient which is natural and environmentally friendly. It is best to choose white candles as strong colours may affect people’s appetite. Tall candles create a formal atmosphere while short candles create a warm, homey feel. Candle holders also play an important part. Candelabra will be good for a dramatic look. Flower shaped holders will make the room look extremely romantic and beautiful. If you are on a tight budget place lots of plain tea lights around the room which will definitely make the room feel dreamy and otherworldly.

Relaxation

It is again important to choose candles made from high grade wax with essential oils for your utmost relaxation and well-being. Choose jar candles which are more fragrant than the normal pillar candles. They are produced with high quality essential oil so are too soft to stand without support, hence they come in jars. Some jar candles have odour neutralising effect which may be good if you want to freshen the room. Place your scented candles in the bedroom, bathroom or living room. Scented candles in the entrance and hallways might pleasantly surprise your guests.

Parties, Celebrations and Christmas

Go for shapes and colours rather than quality to create a fun and festive atmosphere for the night. Choose your favourite colour and shape and place them anywhere you fancy. Small teacup candles might look cute and fun. If children are to be invited to the occasion then safety and a good home insurance quote must be considered, and in these circumstances battery operated candles should be the favoured option.

Tags: Atmosphere, candles, home owner insurance, interior decor, lighting
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Choose cover carefully

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

For people moving into a new property some things can be sorted out easily. Making sure you have set up payments for such things as the mortgage, utility bills and house insurance brokers is straightforward. Placing your old furniture in a new home is not so easy but you eventually get there, organising floor covering for your new home may not be so simple. Putting the right type of floor covering down is one of the most important aspects of the home. The market for floor coverings in the UK is diverse and there really is something out there to cater for all styles and more importantly all budgets, but choosing different coverings for different rooms may be complicated.

Choosing the right pile

Cut pile is the most common type of carpet. Standard textured cut pile has alternating lengths of fibres that can mask footprints and vacuum cleaning marks and can be used anywhere in the house. It is economical and used in many rooms. Plush cut pile is better quality and has thinner, level fibres. It is very soft and will be most suitable for bedrooms. Unlike the standard textured cut pile, it however will not mask footprints or cleaning marks. Berber is loop pile and has repeating looped fibres of the same length. It is generally very durable so will be most suitable for high traffic areas such as stairs and hallways. It will also mask footprints and cleaning marks. Multi-level Berber creates various textures and patterns such as floral and diamond. Cut loop is a combination of Berber and cut pile and also creates textures and patterns.

Material important

Nylon is the most popular fibre which is soft and stain resistant and much better quality than the nylon carpets of yesteryear. Nylon Tactesse is an alternative fibre which is more expensive but is stronger and much softer. Wool is the softest and most durable carpet fibre so is naturally the most expensive, but it may be difficult to remove stains from wool carpet. A good buildings and contents insurance policy will be necessary if you buy carpets that are susceptible to staining.

Colours and patterns

The general rule is to choose carpet which is darker than the walls and furniture. The safest choice will be to choose a neutral tone that fits in with the overall colour scheme of the house and that you can happily live with for a long time. Patterned carpets look interesting but you must make sure that the interior would not look too busy or confusing. Multi-coloured stripes are very much in fashion at the moment, and animal and foot prints may be suitable for kids and teenagers’ rooms.

Tags: Carpet, Colours, interior decor, new property, Nylon, Pile
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Comfort is the key

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

When it comes to furnishing a new home there is little more that’s important than creating a comfortable main living space. It is the place where the family come together most often and where comfort encourages relaxation and openness.

Make sure it fits

The seating in this room is crucial and worth spending a little extra on to get right. It is important to choose a sofa that will look good and be proportionate in your living room, so take careful measurements and make sure that what you are buying is the best fit for your home before you make a final decision. You will more than likely have buildings and contents insurance so make sure your sofa is covered by it, if not then remember sofas are easily damaged by children and pets and a household insurance policy or special cover by the manufacturers should be bought.

Check interior and exterior

Whether you have pets, small children, and energetic teenagers, or live a quiet retirement life, your sofa should be well made to give you maximum comfort and value for money. The frame should be sturdy, preferably made of kiln-dried hardwood and should be screwed and glued. The support should consist of proper springs, preferably 8-way tied, and the upholstery should consist of good foam – an inner core of foam with an outer wrapping of feathers is one of the best.

All shapes and sizes

For arm style you can choose from traditional rolled arm, curved English arm, a straight Parsons style or armless. Curved English arm is very elegant while straight arm and armless are suitable for contemporary interior. A skirted sofa may suit French style interior with lots of drapery. Otherwise you can choose from a variety of leg styles ranging from chunky to delicately tapered and carved.

Material choice important

Patterned fabric is not so popular at the moment but can cover the dirt and stains. If you want a soft and durable material choose chenille. Leather is also durable and looks attractive. Velvet has a nice texture but can wear out within a few years. If you are on a budget choose a simply designed sofa and add variations with cushion and pillows. Many furniture manufacturers offer custom-made slipcovers which you can use for a seasonal change or keep as an emergency spare.

Tags: buildings and contents insurance, household insurance, interior decor, living room, sofa
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Lighting the way

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Moving into a new home is an exciting proposition. Once contracts have been exchanged and the basic essentials such as home insurance quotes, utility contracts and mortgage payments have been sorted out, it is time to get down to decorating your home.

Creating an atmosphere

Of course everyone has a budget and everyone has their own ideas about where that budget may best be put to good use. For many people creating the perfect atmosphere in a room is the most important feature and for this, use of lighting is paramount.

Lighting is one of the most powerful mood makers. It may be part of the décor during the day, but at night it can change the face and feel of the room dramatically.

Recessed lighting

Recessed lighting is what you would like to have if you live in a modern house or flat. Recessed ceiling lights are the most common and popular. They generally illuminate the room and can create stunning lighting effects against a wall. Unlike traditional central lighting there is no longer a surface mounted or hanging fitting in the middle of the ceiling which makes the room look and feel expansive.

Chandeliers make a statement

If you want to create a gorgeous focal point in your room a chandelier is a good option. It is very important that you choose a right-sized chandelier for your room for maximum effect. You need to take into consideration the height of your room and the sizes of the chandelier and other furniture. For a dining room the balance between the chandelier and dining table would be crucial. Crystal chandeliers are possibly the most expensive, and one of the most gorgeous and traditional looking kinds of chandeliers. Chandeliers often do not provide enough lighting for the whole room and you will need other accent lights.

Evocative candles

Candle flames create such a comforting, warm and romantic atmosphere which no other lighting methods can do. Long, slim and tapered candles in elegant holders are suitable for a romantic dinner for two, or formal dinner occasions. Votive candles look very pretty and cheerful and may be suitable for younger crowds. Aromatherapy candles would be perfect for bathrooms and living rooms. When handling candles health and safety issues are paramount and great care should be taken, no-one wants to be claiming on their household insurance because they were careless with a naked flame.

Tags: Chandeliers, household insurance, interior decor, lighting
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Cool that bedroom down

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

The advent of summer is now well and truly underway. Wimbledon has passed but long hot summer nights are still something to enjoy or endure for the next couple of months.

It would be wonderful to bring the sunlight and breeze into your bedroom not only through open windows but by the use of colour. In general colours should be switched from dark to light. Sheets, bed covers and spreads should be changed to light coloured ones so that they reflect sunlight. Use of sheer curtains will soften the direct sunlight and heat and insulate the room White, light blue or light yellow walls will be refreshing, but as long as you use a light shade any colours should make the room look bright and ready for summer. Bed frames, chairs and other furniture can be repainted similarly. If you need some accent then deep yellow, orange, blue and red can be used for cushions and skirting boards. It is the type of home upgrade that can be completed without the help of a professional, if you are careful and covered by a good home insurance policy.

Get rid of the heavyweights

Materials should also be switched from heavy to light. Anything woolly, velvety or fluffy should be replaced with light and thin materials. Cotton is the ideal summer material as it soaks sweat and gives you a cool feeling. Nylon is light and water resistant and is a cheaper alternative. Linen has an exceptional coolness and freshness but is costly.

No need to lose sleep

The interior design should be kept simple with minimum furniture and decoration to create an airy, relaxed feel. Images of flowers, plants; sea, blue skies, birds and boats/yachts would be good for decoration themes. Rattan effect bed frames, chests and chairs would look pleasant and summery. You can use accessories such as baskets, glass bottles and fresh flowers, and hang pictures of your past summer holidays on the walls. There is no need to splash out on expensive items so you shouldn’t lose sleep over high home insurance costs. To ensure a good nights’ sleep on hot, humid summer nights no matter what may be worrying you, sprinkle citrus, tangy summer scents around the bed and it will be soon settle you down.

Tags: bedrooms, Home Insurance, interior decor, summer
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Wallpaper or paint?

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

With many homeowners accepting that a proposed house move is now out of the question because of the current stagnation in the property market, they are turning instead to improving their current home to make it more suitable to their needs.

Fresh outlook created quite easily

It is surprising what a coat of paint or a roll of new wallpaper can do to a house and a room facelift will often leave homeowners wondering why they wanted to leave in the first place. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it allows homeowners to experiment with new ideas, although it is always best to check ones home owner insurance if the new ideas are quite radical.

Wallpaper makes a big impact

Wallpaper is generally considered more aesthetic than paint. It adds so much character to a room and a Victorian style house without wallpaper would be just unimaginable. It has a nice and warm texture that is incomparable. However, as it is so characteristic it can dominate the room and sometimes it may be difficult to arrange or change your furniture, accessories or even pictures. Remember though that wallpaper is not strongly associated with a contemporary look so it may not be considered “the in thing” at the moment. It does add value to your home but may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Paint is an easy option

Paint may not be as aesthetically strong or pleasing as wallpaper but simple wall decoration is more flexible and easier for interior coordination. This is why paint is the most popular and practical wall treatment at the moment. If you would like some texture you can apply textured paint or faux finishes. Many decorators will choose to go with an “accent wall” by painting one of the walls in the room a different colour. You can even have a mural wall or two if you wish.

Which method is the most economical?

Wallpaper is more costly and time consuming to apply than paint. However, it may prove more cost effective in the long run as once applied it should last up to 10 to 15 years, while paint may need more frequent applications. Wallpaper application must be precise as the patterns need to match. It can be easily soiled or damaged and may peel in humid conditions. Once damaged it can be costly to replace unless the accident is covered by household insurance.

Background or forefront?

With paint it is easy to hide imperfections and if part of the wall is soiled or damaged it can be quickly repainted and fixed. You can change colours as you like, it can give your room an instant makeover. The important point to remember is that in many cases the purpose of paint is to be almost invisible while the purpose of wallpaper at all times is to be on display.

Tags: Home Insurance, interior decor, property market, wallpaper
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