A GUIDE TO DRAPE STYLES

Posted on April 21, 2020 by rblog

CONTENT:

When choosing new custom drapes, the seemingly endless options can feel overwhelming.  There are so many design considerations including style, color, and material.  Today we are going to discuss some basic drape styles.

There are a few questions to contemplate when trying to determine the best drape style. Questions like, what is the overall look of your space and what role do you want the drapes to play, is your room formal or informal, are the windows and therefore the drapes going to be a primary focal point in the room, will the drapes need to serve a functional role or are they strictly aesthetic?  Answering these questions will help direct your style choice.

Hardware

First, we will consider hardware and perhaps the biggest question when determining style; how are the drapes going to function?  Will they need to be opened a few times a day to block light or for privacy? Are your drapes serving a more decorative purpose? Determining function will affect the type of hardware you will want to use.

The two standard types of hardware are non-mechanical and mechanical.  A Pole Rod (no mechanics) vs. a Pinch Pleat or Ripple Fold on a functioning rod (mechanics).  If you need to open and close your drapes several times, a day a functioning rod with mechanics will probably work best.  Not surprisingly, in terms of cost, drapes with mechanics typically have a higher cost than the non-mechanical options.

Heading Styles

Pole Rod

A Pole Rod has no mechanics and is used for a simple rod pocket, a hidden loop style, rings or grommets, or if purely decorative can even include a drape over style.  This look is more about aesthetics than function.  This is a style to choose when you want the specific look of the drape but does not need the drapes to function for privacy or light blocking.  The Rod Pocket is a very traditional choice and is not as convenient to open and close as other options. The fabric is gathered at the top of the drape creating a pocket that the curtain rod will slide through.

Grommet Drapes hang from large rings at the top of the drape (known as grommets) that the curtain rod will slide through.  It creates very even pleats and can be very decorative but again, may not be as functional as other choices.

If you need the function of mechanics, you will want a pinch pleat or ripple fold.Pinch Pleat

Often called a French Pleat, Pinch Pleat is a very popular style used in spaces that are looking for a more traditional design.  Several different heading styles fall under the Pinch Pleat category and some of the more common ones include, tailored pleat, box pleat, inverted pleat, and goblet pleat. These drapes will have pleats created by gathering folds of the material together every few inches and attaching them together about four inches from the top.  Drapery pins are used to attach the drape to the hardware and often use an attached baton to pull open and close.Ripple Fold

The ripple fold has a more updated look and works well in contemporary interior design.  The drapes hang on an easy to use track and typically open and close with a cord control, making these a great choice if you need the functionality of opening and closing several times a day.  The ripple fold style does not use drapery pins and is a big advantage in the care and cleaning of custom draperies as they are much easier to take down and hang up than Pinch Pleat style drapes.  This style drape usually uses less fabric and therefore may be less expensive than other options.

For more Interior Design Tips or to Design Custom Drapes Online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

 

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INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS FOR NEW KITCHEN CABINETS

Posted on March 25, 2020 by rblog

Is it time to update your outdated kitchen cabinets?  You may wonder where to begin.  What options might work best for your kitchen?  We will discuss the different types of kitchen cabinets and the pros and cons of each.   

RTA and Stock Cabinets

RTA and Stock Cabinets are the least expensive option and most readily available.  These cabinets are pre-built to standard sizes and therefore limit the design options for your space.  RTA stands for “Ready to Assemble” and will be shipped unassembled.  Because they come in standard sizes, Stock Cabinets can be bought right off the shelf or delivered in a short period of time, usually 1-2 weeks.  Do your homework with these cabinets and make sure you know what material is being used in their construction.  Cheaper material is sometimes used in order to keep costs down and may not be what you expected.  Cabinets made with particle board will likely not hold up as well over time and is vulnerable to warping when exposed to excess moisture.Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-Custom Cabinets are just what the name implies.  These cabinets still come in the standard sizes however, there are some customizable options with this choice.  You can change drawer sizes, door fronts, and cabinet depths.  Semi-custom allows for some customization while still managing to keep costs down.  As these are not typical stock cabinets it can take a few weeks from order to delivery.  Again, be sure to confirm the construction material used to be sure you are getting what you really want.Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are just that, custom.  Anything is possible, cabinets can be made in any size you might need, and this allows for the most flexible design potentials in your kitchen.  With this option, you can make use of every inch of space, optimizing your storage capabilities.  It will probably come as no surprise that this option is the most expensive and will also need the biggest lead time and you should anticipate it taking several weeks from order to delivery.  Also, do not assume that the word ‘custom’ is synonymous with high quality. These cabinets can be made with a variety of materials, from high-quality wood to particleboard.  Be sure to do your research, if you want real wood cabinets, make sure that is what you are getting.

A kitchen cabinet remodel can be an exciting prospect and perhaps a bit daunting.  There are so many options available today.  Take your time, do your research, create a plan and if you need help, reach out to a Certified Interior Designer for guidance.  The kitchen of your dreams is possible, and the pleasure derived from spending time in a space you truly love is priceless.

For more interior design tips and contemporary design ideas or to design custom curtains and custom pillows online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

 

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BRING A LITTLE FENG SHUI TO YOUR HOME

Posted on February 21, 2020 by rblog

The Winter Season is upon us once more, and it is the time of year we tend to live more inside than out.  How do you freshen up your home’s interior for winter and make it space you want to spend time in?  Why not use Feng Shui to make your space feel more comfortable?  Feng Shui works on the premise that everything is energy, and in our home, we want to get good energy flowing. Cambridge.org defines Feng Shui as “an ancient Chinese belief that the way your house is built or the way that you arrange objects affects your success, health, and happiness”. Last year, we introduced Feng Shui and its basic principles;  Feng Shui is based on good Chi, the lifeforce energy, and it is about the balance of yin and yang (masculine and feminine) energies as well as the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water).  Feng Shui is about creating spaces that “flow” the Chi energy in a way that adds value to the quality of your life and this principle fits very well with Contemporary Interior Design. According to morrisfengshui.com, “In Feng Shui we focus on nurturing the chi of the earth. This is the chi of nature and our surroundings, the environments we live in, and the spaces we create. We choose our homes, lots and residences by examining the flow and quality of the chi of the earth. We correct, adjust and enhance the environments we live in to improve the flow of energy so we can feel supported by our homes.” 

One of the easiest ways to start this process is to simply de-clutter your home.  It is a great time to re-evaluate the things you have in your home and purge what is no longer serving you.  This will create space to bring in new items that you will love and appreciate.  According to livestrong.com, “living in a house or apartment that’s cluttered, dark or just doesn’t feel right, can make you feel energy-depleted and depressed.  The goal of good feng shui is to get the positive energy flowing to where it’s needed to revitalize your environment and invigorate your life.” Adding color and elements that will help you “Feng Shui” your space can be as simple as adding a few new things into your space, like new custom curtains, coordinating custom pillows, artwork, or plants.  It really is about creating a space that has balance and feels good to live in.  “If you have too yin of a home, over time, you can become depressed,” says feng-shui consultant Katherine Graham. “And if you have to yang — too upbeat — a home, over time, you could suffer from exhaustion or burnout.”  So, take a moment to de-clutter your home, remove items that do not bring you pleasure or serve a purpose, add items that will bring you joy and re-arrange your spaces using the ancient art of Feng Shui, creating balanced, peaceful spaces.  Thus, allowing you to relax and enjoy your home during the long winter months and adding to your sense of happiness and well-being. 

For interior design tips or to design custom curtains online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com 

 Design Team 

The Contemporary Curtain 

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC 

 

 

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CHAKRAS AND DESIGN

Posted on February 8, 2020 by rblog

What are Chakras and how can they impact wellbeing?  Chakras are part of the body’s energy system. Each chakra coordinates with a specific part of the body and has a specific color.  There are seven main chakras that start at the base of your spinal cord and continue all the way up to the top of your head.  The 1st chakra is the Root, the 2nd chakra is the Sacral, the 3rd chakra is the Solar Plexus, the 4th chakra is the Heart, the 5th chakra is the Throat, the 6th chakra is the Third Eye and the 7th chakra is the Crown.

chakras-1The colors that coordinate with each chakra follow the color spectrum, starting at the root chakra and working its way up.  Therefore, red is associated with the Root chakra, orange with the Sacral, yellow with the Solar Plexus, green with the Heart, blue with the Throat, indigo with the Third Eye and violet with the Crown.  Each Chakra has a different meaning/association with various energies in our lives and each color has its own energy vibration.  The Root (located at the base of your spine) represents security, the Sacral (located just below your belly button) represents creativity, the Solar Plexus (located just above your belly button) represents personal power, the Heart (located at heart level) represents love, the Throat (located at the front center of your throat) represents self-expression and communication, the Third Eye (located in the front center of your forehead) intuition and clarity of thought, and the Crown (located on top of your head) represents spiritual inspiration. chakras-2So, you may be asking what do Chakras have to do with design?  Designing for Chakras would imply using different design colors at different times in your life, for the different phases of your life.  For example, if you are going through a phase where you are feeling a need for more security, you may want to design with a lot of red; likewise, if you are feeling a need for more personal power you would want to include lots of yellow in your overall design.

Chakra colors should be considered when designing an individual room that will serve a specific purpose.  If you are a writer, a student, or work from home, you may want to consider adding blue to your office.  Adding blue to the room will help energize your throat chakra and enables better communication skills, verbal and written.  If you are writing fiction, adding orange to the room will stimulate your sacral chakra, the chakra of creativity.  If you have a meditation or yoga room, try adding indigo and violet colors to the space to help activate the third eye and crown chakras, receiving more clarity and inspiration.  Of course, there are several easy ways to add color to your space through carefully chosen pieces of art, or by adding fabric with custom curtains or custom pillows.chakras-3Adding colors to your spaces in order to support specific energy is very easy to do.  Incorporate chakra colors into your room’s design to assist whatever activity you will be doing there. Embracing Chakra colors in your living space will help support a balanced, happy life.

For more interior design tips and contemporary design ideas please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com.

 Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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NEW YEAR, NEW INTERIOR SPACE

Posted on January 3, 2020 by rblog

It is a new year and a good time to de-clutter and re-fresh the spaces in your home.  Think the proverbial “out with the old and in with the new”.  Time to clear out the old things that no longer serve you or bring you joy in order to create room for new things you really want.  It really is a good time of year to re-assess the things you own and whether they still bring you joy.  You know that feeling, you used to love your living space but now it seems a little worn out and tired and you are longing to come home to a space that feels fresh and pleasing.  Maybe it is only one room that needs a facelift or your whole house.  There are several small, easy tweaks you can make to bring back some interest to your home again. How do you begin to de-clutter?  A good general rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in over a year and it doesn’t bring you joy in some way, then it is time to go.  Holding onto things that no longer serve you not only creates clutter in your space but clutter in your life.  By releasing the old, you make room for the new.

Start sorting by creating three groups, a ‘keep’ group, a ‘get rid of’ group, and a ‘not sure’ group.  Once you have sorted the items in a room and have your three groups, you can use the same process to go through the ‘not sure’ group until you only have two piles, wanted and unwanted.  Remember, sometimes less really is more.  If you have sentimental pieces you do not want to get rid of, but don’t want to keep on display, try storing them for a while and bring them back out later.  Once you have your ‘keep’ items, consider the space you have; if there isn’t enough room for everything you want to keep then consider purging more items, storing them or placing items in another room.If extra storage space is needed for the items you want to keep, try adding new bookshelves to space, a storage cabinet, an armoire, or a closet organizer.  In smaller living spaces, try adding furniture pieces that give additional storage space.  Include an ottoman in the living room that can store blankets or board games, a storage bench at the end of a bed for bedding or storage closets in an entryway; get creative with your storage solutions.After you have organized everything, you are ready to bring new design elements into your spaces, which will help freshen up the overall look and feel of your home.  Small, subtle changes really can make a big difference.  Bring a new look to your living room by bringing in a new coffee table that adds an interesting design element.  Try adding a fresh coat of paint and coordinating custom pillows and custom drapes; switch out artwork and sculptures to add a fresh look to your room.  Try adding a new chair or reupholstering an old one and add a new accent rug.  The same simple philosophy can be used for any room in your home to add a fresh new look and feel.By decluttering your space, you will declutter your life, the whole of your space will feel better and in turn, will make you feel better.  Everything has a place or function that serves you and brings you joy.  If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t belong.  By adding a few new design elements, you really can make the old feel new again and give your home the fresh new feel you have been longing for.

For more interior design tips and to Design Custom Curtains online please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com.

 

 Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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