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When I was growing up the choice of floor decoration was oilcloth [a thin type of linoleum], or linoleum [lino] in the bedrooms and, in the living rooms downstairs, lino covered with a large rug or, if you had a better budget, herringbone hardwood flooring with a large rug in the middle. A stair runner lined the center of the stairs held in place with a brass stair-rod. These ideas moved on into the 1970s with fitted carpets which had large swirly patterns: you were really somebody if you could afford fitted carpets! Fitted carpets came and stayed, the only real changes being the textures and fabrics, the colours and whether the carpets were plain or patterned. These all changed according to fashion. Cork tiles made a brief appearance as being the must-have flooring options in the bathroom and kitchen. They never really went out of fashion as they are practical and warm underfoot.
However, the late 1990s was when laminate flooring made its appearance and hardwood flooring came back with a vengeance. Floors to aspire to are now hardwood floors, with the whole of the living area having the same kind of flooring. Gone are the days of the unhygienic carpeting in the kitchen: this has been replaced by a multitude of flooring options, from recycled rubber to slate, stone, hardwood, laminates, and tiling. Many bedrooms are also finished with laminate or hardwood flooring, brightened up with scattered rugs. In my own home, however, I have retained deep-pile carpets in the bedrooms and, in all the downstairs rooms I have installed hardwood flooring which has been stained and varnished to give it a deep timbre to bring out the beauty of the wood. It is so much easier to keep clean and I believe this is far more hygienic than fitted carpets everywhere which can harbor germs deep down in the fibers.
The number of DIY shops that sell both hardwood and laminate flooring is amazing when, if you think about it carefully, fitting flooring effectively so that it looks good and lies properly, is an experts' job. It is certainly not something I would consider doing. After all, if you mess it up, hardwood is not a cheap option - if you are paying out that sort of money, as far as I am concerned, it is better to pay a bit more and employ an expert to fit it properly. In this case, the end result well justifies the means! So, if you are choosing laminates or hardwoods, what are you going to be looking for? Good hardwood flooring will add value to your property and will last a lifetime. If it does start to look a bit tired, it just needs to be sanded down, re-stained and given a new coat of varnish. Solid hardwood flooring planks are available in cherry, walnut, maple, and oak. Also available are other woods such as teak and bamboo which, although not a wood but a grass, is very popular in these economically sustainable times.
Using discount drapery fabric as part of your decorating scheme is a simple and inexpensive way to update your home design. Don't be tempted to limit yourself to curtains when considering this style of material, drapery fabric can be used to fashion table covers, seat cushions, pillow cases and even duvet covers.
The traditional art of sewing seems to be every decorator's worst nightmare and they have come up with numerous ingenious way to use drapery fabric in the home without having to sew a stitch.
The first way is simply to fold fabric before you hang it. Careful accordion folds will hang well and will maintain their shape if good quality heavy fabric is used. You can thread the folded material through rings fitted to the walls to create a classic valance, with tails that cascade down on either side.
Another way to avoid the sewing machine is to use a heat activated adhesive, specifically designed for fabric. This has the appearance of a thin sheet of web-like white material and you place it between two pieces of material to fasten them together. When you run a hot iron over the material the glue is activated and secures the material. Always make sure the adhesive is washable if necessary, as many are not.
If you do decide to tackle a sewing project there are some simple rules to bear in mind. Stick to solid color or small patterns if you are a beginner. It is tricky to match up bold patterns like stripes of checks when you are creating window dressings. You can use tone on tone fabrics, that are of one color but have a pattern in a different texture. These can give a very professional effect without the trouble of having to match up the patterns.
In addition to drapes there are a number of uses for thicker fabric. Cushion covers can look very smart in drapery material, and if you add buttons or a zipper, the coves can be removed to be washed easily. Drapery fabric is usually simple to clean in situ as well, well small stains appear.
Table runners are another popular use for drapery fabrics. Adding a solid color backing and some piping or fringing will give weight to your runner and produce a very stylish and expensive effect.
If you want to use drapery fabrics in your bedroom, you may need to look for a light weight variety that will stand up to frequent washing. A new duvet cover and a few scatter cushions, when they complement the existing drapes or wall coverings, can give your room a great new look for a very reasonable price.