Recently finish curtaining: 3 rooms, 3 styles, 1 apartment
– Kensington stripe + voile (beige)
– snow-white romantic lace
– antique powder bedspread’s new function
My project 2.
Archives
Gobelin
Gobelin tapestry got its name after the fabric painter family that had moved probably from Reims to Paris in the XVII. century – founding the famous weaving workshop. Louise XIV. raised it to a royal manufactory and supported the production. The technique itself is being used since the middle of the XV. century. Gobelin is an illustrated tapestry used primarily for covering the walls or the floor. Knight-era scenes, Biblical stories or allegories related to the customers were the most common illustrations. First the base material was wool, later then the carrier yarns were replaced to linen ones. In renaissance era, golden and silver threads were also used. As time went by, the technique continuously developed, the result became more colorful and flexible. The loom itself could be horizontal or vertical also.
Petit point is a handwork simulating this weaving technique, started at the XVIII. century in France. Its base material is silk or linen, but they are completely overlaid with embroidery. The topic can be practically anything. Upholstered furniture, cushions, table linen and female handbags were decorated with this method – such as everyday consumer products.
Conservation, professional cleaning and handling of such an antique tapestry is an important issue, since they are quite vulnerable, they can be damaged or even destroyed during use or incorrect storage. If we own such an antique one, let’s ask for the recommendations of a professional. Of course, modern gobelin imitations or gobelin-like mechanical products can be purchased in the shops. Cushions or blankets decorated with gobelin have returned to the fashion. Weaving and colors can easily tell us, if the product is not antique, anyhow they can provide the same feeling in a proper classic style interior.
If you would like an antique or new gobelin in your home, ask for help from an interior designer for the optimal arrangement and usage.
Natural textiles
When choosing fabrics, besides their colors and patterns, the material should be considered as well. They have to be chosen by the desired function (upholstery, carpet, curtain, decorating fabric). The fabrics made of natural fibers have two groups: animal and floral origin.
Fabrics woven of sheep wool yarn are sturdy, warm, thick and a bit spiky. They can be cleaned only on low temperature and shouldn’t be put to direct sunshine. They are easily colorable, their pattern are commonly woven.
One long silk thread can be gained by unrolling the pod of the silkworm which can be woven to silk fabric. Its coloring is a more complicated procedure. The threads are more knotty in some parts of it, this way a special pattern is formed, typical only to silk. It is light, soft to touch, with high tensile strength and relatively chemical resistant also.
Cashmere wool is made of the soft hair of cashmere goat which is selected by hand first. It is a specially soft, warm but light material.
Further animals which provide natural fibers: vicuna, lama, alpaca, angora rabbit, spider (silk).
Cotton belongs to floral fibers. Cotton thread is made of the fiber covering the seeds of the cotton-plant and this is woven to a fabric. It is easy to bleach and color. Sunlight might quickly damage it. It is cleanable on mid temperature. It can be patterned by weaving, printing and painting.
Linen is made of fibers of flax plant during a long processing. A bit rigid, light beige fabric is given. It is hard to iron, cleanable on high temperature and it is easy to color. It is frequently mixed with cotton for better handling.
Other plants give fibers for making strong fabrics also. For example: see grass (sisal), hemp, jute, coconut.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper fabrics.
Fringes, tassels…
Fringes, tassels, beads, ribbons – make our fabrics exciting
Household textiles
Proper storage of household textiles is very important
Spare fabrics
Some ideas for using spare fabrics
Cushion
It is easy to change or perk up the mood of a room with cushions
Carpet
Carpet has an important role in interior design. It gives warmth to the room, defines areas, can be a focal point and mutes sounds.
Wooden floor or a floor paved with showy stones are beautiful, however they are cold for the feet and it can be tiring standing or walking on them for a long time.
The main role of the carpet in a living room is defining the area. Furniture almost floats in the room if not connected to each other by something. When choosing a carpet, pay attention to the size. It is an elegant and classic solution if at least the front legs of the chairs, armchairs and sofas are on the carpet. When gathering for watching TV or around the fireplace, the carpet gives the frame for this. We can seat there comfortably even without slippers because of the warm and soft textile, or we can even sit on the floor.
Let’s choose a carpet in the dining room with a size that the legs of the chairs shouldn’t slip down even if the guest stands up and pushes it back.
Wall to wall carpet is quite good in a bedroom, however not everyone likes it. It can be a good solution if the carpet is placed only under the bed or at least smaller rugs on both sides of it, this way the feet don’t touch the cool floor when getting out of bed. This provides a more comfortable feeling and the day begins better.
It is worth to place a smaller rug on the kitchen stone floor where we walk or stand the most, for example at the front of the sink. It should be made of an easily cleanable material with looped and not cut threads, as far as possible.
In the hallway, through the corridors, we can guide our guests with the carpet.. Let’s put it inside from the entrance door to draw attention to the shoes should be taken off. Since these are the most frequently used areas of the house/flat, it is practical to buy one here which bears well the harder usage.
Don’t place rugs in bathroom and toilet. Let’s use here a so-called bathmat designed right for this purpose or lay down a towel.
Looking for a warm, welcoming and comfortable space? Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper carpet for your home.
Curtaining
Curtain is practically the clothes of the window. It can highlight or hide the forms the same way as our clothing. Beyond this, it has important role in shading and closing out the outside world. In case of bedrooms, alcoves or storing facilities, it can take over the role of the door also.
When designing curtains, not only the color and fabric should be carefully considered, but also the style of the room, the amount of incoming light and the size and shape of the window. By using a curtain, we can apply visual tricks by which the rate of the room and window can be improved. If the window is too narrow, a cornice overhanging both sides with a curtain hanging on it can result the feeling if the window behind the fabric would be much wider. If the window is located too low, the cornice has to be placed much higher and the wall should be hidden by a lambrequin, generating a feeling of a high window.
In case of special shaped windows (e.g.: semi-circular, diamond-shaped or round) the unusual form can be highlighted or hidden by the curtain. The fabric can follow the lines of the window frame and the curtain wings as they reach the floor near the window can show the beauty of the window itself. For this, more fabric is required, but in case of classic interiors this elements should be emphasized anyway.
Most important role of the curtain is to block sunlight. In case of a bedroom, black-out fabric is advised – which provides total elimination of light during sleeping even daylight. Transparent fabrics (e.g.: voile, organza or lace) can prevent people watching our life from out the street in daylight, but in the evening, when interior lights are turned on, they can easily look inside. These should be paired with non-transparent curtains, which provide a decorative living side view.
Cornice can be part of the view or can be hidden behind a decoration element or the drapery. The method of hanging the curtain itself can be also different: rings, hidden clamps, sewing, textile tabs, etc.
Curtains have to be organic part of the room in harmony with the style and mood. If there is a problem choosing the optimal solution or design, ask help from an interior designer.
Four poster bed
What can be more romantic than a four poster bed?
