The appeal of Parisian decorating
Parisian-style decorating is all about exquisite detail, well-worn but gleaming antique furniture, yards of brocade or velvet draperies, gold and gilded accents on furniture and accessories. The French love to decorate their walls, so I would start there. Paneling and crown molding will elongate your room and make the ceiling feel higher. You can either install real panels and intricately carved moldings, or use paint to create the grace and glamour on the walls.
The base coat is mustard yellow. Two-foot and 3-foot panels were taped off; I used a hand-cut stencil for the top of the panels. Fill in the taped borders with white paint. Add a shadow line with brown paint and an artist’s brush down one side of the panel molding and along the bottom. Remove the tape and apply a thin coat of white glaze (1 part white latex paint, 1 part water-based glazing liquid, 3 parts water) over the entire wall, brushing in one direction up and down. Repeat the veiling technique, brushing on the glaze inside the panels to imitate the look of linen. To complete the French panels, you will need a decorative stencil and watercolor pencils. Color the image with gray for shadow, yellow for highlights and brown for the centers. The color does not have to be dark. Dip an artist’s brush into water and go over the colored-pencil area using long strokes. The water reacts with the watercolor pencil to give a watercolor appearance. Protect the watercolor stencil with spray acrylic varnish.
Build on this elegant theme with one or two crystal chandeliers, gold-plated sconces and black-framed scenes of Paris. Choose carved-wood furniture with rounded legs, and silk, velvet or brocade upholstery. Chairs should be comfy, just this side of shabby chic. Black is an important element; use it in wrought-iron fireplace accessories, frames or painted tables.
Nothing matches in this charming style. Pick pieces for their age and because you love them. This is a style that is created over time. Finish with a vase or bottle collection in brilliant jewel tones of ruby red, emerald green and royal sapphire blue to celebrate Parisians’ special version of joie de vivre.
Author: Debby Travis
Choosing the best sofa fabrics for home decoration
Choosing sofa fabrics for decorating your home may be really confusing. There is a great variety available on the market, these days. The price range is also different. You would be easily confused on the kind of fabrics you need to choose with such a wide variety of fabrics and prices.
However, with a little research and patience on your part, you can easily choose the best for your home decoration without having to spend a fortune.
Here are certain questions that you must ask yourself prior to actually purchasing certain stuff.
• Is the fabric apt for my lifestyle?
• What kind of wear would my upholstery get?
• Would I be using this stuff in the family room?
• Will this stuff be O.K. with the small children and pets at my home?
• Is this stuff suitable for the living room that I would use only occasionally?
• Where will I be placing the upholstery?
• Would the fabric color fade with the sunlight?
• Can the fabric resist soil, abrasion and soil?
• How would the color of the upholstery look like with my room’s lighting?
• What care should I give to the fabric?
There are two main things that you need to keep in mind when opting for a particular fabric for decorating your home.
• Fibre content
• Weave of the fabric
Remember that the method of finishing and coloring can affect the durability of the fabric. With a little knowledge about the fabric construction and fiber construction methods, you can easily make choice that would meet the specific requirements of your family.
The fibers can be classified into three major categories. Each fiber has distinct characteristics.
• Cellulosic Fibers
These are obtained from plants such as rayon, cotton and linen.
• Protein fibers
These are of animal origin and include wool and silk.
• Manmade polymers
These are obtained from petrochemicals such as polyester, nylon, and olefin.
Some of the fibers can be used alone or blended with two or more than two material that would be apt for your sofa.
Here is an information on different fabrics available for sofa decoration:
• Cotton
It is a natural fiber that can be dyed and printed well. This fiber can be used in different applications. It is very strong and durable.
• Linen
This is sunlight resistant.
• Rayon
It can be used in blends
• Wool
It is a durable fiber.
• Silk
It is strong and very durable.
• Nylon
It can resist to abrasion, stretching and wrinkling.
