A FREE bi-monthly home decorating ezine!
published by KatieDid Design
July 2003, I
brought to you by KatieDid Design
http://www.katiediddesign.com
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July 11th, 2003 ------ July Issue, I -----
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Editorial
1. TIPS & TRICKS
- How to Hang Scarves Like a Pro
2. FEATURE ARTICLE
- Summer Decorating
3. BOOK OF THE MONTH
- Decorative Paint and Faux Finishes
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Hello Readers!
How is your summer going? Well, I hope. :-)
I know many of you are enjoying the new site, based on the traffic it's already
generating. Thank you for your referrals, too! Google has already
found it, which is good, too.
I've finally written and posted an article explaining
how to hang scarf treatments. I often get requests for one, so here
it is. I'm also putting it on the web site."
So enjoy the issue, and check out the advertisers! They keep this ezine free! (*smile*)
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1. Tips & Tricks
- How to Hang Scarves Like a Pro
There are many different window treatment effects
that can be achieved with scarves. They look so simple and elegant...
but it's not always easy to get that "simple" look! Do you want to
know how to get that designer look with your scarves? Here are step-by-step
instructions.
1. Look through catalogs and magazines to decide which look you want to use
to treat your window. Keep in mind that different types of fabrics
are better for different looks. Heavier fabrics look better pleated,
and lighter fabrics look better gathered... especially sheers. You
can drape them over rods, through sconces, or with just about anything
else you can dream up, including towel rings and tree branches!
2. Make sure you get the right length. To figure this out, take a flexible
tape measure, and drape it like you'll want to drape the scarf. Hold
or tape the end of the tape measure at one sconce (or the end of the rod,
if that's what you're using), and let it hang in an upside-down arch like
you'll be hanging the scarf, and up again to the other sconce or rod end.
Then measure down each side as far as you want the tails to hang. Add
these measurements together to get your desired scarf length.
3. Clean your floors well... yes, this really is the next step! Read the next and you'll know why.
4. Lay out your scarf on the floor. (See why the floors have to be clean?)
5. Pleat or gather it along the longest measurement. If you're gathering,
then start in the middle and try to gather evenly with your hands.
If you're pleating, then fan-fold the pleats starting at one end. Each
pleat should usually be about 4-6" wide.
6. Clip or pin the pleats or gathers in place with binder clips, safety pins,
or large straight pins. Binder clips from an office supply place really
work the best. Place one at each end, another wherever you think the
scarf will drape over or through your rod (or whatever you're using).
7. Lift it up onto your rod, or run it through your sconces with the clips
or pins still attached. Let it drape as far down as you want.... it
is easier to "pull" the top edge of the scarf up, then it is to let the bottom
out longer.
8. Now take out the clips or pins one-by-one, adjusting the pleats or gathers
as you go: Take one clip/pin out, take hold of the TOP 80% of
the fabric pleats or gathers, and pull them away from the center of the scarf
to "pull up" the fabric a little. Do the same with the top 60%, and
continue, bit-by-bit, adjusting the "fullness" of the scarf. If your
scarf has two "swags" across the top of the rod, then do this until you achieve
the look you want. If your scarf has only one "swag", then do it only
until it is HALF as full/high as you want it to go. Re-anchor the pleats
or gathers with the clips or pins again.
9. Do the same thing on the other end of the scarf. If you have only
one "swag" and followed the instructions in the last step, then you will
be pulling out/up the fabric the rest of the way, so that each side has been
adjusted equally. If you have two "swags" then both should now match.
Re-anchor the pleats or gathers with the clips or pins again.
10. Now step back and make sure that the fullness of the scarf along the
top is achieving the look you want. If so, then take out ONLY the clips/pins
that are attached to the "tail" ends of the scarf. Do this carefully,
especially if your scarf is pleated. You'll have to adjust them to
make them hang right.
11. Step back again and check to make sure things are still hanging as you want them to.
12. NOW you can try taking the rest of the clips and pins out. Be careful
as you take them out to make sure that gravity keeps the fabric as you arranged
it. If it will not stay, then you'll have to keep some of those clips
and pins in, or staple the fabric to the sconce. Don't worry if this
is the case... designers do it all the time. How else do you think
they achieve some of those impossible-looking designs? Just place them
strategically, to hold the fabric as well as possible without being visible
from the ground.
13. Finally, if the pleats in your scarf's "tails" don't want to hang neatly,
you might have to "train" them. Manually re-fold them, and clip, tie,
or pin in place. Let them hang like that for a few days, and by then
they should have made up their minds to be orderly!
Have fun!
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This article Copyright 1999-2003 - Kathleen Peters, KatieDid Design. Reproduced with permission.
Kathleen Peters - 'Katie' - is a custom window treatment and bedding designer,
and owner of KatieDid Design, her online shop. She is also the editor-in-chief
of Decor, Decorating, and Design, a free bi-monthly ezine filled with articles,
tips, and guidelines to help with your home decorating.
http://www.katiediddesign.com
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Advertising Sale!
Fabulous rates in this highly-targeted home decorating ezine!
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2. FEATURE ARTICLE
- Summer Decorating
by Kathleen Peters, www.katiediddesign.com
Summer is the time for inviting the outdoors
in, and bringing the indoors out. That's the focus to summer decorating -
everything comes down to that!
Indoor summer decorating is based on light
colors, light styles, and light fabrics. Furniture is light and cool, curtains
are light and breezy, and everything is arranged with breeze and sunshine
in mind. So how can you actually do this in your home? Here are some tips
and ideas to get you started.
First take a look at your colors... if you've
chosen light colors for your year-round look in your home, then you won't
have much changing to do. But if you've chosen dark colors, then giving your
home decorating a summer touch will be a little more challenging. I suggest
taking a look at your colors to see what lighter variations of your color
scheme you can create for the summer. Do you usually use a lighter color
for an accent color? Maybe you can use that color more prominently. Do you
usually use a dark blue? Maybe there is a shade of lighter blue that will
look wonderful. Or maybe you can just use more white and ivory and turn your
darker colors into accents! Whatever you decide, keep this new color scheme
variation in mind as you work more specifically on your summer decorating.
Slipcovers are great for their practicality,
as well as for their look. When you and/or children are running in and out
all summer, the furniture will get soiled faster, so it's wonderful to be
able to slip the covers off and throw them in the wash! But they're great
for adding a summer touch, too. What better way to lighten up your comfortable
warm winter sofa, then to cover it with a creamy yellow chintz slipcover
for summer? There are many slipcovers that take only basic sewing skills;
and many places now offer one-size-fits-most slipcovers. Or you can go for
the formal look and have custom-fitted slipcovers made... you should be able
to find someone in your area to come and create a unique pattern for each
piece, directly from your furniture. And if none of these are within your
budget or capabilities, then try draping a white or ivory throw over the
back or your darker furniture, and putting light-colored covers on the sofa
pillows to lighten it up and create a new summer look.
You can also do quite a bit by just changing
or adding tablecloths or runners on your dining table, bedside tables, decorator
tables, and coffee tables. Even just a little bit of white lace on a dark
wood sofa table can really add a lighter, summer touch.
What can you do with your heavy winter draperies?
You don't have to take them down to lighten the look... consider changing
just the valance and tieback to a lighter color. Or maybe you can hang them
in a different way. Look through catalogs and magazines for unique ways to
hang draperies.
Bring the outdoors in! Add fresh flowers or
grasses in vases or baskets to tabletops, counter tops, and shelves. Explore
the possibilities... you don't have to buy roses or carnations. Azaleas,
forsythias, lilies, and many other common yard shrubs and flowers can make
beautiful casual arrangements. Even twigs and branches can be quite decorative
if you use your imagination. You can change your scarf valance's scroll brackets
with small grapevine wreaths for a rustic summer touch. And use silk florals
to add a touch of the outdoors to windows and walls. Browse my Florals department
for ideas or to order something!
And bring the indoors out! Extend your living
areas to a porch, lanai, patio, or yard. Create an outdoor room with seating,
tables, accessories, and lighting. For seating, bring out some of your indoor
furniture, especially simple, light chairs and tables. If you already have
outdoor furniture, brighten them up with colorful cushions or slipcovers.
Drape a light table cloth over your patio table and bring out a decorator
table or two with bright table skirt. Bring out a few accessories to make
the space more inviting. Vases, baskets and candles make nice outdoor accessories.
Include your hanging and potted plants as accessories in your room. And choose
some lighting for cooler evening hours. Candles and lanterns are nice choices,
and many can be purchased that double as bug repellent. Bring them all together
to form a comfortable outdoor room that will beckon you and your visitors
to enjoy summer's relaxing pleasures.
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This article Copyright 1999-2003 - Kathleen Peters, KatieDid Design. Reproduced with permission.
Kathleen Peters - 'Katie' - is a custom window treatment and bedding designer,
and owner of KatieDid Design, her online shop. She is also the editor-in-chief
of Decor, Decorating, and Design, a free bi-monthly ezine filled with articles,
tips, and guidelines to help with your home decorating.
http://www.katiediddesign.com
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3. BOOK OF THE MONTH
- Decorative Paint and Faux Finishes
This is a great book covering tons of Faux Paint
Finishing techniques. It's got plenty of thorough instructions, and
even tells you which effects are more difficult than others!
A reader submitted this review to Amazon'.com, and
I think it says it all: "This book is a pleasure to behold, with its gorgeous
photos and vibrant colors. It covers the gamut of paint finishes, from colorwashing,
stippling, rag rolling, and sponging, to wood graining and marbling. There
is an informative section on tools you will use, as well as information on
the kinds of paints and glazes that are important in this process. If you
have ever wondered if you make your walls look rich with color, here is the
book for you! It even has a color wheel, to explain what goes with what.
I liked this book - you will too. "
Take a look!
Get it through Books-a-Million:
<http://www.qksrv.net/click-510419-42121?isbn=0376013885>
Get it through Amazon.com:
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0376013885/katiediddesign>
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Pleasant Surroundings - Silk Flower Arrangements and Plants
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That's it! Remember, if your decorating isn't fun,
it isn't worth it. So enjoy it!
--- Katie <><
KatieDid Design
- Custom Window Treatments & Bedding
http://www.katiediddesign.com
PO Box 381235
Murdock, FL 33938-1235
1-877-KATIEDID
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Don't hesitate to forward this publication to family and
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