The question that I am asked most often by clients is, "Will I get tired of the print, pattern or color?" The answer today is, be a chameleon. Create a style that can be changed quickly, or with the seasons.

How is this accomplished?

Let’s start with a taupe chenille sofa and club chairs, along with a subtle taupe stripe for the draperies on a wrought iron rod. Cotton sheer behind the drapes would also be great. If the floor were hardwood, a Turkish vegetable died area rug would look great. Throw pillows in the taupe stripe of the draperies or a tapestry pattern would look great.

Now lets change this for summer!

Change the cushions on the sofa and chairs to a brighter print or plaid that incorporates the taupe. Contrasting cushions are very popular. Now that it is summer the taupe draperies may be too dark. Take the sheers from around the back and drape them around the taupe draperies. This can be held in place for the summer by safety pins. This may sound odd, but with just the right amount of drape the sheer will cover much of the draperies and have a great look. Now lets change the darker Turkish area rug for a sisal, or Berber area rug with fringe. How about some oatmeal throw pillows with jumbo cotton cording.
There, now with these simple tricks the room is transformed.

White on white!

You can never go wrong with white or ivory furniture. With Guarding Seal Fabric Protector, which is guaranteed for life, there are no more worries with light furniture. Let’s also use white draperies, Silhouettes or wood blinds. In winter, a green and burgundy plaid would look great. This plaid can be a lambrequin above the draperies, and throw pillows with wonderful fringe. A tapestry to coordinate in throw pillows would also be great. A plaid table skirt and Oriental rug would also add.

Here comes summer again!

Now this is a no brainer. Change the throw pillows and lambrequins to a bright sunny floral. You know that floral that you were afraid of tiring of! It now becomes something to look forward to in brightening the room for summer. Change the area rug to an ivory heavy cable perhaps with boarders in the colors in the print. Let’s also change the table skirt to a contrasting stripe that blends with the pillows. Why not also add this stripe in more throw pillows.

Accessories!

Accessories make the room. Change silk floral arrangements to reflect the feel of the room. Put the summer blossoms away for the winter, and bring out the greenery, which could have burgundy flowers if desired. Artwork can also easily be changed. Why not, if we can get tired of a print, we can also get tired with framed art. Put art away for the season, and bring them out again in six months.

These ideas are relatively inexpensive to accomplish. What a fun difference these ideas will make. Try some ideas of your own.

FLASH NEWS!!

There is a new product that is like a Silhouette (Sheer fabric with an opaque baffle in between) that is lesser expensive and will also remain open while rolling up.

Grass shades are HOT. There are great new looks at reasonable prices.

New on the market are made to measure draperies in wonderful fibers such as linen, cotton and silk. These have many different pleating systems such as tab tops, tie tops, flat pleat, and, oh yes, French pleated. If draperies do not fit your situation, try roman shades in many styles with many fabrics to choose. The prices on the draperies and the roman shades are low as the workroom supplies the fabric. What an idea!