The contemporary kitchen has become a futuristic vision of space age technology, sleek design and shiny surfaces.  The only problem with these Mecca’s of  practicality, is that they lack warmth, character and charm. There clinical edge is leaving a taint on the family kitchen and this winter designers are showing that fashionable does not need to mean soulless!

Character, quirky detailing, natural materials and  vintage finishes are being added along side the sleek and contemporary to create contrast and interest. This will allow us to create kitchens with personality and  style, that reflect our individuality.

One of the best ways to add character to your kitchen is by breaking up your walls of identical units, by adding in a piece of feature furniture like a larder, dresser or cabinet. If you have a wooden kitchen you could even paint some your cabinets a different colour for example if you have a cream kitchen, you could have the island units painted in a duck egg blue or a modern aubergine for a new look.

Open shelving is another great way to add a twist to a kitchen. Having bespoke shelves added from ceiling to floor will give you loads of storage for displaying treasured items but you can also have it made to accommodate items like the coffee maker, toaster or microwave, freeing up counter space.

Wallpaper has been a huge trend over the last year and adding a feature paper to you kitchen can be a great way to add personality, colour and pattern to a bland kitchen. You could even wallpaper around the splash back area, under the cabinets and then have clear glass panelling fitted over it, for a truly unique detail.

Even kitchen chairs can add a little charm by upholstering chairs in different colours from each other or patterns for a dramatic impact. Adding a quirky Roman blind or made to measure curtains in a unusual pattern and colour is another great way to add character to a plain or dull kitchen.

Mix your materials and finishes for added interest. Put a sleek lacquered kitchen beside a distressed old farm house wooden table or a classic shaker style kitchen along with a futuristic chrome double fridge. This mix of the old and the new will add more character for a stylish look.

Be creative and throw out your rule book, to reinvent your kitchen this winter into the warm hub of the home rather than a left over from star trek. We at The Fabric centre love interiors and as always we bring to you the latest in style and design at outstanding value. With our curtains, blinds, upholstery and wallpaper. Our expert interior design staff are always available to offer you whatever advice and assistance you may need. (The Fabric centre, Port Road, Letterkenny, Tel074 9167858)

Tartan, a classic pattern with historical significance to Scotland and nothing to do with modern interiors you might think? Well think again, this traditional checked and lined pattern has been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance over the last few seasons and this winter when it comes to interior design tartan is hotter than an open fire on a cold night!!

There are few things that say rich, relaxed grandeur quite like tartan. It also has a cosiness factor that makes it ideal for this time of year. While Tartan may well be a more traditional pattern, there is little old or boring about the tartans of Autumn/winter 11/12. It has had stylish revamp in all the latest on trend colours including fuchsia pink, teal blue, Aubergine, green and grey. The paradox created when you set a tartan pattern juxtaposed with very contemporary furniture is wonderful and it gives a quirky twist to an otherwise boring room.

While modern Tartans are very popular there are still a big selection of more traditional styles which look great in classic spaces.

When using this gorgeous pattern remember one key piece in Tartan is all that you need to have a big impact. Mix the pattern with planes, damask and floral pattern to create interest and stop the pattern becoming over powering. Choose to inject your plaid in anyway from a new carpet, to a feature wallpaper or Made to measure curtains. A small item like new cushions in a tartan can be a great way of adding this pattern to a existing scheme without to much trouble or expense.

So go on get some cosy winter warmth with modern revamp of the traditional tartan.

The old adage goes that a ‘picture can tell a thousand words’, telling us that when we want to get our point across there is no better way than with a well selected picture. This winter our interiors are paying attention to this old wisdom and the most stylish interiors will be telling their story with pictorial prints!!!

From fabrics to wallpapers and plates to table cloths pictorial prints, depicting everything from city scapes to tea cups have become massive news in interiors. These quirky personality filled treasures are just the injection of fun and colour that our homes need to get us through the dark evenings.

Just pick your pattern to tell the story of your room for your Roman blinds and Made to measure curtains, like cup cakes and saucers for the kitchen or nautical themed boats for a bathroom, the choice is endless. There is even a great  range of new 1950’s inspired prints showing ladies with full skirts and tiny nipped in waists which would be ideal for a any retro fashionista’s bedroom or dressing room or even for a period 50’s property.

When using these pictorial prints be careful to use them sparingly as some of the busier prints can become over powering when over used. Keep wallpapers to one feature wall and leave the rest of the walls plain or use the print in the curtains or roman blinds and keep everything else neutral. Remember the story telling power of a picture is potent and a little will go a long way!

So get ready to tell your story and let your home express itself with the power of picture.

Fabric sofas

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Playing the blues

Modern, contemporary, moody and sophisticated, blue has been a very neglected colour in interior design over the last few years but this gorgeous hue is about to make a return from the big blue yonder as we all begin to play the blues again!!

From vibrant cobalt blues to sultry mid-night tones, this fabulous colour is beginning to appear everywhere in interior design. From furniture to walls this calming, soothing tone is not only an ideal colour for relaxing with in your home it is also ultra-stylish and mature.

Many consider blue to be cold or unwelcoming but this year’s trend for blue is anything but cold! It is vivid, bright, youthful and elegant. Refreshing blue shares are paired along with rich taupe, dove greys, warm browns and walnuts. Hints of other warm hues like yellow or pink are also added in small amounts to give warmth. Introducing silver or metallic accents is another essential part of the look, to give a sleek, contemporary feel.
To adopt this look for yourself you can use solid blocks of bright blues like cobalt blue against a neutral background to create a focal point.  A fabulous pair of made to measure curtains, a stylish roman blind or a quirky chair, would give an instant injection of this new style. Don’t be afraid to layer up different shades of blue in a space, this will only add to the interest and the dimensions of colour in the room.

Paint an accent wall or a whole room in a grey blue or slate blue tonne to create a moody back ground for your new soul space. The soft blue tonnes will add atmosphere and sophistication. Just add silver finishing touches like mirrors or candle holders for a hint of glamour.
So sing a little blues and embrace the sophistication and should of this moody hue.

Roman Blinds

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 Tangerine

With the sun scarcely making an appearance in the sky this Autumn, it is the world of interior design that is coming to the rescue once more, with the perfect home pick me up for all those suffering from a sun withdrawal. If the sun won’t shine then let your interiors shine instead with the hot new alternative to natural sun light … Tangerine!!!

Orange is the ultimate energy colour it is vibrant, up beat, warm and happy, the perfect antidote to grey cloud syndrome ( which 99.9% of UK adults suffer from, in my opinion). We have seen a lot of tangerine coming through on the catwalks for fashion this season and this love of the bright hue is spilling over into our homes as well.

Tangerine is no doubt a statement colour and may therefore put some nervous decorators off but when used correctly it can add that much need warmth and life to a dull space. Use orange as an accent colour and balance it with other neutral shades, like beige, cream or brown. Keep your use of orange to specific areas like a feature wallpaper,  a roman blind, a pair of made to measure curtains, bedding or a statement piece of furniture, then keep other large surface areas like walls or flooring softer in a creamy tonne. If bright orange is still to strong for you opt for tangerines slightly more understated sister coral, which has a softer pink tonne.

Don’t be afraid to mix tangerine with other hues for the ultimate interiors update like turquoise blue or fuchsia pink. These colours can add an extra element of fun and interest to a space. Just think of a beautiful bejewelled necklace or summer kaftans for your inspiration. The final look will be youthful, warm and exciting.

So look to the skies no longer for your dose of feel good sunshine, let your interiors be your sunny paradise all year round.

 Nautical New England

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Shabby Chic

When it comes to interior design perfection is a pursuit best left to show houses or  gloss magazines covers. Who can really live with perfection in their home or more to the point who can maintain it with pets, children, an active work and social life? If over polished just isn’t your thing then the latest in interior cool might just be for you, Shabby chic!! It is forgiving, easy to live with but also most importantly CHIC!!!!!!!!!!

For get styled to perfection with shiny spotless surfaces and lots of high maintenance chrome. Shabby chic is about timeless elegance, distressed woods and antique finishes. Think vintage inspired pieces of furniture mixed with soft fabrics and feminine touches.

The great thing about this style of decor is that wear and tear on flooring or furniture and leaving bits and piece out of place will only add to the authenticity of the look. Making it very easy to live with.

To create this look think antiques, vintage pieces, soft fabric upholstery and distressed floor boards covered with aged rugs. This style of décor gives you the opportunity to combine lots of different pieces of furniture and not be afraid of mix and matching different chairs around a dining table for example, the contrast will just add interest.

Colour wise choose pale pastels and bleached hues like soft duck egg blues, lilacs, pinks and sage greens. Faded or distressed fabrics that have an old vintage feel add to the shabby chic feel. The great think about this look is that any sun fading or wear on fabrics will only enhance the look giving this style longevity and making it easy to live with.

When it comes to fabrics for  made to measure curtains, linens and cottons have a lovely light casual feel that works well with this style of décor. Choose delicate floral, cool stripes, timeless French damasks or subtle ginghams. This style borrows heavily from French styling, so French patterns like toile de jouy will also work well with this look. To add extra hints of glamour to a formal dining room or sitting room, introduce velvet and chenille, which will give that extra dimension of texture.

Cream or white washed woods look particularly well with this style, especially if they are distressed or aged. A cream cabinets for instance would be the ideal choose for a shabby chic kitchen or cream wood bedroom furniture for a boudoir.

So go on get a bit shabby and shake off the confinement of the pre-occupation with perfection

Made to measure curtains » Read more…