Living Room Interior Design Styles – Rustic

The term rustic conjures up thoughts of cottages in remote valleys, log cabins, homes which are off the beaten track, roaring fires, hand-crafted furniture and soft furnishings. However, today it's an interior design styles which is becoming increasingly popular – maybe it's because of the trend to get back to our roots and respect the environment or maybe it's because it reminds us of a slower pace to life – whatever the reason you want to have this fabulous interior design style it's worth remembering that you don't have to go without any of today's comforts if you don't want to as they can be incorporated within the style with a little ingenuity.

Open shelves are always good for rustic living rooms, but stack them with books rather than DVDs or Play Station games. The open fire or log burner is a 'must have' if you're to get the style right. You should also think along the lines of hand-crafted soft furnishings whenever you can; so rather than using ready made curtains choose some curtain fabric and make your own. You can also make matching cushions and patchwork throws if you really want to take the style on-board 100%.

If you don't have the time or the skills you always have ready-made to fall back on, so all is not lost.

Make the living room stand-up to its mane – a room to be lived in which exudes a homey and welcoming ambience.

Image: ARNOLD Masonry and Concrete

Damask Soft Furnishing Fabric

Damask has been used for centuries for homes and clothing. It's made by weaving one warp yarn and one weft yarn which makes the pattern reversible. Today damask is made from natural materials such as line and silk along with man-made fibres such as rayon. Virtually any pattern can be made from this type of weaving, making it ideal for making curtains, drapes, Roman blinds, cushions and other home soft furnishings and light 

upholstery projects. It's a robust and durable fabric and is renowned for its longevity if cared for correctly.

Image: ButandCreate

What Gives Curtains their Fullness & Body?

There's a number of ways to answer this question. Firstly not skimping on the amount of curtain fabric you need will give curtains their fullness. Choosing the correct weight of fabric is also a key factor in your end results.

Fabric which is too flimsy may not hang as neatly as you wish, it's also difficult to get lightweight fabrics to hang with crisp, uniform pleats. However, if you want a soft dreamy look and curtains which seductively puddle onto the floor lightweight fabrics are the perfect choice.

A curtains body is provided by way of a lining. Bump is the term used for the thick insulating material, while interlining is the term given for the material which is used as a buffer between the bump and the fabric itself.

Do you really need to line curtains? If you want them to look professional and have more longevity then the answer is a definite 'yes'. For example, if you don't provide a lining for silk the fabric will simply rot.

A thick bump lining is ideal for blocking out light and providing an insulating barrier preventing hot air escaping via the windows and it will also help keep unwanted heat out, giving you a window dressing which is more than just visually pleasing.


Image: PoshSurfside.com

How to Measure-up for Curtain Fabric

Although window dressing trends are constantly altering the principles of making them work properly remain unchanged, and if you're going to make your own curtains you'll have to measure accurately to ensure that you buy the right amount and type of fabric.

 

• Always use a metal tape measure. Fabric tape measures may stretch over time, metal ones will provide the most accurate readings.

• Don't be tempted to skimp on the amount of material especially if you're using sensual fabrics such as silk, lightweight voiles as they require more volume if they're going to look their best.

• Choose how long you want your curtains, do you want them floor length or to sit just below your window sill? Add an extra 10cm for the top seam and an extra 20cm for the hem. If you're using tracks measure from the top of the track, if you're using curtain poles measure from the bottom, where the rings will be.

• If you want a curtain heading which has multiple pleats, such as a pencil pleat heading, measure your curtain pole or track and multiply by two and a half.

• For tie or tab tops multiply the width of the pole by one and a half or two depending on how much fullness you want.

• Eyelet curtains should be one and a half or two times the width of your curtain pole.

• You should also add an extra inch to the width measurements so that the curtains overlap when closed.

• For tie or tab tops measure your curtain poles and add an extra 5cm each end for seam allowance.

• It's wise to have a little more fabric than your actual measurements to allow for shrinkage.

Be wary that floor levels and window sills aren't always straight, this is especially true if you live in an older house – but don't be fooled into thinking new houses will have a level floor or window sill because they don't always so it's worth checking. Take measurements from each side and the middle to be on the safe side.

Image: via Flickr