Monthly Archives: October 2013

Decorate rooms for children

If you're in charge of thinking of decorating ideas for children's rooms, it's time to think outside the box. There's so much more to designing fun spaces for kids than simply using bright colours and cartoons.

If you're designing a new bedroom, think about a theme that you can weave throughout the room. Ask the child what their favourite character, sports team or music group is, and think about incorporating this into the overall theme of the room.

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Window treatment trends

There's now more you can do than ever to dress up a window, from curtains to blinds and everything in between.

Neutrals are still a hit

There are so many bright colours, patterns and textures to choose from in curtain fabrics these days. However, neutral curtains that let other furnishings speak for themselves are still a popular choice for many rooms.

Neutral shades are timeless, allowing you to play around with colour and patterns in other areas of the room. Even if you change your wall paint colour or the theme of a room several times in the same year, neutral curtains are likely to match any new theme you bring in.

Luxurious fabrics are in

Why not make your room feel a little lush by indulging in some quality curtains? Fabrics such as silk, organza, velvet and suede can drape beautifully and add a hint of glamour to a room, no matter how sparsely decorated it is otherwise.

Sheer fabrics are hot

Semi-transparent curtains are a great way to bring the outside indoors. You can use them on their own or layer them underneath heavier fabrics to create a two-curtain effect. In summer you can leave sheer curtains, such as the Resene Meander Voile, drawn with a window open to create beautiful shadows and effects with wind dancing underneath the light fabric.

Trims and embellishments

Update plain or patterned fabrics with extra embellishments such as beading, tassels and studs. In many cases you can apply these details yourself.

Beaded trim can be added to a wide range of curtain styles and designs. Whether your base material is plain and neutral or already bold and bright, a hint of sparkle or texture on your curtains can be a great way to update the whole appearance of your room.

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Match your curtains to your walls

If you're about to undergo home renovations you may have already figured out what colour combinations you want to use in your space.

One of the trickiest elements of decorating a room is making sure all the colours balance each other. The Resene Curtain Collection makes this easier with its  line of curtains designed to complement popular paint shades.

What's more, the fabrics can also be made into cushions to adorn your couches, bed and anywhere else you like. This allows you to carry specific colour and pattern themes throughout an entire room.

Choose from fashionable stripes through to neutral block colours and then let your curtain specialist do the rest. You can even add blockout backings to keep your home warm in winter and keep out sun in the hotter months

For neutral, earthy rooms, have a look at the Haven design. It's been created to reflect the styling of a Kiwi bach, and is available in three natural colours. Resene specialists can recommend the best shades of paint to go with them, or you can head online to view the range of complementary colours yourself.

For rooms where a more luxurious design is desired, try the Turntable curtain. It's finished in a striking silk effect with graphic cylindrical designs. You can choose between a chocolate and merlot colour scheme, both of which look great paired with dark, muddy shades of paint. This theme would be fantastic in lounges and studies that require a winter palette.

Lovers of bright colours may want to try the Abstraction curtain design. With its bold floating abstract shapes in punchy citrus and berry tones, it would look great paired with bright primary coloured paints.

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Creative uses for blackboard paint

Paint technology has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years. One of the most exciting developments has been the creation of blackboard paint (also known as chalkboard paint), which enables a surface to be transformed into a functional chalkboard.

Blackboards don't have to be restricted to classroom use only. There are many different ways you can incorporate chalkboards inside and outside of the home.

If you're artistically inclined, you could consider painting a blackboard feature wall. Equip the room with a set of coloured chalk and you can change your decor as often as you change your socks. You can draw your own decorations, artwork and even write lists straight onto the wall.

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The Sensitive Choice for asthma sufferers

If you've got a renovations project coming up, take a moment to consider whether people occupying the space may suffer from allergies. If so, there are ways you can help them out, and it may be as simple as selecting the right paint.

Many allergies are triggered by things such as dust mites, animal hair, mould and fungus. Asthma sufferers in particular can suffer from attacks if these are present in the home, so it's important to keep spaces as clean and dust-free as possible.

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Colours to inspire creativity

If you're in charge of renovating a space where creativity is encouraged – whether it's a school, art studio or home office – you may want to think about the best paint colours to use to stimulate the imagination.

Psychologists and researchers have long linked certain colours to different reactions within the human brain. A University of British Columbia study, released in 2009, found that the colour blue encourages people to think creatively.

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Don’t forget your ceiling!

It's often one of the most neglected parts of a room, but experts agree that the ceiling is effectively a fifth wall and should be treated as such.

If you're undergoing renovations in your house, make sure you take your ceiling's colour into consideration in order to make your home even more polished.

Before you begin it's essential that you have the right tools. You should have a paint roller with an extendable handle, as it's safer and easier than standing on a ladder to paint your ceiling.

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Revamp your home with vintage flair

Vintage styling has been popular in the fashion and interior decorating world for years now, and there seems to be no sign of it slowing down.

Old-school touches in the home can be a nostalgic way to pay tribute to styles from days gone by. A soft, weathered look can be more homely and appealing than sleek, sterile styling.

There are plenty of ways you can add a retro vibe to your home. Have a read of these decorating ideas for inspiration.

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Prepare your home for sale with a fresh coat of paint

If you're getting ready to put your property on the market, you might be thinking about undertaking some renovations to help get the sale.

Don't underestimate the power of paint – a fresh coat can make a world of difference in the real estate market.

If you're marketing your home towards professionals and families, you may want to keep interior walls neutral so that potential buyers can envision themselves "making it their own" upon purchase.

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Paint it black

Some interior decorators might describe it as the ultimate sin, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that this trend could make your home seem dark and gloomy. In reality, painting interior walls or doors black can be a chic and modern way to add an edge to your home.

If you're looking for new interior decorating ideas, adding a touch of black to your home could be just the update you're looking for. Black paint, wallpaper and accessories can all make a room seem sleeker and more elegant.

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