Making Your Surroundings Exclusively Beautiful

Today’s fashion demands Simplicity

Apr 14th, 2010 by Valerie De Moore

Today’s trend in lifestyle is to simplify and the same is true for window fashions. Simpler window treatments compliment today’s lifestyles. Simple, gorgeous drapes and blinds are in demand replacing the swags and jabots and other heavier window treatments. Keeping the window treatments simple is the best way to create a large impact without it being the main focal point. Allow drapery and blinds to compliment everything else you have going on in the room.

Window Treatments - draperies New fabrics are being introduced in the marketplace. Organic cottons, oven-weaves, and raw linens are currently all the rage. These fabrics offer both unique textures and environmental sustainability – qualities that customers and designers alike are requesting. Many of these new fabrics however, are translucent and do not offer sufficient privacy alone. To help address this problem and darken spaces, Roman shades or blinds made from bamboo, woven blinds, and simple white crepe blind options are being installed.

The hardware used to hang drapery is almost as important as the panels themselves. A simple rod of 1.5”-2” or more is the most common pick. The material of which it is made should either be wood or the most prevalent metal featured in the room. In lieu of fancy, curving finials, simple balls or plain end caps provide the most modern look.

There are many trends in the world of window treatments. While ornate and fussy styles used to be in demand, people are now choosing to simplify but that doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice quality for fashion.

Modern designs feature clean lines, natural materials, and straightforward applications. Keep it simple and it will be in style.

We look forward to your comments both on our blog as on our Facebook Fan Page

Tags: Blinds, Curtains and blinds, drapery, drapes, window fashions, Window Treatments

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The 2010 Paralympics – Well done Canadian Olympians!

Mar 22nd, 2010 by Valerie De Moore

The 2010 Paralympics have brought world attention to the athleticism and abilities of physically challenged athletes from around the world. These Olympians have trained for years to reach a level of proficiency in their respective sport unattainable by most able-bodied athletes. Many of the mainstream media outlets however, as well as some social media channels, have dramatically reduced their coverage of the Paralympics. That said, even as media and social media numbers drop for the Paralympics, compared to last month’s Olympics, the optimist will see the increase in coverage from past Paralympics.

One of Canada’s physically challenged athletes recently competed in a wheelchair that was covered with a custom slipcover made in the pattern of a Maple Leaf. In fact, many of the curlers have added personal statements of design and color in the form of custom slipcovers to their wheelchair to “beautify” its look.

Chantal Petitclerc. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadkian Press)

Slipcovers solve some of the basic challenges for those confined to a wheelchair. The stretch fabric makes it a breeze to change the slipcover in order to customize the chair based on holidays, outfits, personalities or events; slipcovers can easily be removed in order to be cleaned or repaired; slipcovers are both waterproof and bacteriostatic and, slipcovers can be “padded” to enhance comfort and reduce pressure sores.

We extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to our Canadian Paralympic athletes for representing Canada on the world stage…you have done us proud!

Tags: custom slipcover, custom slipcovers, Slipcover, Slipcovers, Toronto Slipcovers

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Decorate with pillows…it’s dramatic, effective and affordable!

Feb 19th, 2010 by Valerie De Moore

For centuries, pillows have been used for decoration. The Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were experts in the upholstery for sofa art of decorating their houses with throw pillows as they add joy and warmth to people’s lives by adding flair to their homes. Decorative accent pillows will brighten a drab room, define its mood or just help you and your friends get more comfortable on your sofa – without breaking the budget.

Throw pillows can remake the image of every room in your home. Pillows are individual statements of art that co-ordinate all aspects of the room. They can be made in an unlimited range of colours, textures and fabric which can be easily coordinated with different solids, stripes and plaids. So when it comes time for a makeover, there is no limit as to what can be achieved with accent pillows – so let your imagination go.

As a rule of thumb, never decorate a room without setting aside a portion of your overall budget for throw pillows. You would be surprised at how dramatically your sofa will be accented and transformed from dull and dated to modern and eclectic with the right toss cushions.

Throw pillows which add fun, function and style to any design, can be used to decorate your favourite chairs depending on their size. Small size pillows are used for decorating smaller chairs while larger chairs require larger pillows.

So maybe all your room needs is a new atmosphere that can be created with a few decorative pillows and a little TLC.

Tags: DeMoores, fabric, home decor, sofa, Upholstery

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Decorating tips for the average Jane

Jan 29th, 2010 by Valerie De Moore

Simple, affordable redecorating considers these three main elements: colour, texture and furniture.
Changing the colors is the simplest and most impactful way to change the ambiance of your home. Consider painting one wall a bright colour, such as apricot or lime green. This can warm up a room without being overpowering, and it looks modern and creative.

Color change however, is not the only way to liven up the atmosphere in your home. If you just can’t bring yourself to break out the paintbrushes, don’t worry there are other things you can do:

Pillows for home decor

• Pillows–The easiest and most affordable way to add a shock of color to a room. Pillows for the sofa, easy chair, or the floor, can all brighten up a room and create a particular feeling. For example, red is exciting, enlivening, and passionate, whilst blue is calming and soothing, as well as grounding.

• Furniture–Don’t fear choosing bright furniture. One great, attention-grabbing piece in a room can make all the difference, even if the walls are white. To create a centerpiece, consider an orange sofa, complemented with bright pink and purple pillows.

• Slipcovers–If a bright piece of furniture is too scary or drastic, or out of the picture due to budget limitations, consider slipcovers. DeMoores is a great place to start looking. They stock fabric in many colors, patterns, and textures ideal for slipcovers for sofas, wing chairs, and even folding or dining chairs to help homeowners create a personalized look. Slipcovers are washable and easy to change with the seasons.

Slipcovers

• Prints and Patterns–Do not be afraid to mix plaid prints with florals for a traditional, comfortable look that is still fresh today.

Redecorating can be easy, and even fun, with a few well-thought-out ideas. And in this day of hustle and bustle, relaxing is a necessity. For everyone needs a refuge at the end of the day, a place to relax and dream. A place to just be themselves!

Oh and one last thing, don’t forget to join our Facebook Fan Page.

Tags: DeMoores, Slipcovers, Slipcovers sofa, Sofa Slipcovers, Toronto Slip covers, Upholstery, Upholstery fabric

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Waste not, want not!

Jan 15th, 2010 by Valerie De Moore

Window Treatments

Whether you are making repairs to existing items or creating a unique piece from several different types of material, repurposing fabric is as old as time itself. Using old garments, textile remnants or existing curtains and blinds as the base for a new creation is a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to recycle fabric into something that is expressly personal.

Small pieces of fabric can be used as patches, appliqué or accessories such as corsages or buttons. Larger pieces like draperies offer sufficient material for a complete outfit, a purse, some throw pillows, tote bags, and so much more!

Some ideas for repurposing fabric:
• Silk kimonos and saris can be used as placemats or to recover old throw pillows.
• Update a lampshade by recovering it with fabric. Note: use a lower watt light bulb to avoid potentially overheating or discolouring the fabric.
• Using a Sari to create a gorgeous, one of a kind Roman blind.

We love the opportunity to give fabric a second chance. I feel that we are not only saving our clients’ money as well as the environment but we welcome the challenge to create something uniquely personal from “discarded” materials.

Here are two projects that we recently had the joy of working on:

Custom made Roman Blinds with repurposed fabric

• We recycled window blinds that we made for a client over five years ago from her old home and repurposed it into a new, larger blind for her new home. The new blinds also match the bedding that we made for her five years ago.

Custom made basinet covering

• A grandmother recently commissioned us to repurpose her wedding dress into a bassinet for her first grandchild. The grandmother and daughter were thrilled with the end product…no report back as yet from the granddaughter!

What material is lying around your house that you would love to repurpose? Please let us know about your repurposing projects.

Oh, and one last thing, if you have not already, be sure to join our Facebook Fan page

Tags: curtain, Curtains and blinds, draperies, drapery, drapes, fabric, roman blinds, Window Coverings

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Dear Valerie

Dec 14th, 2009 by Valerie De Moore

Dear Valerie,

Attached are the photos of the shears you made for our new Villa. Unfortunately, they just don’t fully reflect the quality of your work.

Thanks again for your incredible workmanship – the curtains add so much warmth and beauty to our winter haven. We will send additional close-up pictures of the inverted pleats when we are there in January.

Cheers,

Linda
December 2009
Drapery Styles
Granada Villa
Linda came to us looking for window treatments that would complete the look of her newly constructed villa in Grenada. As her balcony offers a stunning view of the ocean, Linda wanted a look that would compliment Mother Nature’s beauty. You may not own a luxury home in the West Indies, but doesn’t your cottage or your winter home in Florida deserve a designer look?

Here are 4 inexpensive ways to accentuate the natural beauty of your home-away-from-home:

Lighting: By changing some light fixtures in the common rooms, you can alter the ambiance and create an end of day sanctuary.

Reupholstering: When you just can’t find that perfect piece of new furniture don’t be discouraged, it may be right under your nose. Have you considered reupholstering? With today’s extensive selection of colors, fabrics and textures you can create a masterpiece without spending a fortune.

Rearrange the furniture: Rearranging the placement of furniture in a room will not only give it a new look and vibe, but can also de-clutter and maximize the space.

Window Treatments: Blinds, drapes, and shades can be combined to help you infuse every room with personality and charm. Today’s experts offer ideas that are both practical and stylish that allow your window treatments to enhance your furniture and home décor.

So even if your seasonal residence doesn’t overlook an ocean, it can be transformed with a few innovative ideas that highlight the personality of the home and your family.

Tags: Blinds, Furniture reupholstery Toronto, Slipcovers, Window Treatments

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Has your home earned its Gold Star?

Nov 30th, 2009 by Valerie De Moore

Energy efficient choices in our homes are becoming more and more important as utility costs continue to increase. We check our appliances, our computers and even our light bulbs for energy efficiency to ensure that not only do we protect our environment, but we also save money. So why then, don’t we check the energy efficiency of our window coverings?

Blinds and drapes work together to maintain warmth in your home when it’s cold and will reduce heat penetration in the warmer months, thus lowering utility bills. The effective use of window treatments will also reduce the harmful effects of UV rays that can so easily destroy your expensive interior decor (drapery, furniture and flooring).

Blinds and Drapes

Curtains and blinds are available in a variety of luxurious fabrics, styles and textures. This allows you the freedom to add your personal touch while increasing the energy efficiency of your home. The energy efficiency of your window treatments will not only look good, but will afford a significant return on your investment

Curtains and blinds

Curtains and blinds are an effective way to reduce your energy bills, create a more pleasant living environment and add a new look to your home which you will enjoy for years to come. Best of all, you will have earned an energy star of your own.

Tags: Blinds, Blinds and drapes, Curtains and blinds, Energy Efficiency, Window Coverings, Window Treatments

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Slipcover Solutions – Functional and Attractive!

Nov 16th, 2009 by Valerie De Moore

You have already determined that you need slipcovers, but what if you cannot find one to fit? When you own a piece of furniture that is not a standard size, the arms are too big or the cushions are not a conventional shape, you will become frustrated very quickly with the selection available in the market. When store bought slipcovers just don’t work, it’s time to investigate custom made slipcovers.

Now before you say, “I’ll just alter the store bought ones and make them fit”, trust me it’s not that simple! I’ve been told of customers adding extra foam to the piece of furniture or tucking and cutting the store-bought covers just to make them fit. Unfortunately this is not a solution to the problem as it will just add to your frustration and disappointment. Don’t compromise if the slipcovers don’t fit properly as your couch will look dishevelled and rumpled.

L-shaped Sectional Sofa

Whether you have an L-shaped sectional or a Queen Anne Style sofa (both of which standard furniture slipcovers do not fit), we can make custom slip covers just for you! The slipcovers are manufactured with high quality fabrics which are both durable and elegant and will give your furniture a new a unique personality.

How about your sofa-bed? When it’s time to turn off the lights and call it a day, the last thing you want to do is fight with your sofa slipcovers. That’s why we manufacture them in such a way that it’s an absolute breeze to remove the slipcovers and transform your sofa into that handy extra bed.

Custom slipcovers are not only functional but also afford you an opportunity to match or contrast the colours and textures of your existing home décor.

Once you explore the advantages of custom made slipcovers, you will quickly realize that you don’t need to compromise when it comes to decorating that unique piece of furniture.

L-Shaped Sectional before:

L-Shaped Sectional Sofa Slipcovers after:

Tags: custom slipcovers, Furniture slipcovers, slip covers, Slipcovers, Slipcovers sofa, Sofa Slipcovers

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The Three R’s of Reupholstering

Oct 23rd, 2009 by Valerie De Moore

There’s no doubt about it…it’s environmentally friendly to reupholster! The three R’s of recycling fit so well with upholstery, we just had to write about it.

Reuse.

Don’t throw out the old chair or sofa just because it’s looking tattered and a little worse for wear. If the piece of furniture has a solid frame, reuse it. Your upholsterer can meticulously rebuild your couch, while you determine a new style and design for the piece. Modify the arms of chairs by making them squarer, rounder, higher or wider – your choices are endless.

Remove the old stuffing, replace the springs and choose from a wide variety of modern or traditional quality fabrics – the sky is the limit. You also have the opportunity to co-ordinate your choice of fabric to match your window treatments, the room’s décor and your personal style.

Reduce.

To acquire a new piece of furniture of the same quality as the family heirloom will cost much more than reupholstering. The cost of upholstery is approximately one half the cost of a similar quality piece.

Reupholstering will reduce the discomfort of that worn piece of furniture by adding padding in such a way as to help improve comfort.

Recycle.

Give your furniture a new lease on life. You took time to find it so don’t discard it just because the spring is popping out of the seat, recycle it. Rather than spend hours in the mall hunting for a new piece, the obvious choice is to reupholster! Restoring the well worn, lumpy cushioned, chair to its original splendour will save not only money but the time it will take to find an appropriate replacement.

So, is reupholstering helping in some small way to save the planet…there’s no doubt about it.

Tags: drapery, Furniture reupholstery, Furniture reupholstery Toronto, Reupholster furniture, Reupholstery, Upholstery

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Slipcovers on the Catwalk?

Oct 13th, 2009 by Valerie De Moore

The ‘glitterati’ goes quiet in anticipation…they have heard that the next designer is recognized as a trailblazing entrepreneur who has gone where no designer has gone before! The beat thumps into a catchy rhythm. The star of this year’s fashion week enters the runway and is ….. slipcovers!

Our dress changes with the seasons; we adapt colour, style and texture as fall or spring roll in; we put up fall wreaths or adapt our gardens with spring bulbs, but that beige couch has been the same since the day we brought it home. It may look frumpy and you are wondering how you can give it some panache, but the budget is tight. However, there is a solution!

Slipcovers are cost effective and can change the look of your furniture instantly. Just like clothing, slipcovers can be made to fit every shape and size and are tailor made to fit furniture perfectly. Your eyes will be drawn naturally to the sleek lines and well finished trims.

Your furniture does not have to be old and worn out to effectively use slipcovers. With the variety of colours, textures and fabrics, slipcovers have become more that just a way to protect your sofa – they have become a fashion statement. The Calvin Klein of couches!

Like all designer items, custom made slipcovers may cost more than store bought covers. However you will find that these covers are preset sizes and made to accommodate standard furniture. Why put your couch through the grueling “fitting room” experience trying to find the right fit, when you can have them measured and obtain the perfect fit by making use of professional pinning and sewing?

As you adapt your wardrobe for fall, consider slipcovers as a fashion statement change the décor of your home.

Tags: Canada Slip covers, Canada Slipcovers, Slipcovers, Sofa Slipcovers, Toronto Slip covers

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