Dallas Home N Garden Design

What can you do with Red Velvet Curtains?

The image of red velvet curtains might pop into your head whenever you think of old movie theaters or Broadway shows. They have long been since a staple in our minds of what elegance and style mean in those kinds of situations. When red velvet curtains are  combined with shades or custom blinds for black out purposes then you truly will have a theater room in your home that could compete with any big screen theater. Companies today are providing custom blinds that are specifically designed to coordinate with your homes decor and fit a rooms purpose.

More recently now that people are putting up their own theaters in their homes, whether they use a large TV, or a projector, the need to bring some of those aspects of the movie theater to your own private residence are becoming more popular.

By buying some nice red velvet curtains and hanging them up in your theater room you can bring that elegance right into your very own home.

These days it just makes sense to spend a little extra money to setup a nice home theater instead of paying $100 to bring your family to the movies.

With the rising prices of the tickets and paying an arm and a leg for the snacks and beverages you will be throwing your money away.

How to clean Velvet Curtains

It’s important to remember that velvet is not an actual fabric like cotton, or polyester, but is technically a weave. Because it’s a weave it can actually be made up from different fabrics, along with different amounts and percentages of those fibers.

It depends on the exact kind of velvet you are trying to clean, on the steps you will need to use to clean it the best, and safest way. Because velvet is somewhat delicate you would typically want to bring it to a professional dry cleaner as they have the proper equipment and expertise to clean them, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need to clean the velvet curtains yourself then there are ways to do it.

Because crushed velvet curtains are set originally with heat and water, if you use wet cleaning it might remove the crushed effect and appearance so be careful.

It’s usually better to use wet cleaning outside of that, or to use some wet and dry cleaning mixed together. Like I originally said, because velvet is not actually a fiber but is a weave, these stesp always vary accordingly.

Tufted velvet has latex on the back and if you dry cleaning or any home solvent cleaners it might ruin it.

The basic steps on cleaning your velvet curtains to use use a mixture of a small amount (around a 1/2 teasppon) of dishwasher detergent mixed with water. Mix it up very well and then only used the suds themselves to clean with. Do not pour the mixture directly on the velvet curtains. Use very small amounts and use discretion on where you apply it. Do not get the velvet curtains completely soaked as this might ruin them.

You should always clean the velvet curtains towards the flow of the nap. Do not brush against it as this may cause permenant damage.

After you have cleaned your velvet curtains to your liking you should let it sit at least 24-48 hours before you try to hang them back up, or put them back where they were originally being used.

The trick, as it is with many situations where you are cleaning a material that is difficult is to use common sense and not be impatient. It’s much better and easier to spend a little extra time preparing and cleaning correctly than it is to go out and buy new curtains.

When to use Crushed Velvet Curtains?

What makes crushed velvet curtains so popular? There are a few things that make it stand out from other types of velvet curtains. They are typically more light weight than standard velvet fabric but do not give off the impression that they are flimsy or cheaper in any way.

They are completely full of texture and are perfect for not looking dull, but instead reflecting lights and ’shining’ much more than a standard heavier synthetic type of velvet.

Crushed Velvet Reflects Light?

They are perfect for more regal type areas such as a ballet platform as opposed to a movie theatre. Ultimately they do look heavy but because they are actually light, they are perfect for drape or pipe panels or even for use at your home.

Because normal velvet will absorb light, they are frequently used in darker rooms like movie theaters or for black-out purposes. Crushed velvet is not recommended for that because of how it reflects lights and gives off a shining appeareance.

Some of the best places to purchase crushed velvet curtains & drapes is at SewWhatInc.com. They carry crushed velvet curtains in many colors such as Black, Red, Blue, Silver, Gold & Purple and come highly recommended.

Black-Out Velvet Curtains

The basic function of black-out curtains is to prevent any and all light from entering the room. They can also be reference by different names such as brightness diffuser, light screens and others.

Velvet black-out curtains are going to use an extra thick lining to add extra protection from light shining through. The thicker the lining and materail the darker your room will be.

Black-out curtains are used for different reasons such as people who have night jobs, need to sleep in without disruption, or watching movies or playing games.

The easiest way is typically to use curtains because they will usually be cheaper and more readily available than other types of black-out window treatments. The thicker the curtain material, the better effectiveness they will have.

That is what makes velvet curtains perfect for this because of the thick durable fabric that is used to create velvet. They also give a stylish feel and if you are using the curtains to black out the room for any sort of media purpose, such as movie watching, then the velvet curtains really fit the motif of a movie theater.

Black Out Velvet Curtains

Some people will combine multiple methods with the velvet curtains for blacking out their room. One reason it works well to combine different source is because althought black-out velvet curtains can do a great job, because of the nature of curtains they do not typically lie flat on the wall so normally there will be small openings through-out the blinds, but if you also combine it with shades or blinds for black out purposes then the thickness of the velvet will block out most of the light, where the blinds or shades will get the nooks and crannies that might have been missed by the velvet curtains.

One advantage to shades and blinds combined with curtains is that you can pull the curtains away when and if you do want light in the room on some occasions and then just flip the blinds or pull up the shades and the light will shine on in.

Velvet Curtain Sewing Tips

If you find yourself in need of sewing velvet curtains then you can follow these easy guide for a basic understanding. If you don’t have any experience with sewing already you should probably not try to complete these steps as they might be more for moderate to advanced skills. Here are some basic guidelines to follow when you start.

1. Because velvet is very hard to press, you should keep the design as basic as possible. One way of doing this is to lower the amount of seams in the curtains. The more advanced you are, and better pressing equipment you might have access to can change the range of seams you should attempt in your velvet curtains.

2. Following the direction of the nap is very crucial when dealing with velvet curtains. You should cut the velvet fabric into one layer because if you try multi-layered cuts it can slip out. If you do have a pattern that might be asking or even requiring multiple layers, simply cut the second layer into a backwards pattern and it will make it much easier to avoid any mistakes and/or slipping.

3. This next step can vary depending on the exact fiber you plan on creating the velvet curtains from but for a popular veltet fabric, polyser you would want to use a 70/10 needle. When putting on the backing of the velvet curtains you will most likely need a thinner needle, so remember that.

4. To prevent the material from crawling up while you sew it you should hand-baste the seams. Hand basting is simpler to remove than machine basting and it is much more easy to maintain control of an area of fabric when you hand-baste.

5. It should go without saying, but protecting your pile of velvet while you sew is absolutely crucial. If you apply too much pressure you can leave a lasting impression in the fabric so make sure it’s as light as pressure and you can possibly apply. It could be very frustrating to complete your curtains only to realize that you applied too much pressure and left impressions that take away from the beauty.

A History Of Velvet

Velvet has been around for a long time, and even today it is considered to be one of the most luxuriest fabrics you can own.

It’s look and feel are hard to match and that is why it has been so timeless throughout it’s history. It has been used through-out the middle ages by Kings and Knights, and today by the wealthiest and most elite of our culture.

It is not known for sure when the first record if Velvet was created or reported in history but most people agree that velvet weaving most likely started in the land Kashmir near the start of the 14th century.

Velvet is not a source of fabric but is actually the results of a type of woven fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed in a dense pile which gives it the velvet feel.

The actual fibers that can make up velvet range greatly from natural to synthetic fibers. The highest quality velvet will be from silk, but you can also use cotton, polyester, nylon and many others.

It is made from a special type of loom that will weave two seperate pieces of these fibers together.

Velvet is infamously tough to clean, but ever since the invention of dry-cleaning it isn’t as big of an undertaking as it once was.

A door can say a lot of things about the personality of a family. Before a guest enters your house, he or she can gauge your status, character and personal preferences based on the types of door she sees in your house. One way to add some spunk in any house is by adding exterior French doors. A house with an overlooking balcony or outside garden would look empty without an exterior French patio doors to add some sense of balance into it. Indeed, having French doors near the balcony can be very stimulating for couch potatoes as it provides a window into the outside world, inviting them outside for a bit of fresh air.

French doors are doors connected to the outside of the house. Those who live in large houses love putting several doors in a line so that it can function as a window and a door at the same time. Even if you don’t have a large house, the French doors still bring excitement into any house for its’ functionality and elegance. The only problem with French doors is that the glass used on it can be fragile and prone to breaking. If you live with a very rambunctious child, look for shatterproof glass so your investment wont be wasted.

The materials used for external French doors are usually, metal, wood, and vinyl. Depending on the type of home you have and the design that’s swimming in your head, these materials can be used separately or combined to produce a one of a kind door that’s sure to last. Families can opt to have there French doors customized or the budget minded can buy pre made doors to suit their needs. The house you live in will provide some insight on what type of door to buy. If your house is inspired by vintage style, wood doors with a varnished finish can blend with the surrounding antiquity. A fully modern house with all the technological quirks can look eclectic with a metal French door. A new material for French doors is fiberglass. Fiberglass does not peel or warp like wood doors, nor does it dent and rust like doors made of steel. Fiberglass can be made to look like wood and requires little maintenance to keep it looking like new.

There’s also the debate on what color to use on the door. Never opt for colors that clash with the surroundings. Most families opt to paint the doors white in order to remain safe, but it’s also good to experiment with the colors available. For a spark of creativity, the doors on the inside can be one shade, and the ones that face the outside can have another.

Fiber cement siding or Hardie plank siding in the United Kingdom and Australia is a building material that covers the outside of the building, both commercial and domestic applications. Cement is a composite textile formed through sand, cellulose fibers and cement. The visual aspect of siding fiber cement siding often consists of imbricated horizontal cement boards, clapboard, simulated shingles and copying wooden cladding.

Hardie plank siding is also fabricated in sheets and is only used in the coating, but also commonly used gutter or eave lining and surface of the tiles on the decks and toilets. It is not only used for exterior cladding but can also be used as a substitute for wood beams and panels with barge areas of high-fire. Fibre CSR Cement sheet cladding house can be found in Hardy’s Bay in Australia.

Sheet sizes vary slightly from manufacture to manufacture, but generally are between 2400 – 3000 mm long and 900 to 1200 mm wide. This reduces the size built the site and the losses of residential floor, wall and roof structures lay members of the structure 450 or 600 centers. Thick fiber cement varies between 4.5-18mm and varies the density – the lower density leads to fibrous rough edge and a higher density with a gentle cleanser to cutting edge.

Thermal resistance and transmission of sound varies considerably among asbestos cement products. Sheet of asbestos cement products low rate of heat resistance and sound transmission and insulation of the walls alone is highly recommended. In general, the thicker and denser than the product has the best heat resistance and sound transmission.

Fiber-cement pipes of clothing is a very heavy and it takes two people to be rough patches. Thin coating of cement is fragile before installation and must be handled with care since it is subject to chipping and fracture if misused. When the product is cut, it may again require two people to install – a piece of wood to keep flushing and other nail product in place. Cutting fiber cement cladding film usually requires a mechanical saw or shears metal.

Fibre-cement pipe casing can be painted before or after installation. When the product is out of the joints, they are usually covered with slats of wood and the whole wall is painted. Fiber cement pipe products appears to be a substitute for the massive, “asbestos cement” produced by James Hardie made until the late 1980s. Siding products require little maintenance once installed and painted. The thicker / over fiber cement products having excellent impact resistance but thinner than the less dense products must be protected against impact. Compared with wood siding, fiber cement is unlikely to termites or decay.

Fiber-cement siding is a combustible material which is widely used in areas prone to forest fires high over Australia. Pictured above is James Hardie fiber cement siding Linea weatherboard Scyon which was replaced by the impost of wooden boats and traditional materials. Competitors tables covered with fiber cement are imitation are PVC vinyl, wood and aluminum composite coating

Countertops usually refer to a horizontal working surface in the kitchen or for other food preparation areas, bathroom, lavatories, or workroom in general. It is frequently upon and supported by cabinets. Countertops can be either man-made or natural, each with particular attributes with respect to durability and functionality.

Natural countertops can be stones such as granites, limestone, marbles, and slate. Woods and bamboos can be used and falls under natural made countertops. There are also metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc. Manufactured or man-made countertops such as plastic laminate countertops are mostly made of wood rather than plastic. This product is often referred to as “Formica” which is basically the trade name. Once the countertop is manufactured, the countertops are cut and formed or fitted for assembly. A special tool for cutting the edges are commonly called “Cutting Station”, “Top Saw”, or “Miter Saw”. These are manufactured by few companies only.

Formica countertops – Formica countertops are usually referred to as any plastic laminate glued to a wooden substrate such as in the kitchen and bathroom. Since laminate is such a versatile product, Formica countertops comes in different variety of looks and design and can actually take on the appearance of other materials.
Formica countertops are the most widely used countertop material nowadays. These countertops are used to cover any cabinets, usually in the kitchen or bathroom. However, laminate sheets are great for covering work benches in businesses and home garages. Formica sheets are readily available in a wide variety of surface textures, also in color and patterns.
Installation can be done on your own but installation from a professional is highly recommended. It is quick, clean, and totally inexpensive. It does require special Formica tools, and some knowledge about installation. Typically, homeowners install a prefabricated countertop. Professional contractors are the ones who will install Formica sheets cut to size and ready countertop substrate.

Laminate sheets and Formica sheets are extremely durable and versatile making them unique from other materials alike. Formica sheets can conform to any shapes or sizes regardless their irregularity. There are three parts that make up the traditional countertop namely: countertop deck, back splash, and the countertop edge or the nose.
Formica is impact resistant and easy to maintain. After many years, Formica sheets can still look good if proper care and maintenance is done. It is a great choice for any home for it is cheap, long lasting and easy to install countertop.

Recently, there have been new innovations in Formica countertops. New laminates are now produced to look like natural stones such as granites, marbles, and other stone surfaces.

Are Formica countertops worth the price? – Formica countertops are durable and long lasting, well indeed it is worth the price. Countertops vary in prices depending on the edge style, backsplash, and installation cost. It is up to the individual to decide. The price for Formica countertops ranges from $7-$20 dollars per square foot depending on the design. If you have bigger budget, might as well install granite countertops.