DRESS TO IMPRESS

A window is very often the major focal point within a room, therefore its dressing requires careful attention and thought.

Windows should enhance the character of your room.

Each window should be treated both individually and as a group within a room.
Where to start : -

• Do you require privacy?
• Do you need lots of light?
• Do you want to get the most from a beautiful view, or disguise an ugly one?
• What is the function of the room?
• Do you want trimmings?

You can change the atmosphere of a room just by varying the fabric or style of curtain. You can go from classic to modern and the room is transformed.

I could probably write a book entirely about curtains and fabrics, and many people have. But I believe one of the main considerations, whether the fabric is an expensive silk or simple cotton,is always ensure they are beautifully handmade.

Design Tip : Need privacy, overlooked by neighbours? Hate those old net curtains? Then why not have a roman blind made in a voile, there are so many beautiful inexpensive voiles to choose from, from plain to embroidered, from white to all the colours of the rainbow.

Bank Holiday Looming - Hooray

It will be great for today to finish and the Bank Holiday to start - I intend to put my feet up and relax with a glass or two of wine.

This week has been hectic

Monday - confirm paint colours for 5-bedroom house, host a networking meeting for The Womens Networking Company - 19 attendees - great meeting, then off to attend daughters swimming gala - she came first in her race - brilliant. Home - cook tea, and then off to confirm design for a guest bedroom, order carpet, fabric and paint.
Tuesday - had a meeting with a lady to discuss kitchen blinds and curtains, which led to discussion on whether daughter would be able to pull them down or not! Next a lady who wanted new seating for her conservatory - got attacked by her dog - but survived to tell the tale. Managed to have the vening off.
Wednesday - meeting with client who is having the bathroom extension - she doesn't like the new window - "please get rid off and get a new one" - builder not too happy. Other than that she is happy. Have to order the black tiles for floor and walls, and get TV to builder for Friday.
Thursday - son is ill - take him to doctor who says to keep an eye on him as he may have appendicitis - thats all I need.
Friday - pay the bills!!!!
Don't worry I wont be writing a blow by blow account of my week every week, I just needed to get it out of my system.

Another day....

Today started well - my 10 year old woke me up at 6:15am(that wasn't so good) with a cup of tea. Dad's away so he's the man of the house until tonight!

Finally get his sister out of bed and fed and we are off to school at 7:45am. Arrive at school, have to track down headmaster to get into his garage to obtain pole stomper (or something like that for the school fete). Garage door closes on headmaster's head nearly knocking him out! Not sure if that is good or bad! Spend most of the morning sorting thorugh box after box of dirty dusty books ready for the book stall for the fete. At least I was inside, others were out putting up tents in the rain.

Midday I am at a meeting with client who is unhappy because the builder has used his loo and not flushed it. Would I remind the builder to flush! Next meeting - the plumber who seems to have decided to either not see me or lost his voice, either way I am ready to make sure he hears mine.

We have knocked through into new ensuite, and piping is going in ready for bathroom utilities and the underfloor heating. Mustn't forget to ensure the fantastic bath from Fired Earth is ready to arrive on time. Also got to order the TV and work out how many tiles we will need for both the floor and tiles. If you want to use a ready reckoner for working out amount of tiles per square metre a great site to use is http://www.wickes.co.uk/page/floorwalltiles

Next pick up lights for another client who needs them for her bricklayer tomorrow. Her patio is ahead of schedule so I need to get ahead as well.

Back to the office to sort out a colour scheme for a 5-bedroom house, using neutrals but still needing to see some colour. Neutrals are great to play around with, and there are so many variations of white - have you looked at all the colour cards you can get for paints these days?

4:30pm and it is almost time to go and pick kids up from Swimming Training and then get son to Cubs.

Who knows what tomorrow may bring....

Hints & Tips - What To Expect When Employing A Builder

• Try to get a personal recommendation
• Don't always go for the cheapest – he may be cheap, but is he professional, reliable, clean??
• Ensure you have a detailed quotation, outlining everything that is included in the job
• Take up references from recent work undertaken
• Check that your builder is fully insured.
• Check that the price quoted includes VAT
• Ensure electricians are Part P registered.
• It may seem expensive to call in the professionals but remember what it is you are paying for:-
• his/her skills
  specialist equipment
  transport & parking
  time spent on job
  obtaining materials for job
  clearing away after job
  overheads
  

En-suite bathroom extension

This is an ongoing project, which started on 10 April 2008. The extension is for a new en-suite bathroom. The bathroom will be a luxury bathroom with inset TV and a beautiful stand-alone bath.

I intend to upload photos at each stage of the project.

This week we should be installing the window and starting the internal work.

External building work all complete. Window about to go in. Now it is down to the plumber and electrician.

And So it Begins......

Having listened to a talk about blogging, and having been thinking about blogging for so long, I have decided to take the bull by the horns and begin.

I am an interior designer, busy mother, and must also be crazy to think I can do so much - but hey ho!!

Today is no different to any other - off to see a lady who wants her whole house remodelled and another lady who needs new conservatory blinds. The car is packed with samples, the children are on the school mini-bus and I am about to sit down with a cup of tea and contemplate each of today's clients.

Also have to go and check on the progress on a new en-suite extension we are building - has the new window arrived yet? and more importantly is the client still happy with us?