How to Decorate With Pleated Window Shades

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Pleated window shades they are the type of window shade that looks a bit like an accordion. It crumples upwards or downwards depending on whether or not you are opening or closing the window. The pleats are created by bunching that occurs when the pleated shade is pulled either up or down by a cord. They can be made from all sorts of interesting fabrics including silks, satins, chiffons, netting, velvets and even vinyl! However a word to the wise – the thicker the fabric the more difficult the windowshade will be to pull up or down. Also the thicker the shade is the more retro it will tend to look.

The best quality pleated shades have a double cord mechanism. This gives you the option of lowering the shade from the top or raising it from the bottom. This offers you the maximum manipulation of the way light filters into the room. You can really decorate with light when you use this type of shade which is very easy to manipulate so you can get particular effects.

If you have children or pets you can get nice looking pleated shades that are operated by remote control. This is a good idea if you don’t like the risk of your pets or children getting caught in the cords and somehow hurting themselves.

Many people like the versatility of a pleated shade. They can be lowered until they are only slightly rippled looking. This helps keep prying eyes from looking in the window. If you get a sheerer pleated shade, like one made out of cotton or netting then they will still let in plenty of light even while closed (but at the same time still providing privacy.) If you would like a completely opaque effect then choose a heavier damask or solid fabrics. The heavier fabrics look very attractive when the shade is pulled up as they give the shade a crushed appearance. Lighter fabrics look very ethereal in pleated shades, almost like a fairy’s web.

Shades that have smaller or colorful prints look the very best in children’s room although flora prints can be used for more rustic styles. You can even get these types of shades with ruffles on the bottom to suit super frilly décor styles however don’t be surprised if you have to get this type of pleated blind custom made.

If you are looking for shades that have an insulating quality to them so you can keep heat either in or out of your house then consider getting one of the new cellular shades. These types of shades have U.V. protection that can protect a room from too much harmful sunlight. These types of pleated shades were created to help people protect their furniture from fading in strong sun. You can also use the thicker types to help keep a home warm or cold.Who knew that something so decorative could also be so practical?

How to Decorate Your Kitchen in the Futuristic Style

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A kitchen that is decorated in the futuristic style is usually white, metallic and glossy. Sometimes there are some wood elements but they are unstained. If things are colored make sure they are in a pure primary color. For instance choose a pure fire engine red rather than a pastel rose or your kitchen will start looking rustic rather than futuristic. Bright tangerine orange looks better than pumpkin, or your futuristic walls start to look more seventies. Keep the colors as pure and basic and as glossy as possible.

Big, heavy stainless steel appliances have that air of modernism around them and they are very minimalist-looking. You can also get counters, steel cupboards and tables in brushed metal to help your kitchen look even more space age.

Pairing brushed metal details with grey or white Carrera model or white formica like surfaces is also very futuristic looking. For an added touch of Kubrick-like retro-future modernism add a clear Lucite table or chopping block or buy chairs that look Victorian but that are actually molded out of white or clear hard plastic.

Color play and neon lighting can also do a lot for making a kitchen look like it is from the future. One idea is to make a kitchen all white and then make the counter and back splash a bright blue and light it with neon. The effect is very tidy and space age.

Another way to make a kitchen look futuristic is to keep everything white and then paint exposed walls a deep blue or black or even a pumpkin orange.

Fridges with glass doors or smokey colored glass doors can also be space-age looking. Another interesting effect is to add shelves made out of clear, orange, yellow or light blue plexiglass. Lighting can do a lot to enhance the space age glow of glass shelves as well. The hotter and more pin-pointed the lighting is, the more glamorous and showcased it will seem.

Making displays of things that are shiny and keeping it functional also makes your kitchen more futuristic. If you have state-of-the-art gadgets it does not hurt to display them as well.

Futuristic kitchens also have very clean straight lines or geometric shapes to them in general. That is why it is so difficult to make a futuristic kitchen look good in a crooked old Victorian. You are better to try this look in a condo.