AT Home with Lorraine Kelly - April 2011 - (Page 331)

Stylish windows Dressed to impress GIVE YOUR WINDOWS THE WOW FACTOR WITH ONE OF THESE THREE KEY STYLES JUST AS YOU create a di erent mood when you change your out t, you'll a ect the mood of a room with the style of window treatment you choose. A dining room with stripped wood furniture, neutral wall and oor coverings and an airy aspect looks perfect when simple semi-opaque voile curtains decorate the window. Put up heavy velvet drapes with swags and bows and people will wonder what went wrong. Curtains or blinds can also be used to provide privacy. If your sitting room is at the front of the house, do you really want your neighbours peering in as you settle down to an episode of Coronation Street? And while your viewing habits may not make headlines, thieves scouring the area might be happy to know that they can make o with a laptop, TV and DVD player located just feet from the kerb. Talking of escape, old houses with ill- tting windows leak heat. To arm yourself against sky-high bills, invest in shutters or lined curtains and they will literally pay dividends. So, before you decide on a window treatment, make a list that considers all of these points – as well as any factors such as light levels, window shape, size and style – and you’ll be better-equipped to make the right choice both practically and aesthetically. Vamp up this classic way of window dressing with plush material, available in an endless variety of patterns, textures and colours. Curtains can be short and neat, or you can really go for the glam factor with romantic drapes that cascade down to the oor in heaps. Traditional they may be, but curtains – particularly if they're heavy and thick – o er a great way to keep the warmth in your house, saving you money on pricey heating bills! CURTAINS BLINDS The ultimate in minimal-fuss window decoration. Blinds look good in any room, but are particularly useful in the kitchen, where they can be rolled up to avoid any splashes. Elsewhere in the home, statement blinds can add a creative burst to white, or plain-coloured walls. These days, blinds o er more than just a stylish way to dress your window. New advances in technology mean some companies o er designs that cleverly retain heat, thus ensuring they're an energy-e cient window treatment. There are also styles that can be raised and lowered from both ends, ideal if the sun shines in too brightly at certain times, but you don't want to block it out completely. Blinds are also great for conservatories or for sloping windows in loft conversions – they can be tted to any window size or shape and always look e ortlessly stylish. WORDS: Jo Willacy | PHOTOGRAPH: GAP Interiors Not only are they timeless and chic – think Parisian balconies – shutters also o er privacy and can be adjusted to provide su cient light and ventilation. Shutters are great in summer – if it's sti ing hot, you can always open your windows, but close, and lock your shutters, keeping your home secure, but providing natural air ow. Depending on the style you choose, your look can be traditional or ultra modern – both choices look fabulous depending on the character of your home. SHUTTERS STYLISH LIVING 47

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AT Home with Lorraine Kelly - April 2011

EDITOR’S LETTER
HELLO FROM LORRAINE
NOTEBOOK NEWS
ONE FOR THE DIARY
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
GOING STRONG
WIN BIG!
LORRAINE UNCUT
TOP HONOURS
FIT FOR A QUEEN
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
SEX LIVES
CAREER CORNER
MOTOR SKILLS
DRIVING MISS DAISY
RETIRE HAPPY
CURTAIN CALL
ON TREND TRAPPINGS
IT'S A WRAP
BAGS OF STYLE
STEP AHEAD
WEDDING BELLES
FROCK FRENZY
WHAT YOUR CLOTHES SAY
JEWELLERY BOX BOUNTY
WOMANLY WOES
A BUMP IN THE ROAD
LOVELY BONES
FANCY FOOTWORK
PROTECT YOUR PEEPERS
VITAMIN VITALS
LOOK TO THE STARS
BE WELL
A RACE AGAINST TIME
MANAGE YOUR MAN’S HEALTH
EXPERT OPINION
MEZZE MADE EASY
DIG IN!
METABOLISM EXPLAINED
HEALTHY HYDRATION
READY, STEADY, RUN
THE GYM-FREE WORKOUT
MIRACLE WORKERS
NAKED AMBITION
WHEN LESS IS MORE
HAIR HEROES
FOXY LOCKS FOR OVER 40S
ASK THE ADULTS
TRAVELLING TOTS
KIDS ON THE CATWALK
A HELPING HAND
WHY I BECAME A FOSTER PARENT
FUN HOUSE
PAMPER TIME
LIFE AT THE RSPCA
WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
MINI MENAGERIE
ANIMAL INSURANCE
MUM'S THE WORD
EASY ON THE EYE
WEDDING BLISS
CREATE YOUR OWN
ONE MORE THING
COMING SOON
STOCKISTS
STYLISH LIVING SUPPLEMENT
SPRING HOME STYLE
GOT TO HAVE IT
HEART OF THE HOME
BEDROOM BLISS
LIVING IT UP
BOLD BATHROOM
SMALL CHANGE
DON'T SLIP UP
IMPROVE, DON'T MOVE
LET ME IN
WINDOW DRESSING
AL FRESCO DINING
DECK IT OUT
CLEVER CONSERVATORIES
GLAZE OVER
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT
HELLO FROM LORRAINE
TRAVEL NEWS AND VIEWS
WILD AND FREE
BRILLIANT BLIGHTY
ONE FINE DAY
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
ISLAND HOPPING
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
PARK LIFE
BEFORE YOU JET OFF
GLOBE TROTTER
JUST THE JOB SUPPLEMENT
LORRAINE'S WELCOME
YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL
GO GIRL
FIRST-CLASS EMPLOYER
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
A RIGHT BALANCE
A WOMAN'S WORLD
BUILDING BEAUTIES
GET SWOTTING
BACK TO WORK
COUNT ON BANKING
BRIGHT SPARK
PLAYING HOUSE
PLACE YOUR BETS
SHOP AROUND

AT Home with Lorraine Kelly - April 2011