at home with Sarah Beeny - August 2012 - (Page 156)

| WINDOW COVERINGS| dress up GIVE YOUR WINDOWS THE WOW FACTOR WITH ONE OF THESE THREE KEY STYLES Time to J CURTAINS Vamp up this classic way to dress up your windows using 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 156 | AUGUST 2012 WORDS: Jo Willacy | PHOTOGRAPH: Zoffany.com COORDINATE YOUR CURTAINS OR BLINDS WITH SOFT FURNISHINGS FOR A SEAMLESS LOOK KEEP IT CLEAN ust as you create a different mood when you change your outﬁt, you'll affect the mood of a room with the style of window treatment you choose. A dining room with stripped wood furniture, neutral wall and ﬂoor 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 off with a laptop, TV and DVD player located just a few feet from the kerb. Talking of escape, old houses with ill-ﬁtting windows leak heat. To arm yourself against sky-high bills, invest in shutters or lined curtains and they will – quite 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. ﬂoor in heaps. During these cooler summer months, however, you can ditch the heavy drapes and go for see-through voile-type fabrics which are cool and ﬂoaty. SHUTTERS Not only are they timeless and chic – think Parisian balconies – but shutters also offer privacy and can be adjusted to provide light and ventilation. They are great in summer – if it’s stiﬂing hot, open your windows, but close and lock shutters to keep your home secure while providing airﬂow. Your look can be traditional or ultra-modern – both choices look fabulous – depending on the character of your home. For a more contemporary look, opt for blinds which can t windows of any size and are sure to brighten up a dull spot The ultimate in minimal-fuss window decoration, blinds 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 an energye 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 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. ■ BLINDS http://www.Zoffany.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of at home with Sarah Beeny - August 2012

EDITOR’S LETTER
WELCOME FROM SARAH
NEWS
AWESOME AUGUST
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
TABLE TALK
THE THRIFTY FIFTY
TRENDS ON TRIAL
BEENY UNCUT
ESSENTIAL HOME-BUYING GUIDE
SURVEY SAVVY
WHAT’S THE SCORE?
THE NEW FACE OF PROPERTY?
SELLER SECRETS
LOCATION LOCK-UP
SOAP AND GLORY
OPEN UP
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
TOP SHOP
THE BRIGHT STUFF
GET THE JUNGLE LOOK
WARDROBE WARS
A ONE OFF
MOSAIC MAGIC
GLASS ACT
TAKE TO THE FLOOR
FRAME GAME
IT’S A BLINDER
SNUG AS A BUG
BURNING QUESTION
THE A-TEAM
QUICK FIX
BEAT THE BUILDING BLUES
LET THERE BE LIGHT
GOING DOWN
GARDEN GREATS
DIRTY DEALINGS
ALIEN INVASION
JUMP RIGHT IN
LITTLE WONDER
OUT OF SIGHT
PROFESSOR GREEN
ECO EXCLUSIVE
TALKING TRASH
PRO PLANET PROJECTS
HELLO, SUNSHINE
CARBON-NEUTRAL COVER
STAR GLAZER
EARTH HOUR
HOT TOPIC
MASS REDUCTION
WASTE NOT
SWITCHED ON
ETHICAL INTERIORS
YOU LIVE WHERE?
COMING SOON
WINNING SPOT
LUXE LINEN
CATCH-UP
STOCKISTS

at home with Sarah Beeny - August 2012