Saturday, February 8, 2014

Decorating Your Bed With Gauze Canopies .......Dreamy And Exotic

Mosquito netting has a long history. Though use of the term dates from the mid-18th century, use of mosquito nets has been dated to prehistoric times. It is said that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, also slept under a mosquito net. In interior design today it is thought of as a beautiful bed treatment that evokes a mysterious and exotic ambiance.

True mosquito netting is insecticide treated and has a nylon base.A better alternative is gauze which a popular fabric to create bed canopies, since it's often sheer. Tulle, chiffon and cotton also give a similar effect.Gauze is a versatile and inexpensive fabric that may be used to add texture, mystery and romance to a space.A bed canopy is the most common decor use for this style of netting. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to be creative because the fabric is so inexpensive. In the following pictures you will see different ways to construct and hang gauze ( or similar fabric) canopies. It can be a fun do-it-yourself project and there are many tutorials on line to help guide you.

Please be sure and scroll all the way to the bottom to see another wonderful project for mosquito netting and how it is used in the most beautiful way of all!





We tend to forget that what we think of as a lovely way to decorate the bed was a necessary defense against a very pesky problem in the South. To get a good nights sleep and not be eaten alive by insects your bed had to be outfitted with a form of netting.


The sheer gauze like fabric adds airy elegance to this beautiful bedroom.


A bed canopy is the most common decor use for this style of netting. Structured canopies, with gathers and supports sewn in, can be found inexpensively in department stores.

via pinterest

In a space where a rustic tone is set by the construction and  furnishings, fine netting looks especially ethereal.

If you have a four-poster canopy bed, and desire a more artistic look, drape the canopy with lengths of the netting.


Any sheer fabric will give you a mosquito netting feel. This one has a subtle design woven in it that works well with the light, airy look.


Floor to ceiling is always nice!!


If your bed has no canopy, there are mosquito-netting hoops that may hung from the ceiling.

ebay.com


You can be as decorative as you like with your canopy.

via pinterest

Soft color palettes are wonderful for using gauze canopies.......


Made by Nicamaka, the fabric is all unbleached cotton gauze and the "spreader hoop" is made of rattan. $89


The home of musician Kenny G


I like the Moroccan tent style.


via pinterest

And I think this treatment is fabulous. Pieces hung on hooks at ceiling level and then raised on all corners via draw strings. Easy to do and "wow"!

via tumblr

source unknown

Soft color palettes are my favorites for using gauze canopies.......

paulagold.tumblr.com

.........however color is good too!

Decorating your bed with gauze is inexpensive, beautiful and slightly exotic.Sometimes you have to get inventive but there are ways!! Where there's a will....

via pinterest





This is one you can do yourself with rods and pieces of gauze fabric.

architecuraldigest.com

This type of bed dressing also evokes a safari or a tropical Bali look for your bedroom. It depends on the furnishings and accessories you choose.

Nothing evokes the romance of the tropics like a bed swathed in billowy, white, sheer gauze.


The Medjumbe Island Lodge bedroom interiors

Evanson Resort, Thailand

This is a lovely treatment that is great for a DIY project.

And yet another style. Be creative!!

flicker.com


Mosquito netting canopies are most beautiful when used to save lives.



The chief preventive for malaria is the humble mosquito net and millions of deaths are caused by a lack of access to one. There are many good organizations that are providing nets and you can become a part of this life saving endeavor. Your donation can go a long way because of the cost efficiency of the nets. I have decided to make it part of my family's giving and I hope you will too.



Click here to see the previous post!


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

Monday, February 3, 2014

Decorate Your Home With Window Seating



The built-in window seat  reached its height of popularity during the formal Georgian period when tall, narrow, sash windows were the norm. Today this intimate seating nook can still be a beautiful design element as well as a smart, space-saving and stylish addition creating valuable storage space that doubles as an attractive seat. Window seats offer both comfort and a connection to the outdoors with plenty of light to read by. Another great benefit of the window seat is for concealing items like radiators. 

It is a shame that as attractive as window seats are, only older homes seem to have them. If you have a home with big windows it would be a shame not to take advantage of them to the fullest. You can easily customize the window seat to fit under any window just by adjusting the length of the top, side, front, and back pieces. 

You will never be sorry for building yourself a window seat or two. There are many tutorials on line that will help you and you will be enjoying your own special nook in no time.



I have four window seating areas in this old house. This is a more formal one while the others are built over radiators.........


......and can be a great place for an afternoon cat nap.Window seats are the most loved places of the house by every member of the family. Chanel certainly thinks so.


Remember to make your window seat a place one can sit and relax. A throw invites family and guests to cozy up with a book.


I love window seats built into book shelves where they beg to be used as a cozy reading nook
.

This is a nice idea. Build the window seating between two cupboards.


One great way to create a window seat area along a straight wall is to frame your window with shelving or cabinetry.

via pinterest


This arched window is enhanced by these wonderful window seats that play off the arch effect. A straight seat wouldn't look near as interesting.


I love this window seating from the window to the storage doors below. And the color is so pretty!! 


A crystal chandelier, wonderful French script pillows, and ticking of course is all you need to create a pretty French style window seat.

houzz.com

Boston Design Guide on flicker

A small window seat is the perfect nook where you can relax, read, drink a cup of tea or watch the kids. It can enhance an overall interior design of your room and provide an additional storage or display space.


tumblr.com

via pinterest

Pretty windows are always a plus for your window seat.


Window seats are a great place to bring in additional layers of pattern through pretty pillows.

Window seating is a smart way to use awkward spaces. Why let a space like this go to waste when it can become useful.


Curtained window seating is lovely to look at as well as functional if you want an enclosed retreat to read or nap in.


Window seats aren't all built ins. There many ways to create the perfect seat.


When decorating your window seat, don’t forget the reading material, add some pillows that reinforce your color scheme. Then watch as guests fight over this cushy nook!

nature-of-life.tumblr.com

This is a nice roomy window seat. One could even take a cat nap here!


These window seating areas have romantic associations, To make it feel more like a nook, shelving and cabinets can line the seat, creating a small area of retreat along with a back rest.

Design Sponge 

Remember they do not have to be straight seats. Get creative with shapes and sizes of window seating.


Add some pillows that reinforce your color scheme and watch as style reigns in your space.


via pinterest

I love the way this window seat has a shelf behind for displaying collectibles.


This lovely seat offers a place to watch the world go by.........as should any good window seat!

Click here to see the previous post!


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 Follow Me On Facebook Follow Me On Pinterest Subscribe to my RSS Feed Send Me An Email