|
By: Sintilia Miecevole
Are you tired of waiting for your children to grow up so you
can finally let go of your tired, worn couch? Have a real
dining room set? Or even lighter toned furnishings?
If you thought that having a family meant putting your decorating
skills and ideas on the back burner then you just haven't
been opening your eyes to the stylish ideas designers use
to liven up their own homes and their client's homes, even
with children (and pets) around!
CHOOSING MATERIALS
Choosing the right material can make all the difference when
furnishing a home for a family.
Have you always loved leather? Well it's not only great for
minor spills that are quickly wiped off, it also wears well,
even gaining a beautiful patina with time and use. Leather
does not collect pet hair as a cloth couch or chair would,
and crumbs and dirt will wipe off easily.
If you prefer fabric upholstery, think of luxurious Ultrasuede.
Sophisticated enough for even the most formal rooms, it looks
belie the easy care of the material. You won't deal with fading
or staining the way you are accustomed to with cotton, and
many stains will come off quite easily with a damp cloth.
Do you have real ruffians running around? You can always
count on slipcovers if you need to. Many decorators have used
white or cream slipcovers to good effect, although you may
consider a stripe or other pattern to disguise everyday wear.
And because you can clean them thoroughly by removing them
you do not have to be too concerned about occasional messes.
Slipcovers also work well on fancy dining room chairs and
can be removed for adult-only dinner parties.
Try to stay away from delicate materials like silks or velvets
which stain easily and are difficult to clean.
SAFE CHOICES
If you have small children you may also consider choosing
soft furnishings, like ottomans, to replace hazards such as
hard edged coffee tables.
Area rugs can be great for keeping light colored carpets
in good shape, but be certain they rest flat so children are
not prone to trip over them. Selecting heavy rugs or using
a special padding underneath to reduce movement would be especially
recommended when using rugs on hard, slippery surfaces.
When choosing wood furnishings, light or dark, be sure it
has a protective clear coat so that marks and spills do not
ruin the finish.
PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH THEIR OWN SPACE
Would your children really mind an 'adult' space in the home?
If you make most of the home child-friendly, then it is not
outside of reason to create one area specifically for adult
entertaining or relaxing. Giving children a small area within
the adult room where they can read books or sit at a small
table for quiet games will teach them to respect and take
care of nice things. This, along with making reasonable choices
for the rest of the home, allows all in the family to enjoy
their surroundings and each other.
About the author:
Sintilia Miecevole, Host of http://www.wowleather.comloves
interior decorating and leather. This fabulous site has everything
from furniture, clothing, repairs, suppliers and wholesale
to dyes and custom leather. Log on to http://www.wowleather.comand
enjoy!
|
