GT Winner and How To Keep Your Outdoor Decor Stain and Water Repellent

How To Keep Your Outdoor Fabrics Stain and Water Repellent to last many years.

What characterizes an outdoor fabric is its ability to repel stains, water and fading from the sun. This is done in manufacturing by using synthetic fibers and also a chemical treatment that causes water to bead when it lands on the fabric. This beading allows water to easily roll of the fabric thereby avoiding mildew and stains. But this chemical treatment in the fabric can break down over time. Here are some ways to keep your outdoor fabrics in shape and functioning for many years!

When your outdoor pieces are dry shake out the loose dirt often. Dirt aids in the breaking down of the chemical treatment.

Hose down the fabrics to remove any other lose dirt. A general wash of hosing down the fabrics should be done at least once a month.

Only allow to air dry. Do not wash and dry in a washing machine and dryer. 

The most important thing is keep the lose dirt off. So be sure to shake out your fabrics as often as possible. Vacuuming is also very helpful every once in a while.

I learned from ehow.com that you turn any indoor fabric into outdoor fabric by first applying a waterproof spray and then reinforcing that by blow drying the curtain with a hair drying on its highest setting until fabric is dry. 

Here are some outdoor fabric recommendations.

Striped outdoor fabric from Decorate23.

Navy and white awning stripe from Decorate23.

Outdoor pillows from Lynn Chalk.

Outdoor pillow from Lynn Chalk.

Embroidered fish in white and navy from Joy By The Yard.

Stipe outdoor fabric from Joy By The Yard.

Think Spring and Summer and outdoors on this chilly January day. Enjoy your Wednesday, readers!

sources: 

houseofman.com

houzz.com

bellemaison.com

ballarddesigns.com

HEUSEI, you won our giveaway Tuesday towel giveaway. Please email me at windowsbymelissa@gmail.com

How to fold a napkin

I learned this in Debutante school. . . . Baha!! Please, everyone. Imagine me poised and refined.

As I said yesterday, there are time in my "busy seasons" (which is usually in April, November and December) I sometimes only see my kids at meal times. So I have to make every moment with them count and do what I can to make those moments pleasant and happy.

I also have to use the precious moments I have with them to teach them. And while I don't expect them to remember everything I teach them, but I know if we practice these things at least once a month or so they'll eventually remember.

Since it's usually meal times I teach them how to set the table. This is what they did.

And of course, how to fold a napkin.

First, place the napkin so it is diamond-shaped with the design side up.

Then, fold the napkin in half patterned sides together.

Then, fold half of the half down.

Next, tuck one side under,

Then, the other side. 

At this point there will still be a corner sticking out. Just tuck that under.

Then when you turn it over there is a pocket for your silverware.

There are variations on this. In the photo below I folded the napkin in half with the patterned sides out and then folded it in half again from the bottom. Then tucked in the sides. That way is really quick, but it doesn't leave as deep of a pocket for silverware.

Napkins and matching place mats are available for purchase in our clearance section.

There is no way in the world I expect my young children to remember all of this. But I have them set the table and try to fold napkins when we have guests over and they get in lots of practice even if it isn't done correctly. They have lots of time to learn and it is just something fun we do together to make our time together a little more special. 

How to Plan a Room Makeover

How to Successfully Plan a Room Makeover

1) If you are planning to redo a room in your house the first thing you should do is shop shop shop! You should know what is out there and what your options are. I like to shop at a variety of places to get the ideas flowing. Some places I go to are department stores, craft stores, Ross, Marshalls, TJ Max, Good Will, Kirkland, Bed Bath and Beyond, home decor and upholstery fabric shops and just whatever I happen to run into while I am out at those places. If you stick to your "usual" place, like Ikea (. . . not an Ikea fan. . . ) then you are likely to end up not changing anything or buying all new stuff just to end up with a room that looks like your old one! Shopping at a variety of stores will allow you compare and contrast the different styles available to you. If you only go to one place you are limiting yourself and not exposing yourself to the updated or new styles that are out there. 

 a) Check out furniture stores that already have rooms set up so that you can imagine the functionality of certain items you are considering. It may be a good idea in thought, but when you see how a piece of furniture functions in an actual room setting, you may be surprised at the reality of it.

2) Acquire some home improvement magazine or check out design books at the library. Have some sticky notes on hand to mark all the things that stick out to you or "speak" to you when browsing.

3) Visit model homes in your area to learn the most up to date trends and to get fresh ideas.

4) Once you have gathered all your ideas you should make a plan. Whether you are just adding a window treatment and pillows or redesigning an entire room, you should have a plan. Planning will include measuring, fabric sample, if possible, pictures from magazines or written ideas from your home and furniture store visits. 

     a) Your plan should be able to answer the following questions:

          .1) What do my family and I want to be able to do in this room? Eat? Sleep? Watch tv? Do homework? etc.

          .2) What currently is not working for me in this room? What is working?

          .3) Does the room have a focal point? A fireplace? A view?, etc.

          .4) 

5) Choose a color scheme. Be sure to note when you are gathering ideas colors that stood out to you. If you are stuck here I recommend picking one thing to focus on:

         a) Perhaps a season; Spring: light and airy tones, Summer: rich, ripe and full, Fall: warm, golden hues, Winter: whites and browns.

         b) Or choose an object. Perhaps you have a favorite vase, painting or some item that has been passed through your family for generations. Select an item that is personal to you and that you are attached to and use the colors in it to choose your color scheme. 

6) Then put all your ideas together and create a notebook, packet or portfolio of some kind. Your portfolio should include the following:

      a) Pictures: every angle of the room and all the items you plan to keep in the room

      b) Any clippings you may have acquired from magazines, etc

      c) Fabric swatches and paint samples

      d) Appropriate measurement information: windows for window treatments, space for couches or chairs, space for mantle pieces or other wall surround for a fireplace, space for art, and doorways for trims or molding. 

This portfolio should help you tackle a redo by yourself. However, if you lack the self confidence necessary to make a change it may be worth the cost of an interior designer to offer some help. Don't underestimate the value your living space can add to your life and your family. If you lack the self confidence it will be well worth it to consult an interior designer. I am also always available for fabric and color advice. A retreat in your home can add so much to your mental health! I know it takes money, which is hard to come by these days. But there are so many affordable ideas out there to spruce up a room. 

How to measure your windows for roman shades

How to measure your windows for a roman shade:

Inside Mount Roman Shade

An inside mount requires at least 1.5" of depth. Measure the inside of the window frame from left to right then inside top to bottom. Click on link below picture to view measuring video.

Outside Mount Roman Shade

And outside mount requires an additional 3" of length to account for the mounting hardware and the mounting block. The length and width measurements should go from outside molding to outside molding or simply whatever you would like the finished shade to measure. Click on the link below the image to watch the instructional video on measuring for an outside mount.