Much of the appeal of velvet comes from the sheen of the richly piled fabric. Velvet interplays with light to create waves of luminous colour, contrasted by deep shadows of darker shades. This reflective quality adds a feeling of depth and richness to draperies, enveloping a room with a sense of comfort and confidence.

Swagged, draped and tied-back velvet draperies remain the designer’s choice for rooms decorated in a highly ornate, traditional style. Few fabrics are as effective in decorating windows that complement the opulence of richly appointed rooms as velvet. High-style window treatments using velvet may be further embellished with intricate embroidery, corded trims and fringe.

The sensuous look and feel of velvet makes the fabric a popular choice for rooms decorated in a romantic style. Whether the desired look is for a period style like Elizabethan, Edwardian or Victorian, or for a fantasy look torn from the pages of a favourite novel, velvet drapes conjure up images of luxury and passion. For pure romance, it’s hard to beat the dreamy effect of velvet draped over sheer organza panels.

Theatres have long recognized the effectiveness of velvet in theatrical curtains, for the sense of luxury they add to the décor, for the quality of the fabric’s drape and for the way the fabric blocks backstage light and noise from reaching the audience. Modern homeowners often choose velvet curtains to block out light and reduce noise as well. Velvet drapes are not only an excellent choice for blackout curtains, they add a layer of insulation to windows as well, reducing heating and cooling costs.

Velvet’s theatrical connotations the fabric a good choice for rooms informed by playful approach to decorating styles. Those who feel free to indulge a sense of humour, as well as a sense of style and creativity, will find multiple applications for velvet drapes. Whether used as a window treatment, room divider or closet screen, velvet draperies, mixed with more casual furnishings, make a statement of playful confidence and self-assurance.

Modern rooms are often decorated in a eclectic style, a style more focused on reflecting personal taste than on adhering to any one particular style of furnishing. Some of the most striking rooms in the eclectic style are those that combine natural materials and colours with interesting textures and accents. Velvet drapes in rich, jewel tones fit perfectly with this approach to decorating, adding a luxurious contrast to natural wood, bamboo and metallic materials. Affordable, durable and versatile, velvet curtains provide opportunities to elevate interiors into something special.

So you have watched all the latest episodes of the Antiques Roadshow, but are you ready to play with your own hard-earned cash? Without a knowledge of what to look out for, you may run the risk of purchasing an item of poor value, or dodgy provenance. The following rules are not hard and fast, and every item requires a different eye; however, as starting point they provide you with the basics to survive in the exciting world of antique furnishings.

Auction block or shop stock? In this bid to help you choose the right piece of furniture, you must consider where you are going to look. While many newcomers head straight for auction houses such as Bonhams, this is not necessarily the right thing to do. While numerous quality pieces are picked up every day, there are disadvantages to this process. Auction houses are not required to display information – although many respectable ones do – as to the background and origin of the piece; nor do they automatically guarantee it as genuine. Add this to the fact that you, as a purchaser, have few rights to return a piece if it is faulty or unsatisfactory. Furthermore, with buying premiums adding to the purchase cost, many newcomers find that they have paid over the odds for their item. The benefits of using established sellers in preference to the auction house lies in their consistency and reliability. There are no buying premiums, so what is displayed on the card is the price you pay. Many also offer returns policies, so that if you are unhappy or believe your product to be faulty, you are entitled to return them. That said, you are unlikely to find a true bargain at these locations. All in all, do consider which location is right for you.

It’s a material world. Whichever location you choose to make your purchase, there are some rules that you should follow when purchasing antique furniture. First off, the material is of upmost importance. You should recognise the valuable woods, which include mahogany, rosewood and various types of walnut, among others. You should learn to tell these on sight and feel. This is achieved by paying close attention to the hardness and grain of the wood. If your fingernail leaves a mark, then the wood soft; likewise if it leaves no mark then you have a hard wood. The close-grained woods have a smooth appearance and the most popular of these are cherry, maple and birch. The open-grained woods are oak and ash. Watch out for authenticity. Is your wood truly a maple, or has a maple veneer been added? A veneer is a thin layer of valuable wood that has been glued onto a less valuable one. While veneers do not necessarily reflect poor quality furniture, it is worth your time to learn to spot them. Knowing your materials also makes restoration easier. If you are a dab hand at DIY, you could invest in some tools to allow you to create a professional finish on damaged items. Major brands such as Fein have products designed to minimise damage to antiques when making such delicate restorations. Dismantling a 19th century cabinet? A Bosch drill could make the task a whole lot easier. Considered restorations will certainly increase the value of the item if you do place it back in the market.

Overall, do your research. While it is unrealistic to expect you to become an antiques expert overnight, it will benefit you to know the basic names and makes of famous antique furnishings. Use the internet to cross reference items and prices. Mobile technology even allows you to do this on the move. With this wealth of information at your fingertips, a little study – and these tips – can help you go a long way.

When you plan your home décor you sure have in mind an area designated for relaxation. This is the perfect place to keep your coffee table. You can enjoy your daily cuppa and unwind in this area after a hard day’s work.

Choosing a coffee table is an easy task if you know what kind of the product you are looking for. Modern homes require contemporary coffee tables that complement the décor and add to the style quotient of the home-owner.

A round wooden coffee table with ornate designs was the common choice in earlier days. However times have changed and so have trends and tastes. It is the uniqueness of the contemporary coffee tables that make them popular in today’s world.

Coffee tables are made using different materials. This includes wood, glass, aluminium, and so on. These tables may also be fashioned from a combination of two or more of these materials as well.

Apart from the common round and oval shapes, contemporary coffee tables are available in a number of other interesting shapes and styles. You can opt for a tapered square table or a cut-out round one, a rectangular one with drawers or one with multi-trays.

Innovative designs of the coffee tables enhance their aesthetic appeal. Today it is the asymmetrical designs that capture the imagination of home-owners. Coffee tables with inter-changeable sections have also become popular in recent times.

The cherry or mahogany finish of the once popular coffee tables have been replaced by interesting finishes like rich espresso shades and pale natural hues. The favourite colours for the tables are white, black, brown, and so on.

Just like contemporary dining tables, coffee tables of today have undergone a sea change with respect to shape, style and colour. When you go out to shop for such a table you need to keep in mind the décor of your home. This is the best way to find a coffee table that would add to the beauty of your home.

Resources:

Chair cover: Nationwide chair cover hire service just £1.79 each inc free organza sash, white, ivory and black chair covers available