Freshen Up
Ideas to inspire fresh new looks in your living spaces. Here's some easy ways to add subtle colour to your home - without spending a fortune!
Trimmed to perfection
Give your sofa a colourful update. Drape swaths of colour - pretty wraps, scarves, or throws - in neat rows across the back of a sofa [top]. Tuck the wraps behind the back cushions to keep them in place. Choose a tone-on-tone colour range, or go for a bold statement of mixed hues. Add to this new matching decor accessories and you've got a fresh new look.
Drab to dramatic!
It's time to let in the light! Swap heavy draperies for airy sheer panels. Customize ready-made sheers with a panel of high-style fabric coordinated to match your existing decor. Cut a strip of fabric the width of the curtain panel plus 5cm for finishing the edges. Fold under the edges and press flat, then stitch the fabric to the panel, or use iron-on fusible bonding to attach the fabric without sewing.
A new outfit
Outfit ottomans in a new wardrobe with easy-sew slipcovers. For a cylinder-shape ottoman, cut a circle from fabric the size of the top, and a length the width and circumference of the side, adding 2cm to all dimensions for seam allowances and hem. Hem one long edge and one narrow edge of the fabric. Sew the raw edge to the circle (right side to right side), overlapping the raw edge over the finished side.
Turn right side out and hand-sew the edges together. Slip over the ottoman. For a no-sew version, drape fabric to cover the ottoman and secure with a rope or ribbon tied around the side.
Stripe a Pose
Solid-colour table runners make a stylish statement when you overlap them to create a multilayered tablecloth. For visual punch, allow runners to hang over the edge by varying degrees. Make runners by cutting cotton or linen to width and length plus seam allowances; hem or use iron-on fusible bonding to finish the edges.
Inner Beauty
A hint of colour and pattern is an eye-catching touch on the inside of a shade, especially for hanging lamps. Use a contrasting fabric with pattern. Make a pattern by tracing the shape of your lampshade onto paper, allowing enough to overlap ends. Cut fabric using the pattern, coat the wrong side with spray adhesive, and carefully adhere the fabric to the inside of the shade.
If you have difficulty controlling the fabric as you work, first back it with paper to stiffen it, then use adhesive to attach the paper side to the shade. Glue bias tape along the top and bottom edges to give the lining a finished look.
meredith publishing - by oma blaise ford - photos steven mcdonald