Latest Articles

Accessory of the Week: Concrete Floors

It’s inexpensive, it’s contemporary and it’s durable. Concrete can be applied to your floor in a few simple steps: 1.) Remove your current flooring. 2.) Mix and pour the concrete. 3.) go over with a metal trowel to even it out. Alternatively you could hire someone to do it for you. However you do it, it really does look great. Here are a few examples:

Open Plan Concrete Floor Bedroom Thrifty…

If you have a large amount of floor space to cover and your budget is a distant memory, concrete is the perfect option. It works well with open plan and can still be bright and airy even with concrete flooring. If you have the means under-floor heating can keep your tootsies warm in the winter months.

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Versatile…

Modern Concrete Kitchen

Concrete flooring can go well with any room in the house. If you have children running riot in the kitchen, concrete flooring is ideal. When polished it doesn’t stain and it hardly scratches. Your kid could run wild with a sledgehammer and the flooring will still be intact (please don’t do that though).

Not only that but grey is always in fashion, and will go well with any interior. This image shows a minimalistic kitchen, but if you pair a concrete floor with a long farmers table and a bunch of fresh flowers it will be the perfect combination of traditional and modern.

Concrete flooring can cost from £40 to £400 per square metre depending on if you want colour added or shine. A matte look with some polish will give a more relaxed feel and will cost less.

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Eclectic…

Having concrete floors doesn’t mean your room has to be modern and simplistic. These bright blue bed accessories and the lime green walls complement the dark concrete floors wonderfully, and the mega-clock adds a fun statement.

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Harvey Maria are flooring experts who offer a variety of concrete flooring. I love the light grey ‘Ando’ flooring, as it’s light enough to go well with any interior and the grey shade can be warming. From left to right: Tadao Concrete, Ando Concrete, Blue Concrete.

Ando Concrete Sample

Accessory of the week: Cushions & Throws

by: Alice | May 14, 2013
Posted in Curtain Accessories Cushions and Throws Fun Stuff Industry News Interiors and Ideas Tips and Hints Useful Resources

Any interior designer will tell you that throwing a few cushions and quilts on a sofa will transform both your sofa and the room. These accessories are the perfect way to brighten up a room while allowing you to stick to your budget. Here are a few examples of the best way to utilise this accessory and what to look for when you’re getting your thrift on.

Oriental cushions and throw Go Oriental…

The beauty of cushions and throws is that you can transform your home into any look you like. These vibrant cushions and patterned throw add an oriental twist to this room, integrating vibrancy with the bright colours and tranquility with the clean cut lines.

The best thing about adding decorative cushions and throws is that it’s quick, inexpensive and makes a huge impact on your living space.

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Cushions to brighten your sofa

Brighten up a grey sofa…

If you have a piece of furniture that’s looking slightly drab, there’s no easier way to brighten it up immediately with some patterned cushions in different sizes.

Robin and Mould, Crate and Barrel and Mod Diva all make on-trend, inexpensive cushions for you to re-vamp your lusterless sofa. I am currently coveting Robin and Mould’s sleeping dog cushion and Mod Diva’s Japanese collection – bright, vibrant and on-trend.

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New vs. old…

Balance out your contemporary patterned throws and cushions with antique furniture and old art.

This room looks updated by the colourful cushions and they instantly brighten up the old leather sofa. The eclectic mix of art on the wall adds to the new vs. old look and blends together perfectly.

You can change the covers of your cushions from season to season for a style update, which makes this idea even more versatile.

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Finally…

I am completely obsessed with these throw cushions available from Urban Outfitters. They’re £40 each and completely worth it!

Accessory of the week: Table cloths

by: Alice | May 1, 2013
Posted in Colour schemes Fun Stuff Interiors and Ideas Table cloths Tips and Hints Useful Resources

With this year’s trends of shabby chic and minimalism, table cloths have been put on the style back-burner.

Now that spring is finally here, a new breed of bright, fresh table cloths are ready to make a comeback. No laminated gingham here, just natural cottons and linens to suit the season’s trends. Covering your table is a great way to brighten up a room and protect your shabby chic table from getting any shabbier.

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This is such a simple idea and will make your room look bright and fresh. You can easily re-create this ombre table cloth by dip dying a white linen sheet. You could use any colour from royal blue to ultra-stylish grey/black.

geometric

Geometric table linen…

A table cloth doesn’t need to swallow up your entire table. You can find strips of table linen that will be perfect for resting hot plates on and will be a wonderful decorative addition to your table.

This beautiful linen table cloth is bright and smart as well as bang on the geometric trend. This table cloth is available from WendyPolish.com, an LA based designer and artist. She has plenty of other fun geometric patterns to choose from. You can find more of her work here.

70s table cloth

A bit of ‘70s…

A linen table cloth will bring a smart, crisp feel to a room and is easily washable.

This beautiful custom made table cloth is from Taigan.com. The avocado colour is the perfect way to celebrate the ‘70s trend and will also add a splash of colour to your room.

This look is perfect for a barbecue on a hot summer’s day and is ketchup, grease and child-proof! Source

Accessory Of The Week: House Plants

by: Alice | April 24, 2013
Posted in Choosing your Curtains or Roman Blinds Colour schemes Energy Saving Fun Stuff Interiors and Ideas Tips and Hints Useful Resources

It’s incredible what a few plants can do for a room. A splash of greenery can make your space feel tranquil and relaxed while breathing fresh life into your home, and now it’s (finally) spring we can get our green fingers on and start doing some indoor gardening.

Did you know…

Plants make us happy. Honestly, it’s a proven fact that growing your own plants, flowers and food releases a chemical in your brain that keeps you feeling happy and gives you a sense of well-being.

All the more reason to go down to your local gardening centre and bag yourself a couple of spider plants to brighten up your desk for spring.

Even this small plant on a coffee table makes the room feel cool and summery, showing how a bit of green can instantly transform a room (and your mood)!

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For the kitchen…

Kitchen plants and vegetables

Plenty of different kinds of fruit and veg can be grown in your kitchen. Not only is this economical as you can save money on food bills, but they look good and brighten up your room, not to mention the satisfaction you can get from eating food you’ve grown yourself.

You can grow pretty much any herb in your kitchen, including basil, oregano and parsley. Grabbing a handful of home-grown herbs to put in your spag-bol is extremely satisfying, healthy and virtually free.

If you’d like something a bit greener for the kitchen, you can also grow kale, spinach and beets in your kitchen! Yum.

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If you’re not feeling up to the whole ‘plant’ thing…

You could get new curtains! Or blinds, or cushions (we do those as well). Bring the outdoors in with some of these fabulous botanical fabrics from Sanderson.

Clockwise from top: Tribeca, Block Leaf, Rainforest and Ooti, available from The Natural Curtain Company – call to order on 0207 352 8668.

Beautiful quilts from the year 6 pupils of John Betts Primary School

by: Alice | April 16, 2013
Posted in Company News and Press Releases Fabrics Fun Stuff Useful Resources

The Natural Curtain Company team were excited to receive an email from year 6 students of John Betts Primary School in March requesting spare fabrics to make quilts to raise money for their school trip.

The students were raising funds for their end of year trip to Isle of Wight, and the NCC team were thrilled when we received these beautiful images of the quilts the children made:

The quilts were sold in a silent auction and in total the children raised £290 from this project. The remaining material will be used for DT projects and school plays.

We are so happy to see that our end of line fabrics can be put to good use and I think these quilts look beautiful! On behalf of the NCC team I hope the year 6 pupils of John Betts Primary School have a fabulous time in the Isle of Wight.

From Awful to Awesome: How To Break The Taboos

by: Alice | April 9, 2013
Posted in Choosing your Curtains or Roman Blinds Colour schemes Fun Stuff Interiors and Ideas

We’ve all been there – whether it’s fashion, interiors or the colour of your car – the ‘what was I thinking?!’ moment is inevitable. I’ve created a fool-proof interiors guide on how to step outside the box without losing sight of it…

Monochrome

It is very easy to go OTT with the monochrome trend, but this is exactly how it should be done. The striped black and white rug sets off the subtly striped bedspread, and the mis-match of cushions adds a laid back vibe to the room, further emphasised by the hanging coats and hats.

Do! ↓

Tiled monochrome bathroom

↑ Don’t!

This monochrome bathroom is way too busy. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of print clashing now and again, but the black and white tiles paired with the patterned walls are too much to take in. This look could have been nailed with plain white walls to draw the eye to the beautiful flooring.

Kitsch Kitchens

This is how kitsch is done. The worn look of the cabinets adds to the vintage feel, and the structured mirror and candle sticks show that kitsch doesn’t always have to be cute. The cool brown and beige colours give it a masculine feel while maintaining the classic, vintage vibe.

Do! ↓

↑ Don’t!

This kitchen is so sweet it probably has diabetes, and that is never a good thing. Everything from the impeccably placed tea towels to the hearts splodged around the place looks contrived and dated. Who needs two kettles?

Neon Colour Blocking

Neon colour blocking is a bold and intimidating trend. The easiest and most effective way of going about it is to keep is simple and not overdo it. This room shows a deep blue wall, which looks beautiful and eye-catching, and a neon pink canvas. This look is simple yet very effective – and you can cash in on the trend without painting your entire house neon pink…

Do! ↓

↑ Don’t!

Oof. This is a bit much. The important thing with colour blocking is to make sure it’s balanced. A wall with pink details and matching pink cushions is clever accessorising – painting your radiators and window sills pink is colour blocking gone mad.

Animal Print

Using one large, eye-catching piece of furniture is an effective way of making the most out of animal print without having to change your entire layout. This look works best when using a statement piece of furniture in a room that is a neutral colour with simple, structured furniture.

Do! ↓

↑ Don’t!

This image speaks for itself. Someone has clearly helped themselves to a herd of zebras here. Matching too many prints can look tacky and overdone, and having walls, floors and bedding covered in this print makes the room look too busy.

Interview: Kate Austin shares the dos and don’ts of decorating your home

by: Alice | March 14, 2013
Posted in Company News and Press Releases Interiors and Ideas Tips and Hints Uncategorized Useful Resources

I was lucky enough to catch up with interior designer Kate Austin to get the scoop on the most common interior design flops, how to get the most out of your budget and her design secrets. Read on to unlock the secret to a beautiful home…

NCC: What are the most common errors made by homeowners?

Kate: Copying someone else’s style rather than thinking through your own sense of style. Choose something that makes you feel comfortable and at home in a room. FT fashion director Vanessa Friedman says “dressing a room should be an extension of how you dress yourself.” I completely agree with this philosophy.

Another common error is not planning carefully. You impulse buy that wonderful squishy sofa and once it’s delivered you realise it’s way too big for your room. You shouldn’t buy furniture before you’ve planned your room and colour scheme as you’ll end up decorating your room around a pair of lamps that don’t match the scheme you really want.

And finally, don’t over accessorise – keep it simple.

NCC: Do you have any secrets on how to accessorise?

Kate: Spend your money on a good sofa and a good bed – accessories can be done cheaply. There’s no use in having those expensive Porta Romana lamps that you’ve always coveted when you’re sitting on the uncomfortable junk shop sofa you had as a student.

NCC: What has been a big influence in your work?

Kate: Living in Asia for many years has probably had the biggest influence on my style. I fell in love with the serenity, clean lines, simplicity and balance. I also love the use of natural materials and colours, and Asia was where I first became aware of the importance of a good lighting design.

NCC: What advice would you give to young people or students who are working on a budget?

Kate: Keep it clean and simple. If you need basic furniture, look in charity shops, home clearance shops or websites such as eBay. You can brighten up a space with a few well-chosen cushions, a throw or some carefully selected prints.

NCC: What are your favourite trends for spring 2013?

Kate: Grey and purple! It’s my favourite colour combination and it’s officially in this season. It’s also good to see the emphasis on natural and sustainable materials. Consumers are moving away from mass-produced goods and looking towards original, ethical and lasting products.

NCC: What are your pet peeves with this seasons trends?

Kate: Exposed bulbs in lamps – industrial chic is one thing, but I struggle with the trail of light left imprinted on your retina from staring at bare bulbs, especially in restaurants. I also think that the shabby chic/distressed French look is in danger of becoming overdone.

NCC: If you could only buy one item to freshen up a room, what would it be?

Kate: With a big budget, a beautiful piece of art or sculpture. With a smaller budget, cushions.

NCC: Where is it easy to go wrong with certain trends?

Kate: Animal skin can go very wrong. It can look great, but it becomes tacky very easily. To make it work, find some subtle animal print wallpapers, fabrics or embossed snake leathers to add a wonderful texture to a room.

NCC: And finally, when you walk into someone’s home what is the first thing you notice?

Kate: Honestly? How tidy or otherwise it is, and how clean!

For more tips and ideas on interior design and to book an appointment with Kate, contact design@kateaustin.com

How To Decorate Your House: 10 Things to Consider when Decorating your Interior

by: Alice | March 5, 2013
Posted in Choosing your Curtains or Roman Blinds Colour schemes Fun Stuff Interiors and Ideas Tips and Hints Useful Resources

There’s nothing more exciting or daunting than moving home and being faced with a complete blank canvas. Knowing where to begin when you are starting from scratch is half the battle of designing a beautiful interior. We’ve devised ten tips to help you get on your creative feet and come up with ideas for decorating your home.

Home Wreath

1.) What are you drawn to?

Scroll through some design blogs, Pinterest or Instagram and see what it is that draws your eye. If you find that you don’t like busy interiors and are drawn to clean cut lines, then use this as an outline for how you want your home to look.

2.) What is the room going to be used for?

When it comes to interior design, practicality is key. You may be attracted to that plush white carpet, but if you have a big dog and three kids it’s not going to work. Draw out a plan of what each room will be used for, and tackle each one individually.

3.) Work from the outside in…

From experience, we find that the best way of making a room work is to decorate from the outside in. So choose the colour scheme for your walls and curtains, and the rest will follow. A good idea for this is to cheat a little and figure out what artwork will be going in your space. If the piece is big and will draw the eye, pick a colour from that piece and match your carpet or curtains to it. It will mean that the whole colour scheme will come together.

4.) Plan your budget…

Bright Colourful Sofa

It’s important not to get carried away when you see something you love. Often someone will find a pair of lamps that they adore, but if there is no money left for a nice sofa then the room will just look mismatched and inconsistent. Make sure you plan everything you are going to buy before you purchase it.

5.) How can you make it personal?

The best interior designers are inspired from their personal experiences. For example, if you have spent time in India you can use some Middle Eastern inspired art work or even display some souvenirs from your trip. These personal touches are what makes your house feel homely.

6.) Follow your instincts…

Fish Framed Picture

With a huge task like decorating a house, it is easy to play it safe. However, as Coco Chanel once said ‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different’. If you see a zebra print rug that you adore or a colour that really stands out to you, trust your gut and find a way to fit it in to your scheme. It will most likely bring a sense of individuality to your space. Make sure you don’t go over the top though!

7.) Where will you put your furniture?

When moving house you inevitably bring some of your things along with you. Make sure you plan where you’re going to put your furniture before you start decorating. If you have a big statue that you want to put on display, make sure that you integrate a place for it. Without planning, you could end up stuffing all your furniture into one room and it will look cramped.

8.) Take your time…

It’s easy to rush things when you move into a new home. You want it to feel as homely as possible as soon as possible, and as a result many people will impulse buy furniture or accessories that don’t suit the interior, or will just over crowd the space. The best thing to do is take your time when home decorating. This way you can discover what you truly want from your space and you can buy what you need accordingly.

9.) Are you thinking long term?

Map of Lisbon Framed Picture

With interior design, styles go in and out of fashion. Industrial chic may seem like a good idea for your kitchen, but after a year it may be out of style and you’re left with a kitchen that looks like a shelled out building site. Make sure that you incorporate fashionable looks with a classic interior, so that you can stay on trend without having to re-decorate your entire room.

10.) What will make you feel comfortable?

The most important thing to consider is what it is that makes you feel comfortable. If you like the idea of a minimalist kitchen, think about whether you will feel at home there. Re-creating someone else’s look may seem like a good idea, but if it isn’t truly your style then you won’t feel happy with it – so stick to your own tastes.

All images sourced from Etsy.

Working With White

by: Alice | February 22, 2013
Posted in Colour schemes Curtains Interiors and Ideas Tips and Hints

When it comes to interior decorating, white can be a hard nut to crack. Here are a few hints and tips we’ve picked up to make sure you nail the look first time round.

White curtains with bright accessories

Accessorise

White has always been the colour of choice for interior designers. It represents calmness and tranquility and provides a blank canvas which you can dress up or down according to your preference.

Simple white curtains provide the perfect basis for a clean and minimal room. Team with white furniture and walls, adding small splashes of colour with carefully selected accessories.

We love these graphic prints by Au Retour (below), hand-printed by New York based artist and designer Emily. Her work is available on Etsy, and you can view the entire collection here. Scatter these cushions over a white sofa for a fresh, bright home makeover.

Bright graphic print cushion from Etsy

Monochrome Monochrome decor with white eyelet curtains

To make a statement, combine fresh white with black or charcoal grey for a dramatic monochrome style. Simple eyelet curtains in white linen offer a contemporary look and provide the perfect antidote to a striking black wall. The neutral colour of the sofa and the cushions evens out the striking black and white contrast to create a warm and modern place to relax.

Warm Whites

A white room doesn’t have to be limited to summer. This interior is a perfect example of how you can have a white room that is perfect for keeping warm over winter.

This room achieves a warm look from the uber-luxurious woollen throw, and the matching cushions and poufs. The low-hanging lampshade adds an air of industrial chic so that the room doesn’t look too kitsch.

This classic style will make a white room look warm and cosy, and you can switch around accessories to create a whole new look from season to season.

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Coral patterned white curtains with white sofas and blue patterned rug White by the Beach

This room is full of fresh, crisp white upholstery and bright, colourful patterns. White is the perfect colour pallet for a beach house (or if you want your town house to look like a beach house), and the beautiful coral patterned curtains and bright blue and red seaside cushions add to the cool luxury of this room.

This look is finished off by the blue graphic patterned rug which brings the whole room together.

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Statement sofa against white wall

Statement White

For a bold and contemporary look, pick a piece of beautiful, statement furniture such as this structured sofa, and frame it against a bright white background.

This will give your room an instantly contemporary feel, and will draw attention to your favourite piece.

If this look is too eccentric, you can place some bold artwork above your statement piece to add some colour. Interior designer Emma decided against this and has made the grey sofa the main focus in the room. Find more design inspiration on Emma’s Blogg.

London Design Week

by: Harry | March 8, 2012
Posted in Industry News Interiors and Ideas Uncategorized

This month there are a host of inspiring Interior Design shows in London. We are looking forward to London Design Week at Chelsea Harbour on the 11^th-16^th March, just a short walk away from our showroom. Map here

There will be masterclasses and design lectures so you can discover tricks, tips and secrets to making a house a home.

Take a look at the listings here

We recommend the ‘Lampshade Surgery’ with demonstrations at Porta Romana showing the transforming effects of linings, colours and sizing. (14 & 15 March only, free of charge).

If that gives you some ideas, our bespoke lampshade service is for you!

We are sure you will be rushing home full of exciting new decorating ideas so over the next few weeks we will be creating some online mood boards to get your creative juices flowing and to help you get inspired for Spring!

Natural Curtain Company Blog

Latest Articles

Accessory of the Week: Concrete Floors

Accessory of the week: Cushions & Throws

Accessory of the week: Table cloths

Accessory Of The Week: House Plants

Beautiful quilts from the year 6 pupils of John Betts Primary School

From Awful to Awesome: How To Break The Taboos

Interview: Kate Austin shares the dos and don’ts of decorating your home

How To Decorate Your House: 10 Things to Consider when Decorating your Interior

Working With White

London Design Week

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