Abbott Interiors
Newton, MA
617-332-1100
spring trees
Interior Design "Defined"
A newsletter that keeps you informed of current trends in Interior Design and related fields.

 Spring has sprung!  Let the sun shine in!  The most important task you can do right now is washing your windows - inside and out.  It will give your house that "sparkle" and change the light inside to allow your colors and fabrics to be seen at their best.  It is a simple idea, but the end result is quite a surprise!  This also allows the variety of greens outside in the landscape to give you a lift of spirits.  If you need a professional window washer give me a call for a referral.

Take A Peek at New Sheets!sheets

What is important when purchasing sheets? It's that thread count!  Do you know what that means today?

Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric.  Higher thread counts are important but so is the quality of the threads.  Fiber type, fiber length, yarn and fabric weave play a part when choosing high quality bedding.  When looking for the finest cottons take notice of a high thread count but also make sure they are made using long fiber cotton such as Egyptian.  For example, a 300 thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheet is thread countsuperior to a 500 thread count sheet made with cotton-polyester blend fibers.  Fiber types can be linen, Egyptian cotton, combed cotton and organic cotton.  Fabric weaves are sateen and percale.  A primer on bed sizes includes twin at 39"wide x 76 - 80", twin extra-long at 84", full/double at 54" wide x 75 - 84", queen at 60" x 80" and king at 76" wide x 80" or California king at 78" wide x 84" long.  Sheets are sold in many places but the best buys are those in places such as Home Goods where you might find a bargain but if you are ready to splurge, custom linens from high end stores or from the Patterson Group in the Boston Design Center are available. Information above provided by the Patterson Group.

 

hardwareGet A Handle On Your Hardware

Want a different look for your cabinets? Just change the hardware! There are so many options out there whether you shop online or in stores. You can find anything from animals and human forms to flowers or colored glass. This need not apply only to your kitchen, but any other room where you have cabinets- a bathroom, family room or home office. Please note placement of the screw holes on your existing hardware so you get something the right size.

Secrets of an Interior Designer.....Proportion

shhProportion as it relates to design is the "correct, attractive or ideal relationship in size or shape between one thing and another or between parts of a whole".  How does a designer view a room?  Proportion is like grammar; "it is the mechanics of the language of design". It comes from educating your eye, from learning how to look.  A designer doesn't need a calculator, they just know what size the furniture should be in a particular space, what will make a small room feel larger, what will make a large room cozier and inviting.  A designer knows where to hang window treatments (at the ceiling, half way between ceiling and window frame, at window frame). Using proportion as a guide it can help make a relationship between different sized windows or architectural elements.  The decisions for these things; layout, window treatments, furniture size, etc. add up to balance in a room, and make a room dynamic, moving, and harmonious.  Proportion can be seen even in the placement of accessories, books, tables and collections.  Again, look at home magazines and dissecting the pictures will help educate your eye.

 
new bulbs
New candleabra bulbs 
Going, going.......green
 

 Don't Be Left  In The Dark

We have discussed the new government regulations and the vanishing incandescent bulb and the arrival of many, many new products on the market.  I just attended a seminar on the latest product offerings and saw the newest in LED's and compact fluorescent bulbs and fixtures.  Just understanding how to replace bulbs in recessed fixtures is complicated.  And to add to this is the changeover to all types of bulbs such as chandelier bulbs. At this time there isn't much out there which I would consider putting in my fixtures.(See photo of new candleabra bulbs--not so attractive, are they?) My recommendation then is to get a supply of the bulbs now and wait out the switch over to whatever the industry will be offering.  If you are doing larger projects or remodeling, I advise you to use a lighting consultant with your designer to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.


More details on these topics can be found on the Abbott Interiors Facebook page Find us on Facebook. This will be updated frequently and include additional items.  Please contact me with any questions or if you would like to get together for a consultation.


Sincerely,
Eleanor Samuels
Abbott Interiors
617-332-1100
Quick LinkQuicks
Issue 9
March 2011

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