Est. 2001
September 2015 
  
 

"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer" -Helen Hunt Jackson
Margaret Blunt, Owner,
Sew Beautiful

The time is almost here to bid farewell to summer, but the glorious days of fall are right around the corner, and with them come the cooler, comfortable temperatures, the beauty of falling leaves and, best of all, pumpkin-flavored everything!

We are already busy helping our clients prepare their homes for the upcoming season of entertainment; some just sprucing up, and others doing whole-room renovations. Be sure to check our Feature Article, "Great Gatherings" for tips on getting your own dining room ready. Our Feature Project highlights the dining room of one of our clients during four different holiday gathering events.

Enjoy the last rays of summer!
 
All the best -
 
 
Margaret
SewBeautiful
In This Issue
Did You Know...
Feature Project
Great Gatherings
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Did You Know...

...Velvet is trending for the fall in the fashion - and home fashion - industries. Because of its soft texture and luxurious look, velvet has often been associated with nobility. It was introduced in the early 14th century as a fit material for ecclesiastical vestments and royal and state robes. Italian velvets were considered among the most magnificent textures of medieval times.

Fast forward to 2015: Velvet still has the ability to take a room to the next level. This regal fabric is surprisingly versatile, and looks amazing in couches, dining chairs or simple ottomans. With numerous types of velvet manufactured today, it is easy to care for and comes in many bright and casual colors. Velvet can give your home the sophisticated glamour you can't get from any other fabric!

Feature Project

Sew Beautiful's friend, Designer Doug Richard, takes table décor to a whole new level with these beautiful holiday tablescapes. Karen, our client, enjoys teaming with Doug to make her dining room a special place for family gatherings throughout the year. Such care and attention are given to the details that family and friends treasure their time in this festive ambiance.

Halloween
Thanksgiving

Christmas
Easter

Great Gatherings


We've all heard about the benefits of breaking bread together with loved ones. Family dinners can help reduce stress, increase communication and promote healthier eating habits. Now that school's back in session it's even more important to try to coordinate busy schedules around a family meal. You can make those gatherings more enjoyable and relaxing by creating a dining room that is irresistibly inviting. And with the winter holidays around the corner, now is a perfect time to get your home in shape for entertaining.

Following are some tips from design experts on how you can help your dining room take center stage for entertaining groups of all sizes:

Walls: One of the easiest updates you can make to a room is to change the paint color. If your dining room is open to other rooms, take the surrounding styles into consideration. Deeper colors can create a more dramatic looking room. If your room is small, painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can make it appear larger.
Windows: Your choice of window treatments can make a huge difference in atmosphere. Too much light during the day can damage your furniture with UV rays, yet too little sunlight can make the room feel gloomy. At night, you want privacy. The right window coverings can soften incoming light, provide privacy, protect your furnishings and add insulation, all while bringing decorative harmony to the room.
The Dining Table: The shape of your dining table should relate to the overall shape of the room. A rectangular or oval table works well in a rectangular room, while a round table looks better in a more square room. A pedestal table allows uninterrupted seating without corner legs getting in the way, and round or oval tables can accommodate more people than tables with square corners.
Dining Chairs: First and foremost, dining chairs should be comfortable. Upholstered or cushioned seats are a must, and upholstered backs provide added comfort and absorb sound - an important consideration for this room where conversation is usually the focus. Use fabrics such as cotton blends or wool that are relatively easy to spot-clean and are resistant to wear and fading.
Rugs: When choosing a rug, keep in mind that dark-colored and patterned rugs tend to camouflage stains better than solid rugs, but be careful not to select a pattern that is too busy for the room's décor. Pick a size that is 18 to 24 inches larger than your table. 
Table Settings: Last, but certainly not least, decorative placemats and coordinating settings can add instant personality to the room. A dynamite centerpiece is a must!

Whether you're considering a whole-room makeover or just a sprucing-up, these simple tips will help you create a dining room that will make friends and family feel welcome.

If you, or someone you know, are looking for help with a decorating project please contact us for an in-home consultation. We help homeowners dress their windows and complete their rooms with well designed and beautifully made custom window treatments, pillows, cushions, bedding, upholstery and more. To schedule an in-home consultation, call (410) 544-3300 or email margaret@sewbeautifulwindows.com.

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