5 Ways To Decorate With Quilts

By Levada Pendry

On a Bed:

This is the most traditional and expected way to use a quilt. Since there is now a HUGE variety of quilt styles, from ultra-modern to 30’s prints, to civil war era (with reproduction fabrics!) they can compliment any bedroom style.

As always, colors are important! The quilt style can be a secondary consideration if the colors are “just right”. Also, what an easy re-do when the seasons change! Just put a different quilt on your bed.

On a Wall:

Some quilts are designed to be displayed on a wall. They can be traditional quilt patterns, or pictorial quilts. They are constructed with a special “sleeve” that is a basic tube running all along the back of the quilt. It is made to have a rod of some type to run through it and make it easy and practical to hang on the wall. Any quilt can be retro-fitted with a sleeve, and because it will never show, so it does not have to match the front in any way.

Many of these wall quilts can get quite fancy, with embellishments such as beads, etc. adding to the attractiveness and excitement of them.

On a Table:

Quilts can double as tablecloths. Because of the possibility of permanent food stains, I would recommend covering with a transparent plastic to protect the quilt!

For a side table, there are special quilted “runners”. They are long skinny (usually one block repeated in a row) quilts. Typically they are constructed on a holiday theme, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.

In the Living Room:

Special smaller quilts, called lap quilts are stars in the living room. Not only are they beautiful and colorful, but they are made to cuddle up under when the temperature is low. They can be draped over the arms or backs of chairs or couches. I like to roll mine up (instead of folding) and have them sticking out of a large basket.

In the Baby’s Room:

Smaller size quilts in a HUGE variety of fabrics and designs are available for babies and small children. Plus they are usually made clearly either for a boy or a girl, so selection is easy. Because they are basically the same size as a lap quilt, they can be used for years.

Some are actually constructed to be used to play with the children. A special type is called an “I Spy” quilt. The idea is that each square has a specific SOMETHING…bug, train, apple, etc., whatever the quiltmaker wanted to put in there. You say to the child…”I spy an apple”. Then they get to look on the quilt to find the apple. These quilts are lots of fun, and great to use for a nap after the game.

So where do you find these quilts to decorate with? Not so easy unless you know lots of grandma’s! (Just kidding, grandma’s). Actually because of the recent innovation and increasing use of the long-arm quilting machines, quilts are becoming more available for sale. Quilters don’t have to spend months hand quilting to finish a quilt.

I would like to invite you to browse the quilts for sale (all sizes) at www.BuyAQuilt.com You will find the contact information right there to communicate with the quilt maker if you see something that would be perfect to decorate with.

About the Author: Levada Pendry © 2006 http://www.BuyAQuilt.com You are free to use or distribute this article in any way that you wish, as long as this signature area is left intact.

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Colorful Bedspreads for Summer

by Arianna Jordan1

It is certainly a welcome change of pace when we get to remove heavier bedspreads needed for warmth in wintertime and replace them with lighter bedspreads for summer. It is like lifting the cloak of cold and lesser light that can settle over your bedroom in winter months, and uncovering the fresher, lighter, look and feel of summer into your room.

There are many wonderful bedspreads to choose from in order to give your room the look and feel of summer, without having to sacrifice your family’s savings. You can have beautiful bedspreads for all of the beds in your home and still have plenty of money left over for going places, and doing fun things with your family this summer. Mom’s are experts at finding and recognizing good deals on the furnishings they want for their homes, all while staying within a budget.

Complete bedding sets include top and bottom sheets, pillowcases, bed ruffles, and a matching colorful bedspread. Many styles of bedspreads currently available invoke images of pleasant summertime sights and activities, and are wonderful accents for your home. Smart shoppers can often find these bed-in-a-bag sets for less than $100. Add some matching curtains, wall pictures, and a small decorative lamp for a few extra dollars to complete a fresh summer look to your whole room.

Some individuals are more likely to pay attention to the colors and styles in the bedspreads they choose than others. That is not to say that taking time to sort through different styles of colorful bedspreads has no value. Individuals who do have a preference or strong opinion about what colors and styles of bedspreads they prefer can add a lot to the decision making process. Keep in mind important details like the color and material of the bed frame, and the colors of the floor or carpet in the bedroom.

Some years it seems like it takes forever for summer to get here, and not long at all before it is over. Here are four colorful bedspreads for summer that you might consider giving your bedroom a makeover for summer with. That way you can bring the splendor of the summer season into your room today and enjoy it all summer long.

Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread

It is easy to give your bedroom loads of Italian charm with the Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread, or other Italy-inspired bedspreads from Bassetti. This bedspread is very comfortable, includes plush padding and is definitely light enough for summer. It can be found in complimentary shadings of green, blue, and brown, which combine into a beautiful bedspread. This bedspread is made from 100% cotton, its filler is hypoallergenic and it measures 94 in. by 100 in. The Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread is safe for washing by hand or it can be dry-cleaned, if you prefer.

Cameo Toile Bedspread

Also for your consideration in colorful summer bedspreads, Cameo Toile offers a charming lightweight quilt bedspread with a floral theme that is 3-parts, sweet, romantic, and reminiscent of olden days. This bedspread is 100% cotton, machine washable, and comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. In most cases, purchases of this bedspread also includes a single sham for twin sizes and dual shams with the purchase of full, queen, and king sizes.

Antique Rose Quilt

There is no flower quite as lovely as the rose. Why not bring the elegance of the rose into your bedroom with an imported Antique Rose Quilt for your bed. You will feel as if you are sleeping in a peaceful garden filled with roses in their finest blooms. This bedspread is available in many sizes, and includes 1 pillow sham with twin size, 2 pillow shams with the purchase of larger sized bedspreads. This bedspread is also made from 100 percent cotton that is machine washable.

Contadora Patchwork Designed Bedspread

Reversible quilts and bedspreads are always a hit because they allow you to alternate between different looks as often as you wish. The Contadora patchwork designed bedspread with multiple colors is one such reversible quilt. This bedspread gives you the ability to transform your bedroom today and then again the following week. If you buy this bedspread in a set, you will also get two shams with tie closures, (or one with the purchase of a twin set). This bedspread is 100 percent cotton/cotton batting. The recommended cleaning method for this bedspread is to use cold water, the gentle cycle, line drying, or drying flat. Do not use bleach when washing this bedspread, or dry clean.

The above four suggestions in colorful bedspreads for summer are merely a beginning glimpse of what you can find in colorful bedspreads for you bed. There are hundreds of bedspread collections with fabulous design styles and a wide range in pricing to make them a more affordable accent for your bedroom. Some bedspread brands you might want to check out are Linden Street, American Living, Home Expressions, Liz Claiborne Waverly, and Sealy to name a few more. Look for them online to help in choosing just the right colorful summer bedspreads for your room and guest rooms.

Arianna Jordan is a freelance writer who writes about home decorating, often focusing on a specific product such as bedspreads

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Save Money on Fuel Bills by Adding a Bedspread to Keep You Warm and Cosy!

By Terry Henman

Interior designers focus on bedrooms layouts and décor with opulence and decadence in mind to create rooms which are rich with colour and include a variety of different textures and tactile fabrics to transform plain bedrooms into havens of peace and relaxation.

It easy to create your own bedroom with these rich colours and whilst the summer months call for crisp white, the palest of blues or bright and vibrant colours, once the nights begin to start to become cooler autumnal shades or Indian summer colours are very in-vogue.

As with fashion the styles and trends of interior design are usually one season ahead, as such some gorgeous bedding in these rich warm colours are already being seen in preparation for snuggling up whilst we wait for winter to arrive!

One of the greatest advantages of transforming bedroom looks and styles is the ease in which new concepts can be achieved without having to think about a complete redecoration. By simply changing the bedding and curtains a whole new look can be completed in less than a day.

Colour experts will intimate that soothing colours in a bedroom are the most effective for peaceful rest and quality sleep time. This does not mean you have to wrap your bed in swathes of thick layers of blankets as in the past, as designers and manufacturers have every season catered for perfectly with a wide range of different bedding to suit your home and your budget.

The humble duvet is available in different tog ratings which enable each person to select the level of warmth and comfort they desire. Those who feel the cold can add the latest design styles of bed runners to keep their feet warm and add chic elegance to their bedroom.

Candlewick styles of bed covers may be very outdated, however the more traditional quilts and comforters have been brought up to date with a wide array of gorgeous colours, patterns and plain fabrics. These can quite simply be used with sheets during the warmer months as well as being used in conjunction with duvet during the winter.

The rises cost of heating and fuel bills is of great concern to many people in the UK. Not only are people being caught in the price wars of the utility companies the government is concerned that in order to save money many people will have little choice to lower their central heating controls this winter.

Whilst this may be a positive step to reduce people's carbon footprint and help to save the planet there is deep concern that people will become too cold, particularly the more vulnerable, such as those on low incomes and the elderly.

One of the easiest solutions may be to think back to the days before houses had central heating, which of course meant that beddings was increased during the winter. Adding a beautiful bedspread on top of existing bedding will not only help people to keep warm, the latest designs add a chic style to a bedroom which is conducive to sleep and warmth!

About the Author: Terrys Fabrics offer a wide range of curtains, fabrics and bedspreads

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