Choosing a good carpet for your home isn’t just important for complimenting or enhancing your interior design. Once you have a color or pattern in mind, you’ll need to start thinking about more practical issues such as which carpet type you want, which fiber it should be made of and how you will be using your new carpet. Interior designers in Seattle agree that if you answer these three important questions, you’ll be better equipped to make the best choice for your home. Here are the essentials you will need to know:

1. Carpet types

Loop: This carpet is formed through continuous loops of threads. It would go well in an informal area but isn’t great if you have pets whose claws can pull up a loop and make the carpet run.
Frieze: Another good informal style, this carpet has a curly look to it. It stands up well and doesn’t leave obvious vacuum and footprint marks.
Plush: A dense carpet with a luxurious feel. This goes well in a formal area where there is little traffic as it is easily imprinted.
Pattern: Uses different-sized loops of thread and cut threads to form a subtly textured look. You can choose from a large range of patterns, e.g., swirls, squares, lattices and botanical features.
Textured: The fibers on this are cut at different lengths to give a shaggy look. This is a good all-round carpet as it is not easily imprinted and gives a casual yet beautiful look.

2. Carpet fibers

Polyester: An inexpensive choice which sometimes offer a softer texture. However, it does not have the best durability and easily looses its shape.
Nylon: This is the most popular carpet fiber. It is moderately priced and thought to be the best at resisting wear and stains.
Wool: This has a luxury quality to it, being soft and bulky. But beware, it will probably need professional cleaning and is also the priciest.
Olefin (polypropylene): These are strong fibers known to resist wear and stains. Commercial interiors favor this type, though some believe it is harder to clean.

3. Where will your carpet go?

Anticipate how your carpet will be used and who will be using it. Will your carpet be placed in a formal room where there won’t be much people-traffic? If so, you won’t mind buying a more expensive fiber which looks great though it has lower durability. Do you need a carpet for your lounge where your pet dogs and children can roam around freely? If this is the case, you might opt for an inexpensive type that you can replace every few years as needed, or you might opt for the most durable kind. Once you’ve anticipated which qualities your carpet will need when it is being used, you’ll be much closer to making the best pick for your home.

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Have you ever had the feeling that one, or several, of the rooms in your house does not feel quite right, but you have no idea why?  It may be because the room is out of balance.

Maybe you feel the room is tipping to the side because there are many heavy pieces of furniture on that side, or it could be that the artwork or accessories are imbalanced.

If you are experiencing this very common situation and a Seattle interior designer is out of your budget, follow these simple tips to get your room to the right balance equation:

1.Large vs. large.  If you place a heavy piece of furniture on one side of the room, maybe a bookcase for your big collection of books, place something large on the other side too; it could be a cozy sofa with a big art piece on top.  This will balance the room by adding height and visual weight to both sides.

2. Separate.  Split bookcases and entertainment centers to achieve balance.  Place one of the sections in a different place inside the room, next to the sofa or fireplace, to make them look less heavy around the space.  Sectional sofas can be too large for a certain room, making it feel too heavy or cramped, thus, place the sections one in front of the other, as you do with sofas and love seats.

3. Symmetry.  This means both sides of the room are identical.  The symmetry, matching furniture, gives a very formal visual effect and is easy to create.  Two matching chairs on either side of the sofa or matching candlesticks on each side table; may do the trick.

4. Asymmetry.  Yes, opposite to the above one, but incredibly interesting.  The trick here is to put together comparable, but not matching, pieces.  Look for pieces in different sizes, shapes and colors, and work a gorgeous asymmetrical arrangement, like for example, a huge vase on one side in contrast to three smaller candlesticks or an interesting lamp on the other.  These arrangements may need a little more knowledge or feeling to create, because you have to perceive the visual weight of each piece, and they create informal settings, alias, more cozy ones.

5.Think lamps.  These are great balancing pieces.  Place a floor lamp on one side of the sofa and a table lamp on the other; you can even put books under the table lamp to make it look a little higher.  You can also put two different table lamps on each side of the sofa; or even think of placing two different side tables on each side.

6.  Plants.  Place a tall potted tree across from a big bookcase to balance its height; vertical mirrors also work.  To balance both sides of a sofa, place a potted plant on one side and a table lamp on the other.

7.  An eye on art.  To complete furniture that is too short or too narrow for the space, hang one or more art pieces on the wall above it.  Color is a great balancing tool too.  Darker and stronger colors are heavier than lighter ones, so think about this when you are placing art in front of a big piece of furniture like an armoire, bookcase or entertainment center.

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Flea markets and vintage furnishings shops are a very good option to find that piece of furniture or design item we have been looking for so long, which was either hard to find, or simply too expensive. Flea markets are the ideal place to shop when your budget is limited. You could find some lovely treasures. Patience and cleverness are the keys to a successful transaction.

Flea markets owe their name to the fact that people usually look like fleas from a distance. Also, some believe that the name originated from the fact that the pieces of furniture bought actually came with fleas. This is not so much the case nowadays. Flea markets and vintage furnishings shops have come a long way. Now everything is much more organized and regulated, and in many flea markets you can even pay with a credit card. Also, many modern flea markets have delivery services, so the pieces of furniture you want can be delivered right to your home.

In Paris there are a well established and very famous series of such markets called Les Puces.  Here both permanent booths as well as an ever changing weekly array of sellers come together to offer things from frumpy to fabulous.  The markets are  hundreds of years old but began more officially in their current form around 1880.    Many a treasure has graced the covers of famous international magazines which began its voyage in these humble and jumbled beginnings.  The thrill is in the search and many make the pilgrimage on a weekly basis. I myself have spent many days on each of my trips to Paris combing the markets for both fun and treasures.  On one such trip, I fell deeply in love with a beautiful crystal chandelier.  Amazingly, I was told that it had just been sold…as luck would have it to a colleague of mine from right here in Seattle of all places.  Great minds think alike…even in the Puce in Paris.

The idea is to take all the time in the world, to thoroughly check the pieces of furniture you are interested in. If they are damaged, they could probably be repaired by a carpenter, and for a small fee, you get to save thousands of dollars. Also, if you’re handy repairing things, it is known to be great work therapy, to relieve stress. Wood is a very noble material to work with; if you are kind to it, it will respond beautifully.

It is crucial that the piece you acquire does not carry larvae of insects. Some insects feed on wood, and if an infestation occurs, it can very well end with your home’s foundations. The wisest thing to do is to leave the piece in quarantine, in the garage, for instance, before granting it a place inside your home.

Tables, chairs, sofas, armchairs, beds, closets, mantelpieces; you name it. Any L.A., New York, Miami, or Seattle interior designer would agree that the right item could be a stylish addition to your home; some may even give it the right touch of distinction. Patience and a keen eye can prove to be very useful when it comes to the search for the perfect design item.

When it comes to decor, many people confess to feeling a bit disappointed or let down with how their homes look. Our surroundings can influence us in ways we may or may not be aware of, but when we finally do become aware of the fact that what our home needs is some redecorating, we worry. After all, decorating is an investment, but worry not; remember, where there is a will, there is a way and a talented interior designer can help you get the most value out of your budget. Our team can help guide you through this process with ease.

First of all, we have to learn to look at things around us in a different way. Most of us have a lot of stuff sitting around already.  Take a good assessment of what you have.  Decide which pieces could have new life with a few alterations to the finish or fabric, which items could serve their purpose better in another space, and remove permanently the rest.  Don’t leave the space cluttered.  Then begin searching for pieces that can begin to breathe new life into your spaces. Vintage furniture and furnishings add character to a modern interior.

You need not stop there. In addition to using what you already have any interior designer in Seattle, or anywhere really would agree that there’s something very appealing about buying vintage fabric or a previously cherished piece of furniture. It’s often less costly than buying them new, and pieces that are aged with time can give your homes added personality. However, decorating with vintage goods can be daunting, if you lack the vision to realize which of the things you already have can be recycled appropriately. Even more so if you’re not the type who enjoys scouring dusty shops in search of elusive treasure, then taking the risk that it will not be suitable for your home.  This is where it becomes time to leave this to the seasoned professionals at Amely Wurmbrand Designs.

The good news is that the traditional approach to buying vintage furniture and accessories is changing. The “take it as it comes” mentality is a thing of the past. Many companies restore and modify furniture, accessories, and soft furnishings to create a perfect fit for your home. To further ease the transition, many vintage pieces can be given a contemporary makeover to suit your interior style.

The process of incorporating older fittings and furniture into a contemporary setting is not always simple, there’s a difference between garbage and a beautifully-aged piece. But it is definitely worthwhile to search for rescued treasures that will stand the test of time. If you have an unbridled passion for unusual objects, this is definitely a road worth traveling.

Here you can find some questions whose answers may help you when decorating your new Condo or redecorating your house. A well designed home can have profound impacts on your day to day happiness and well being so it is worth spending time on.

For this exercise, first you need to give some thought to the spaces in your house or Condominium, then you have to ask yourself these questions in order to get the answers you are looking for:

- How do I want my home to look?
You may want your house to look like an Arabian palace in the middle of the city, needing lots of fillagree wood screens or mosaics; or maybe you want your spaces to be a cozy place that reminds you of a cherished time past. You can do it the way you want it. This first question will put everything into perspective. Every other decision on the interior design of your house is going to be based on what you want your house to represent.

- Who are going to be the inhabitants of my home?
You have to think about how many people are going to spend time in your residence and the things they enjoy doing. It is basic for everyone to have their very own personal space. For example, how many kids are going to be regularly in the household, or will an inlaw need a place to take a nap every once in a while? Each particular case will determine a change in the interior design of your home. Make sure you make the right decisions, your house helps define you.

- Do I really need to use all those items for my home?
Your space must be respected; being in a small room surrounded by old and dusty electronic devices is probably a good definition for angst. Try not to keep lots of old equipment, patio furniture, and unnecessary decorations. We recommend that you sit on your couch for a while and think about this. You have to reach a balance; think about what you really need, about what’s useful for you, and good looking for your house. Then you must clear your life of everything that doesn’t seem to be that important.

- Do I need professional help?
You may need some professional advice when it comes to choosing the right colors for your walls, fabrics for your curtains, the proper position for a bookcase, or an armchair. Any interior designer in Seattle, New York, or Miami will tell you that the money you spend on design is money well invested.We often have answers for every question regarding your house. Once you already have a general perspective; a professional opinion can be just what you need to balance your needs, your desires, and your budget. Feel free to give us a call.  Amely Wurmbrand Designs specializes in helping to guide you through this important process.

These questions are just the start. In the end, these questions are just the start to making your home the one you always dreamed of.