Ikea, the Swedish furniture chain, said on Sunday it never expected such a backlash after switching typeface in its latest catalogue.
The company's decision to make its first such font change in 50 years from the iconic Futura typeface to the Verdana one - has caused a worldwide reaction on the Internet. The catalogue - which the company advertises as the world's most printed book - was distributed last month.
"We're surprised," said Ikea spokeswoman Camilla Meiby."But I think it's mainly experts who have expressed their views, people who are interested in fonts.I don't think the broad public is that interested."
Verdana was invented by Microsoft for use on a computer screen, not on paper. Its wide, open letters with space between characters are designed to increase legibility on small computer screens.
Ikea said that in order to reach many people in many different ways, it needed a font that works in both digital and print media.
"Verdana is a simple, cost-effective font which works well in all media and languages," Meiby said.
But some Ikea fans were outraged,finding Verdana less elegant than Futura.
The online forum Typophile ended its first post with the words,"It's a sad day."
A week ago, Romanian design consultant Marius Ursache started an online petition called "Ikea, please get rid of Verdana."
On Sunday, the campaign had more than 2,700 signatures.
The move to a simple, modern-looking font also fueled Twitter posts such as "Ikea, stop the Verdana madness" and "Words can't describe my disgust."
Swedish art director Christoph Comstedt disagreed.
"I don't think the average consumer will react, maybe people in the advertising business," he said.
Ikea has 246 stores selling inexpensive but stylish furnishings globally and around 140,000 staff members.
Monday, August 31, 2009
"At home" in the forest
Conscious about the need to stop waste and save the world, At Home, a newcomer to Siam Discovery, is offering an eye catcing collection f ecofriendly furniture made from reclaimed materials along with hoem decor items under the slogan "simple sensual living".
The concept is rustic chic and the style is antique. All the painted wooden pieces are inspired by nature with birds, butterfiles, flowers and furits figuring prominently. The colours are pleasing too, in pastel shades of blue, green and brown with lots of creams and white.
There are two collections on offer: the "botanical Garden" theme reflects the forest and is full of cute animals, flowers and fruits, while the "Voyage" selection is influenced by a journey with sailboats and maps.
The store is stocked with chairs, tables, cabinets, cup boards, photo frames, artwork, boxes, buckets and cushions.
>> AT A GLANCE
At Home is on the fifth floor of Siam Discovery Centre, and it's open daily fom 10am to 9pm. Call (02) 658 0507.
The concept is rustic chic and the style is antique. All the painted wooden pieces are inspired by nature with birds, butterfiles, flowers and furits figuring prominently. The colours are pleasing too, in pastel shades of blue, green and brown with lots of creams and white.
There are two collections on offer: the "botanical Garden" theme reflects the forest and is full of cute animals, flowers and fruits, while the "Voyage" selection is influenced by a journey with sailboats and maps.
The store is stocked with chairs, tables, cabinets, cup boards, photo frames, artwork, boxes, buckets and cushions.
>> AT A GLANCE
At Home is on the fifth floor of Siam Discovery Centre, and it's open daily fom 10am to 9pm. Call (02) 658 0507.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Modernform plans expansion via M&A activity
Furniture manufacturer and distributor Modernform Group is planning mergers and acquisitions next year, both domestically and abroad but especially in other Asean countries.
The move will be part of a long-term growth strategy, CEO Thaksa Busayapoka told a press conference yesterday.
The M&As will involve firms that are at least related to the furniture business, but the company cannot say now how much it will spend, because that will depend largely on the opportunity presented, he |said.
Funding can come from the company's cash flow, bank borrowing or debenture issues, depending on how much is needed. However, the company's debt-to-equity ratio is now only 0.2, giving it much leeway to assume more debt if funding must come from banks or the bond market, Thaksa said.
Modernform Group is Thailand's furniture leader. Ninety-six per cent of its revenue comes from domestic sales and the rest from exports.
Its main market is contract projects, accounting for 70 per cent of revenue. These include both residential and office developments, both private and government. The rest comes from retail sales.
The group wants to maintain annual growth of 15-20 per cent over the next three to five years, and the company must expand to meet this target, Thaksa said.
However, it achieved first-half revenue of only Bt1.13 billion for a net profit of Bt114.11 million, down 21.5 per cent and 41.7 per cent |year on year, respectively.
Thaksa said the drop in revenue and net profit was in line with the country's economic slowdown and that most of its customers - property developers - had delayed their construction projects.
This meant Modernform had to delay delivery of its products, forcing it to hold on to Bt670 million worth of inventory. Seventy per cent of that will be delivered in the current half of this year and the rest next year.
Its high inventory combined with stiff competition caused Modernform's gross margin to drop from an average of 37 per cent last year to 36 per cent in this year's first half, Thaksa said.
However, the company believes demand in the furniture market will recover in the second half, raising the gross margin to 36.5 per cent by year-end.
The company has targeted full-year revenue of Bt2.46 billion for net profit of Bt283 million, down 14.28 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, from last year.
The company expects full-year revenue of Bt3.2 billion for a net profit Bt420 million in 2011 following its aggressive expansion next year, Thaksa said.
The move will be part of a long-term growth strategy, CEO Thaksa Busayapoka told a press conference yesterday.
The M&As will involve firms that are at least related to the furniture business, but the company cannot say now how much it will spend, because that will depend largely on the opportunity presented, he |said.
Funding can come from the company's cash flow, bank borrowing or debenture issues, depending on how much is needed. However, the company's debt-to-equity ratio is now only 0.2, giving it much leeway to assume more debt if funding must come from banks or the bond market, Thaksa said.
Modernform Group is Thailand's furniture leader. Ninety-six per cent of its revenue comes from domestic sales and the rest from exports.
Its main market is contract projects, accounting for 70 per cent of revenue. These include both residential and office developments, both private and government. The rest comes from retail sales.
The group wants to maintain annual growth of 15-20 per cent over the next three to five years, and the company must expand to meet this target, Thaksa said.
However, it achieved first-half revenue of only Bt1.13 billion for a net profit of Bt114.11 million, down 21.5 per cent and 41.7 per cent |year on year, respectively.
Thaksa said the drop in revenue and net profit was in line with the country's economic slowdown and that most of its customers - property developers - had delayed their construction projects.
This meant Modernform had to delay delivery of its products, forcing it to hold on to Bt670 million worth of inventory. Seventy per cent of that will be delivered in the current half of this year and the rest next year.
Its high inventory combined with stiff competition caused Modernform's gross margin to drop from an average of 37 per cent last year to 36 per cent in this year's first half, Thaksa said.
However, the company believes demand in the furniture market will recover in the second half, raising the gross margin to 36.5 per cent by year-end.
The company has targeted full-year revenue of Bt2.46 billion for net profit of Bt283 million, down 14.28 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, from last year.
The company expects full-year revenue of Bt3.2 billion for a net profit Bt420 million in 2011 following its aggressive expansion next year, Thaksa said.
Modernform to expand through non-core firms
The SET-listed furniture company Modernform Group Plc plans to invest in non-core businesses in domestic and overseas markets next year to strengthen its business growth, says its president.
The plan to broaden its business channels is in line with its residential focus, Patana Usanachitt said yesterday.
"As new competitors keep entering the (furniture) market, it is necessary that we look to invest in new businesses as well as in new markets," Mr Patana said."This is our vision for the next five years as we expect good returns ... from increased sales."
Modernform's core revenue comes from two businesses, furniture and decorative products, and its three holding companies, Thai Plaspac Plc, MFEC Plc and Interface Modernform Co, which represent about 30% of total revenue.
CEO Thaksa Busayapoka said the investment would focus on the domestic market. Overseas the company will consider mergers and acquisitions and joint investments within Asia, as it can partly benefit from free trade agreements.
The executives declined to provide specific details for investment plans and budgets.
Modernform reported a 44% yearon-year drop in first-half net profit to 100.77 million baht, on revenue totalling 1.09 billion baht, a 21.78% decrease from the same period last year.
"Since the first half, we've been working very hard to cope with the impact of the recession, delays in product delivery to property projects and fierce competition," Mr Thaksa said.
The company expects to generate revenue of 2.3 billion baht this year, an 11.5% drop when compared with 2.6 billion baht in 2008.
The home furniture and decorative market in the second half is going well with developers rushing to transfer units before tax incentives expire next March,said Mr Thaksa. This has helped offset the slump in demand for office furniture.
The company currently has 670 million baht in backlog sales, about 70% of which are be realised by year-end.
It plans to launch a sub-brand for its door products Readydor by Modernform next month as part of its move to cover a wide range of furniture segments, bringing its total sub-brands to six this year.
Shares of Modernform (MODERN)closed yesterday on the SET at 27.50 baht, up 50 satang, in trade worth 1.363 million baht.
The plan to broaden its business channels is in line with its residential focus, Patana Usanachitt said yesterday.
"As new competitors keep entering the (furniture) market, it is necessary that we look to invest in new businesses as well as in new markets," Mr Patana said."This is our vision for the next five years as we expect good returns ... from increased sales."
Modernform's core revenue comes from two businesses, furniture and decorative products, and its three holding companies, Thai Plaspac Plc, MFEC Plc and Interface Modernform Co, which represent about 30% of total revenue.
CEO Thaksa Busayapoka said the investment would focus on the domestic market. Overseas the company will consider mergers and acquisitions and joint investments within Asia, as it can partly benefit from free trade agreements.
The executives declined to provide specific details for investment plans and budgets.
Modernform reported a 44% yearon-year drop in first-half net profit to 100.77 million baht, on revenue totalling 1.09 billion baht, a 21.78% decrease from the same period last year.
"Since the first half, we've been working very hard to cope with the impact of the recession, delays in product delivery to property projects and fierce competition," Mr Thaksa said.
The company expects to generate revenue of 2.3 billion baht this year, an 11.5% drop when compared with 2.6 billion baht in 2008.
The home furniture and decorative market in the second half is going well with developers rushing to transfer units before tax incentives expire next March,said Mr Thaksa. This has helped offset the slump in demand for office furniture.
The company currently has 670 million baht in backlog sales, about 70% of which are be realised by year-end.
It plans to launch a sub-brand for its door products Readydor by Modernform next month as part of its move to cover a wide range of furniture segments, bringing its total sub-brands to six this year.
Shares of Modernform (MODERN)closed yesterday on the SET at 27.50 baht, up 50 satang, in trade worth 1.363 million baht.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Cotton? Oh, yes it can!
Anyone who finds cotton "boring" hasn't been to Cotton Can Do, where phakhao ma and other traditional Thai drapes become eye-catchaing hoem decor.
Talented couple Cheewin and Kesara Amornisingha began putting their creative experience at GMM Grammy and an advertising company to startlingly good use in 2005.
What began as a hobby blossomed into a store at the Bon Marche mall that sold children's clothing, tody and decorative items.
Unfortunately the shop didn't succeed, but for the 2007 Bangkok gift and houseware fairs they unveiled cosy cushions and mattresses made form cotton hand-woven by Chaiyapum crafsmen.
Traders from Singapore and Vietnam snapped them up, and the goods became best-sellers made from cotton hand-woven by Chaiyaphum craftsmen.
Traders from Singapore and Vietnam snapped them up, and the goods became best-sellers online as well.
Cheewin and Kesara now sell teir items at his sister's used-clothing boutique on Phra Sumeru Road, and last year they had anothr winning booth at the gift and houseware fairs.
The style they use is "Sino-Isaan", they say, mixing Siamese tradition with brilliant Chinese silks bearing floral paterns in vivid shades of purple, blue and red.
Their latest designs utilese materials normally used for loincloths and shirts in a tartan pattern unique to Ratchaburi and stripes from the Northeast in yellow, pink, bright blue, orange, red and white.
"We want to emphasise that Thai uniqueness through beautiful, soft textiles," says Cheewin.
"The cushions are filled with kapok, which is locally grown but has become rather rare today. It's soft and comfortable, but the one bad point about kapok is that the cushion can't be washed."
The cushions can. However, be folded in serval ways, to serve as a futon, matrss or iollow.
And coming up are lamps and chandeliers made from pha khao ma and batik. Meanwhile, if you have a special design in mind, have a special ddsign in mind, Cotton Can Do will take custom orders.
>> CAN AND WILL
- Cotton Can Do is at 505 Phra Sumeru Road, near the Passport bookstore. You have to call (081) 346 6828 to arrange a visit, but you can also see what's on offer at www.MaliCamin.com/Blog.
Talented couple Cheewin and Kesara Amornisingha began putting their creative experience at GMM Grammy and an advertising company to startlingly good use in 2005.
What began as a hobby blossomed into a store at the Bon Marche mall that sold children's clothing, tody and decorative items.
Unfortunately the shop didn't succeed, but for the 2007 Bangkok gift and houseware fairs they unveiled cosy cushions and mattresses made form cotton hand-woven by Chaiyapum crafsmen.
Traders from Singapore and Vietnam snapped them up, and the goods became best-sellers made from cotton hand-woven by Chaiyaphum craftsmen.
Traders from Singapore and Vietnam snapped them up, and the goods became best-sellers online as well.
Cheewin and Kesara now sell teir items at his sister's used-clothing boutique on Phra Sumeru Road, and last year they had anothr winning booth at the gift and houseware fairs.
The style they use is "Sino-Isaan", they say, mixing Siamese tradition with brilliant Chinese silks bearing floral paterns in vivid shades of purple, blue and red.
Their latest designs utilese materials normally used for loincloths and shirts in a tartan pattern unique to Ratchaburi and stripes from the Northeast in yellow, pink, bright blue, orange, red and white.
"We want to emphasise that Thai uniqueness through beautiful, soft textiles," says Cheewin.
"The cushions are filled with kapok, which is locally grown but has become rather rare today. It's soft and comfortable, but the one bad point about kapok is that the cushion can't be washed."
The cushions can. However, be folded in serval ways, to serve as a futon, matrss or iollow.
And coming up are lamps and chandeliers made from pha khao ma and batik. Meanwhile, if you have a special design in mind, have a special ddsign in mind, Cotton Can Do will take custom orders.
>> CAN AND WILL
- Cotton Can Do is at 505 Phra Sumeru Road, near the Passport bookstore. You have to call (081) 346 6828 to arrange a visit, but you can also see what's on offer at www.MaliCamin.com/Blog.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Art breathes life into old wood
Due to the decreasing forest coverage around the world,wood has become one of the rare natural resources yet it's still a sought-after material for many home lovers.It's the main element in furnishing products and no matter how hard we try to replace it with other synthesised materials natural wood never loses its charm despite being transformed
into new guises over and over again.
Opting for recycled wood products is an ideal
way to help conserve our planet. And neatly
combined with the art idea, the same old wooden piece can be revived into a perfect addition to any space around the room.So if you're falling for the charm of wood but running short of ideas or skills to breathe new life into your own items,just stop by the at Home shop - a new store offering an array of distinctive and stylish furniture and home decorative items made of 100% reclaimed wood with high quality and durability.
Under the "Rustic Chic" concept, the eco-friendly pieces bring you closer to nature while reflecting the simplicity and classic flavour with the help of delicate prints on the surfaces of chairs, tables, cabinets, photo-frames, boxes and even pillows.
The "Botanical Garden" collection will make your home a forest haven with beautiful flowers, birds, butterflies and fruits here and there, while the "Voyager" collection will bring you on a memorable journey with sailing boats and ancient maps.RT
All items are available at 'at Home - Simple Sensual Living' shop located on the 5th floor of Siam Discovery. For more information,call 02-658-0507.
into new guises over and over again.
Opting for recycled wood products is an ideal
way to help conserve our planet. And neatly
combined with the art idea, the same old wooden piece can be revived into a perfect addition to any space around the room.So if you're falling for the charm of wood but running short of ideas or skills to breathe new life into your own items,just stop by the at Home shop - a new store offering an array of distinctive and stylish furniture and home decorative items made of 100% reclaimed wood with high quality and durability.
Under the "Rustic Chic" concept, the eco-friendly pieces bring you closer to nature while reflecting the simplicity and classic flavour with the help of delicate prints on the surfaces of chairs, tables, cabinets, photo-frames, boxes and even pillows.
The "Botanical Garden" collection will make your home a forest haven with beautiful flowers, birds, butterflies and fruits here and there, while the "Voyager" collection will bring you on a memorable journey with sailing boats and ancient maps.RT
All items are available at 'at Home - Simple Sensual Living' shop located on the 5th floor of Siam Discovery. For more information,call 02-658-0507.
Reclaiming the environment
If you're looking for solid wood furniture but are worried about the ever-decreasing forests, you'll probably find what you need at S71 Furniture Loft store.
Opened in March on Sukhumvit Soi 71 by Sumalee Boonyen and trend specialist Marc Grzybowski, the spacious and bright showroom is stocked with plenty of furniture made from old Thai teak as well as reclaimed wood from India, China and Indonesia, all of it guaranteed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The designs are eco-friendly too with dining furniture, stools and side tables made from quality
oak, rubber tree and other tropical hardwoods, most of them adapted from discarded furniture as well as windown frames and doors.
Recently, S71 launched its latest collection of mango-wood furniture from Chiang Mai, which looks pleasantly siple but is seriously functional. There's plenty of fun to be had in mixing and matching
too, with sculptured stools that double as side tables, lamp stands and coffee tables.
S71 Loft offeres sofas, shelves, dining tables, stools, benches, cabints, coffee tables and much
more besides. If you have a design in mind, S71 will be happy to make it to order.
>> BUM GOES HERE
S71 Furniture Loft is on Sukhumvit Soi 71 (between Soi Pridee 27 and 29). It's open daily from 10.30am to 7pm. Call (02) 381 3984 or visit www.S71FurnitureLoft.com.
Opened in March on Sukhumvit Soi 71 by Sumalee Boonyen and trend specialist Marc Grzybowski, the spacious and bright showroom is stocked with plenty of furniture made from old Thai teak as well as reclaimed wood from India, China and Indonesia, all of it guaranteed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The designs are eco-friendly too with dining furniture, stools and side tables made from quality
oak, rubber tree and other tropical hardwoods, most of them adapted from discarded furniture as well as windown frames and doors.
Recently, S71 launched its latest collection of mango-wood furniture from Chiang Mai, which looks pleasantly siple but is seriously functional. There's plenty of fun to be had in mixing and matching
too, with sculptured stools that double as side tables, lamp stands and coffee tables.
S71 Loft offeres sofas, shelves, dining tables, stools, benches, cabints, coffee tables and much
more besides. If you have a design in mind, S71 will be happy to make it to order.
>> BUM GOES HERE
S71 Furniture Loft is on Sukhumvit Soi 71 (between Soi Pridee 27 and 29). It's open daily from 10.30am to 7pm. Call (02) 381 3984 or visit www.S71FurnitureLoft.com.
Time learns to fly
More than just devices for telling the time, the wall clock at KP Square are now among the Suan Lum Night Bazzar's most sought-after decor items. Shoppers and snapping up the innovative tickers to add a clever toch to their homes.
Italiam architect Francesco Cappucio and local art lover Kwanchai Kraivitavatana came up with the design, a follow-up to the quirky clocks they made for the 2005 Bagnkok gift and houseware fairs. For their brand they chose the name Hora-Italian for "hour"
The originals became best-sellers at Loft in Siam Discovery and at Lamptitude Light Plus, and Kwanchai found time moving quickly. Just a year earlier he'd completed a course with top Italian designer Cappuccio.
After his triumph at the houseware fairs he opened the store at the Night Bazaar.
Its white and orange walls are lined with arty clocks in shades of black and white, with 60 different forms to choose from and materials ranging from metal and acrylic to wood, as well as mechanical
systems imported from Taiwan.
There are, table clocks, calendars, CD holders and photo frames too, and if you have something special in mind, KP Square accepts custom orders.
The clock designs are simkple, with the bubbly charm of 1960s fashion, but this year they've become even more colourful and playful. The inspirations are coming from the art of the designs incorporating hearts and animals and even the map of Thailand.
The Tourism Authority should take note, because some of these timepieces are exported to Europe,
America, around Asia and even to Iran.
>> TAKE A MIRO MINUTE
- KP Square is on Soi 6 in the Suan Lum Night Brazaar's Lopburi zone. It's open daily from 8 toi 11.30pm. Call (02) 216 2246 or (084) 162 6294 or visit www.KPSuare.com.
Italiam architect Francesco Cappucio and local art lover Kwanchai Kraivitavatana came up with the design, a follow-up to the quirky clocks they made for the 2005 Bagnkok gift and houseware fairs. For their brand they chose the name Hora-Italian for "hour"
The originals became best-sellers at Loft in Siam Discovery and at Lamptitude Light Plus, and Kwanchai found time moving quickly. Just a year earlier he'd completed a course with top Italian designer Cappuccio.
After his triumph at the houseware fairs he opened the store at the Night Bazaar.
Its white and orange walls are lined with arty clocks in shades of black and white, with 60 different forms to choose from and materials ranging from metal and acrylic to wood, as well as mechanical
systems imported from Taiwan.
There are, table clocks, calendars, CD holders and photo frames too, and if you have something special in mind, KP Square accepts custom orders.
The clock designs are simkple, with the bubbly charm of 1960s fashion, but this year they've become even more colourful and playful. The inspirations are coming from the art of the designs incorporating hearts and animals and even the map of Thailand.
The Tourism Authority should take note, because some of these timepieces are exported to Europe,
America, around Asia and even to Iran.
>> TAKE A MIRO MINUTE
- KP Square is on Soi 6 in the Suan Lum Night Brazaar's Lopburi zone. It's open daily from 8 toi 11.30pm. Call (02) 216 2246 or (084) 162 6294 or visit www.KPSuare.com.
The fabric of a healthy life
Apart from serving its "protective function" to the interior of a house, curtains also play a vital role as one of the most popular decorative items deemed indispensable in many households.
Advisably, it's somewhat necessary for house owners to be more fastidious when it comes to picking the right curtains for the right room since different styles emanate different feelings, impressions and even the personal taste of the owners.
Living room
Comparatively, a living room is like the showcase of the house where curtains will be first and frequently seen, both by the residents themselves and their guests.So curtain choice for this room must be beautiful and, absolutely, remarkable which can make the entire room more livable.
To maintain congruence of the living room with the whole ambiance of the house, curtains in this zone must be in line with the main decorative concept of the house.
"Curtains now come in various styles such as classic, contemporary, and modern. Before selecting any pattern, home owners must make sure that the curtains are compatible with the overall concept of the house," explained Sirichai.
According to Sirichai, for those who plan to buy a new house, the first thing they have to consider is the style of their house. After choosing their place of residence, they can then choose three or four desirable colours paralleled with the hue of furniture, decorative items, and curtains.The last yet most crucial step is to select the pattern of curtain and type of fabric.
Bedroom
The bedroom is one of the most private places so a home owner can pick any curtain style or colour that suits their personal taste. But what they have to take into serious consideration is that curtains suitable in the bedroom must be able to filter light from outside.
Normally, bedroom curtains are designed to have two layers of cloth. The thicker piece will be at the front while the thinner and airier piece is at the back.This kind of curtain allows some light to get into the room during the day so people in the room can see outside from within.
"Some people do enjoy sleeping in total darkness. Now there are many styles of bedroom curtains. They are thicker and more opaque than normal designs.
"But for those who feel uncomfortable in a completely dark room but still prefer less light, curtains with a darker tone are ideal since they can block the light that can irritate their eyes. Besides, such kinds of curtains are pleasing to the eyes, too,"explained the curtain designer.
Dining room
Now many houses are designed to have the dining room adjacent to the living room so it's more convenient to hang a similar kind of fabric but the pattern should be slightly different to make the room more proportionate. Most importantly,the shade of curtains in the dining room must be bright and lively since a darker tone can make members of the family lose their appetite.
"The dining room also plays a vital role for a healthy life. It's not exaggerated to say that its style, design, and tone absolutely have an effect on our eating routine. Nice and stylish curtains can help us relish our meal," stressed Sirichai.
Stairway hall
For any houses that have high and long windows in the area of the stairway,curtains used for this area must be eyecatching since it is the most noticeable spot of the house.
According to Sirichai, curtains used to decorate the hall at the stairs come in countless styles and they are all popular among curtain lovers. But whether the curtains will look magnificent or not depends heavily on whether they are hung properly.
"Though the windows in the stairway hall are small and short, we can hang longer curtains to make the windows look higher and larger.
"The curtains can be more graceful with other accessories like a chic pendant used to tie the curtains or silver hooks used to hang the curtains," explained Sirichai.
Other rooms like the children's or for elderly people also need suitable curtains since its mood can affect emotions.
Curtains used in a child's room should be bright in tone while those used in an elderly person's room should look solemn and simple.
"All home owners should bear in mind that beauty is not enough when it comes to the selection of curtains. You must consider their practical function, price,and materials used.
"Most importantly, fabric used to design curtains must be friendly to our health. It must be more endurable and not easily gather dust," emphasised the curtain master.
Advisably, it's somewhat necessary for house owners to be more fastidious when it comes to picking the right curtains for the right room since different styles emanate different feelings, impressions and even the personal taste of the owners.
Living room
Comparatively, a living room is like the showcase of the house where curtains will be first and frequently seen, both by the residents themselves and their guests.So curtain choice for this room must be beautiful and, absolutely, remarkable which can make the entire room more livable.
To maintain congruence of the living room with the whole ambiance of the house, curtains in this zone must be in line with the main decorative concept of the house.
"Curtains now come in various styles such as classic, contemporary, and modern. Before selecting any pattern, home owners must make sure that the curtains are compatible with the overall concept of the house," explained Sirichai.
According to Sirichai, for those who plan to buy a new house, the first thing they have to consider is the style of their house. After choosing their place of residence, they can then choose three or four desirable colours paralleled with the hue of furniture, decorative items, and curtains.The last yet most crucial step is to select the pattern of curtain and type of fabric.
Bedroom
The bedroom is one of the most private places so a home owner can pick any curtain style or colour that suits their personal taste. But what they have to take into serious consideration is that curtains suitable in the bedroom must be able to filter light from outside.
Normally, bedroom curtains are designed to have two layers of cloth. The thicker piece will be at the front while the thinner and airier piece is at the back.This kind of curtain allows some light to get into the room during the day so people in the room can see outside from within.
"Some people do enjoy sleeping in total darkness. Now there are many styles of bedroom curtains. They are thicker and more opaque than normal designs.
"But for those who feel uncomfortable in a completely dark room but still prefer less light, curtains with a darker tone are ideal since they can block the light that can irritate their eyes. Besides, such kinds of curtains are pleasing to the eyes, too,"explained the curtain designer.
Dining room
Now many houses are designed to have the dining room adjacent to the living room so it's more convenient to hang a similar kind of fabric but the pattern should be slightly different to make the room more proportionate. Most importantly,the shade of curtains in the dining room must be bright and lively since a darker tone can make members of the family lose their appetite.
"The dining room also plays a vital role for a healthy life. It's not exaggerated to say that its style, design, and tone absolutely have an effect on our eating routine. Nice and stylish curtains can help us relish our meal," stressed Sirichai.
Stairway hall
For any houses that have high and long windows in the area of the stairway,curtains used for this area must be eyecatching since it is the most noticeable spot of the house.
According to Sirichai, curtains used to decorate the hall at the stairs come in countless styles and they are all popular among curtain lovers. But whether the curtains will look magnificent or not depends heavily on whether they are hung properly.
"Though the windows in the stairway hall are small and short, we can hang longer curtains to make the windows look higher and larger.
"The curtains can be more graceful with other accessories like a chic pendant used to tie the curtains or silver hooks used to hang the curtains," explained Sirichai.
Other rooms like the children's or for elderly people also need suitable curtains since its mood can affect emotions.
Curtains used in a child's room should be bright in tone while those used in an elderly person's room should look solemn and simple.
"All home owners should bear in mind that beauty is not enough when it comes to the selection of curtains. You must consider their practical function, price,and materials used.
"Most importantly, fabric used to design curtains must be friendly to our health. It must be more endurable and not easily gather dust," emphasised the curtain master.
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