Buying Guide

Colour Difference

Please be reminded that due to lighting effects and monitors brightness/contrast etc, the colour tone of the photo and the actual item could be slightly different.

We cannot guarantee exact colour match of the item to your decor.

 

Curtains Buying Guide

Be aware when purchasing curtains. Please be sure to accurately measure your area before purchasing curtains. If you require any assistance with knowing how to measure please don't hesitate to ask.

Types of Heading - The curtain header refers to the way the curtain is attached to a track or pole. Each heading style offers different appearances to your room. The three main heading styles we stock are:

Pencil Pleat Curtains: Also known as, three inch tape, the pencil pleat heading is easily identifiable with its scrunched top. To create this look, a band of fabric is threaded with string and sown to the top inside edge of each curtain. Small hooks can then be looped through the tape heading to attach the curtain to a pole or track. Pulling the cords on the header creates the scrunched up look which produces the signature pleats, and these can be altered to fit a slightly wider or narrow window. You can also vary the height of your curtain by three inches depending on where you place the hooks.

Eyelet Top Curtains: Also known as ring top, an eyelet heading consists of a row of metal eyelets (rings) across the top of the curtains, resulting in the fabric to fall in soft, loose folds. This heading is seen as a modern and easy to use style. This type of curtain is only suitable for use with curtain poles, not tracks.

Slot Top Curtains: Also known as rod pocket, these curtains feature an opening at the top of both ends of the curtain where the curtain pole can be threaded through. This technique of threading the pole causes the curtain to gather creating simple folds across the top. This type of curtain is only suitable for use with net rods and slim poles.

Lining - Lining makes a huge difference to the curtains you choose, from keeping in heat to maintaining the colour of your curtains or simply not having any lining for a light, bright feeling. The main curtain-lining options we stock are:

Lined Curtains: These are great for keeping out unwanted cold from your home, as well as blocking out unpleasant sun-rays. The positives of lining are thus, it adds extra weight which allows your curtains to hang better and certain types can also help to protect the colour and pattern of your curtains from fading over time.

Unlined Curtains: Protection from sun-rays is still likely with unlined curtains, however they offer the added benefit of a lighter and brighter feel to your room as they are see-through. Air can pass through this type easily, which helps to lower the temperature of your room during the summer months. These low maintenance curtains can also be washed and dried in your home with care. Unlined curtains tend to be sold as one single panels not a pair.

Blackout Curtain Lining: Ideal for use in the bedroom as this clever lining blocks out unwanted light for the perfect night's sleep. They can also help to keep the heat in and the cold out. 

Polycotton Curtain Lining: A mixture of polyester and cotton fibres, this cost effective lining can be used in every room in your home. Curtains with this type of lining have temperature-regulating qualities which keep your rooms warm in the winter and cool during the summer.

Thermal Curtain Lining: Designed to provide maximum heat insulation for your home. The thermal coating saves you money on home heating and cooling. Windows account for about 33% of home energy loss. Our Enhanced Living curtains reduce window energy loss to save you money on your heating and cooling bills. The extra weight on these curtains also means they hang better, making them a stylish addition to your home.curtain-measure.gif

 

Bedding Buying Guide

Fabric Content - Fibres which make up the material. The fabric we stock are:

Microfibre (polyester): A great value option that is easy to look after. Microfibre is a very fine synthetic yarn, making it thinner than cotton but still equally as strong. Most of our bedding sets contain polyester. 

Polycotton (polyester and cotton mix): An easy care fibre mix that requires little or no ironing. The mixture of both polyester and cotton results in material which has better breathability and stronger durability. 

Cotton: Cool, absorbent and versatile. One of the main positives of cotton is that it is hypoallergenic, meaning your body will not react adversely to cotton as it might to other non-natural materials. This widely benefits those with skin conditions such as eczema. 

Thread Count - The thread count is simply the number of threads in a square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the finer and more luxurious the fabric. Polycotton is around 150 thread count and 400 thread count offers the ultimate in luxury bedding.

Design/Detail - Designs can take many forms and be applied with different methods. The types of designs we stock are: 

Embroidery: Designs stitched onto fabric either by machine or by hand. An intricate and time-consuming process that creates beautifully delicate detail.

Print: Colour applied to a plain weave base cloth. Printed fabrics sometimes have a stiffer feel but soften up with washing. A print tends to be smoother in that it is not raised, it is blended into the material. 

Jacquard: A raised pattern woven into fabric to create a luxurious textured finish.

Quilted: A bed cover made up of three layers of fibre: a woven cloth top, a layer of wadding and a woven back.

Applique: Pieces of fabric sewn on top of the base fabric to create decorative designs.

Embellished: Additions such as sequins, jewels or beads.

Damask: A rich, heavy silk or linen fabric with a pattern woven into it.

Seersucker: A thin, puckered (slightly raised, textured) fabric, commonly striped or chequered.