• Fabric Disinfectant - So Fabulous Furniture
    DIY,  Fabric,  Furniture

    How To Properly Disinfect Textiles

    The pandemic has taught many homeowners and business owners the importance of hygiene. As viruses last longer on hard surfaces such as countertops and wood, many people ignore the importance of also disinfecting textiles and soft furnishings. Before starting the disinfection process, it’s crucial to start with clean hands. It’s possible to accomplish this by washing hands thoroughly with warm soapy water for 20 seconds.

    For the most part, everyone has their own disinfection process pertaining to fabrics. At the end of the day, it truly comes down to what works for a person and what they deem convenient. The best methods contain one or a combination of the following:

    *Water and soap- as soap and water have been proven effective against spreading the virus via touch, it also works well for textiles. A warm soapy solution is a great way to enhance the appearance of fabrics, remove embedded dirt, and most importantly, wash away germs and bacteria. As soap tends to work gently to clean fabrics, it’s suitable for nearly all types of textiles without leading to damage.

    *Bleach- though seen as somewhat harsh due to its ammonia content, bleach is one of the single most effective ways to kill a virus. On the plus side, it also has the ability to remove stains when used on the correct color with the right safety precautions. However, bleaching is generally reserved for synthetic fibers such as polyester or vinyl.

    *75% alcohol- rubbing alcohol sold in fairly high concentrations is also an effective way to fend off viruses. As with the aforementioned bleaching, it’s best to use alcohol for synthetic fabrics such as vinyl, polyester, and propylene.

    *Steam cleaning- steam cleaning is a fantastic way to preserve and restore fabrics without the use of any chemicals. The applied steam uses high temperatures and concentrated pressure to lift stains, dirt, and to kill lingering bacteria. Though this method works on many textiles, usually, wool and polyester respond the best.

    *Disinfectant sprays – disinfectant sprays and cleaning liquids offer a protective barrier against viruses. Aerosol sprays deliver an even amount of the chemical necessary to remove the bacteria present on fabrics.

    Apart from regularly disinfecting soft furnishings and textile accessories, it’s important to keep them looking fresh and new for many years to come. Regularly vacuuming and cleaning textiles is a good way to ensure the fabrics don’t prematurely wear out due to dust buildup. It also helps reduce the allergens significantly that may present themselves indoors.

    Preservation of fabrics is also made possible when carrying out stain removal as stains occur. Working long after the fact makes it much harder to remove them versus working in a timely manner. All fabrics respond to stain removal differently, which is why it’s important to do the necessary research in order to avoid damage.

    Soft furnishings and fabric accessories can last a long time with proper care and cleaning techniques. Unfortunately, the pandemic has shed light on the fact that many people tend to ignore hygiene. By working diligently every day to disinfect and preserve furnishings, fabrics will last longer and remain more visibly vibrant.

  • Living Room - So Fabulous Furniture
    Furniture,  Interior,  Living Room

    5 Secrets to a Living Room That Draws You In

    The living room—It’s the first room guests get to see, it’s your sanctuary; a place you get to relax, hang out, and decompress. It’s also where you watch movies, gather for family meetings, and do a lot more.

    Arguably, it may be said to be the most important room in a home—that’s why you’ve got to get it right. So how can you make your living room inviting not just to you, but to your guests? Here’s how:

    5 Secrets to a Living Room That Draws You In

    1). Get The Sofa Right

    It all starts and ends with the sofa—it is the star of the show. Once you get it right, any other wrong decor choice is overshadowed, but once you get this one wrong, even the good things seem a bit off. That said, look for a sofa that creates a positive first impression. It should be comfortable, clean, and well-textured, with the right color and style. It sets the tone for the entire room!

    2). Go Neutral, Then Spice Things up With Some Contrast

    How come beige, grays, and off-whites are all the rage today?—They never go wrong! Opt for a neutral color palette because it makes your living room appear more spacious and crisp. It makes everything easy on the eye because items do not compete with each other. Besides that, it also creates a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

    But it doesn’t stop there. You need to take things to the next level with some well-thought contrast. Spice things up with a touch of light and dark, break the white walls with a caramel sofa or a plant, or throw in some bright yellow throw pillows to contrast that grey couch.

    3). Balance and Proportion

    When it comes to art and design, balance is everything. That said, you need to mix textured fabric with clean lines, patterns with simple forms, vibrant colors with muted ones, and rectilinear forms with organic shapes. You should also mix furniture and decor dimensions. For example, a large sectional and 2 accent chairs would look more balanced than 2 sectionals or 4 accent chairs used alone.

    4). Natural and Artificial Light

    Before choosing furniture, rugs, decor pieces, and wall art, just how well-lit is your living room? Natural light is one of the most crucial factors to consider because it makes your room feel airy and fresh, and it brings out the colors best.

    As for artificial lighting, place lamps, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures strategically to exude the right welcoming ambiance to your room at night, consult with your local lighting shops to get the best advice and prices for your area.

    5). Scent

    This one is perhaps one of the biggest factors that most people ignore. It is extremely crucial because, for a room to draw a person in, it has to engage most of their senses in a positive way; smell, touch, sight, hearing, and sometimes even taste. That said, set the mood with some soothing scents like air freshener, fresh flowers, or scented candles and you’ll have everyone yearning to be in your space!

    Final Thoughts: What Feels Like Home to You?

    Is it bright colors, abstract art, plants, good food, your dog, or pictures of your loved ones? At the end of the day, what is inviting to you is what you should adorn your living room with—it will make you feel at home because it resonates with your soul.

    Surround yourself with what you love and with some easy decorating skills, you’ll have a living room you love!

  • Home Furniture
    Fabric,  Furniture,  Interior

    The Differences Between Contemporary & Modern Furniture

    Modern and contemporary furniture designs are one and the same to the uninitiated eye. In fact, people regularly use both terms interchangeably when trying to describe the look and feel of furniture. The reality, however, is that the styles have several distinctions.

    Here are the top 5 differences between contemporary and modern furniture designs:

    I. Static Vs. Evolving

    The time period in which contemporary and modern furniture designs draw their inspiration from is perhaps the biggest difference between them.

    Modern furniture design draws its inspiration from a set time in the 20th century while contemporary design draws its inspiration from the constantly evolving artistic trends to retain their relevance. Simply put, the principles of modern furniture are firmly set while those of contemporary furniture are constantly reworked to stay up to date with the current trends.

    II. Artistic Scope

    Contemporary design inevitably incorporates more artistic elements compared to modern design. While contemporary furniture draws much of its inspiration from the modernist movement, its shape is also influenced by minimalism, Art Deco, and numerous other global styles

    Modern furniture represents a rejection of the styles that were popular in the early 20th century and of the centuries prior. Simply put, its core is more focused and less ambiguous, targeted on the reduction of visual clutter usually found in furniture, and an increase in overall functionality.

    III. Materials

    The types of materials used is another key difference between these seemingly similar styles.

    Modern design embraces natural and earthy elements, with wood being the prevailing material. The idea is to use wooden furniture to add a touch of warmth. Linen and leather are rather popular finishes when it comes to this style.

    Contemporary furniture design, on the other hand, relies on the use of sophisticated materials such as glass or even metal. The concept, however, can also incorporate some natural materials such as stone and cork.

    IV. Color Palette

    Modern furniture design features warm and neutral colors to make the space feel more inviting. It uses an earthy palette that incorporates rusty oranges, turquoises, browns, and olive greens as the most common color choices.

    Contemporary furniture design, on the other hand, implements a strict color palette that consists of cooler tones and primarily a monochromatic look. Black, gray, and while are the colors that characterize contemporary design.

    V. Furniture Shape

    Modern and contemporary furniture design both favor minimalism, but there’s a slight difference in the design.

    Modern furniture style features clean, straight lines to achieve a streamlined look. A signature feature for this style is tapered legs, which makes the pieces feel lighter. You will often see dressers, coffee tables, and sofas with tapered legs. Contemporary furniture, on the other hand, tends to be curvier in shape.

    Final Thoughts

    Modern and contemporary furniture styles both offer something different to homeowners interested in a fresh look for their space. While most people assume that they are one and the same thing, the reality is that there’s some rather prominent differences between them.

    Now that you know about the differences between these furniture styles, you will have a much easier time conceiving a plan for your own space. In fact, you can opt not to stick to one of the styles and instead use them in combination to create a truly unique space.