When we moved to our new home recently, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks without curtains. Part of the delay is due to the Movement Control Order that has been enforced due to Covid-19 -- it was near impossible to shop for fabrics and invite a consultant to our place. In those days, however, we learned that curtains are one of the most essential elements in our home.

For one, it ensures your privacy. Those weeks spent without curtains made me feel so exposed and I do not recommend dashing from one spot to another while wrapped in a bath towel to avoid being seen by the neighbours.

When people speak of design and interior decorating, the word “modern” often comes up. It is also common to use it interchangeably with the word“ contemporary”. But what does modern design mean, exactly? And what are some of its defining characteristics?

First, if you are thinking that modern means current, you could not be further from the truth. Modernism, as a school of design, surfaced and proliferated during the early to mid-20th century and it is, in part, an offshoot of German and Scandinavian design. This period was marked by the invention of new machineries, which made the mass production of furniture and housing possible.

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the living room must surely be its soul: It is where the family congregates to bond with one another. Household occupants talk, play, work, partake in joint activities, and rest in the living room. And when visitors do drop by, they are often hosted in the living room. It is a shared space that facilitates a lot of activities and it is also a haven for familial growth.

Ways to stretch your dollar by choosing the right fabric, design, and style for your new curtains We live in unprecedented times: An ongoing pandemic has turned some ordinary tasks into potentially hazardous activities. Going to the dry cleaners, for instance. Grocery shopping, going to the gym, and having lunch with friends — these are all of the things that we can’t do without necessary precautions or, in some cases, without breaking the law. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to simplify our lives right now. Learning how to do more with less is the mantra of the time. Still, as more people are spending a lot more time at home these days, giving your living spaces a facelift may be a decision that serves both practical and aesthetic needs. However, not all home improvement tasks are made equal. Some, such as renovation works involving fixtures, flooring, tile works, and so on, are huge endeavours that involve a fair bit of money, time, and exposure to contractors at home. So, it may not be an entirely good idea to undertake such projects at this time.

As more people are housebound these days, the home has become an even greater sanctuary for the entire family. For one, it is doubling up as offices for people who have to work from home or nurseries and classrooms for children who are learning remotely. And, in some cases, it has even become an experimental space for those who are learning new skills or picking up new hobbies.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense that many people are looking for ways to refresh the look or functionality of spaces in their homes. According to The Wall Street Journal, the pandemic has driven people to desperation for home improvements now that they are forced to spend so much time at home.