It is beginning to feel like summer has finally arrived and while we are glad to see the sun it does bring some less than desirable side effects.

The sun is not only brightening up our days but it is waking us up at 5am, keeping us up late at night, waking the kids at the crack of dawn, fading our furniture and blinding us while watching TV.

If you love the sun but would like to limit its side effects then it might be time to look at blackout window dressings. Like sunscreen for your home blackout window treatments will let you enjoy the sun without the negative side effects.

There are a number of stylish options when it comes to dressing your windows and keeping out the light. The most obvious is blinds. Blackout roller blinds are probably one of the most popular choices. Discrete and compact a blackout roller can be rolled up tight out of the way when you don’t want to use it or dropped down when you need it. They can also be fitted behind your curtains or other decorative window dressing, so are easy to fit retrospectively in your home.

Roman blinds are another hugely popular option. Made from curtain fabric and then lined with a blackout lining, these blinds can be very decorative as well as practical. As they can be made from nearly any curtain fabric there will be one to suit nearly every scheme and style from the very modern to the more traditional.

Having your curtains black out lined is another great way to keep strong sunlight at bay. By simply having your curtains lined with a nice blackout lining instead of a standard lining you can make sure the sun is not waking everyone in the house way to early.

They are also great for anyone who works shifts or late nights. Blackout curtain lining has come a long way from its beginnings. It is now the same colour as other curtain linings and has a very soft drape and handle. Gone are the stiff, ridged linings of years gone bye.

Blackout linings now hang as well as sateen linings and no one would be able to tell the difference. The great thing about blackout lining is that it will also stop your curtain fabric from fading.

At The Fabric centre we are the experts on window dressings and on blackout solutions. With a wide range of made to measure blinds and bespoke curtains we will have the perfect dressing for your window.

(The Fabric centre, Riverside retail park, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny, tel:0749167858, see facebook for more)

So why is paneling becoming so sought after?

It’s versatility is probably one of the biggest reasons we have all become obsessed with paneling. It can literally be used everywhere. From sitting to bathrooms and everywhere in between.

There are also so many styles of paneling, making it even more versatile. It doesn’t matter if you are styling a classic period home or a contemporary new build, there is a style of paneling to work in all settings.

With elegant Georgian style paneling for classic spaces, tunnel and groove for country interiors and geometric styles for more modern spaces.

We also love how it can add character, interest and architectural detail, to plain unremarkable spaces. Instantly transforming the whole feel of the room.

Paneling can even be used to highlight features like brace walls or bed head walls, rather than paneling a whole room, giving us so much scope to create really unique interiors. 

For more ideas and advice on how to transform your home contact The Fabric centre for more information on our comprehensive interior design service. (The Fabric centre, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny, tel:0749167858)

The interiors world is starting to see a bit of an up rising, a backlash if you like. Season after season we have seen one colour dominate everything from kitchens to bathrooms. We have been living in a monotone world with Grey vision but we are beginning to see a Grey Revolt!

If there is one thing that we have been starved of over the last few years it is colour, zesty and bold, soft and relaxing. Whatever your preference it has been thin on the ground until recently. We are beginning to see a return to colour and i for one am glad to see this revolution begin.


Deep navy’s, chartreuse yellows and mustards, blush pinks and turquoise blues. There is a tide of colour washing ashore on our homes and interiors. These new hues are the injection of life and personality we have been looking for after years of grey on grey.

We have not however seen an end to grey, rather greys is being used as the base tonne on which these new stronger hues are being placed. Grey is still being used as the neutral relief to balance stronger accents for example a grey sofa set against deep navy walls, creates an eye catching contrast.

This new arrival of colour does however open up a opportunity for you to bring in colour to your existing spaces and give your grey out a colour makeover. A colourful Mat, a striking wallpaper or contemporary roman blind, don’t be afraid to bold with colour. Even painting a room in deep hue can make a huge impact to a previously unremarkable space.


For more colour inspiration call in store and see the exciting new fabric and wallpaper collections which bring a riot of new colour options for our home.

(The Fabric centre, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Tel:0749167858)