Spring is in the air — but over the course of the long dark winter, the air inside might not be fresh.
Household smells, say home economists, should be pinpointed at the source and removed as soon as possible. Some odours do persist however, and others just keep coming back. Periodic odours are often just a symptom of lots of people and pets, living together.
You may, for example, have unwanted smells from food and cooking, or from gym bags, laundry baskets, shoe racks, the dog and cat, the ashtrays, garbage cans, or from an overworked bathroom and busy kitchen. To tackle it all, try these handy little tips, courtesy of the 50-year veteran, Mr. Clean:

• Food & Fridge: You don't have to clean out the fridge completely to keep it odour free, as long as you check it every couple of days to make sure food item (like vegetables and dairy products) are not rotting. Put an open box of baking soda on a rear shelf to help absorb odours the mix of smells.

• Cooking: Use an exhaust fan if cooking strong flavoured foods, such as fish, garlic sauces, and deep green vegetables. Use a citrus-scented, multipurpose spray to clean surfaces. If smells persist inside the microwave, place a dish of water and lemon juice in the centre and heat on High for five minutes.

• Floors: Daily foot traffic, dust and grime, cigarette smoke, pet hairs and pet accidents — all add up to odour. Some floor cleaners smell good, but the effects don't last long. Do note, that the pleasing Febreze scent is now added to Mr. Clean. Used on floors especially, it will help to eliminate odours in the air.

• Kitchen Sink: If there's odour from your drainpipe, pour one cup of a favourite antibacterial liquid into the plughole, leave it overnight, and rinse thoroughly. Coffee grinds are also good for cutting drainpipe grease. Just tip them from the filter into the drain, and flush through. • Toilets: Once the toilet is thoroughly clean, put a disinfectant product inside for good measure. Keep a dispenser of thick and strong wet wipes nearby to quickly clean the rim at the end of a busy day.

• Pets: The hair and body oil of dogs and cats can cause strong odours. For pet accidents, clean up with either your favourite all-purpose spray, with antibacterial wet wipes, or with a disinfectant, liquid cleaner with Febreze scent.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

“Stunning artwork, fabulous wall or floor coverings and fashion-forward furniture are often the primary focus of home decorators,” notes Talley, who has styled magazine covers for some of the most prestigious design publications. “Using window treatments in much the same way that gorgeous frames accent cherished photos or paintings can make all the difference.”

Talley offers the following tips to bring out the best in windows throughout your home:

Scale and Proportion are Key

The most common mistake homeowners make when doing their windows is getting the proportions wrong - a valance or cornice that’s too small; draperies that don’t stack off the window and cover up too much of the view; or skimpy side panels made with too few widths of fabric. These little design flaws make all the difference in the finished appearance of a window and a room.

“Getting proportion right takes a good eye and a lot of experience,” notes Talley. “One size definitely does not fit all, so it can pay to have treatments created specifically for the windows in your home.”

“Custom furnishings are often comparably priced to ready-made, and can represent great value when you factor in the time and expertise of professionals,” adds Talley.

Functional or Decorative?

This has a lot to do with the design and proportion of a window treatment. Does it need to clear French doors? Protect from hot afternoon glare? Provide privacy? Or enable you to see a television or computer screen without an eyeshade? Understanding what the room requires will help create the appropriate design solution.

A room that requires privacy will need blackout shades or interlined fabric panels, wood blinds, woven wood or cellular shades to provide functionality. A second layer with soft fabrics and pleasing color accents adds an inviting decorative element. A more formal room might benefit from a third layer in the form of a valance, cornice or other top treatment.

“The different elements of a room, or a window, should be in harmony,” advises Talley. “Even a simple decorative band of trim in a pretty, complementary pattern on a solid fabric panel can add visual interest to a window and tie in the other design elements of a room.”

Finding the perfect window treatments for your home is all about the details. Using the right materials, determining the proper scale and proportion and addressing both functional and decorative concerns will help make your home more comfortable, more stylish and a distinctive expression of your design savvy.

Celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2008 as one of America’s leading interior design retailers, Calico Corners provides expert advice, decorating solutions and in-home design consultation in addition to quality designer fabrics for the home, trims, custom window treatments and upholstered furniture. They also offer measure and install services for window treatments. For more information or to find a location near you, visit www.CalicoCorners.com.