If you've ever dealt with the problems of mold
in your house, you know how difficult it can be. And if
that weren't enough, there's the added challenge of
decorating with the notion of preventing new mildew from
forming while at the same time making your home
attractive and functional. Every article on the subject
of mildew management discusses the importance of good air
circulation, minimal moisture and adequate light as the
most relevant factors to preventing mildew from starting.
These three rules -- good air circulation; dry, dry, dry
and lots of light, dictate very specific design
directions.
These rules, however, seem to dictate "no layers of
heavy fabrics." Does this mean you have to eliminate the
double-skirted fabric tables that are draped to the
floor? Do you have to do away with a romantic,
fabric-swagged bed? Or take out drapes puddled on the
floor and waterfall skirts on your sofa and chairs? From
the sounds of it, this pretty much tosses the Old World,
traditional decorating style out the window. Or does it?
Are you forced to live in an ultra modern, sleek,
glass-and-steel home even if it isn't your preferred
style? Not necessarily.
There are many ways to decorate your ideal home and
still promote a mildew- free environment.
Let's assume you've managed the structural challenges;
handled the source of dampness and rid the space of any
existing mold and mildew; ventilated the house properly;
and created the appropriate levels of heat to maintain a
dry environment. Now let's start decorating.
FABRICS
Every room needs fabric of some sort. In most living
and family rooms, the sofa and chairs are upholstered,
you need window treatments (for privacy if nothing else),
and you'll want an area rug or carpet to make the room
inviting and help absorb sound. Where to start?
First, think away from fabrics and materials made of
natural fibers. Unfortunately, they contribute to the
problem because the microscopic fungi that is mold grows
on virtually any organic element. This includes cotton,
silk, leather and wool.
Fortunately, man-made fibers have come a long way
since our mothers shunned nylon as looking "too plastic."
In many cases it's hard to tell the difference between
fabrics made of the real thing, like silk, and the
synthetic version. So, first and foremost, use synthetic
fabrics. In addition to being more practical to maintain
and providing a critical line of defense in the war
against mold, they give lots of latitude in creating
beautiful rooms that are part of the solution.
FURNITURE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT
To eliminate any mildew problem, good air circulation
is as important as the air being dry, so the design of
your furniture and its placement are important. This
doesn't mean that you can't have attractive furniture, it
just means that it has to be designed and placed in the
room to allow air to move around it freely.
Upholstered chairs and sofas with skirts that drop to
the floor create an opportunity for air to get stuck.
Fresh air won't move freely under the furniture and mold
spores can grab onto the floor and walls behind the
sofa.
Solution: Select furniture with low feet or on open
legs so air can circulate under it.
If the room has a bookcase consider leaving a gap
between it and the wall so fresh air can circulate behind
it. (Don't forget to securely bolt it to the walls for
earthquake safety.) Consider designing a bookcase without
a back on it and on low blocks or feet to raise it off
the floor. This allows air to move around to the back of
the books -- an important element because paper is an
organic element that mildew is attracted to.
The same rules apply in bedrooms. With the exception
of bed linens that get washed regularly, all the fabrics
should be synthetic. Leave approximately 1 inch between
the bed's skirt and floor for better air circulation.
FOR THE WINDOWS
Window treatments are challenging because they have so
many functions to fulfill simultaneously. They must
afford privacy, sometimes in the daytime as well as at
night; they might have to block sunlight from damaging
furniture; they should frame and enhance the view; and be
attractive enough to support the design of the room.
This is a perfect place for synthetic fabrics to be
used in striking and unusual ways. Consider using
combinations of these materials together in layers:
"duettes" with swags on rods across the top, matchstick
blinds with fabric valances, or simple sheers that
draw.
Needless to say, carpets and area rugs should be of
synthetic materials. Remember, the pad should resist
moisture, too.
If the room's furniture design allows enough air to
circulate you can splurge on a fabric-draped end table,
and maybe a puddled drape or two, but be sure to clean
behind and under them regularly.
These easy solutions can help you break the mold
syndrome with attractive, practical design solutions that
don't cramp your personal design style.
3 RULES TO PREVENT
MOLD
1: GOOD AIR CIRCULATION
-- OFF THE WALL: Leave gap between furniture and
walls.
-- ON FEET: Raise furniture off the floor.
-- 1-INCH RULE: Leave at least an inch between
fabric and floor so air can circulate.
2: DRY, DRY, DRY
-- SURFACES: Mold needs moisture to grow.
-- BOOKS: Consider backless bookcases away from
wall.
-- AIR IT OUT: Clean and dry any wet items
immediately.
3: LOTS OF LIGHT
-- OUT OF THE DARK: Mold prefers dark, damp
areas.
-- NO ORGANICS: Synthetic materials discourage
mold.
-- LET THE SUN SHINE IN: It'll dry up mold's
milieu.
