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Fall Refresh

By Monica B.

With September here and Labor Day behind us, we’re officially started into the fall season. Its time where work and school pick up again, and we move away from the lazy days of summer. While we’re getting back into our routines and potentially a more challenging workload, it can be a great time for a refresh as we enter this new season.

I love the fall. The air has a crisp feel and the smell of the autumn outdoors gives me a happy feeling. If your family is like mine, for much of the summer we have the windows closed and the air conditioning on because its just too hot and humid. Now that fall is here, I love opening the windows to let the cool air circulate and refresh the house naturally. Thinking about window treatments even though I enjoy the open look in the living room. I highly recommend woven shades. They work great with giving me the cottage and warm feeling when enjoying my hot cocoa and my fire place in the fall.  Woven shades not only serve the purpose for the fall but they are also great window treatments for all seasons, for all styles and for all rooms. With a rich selection of dark earth tones to white, bone and gray, the weaves are visually striking.  Woven shades can be versatile even when you combine with fabric drapery or drapery panels. Woven wood shades come in a variety of styles from roman shades to panel tracks. If you need privacy, you can choose a blackout liner or light filtering liner and all kinds options to bring more character to your woven shade. The liner can extend the life of your shade, prevent fading and reduce energy cost.  For the finishing touch your new woven shades, you can frame these shades with edge bonding in a bold color to contrast or a subtle look.

Holiday decorating can help make the season more special and get your guest into the spirit of the seasons changing.  You can enjoy the season without stressing about perfection and still be able to look out your windows to watch the leaves fall and soon the snow falling off the branches.

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General

Designing with Bamboo

By Gina G

Now that you’re aware of the options available to you with bamboo shades, here are some tips for how to design with them in different areas of the home:

Bamboo shades are a great options for kitchen windows because of the usual presence of wood via cabinents, etc. When choosing the color of your bamboo shade, consider where the window is in the kitchen. If it is right over the sink, you may choose to a multicolored bamboo shade which may hide the appearance of small stains, etc. If you already have a lot of print, design, texture etc with your countertops, cabinents, and backsplash, consider a white or neutral shade perhaps with simpler solid colored match sticks instead of various grasses. Often times kitchen windows face an area wherein you don’t need privacy (a deck or back yard area). If this is your case, you have the opportunity to really let the natural bamboo shine and go without a liner on the back of the shade. Not only will this allow additional light in, it will give the shade a uniform look from both the interior and exterior of the home.

For areas that require some dressing up such as living rooms and dining rooms, bamboo shades can certainly fit the bill. Selecting a roman shade fold style and omitting curtains can bring your woven wood shade away from a more casual and relaxed design toward a more formal look. In this instance, you may want to also select the fabric liners to the sides of your shades to soften the look and contrast the hardness of the wood. If you’d like to ultilize curtains with your bamboo shade, soft panels or sheers may be the way to go. They can also contrast the wooden shades and add both softness and elegance. Because most bamboo shades have some sort of valance already, you may not want to add another curtain valance. You may opt for the more common flat panel stye with this set up in order not to make the window appear heavy.

Woven wood shades can also be utilized in smaller areas such as powder rooms, mud rooms and hallways. Since these spaces usually don’t have a lot of design elements, using a bamboo shade for the windows is simple way to add natural texture and beauty to them.

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General

Much Ado About Bamboo

By Gina G.

Bamboo shades are great options to add texture and a natural vibe to any room.  If you are considering a bamboo shade but unfamiliar with them, here’s a brief snapshot:

Bamboo or woven wood shades are typical comprised of natural woods, bamboo chutes, and grasses. Because of their wooden composition, they provide some insulation, although they are not the best insulation option. These materials are generally held together by color coordinated thin threads (to allow the bamboo to really shine). Most bamboo shades will be sheer due to their composition unless the chutes are layered partially atop each other which would then give privacy. And, they are also usually the same color on the front and back of the shade.

There are a plethora of styles and colors to choose from that range from white to black but the majority of bamboo shades are offered in solid wood colors (usually popular wood tones like oak, mahogany, etc) or multi colored (to coordinate with a variety of wood colors).  The features available for bamboo shades are plentiful too.  You can choose a more formal look by choosing a bamboo style that has folds and bubbles out like a roman shade.  Or, for a more relaxed look, you can choose a more modern flat style resembling a roller shade. Most often, because of the more relaxed nature of bamboo shades, they are presented with a flat panel stlye. 

Although the headrails, brackets, and depth required for bamboo shades are varied, most come with a matching valance that is usually pre-attached to the headrail. The valance covers any hardware and gives the shade a finished look. For the bottom of your bamboo shade, you can choose whether to have it fold up (like a roman shade) or just roll up (these will usually have visible cords at the front of the shade).

Liners are another, more functional, option for bamboo shades that don’t have overlapping sticks or tight weaves. Most woven wood shades are sheer products without a liner. If you’re placing the shade in a room where privacy is necessary, you will need to add a liner to it. Some bamboo shades are offered with a blackout liner option making them viable products for bedrooms.

Finally, some bamboo shades are offered with fabric edges on the sides of the shade. These have dual purpose when utilized: to add pops of color and print and to protect the edges of the shade from damage.

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General

Bringing Summer Inside

By Steven M.

While many people run inside to avoid the side effects that come with summer, decorating the inside of your home with summer in mind is a great idea. Freshening the look of your home based on the season is a great way to keep your decor from getting stale or boring, making every day bright and fun. Using bold colors to splashy prints, a few easy decor updates can make your home feel like a summer getaway. Plus, summer is the season for entertaining, bot inside and out.

Summer is the perfect time to try and incorporate floral prints into your decor. From rugs and shower curtains to  throw pillows and curtains, it’s easy to add a pop of nature to any room in your house, without having to worry about watering and maintaining it. However if you feel inclined and able to take care of plants, this would also be a great idea to add to your home. Fresh flowers allow not only color but also the feeling of nature within the walls of your house.

In addition to floral print, adding bold textures to your home can also give the feeling of summer. Burlap and linen are popular choices for this , giving a beachy feel to any room, who wouldnt wanna feel like they’re at the beach even while in their own living room. Anything utilizing natural fibers , such as wicker, is another way to incorporate texture into your space. All of these elements make for a relaxed and casual feel. These days a room without color or texture is simply unheard of , regardless of the season. 

No matter your decor style updating for the seasons is a great way to keep your decor in style.  Swapping our a few elements can be a fast and easy way to make your home feel new and in line with the seasons.  Summer is a great time to add different textures new colors or patterns. Any chance to add freshness and life such as plants are perfect for this time of year as well.

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General

Summertime Window Solutions

By Gina G.

Summer is here with its longer days and brighter sunshine.  Although enjoyable, these seasonal weather changes can bring spikes in cooling costs.  If you have windows to cover this summer, here’s the top choices that will help against the rise in temperatures:

Cellular Shades – As their structure is designed to insulate windows, cellular shades are the primary choice for many seeking to keep the summer heat at bay.  Cellular, or honeycomb, shades come in a variety of colors and are offered with control options too (cordless, top down/bottom up, motorized).  And, depending on the levels of sun and heat the space experiences, you can opt for either a light filtering or black out cellular shade.  Light filtering would suffice for low to medium sun exposure or areas where natural light is beneficial.  Blackout cellular shades are great options where the sun and its effects are intolerable.

Blackout Curtains – Blackout curtains are great summer window treatments because they are functional but not permanent.  As they have a black out liner on them, blackout curtains will do wonders to keeping the heat from entering a space.  But also keep in mind that they will also darken the space significantly.  The best thing about blackout curtains, however, is that they are panels and therefore not fixed like a blind or shade.  When the space is hot and you want to keep it cool, draw the curtains.  Other times when insulation is not so important, keep the panels open.  And, blackout curtains are offered in such a wide variety of styles and prints, you don’t have to sacrifice décor to achieve your insulation needs.

Bamboo Shades – Bamboo shades combine both function and design for the summertime.  Functionally, bamboo shades are natural insulators since they are usually comprised of wood.  In addition, due to their sheerness in absence of a liner, most people opt to put a liner on their bamboo shades.  This liner, whether light filtering/privacy liner or a black out liner, will perform similar to that of the blackout curtains.  It should dramatically reduce the amount of sunlight (and its effects) to a space.  Design-wise, bamboo shades with their composition of woods, chutes and grasses are certainly trending as a great way to bring the natural environment into the home.

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General

The Lure of Allure

By Gina G.

Sliding glass doors and large windows are wonderful additions to any home.  They allow us beautiful natural light and outside scenery, and when weather appropriate, a nice breeze.  However, when we need privacy and light control, they can cause a dilemma on how to cover them.  Sure, you have your usual suspect in verticals.  Verticals are the classic solution to covering large windows and slider doors.  As they are the “go to” option, you have a choice between fabric or vinyl material accompanied by a host of other options such as style, valances, and opening types.  And although some may consider them dated, due the variety of style options, vertical blinds are still viable.  However, what if you want something different, something new?

There are some other options.  You could opt for panel tracks which are large panels of fabric that slide back and forth.  Unlike verticals that have a number of slats and can be challenging with pets and kids, panels are a bit more durable.  They present a great alternative to verticals and are offered in a variety of fabric choices including natural materials like bamboo.  Unfortunately, they do not tilt like verticals do and therefore decrease you ability to control the light and privacy in your room.  And, while they are a worthy alternative to verticals, some consider them bulky. They also can block a good portion of your view when stacked together.
If neither verticals nor panel tracks strike your fancy, you might’ve been left with choosing a large shade or curtains to cover your sliding door or large window.  Fortunately for you, there is another newer alternative, the Allure. 

The lure of the Allure is that it combines the benefits of the aforementioned treatments and offers a modern, soft, and beautiful option for larger windows and doors.  Like verticals, they maintain your tilt ability with soft curtain-like panels (no more noise from vinyl slats).  And, although they do have panels, unlike panel tracks, they are much smaller (more similar to the width of a vertical vane).  In addition to their small panel sizes, the Allure is offered with opening options (even center opening to resemble that of a curtain) and a valance to complete the look.  You can also use the Allure to accompany the sheer shades that cover your smaller windows.  So, while verticals are classics and panels are good options, the Allure with its combining of the softness of shades and curtains with the function of blinds, is certainly worth considering!

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General

Going to a Beach House without Woven Wood Shades is like going to the Beach without SunTan Lotion!

By Darius Johnson

In the blind world, natural materials have risen to become more popular in recent years, and Woven Wood shades are right in the midst of popularity. These naturally woven shades will give the inside of your home a natural and clean outdoor look, adding character that it makes buying them a very easy decision. 

Another great mention about woven shades is that they are made from natural materials, causing them to have a rich look. Furthermore woven shades are eco-friendly, so not only is it a great option for window treatments due to the natural look of them but it helps the environment as well. 

Woven wood shades are a perfect fit for any room of the house given that they have a multitude of options. These shades have the ability to have liners added to the back to make them light filtering but gain privacy or a blackout liner for those mornings that you just feel like sleeping in!  Woven Wood shades also have a variety of valance sizes, styles and colors to choose from so you can always find the perfect shade to match your style!

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General

No Money? No Problem! Here’s How to Decorate on a Budget!

Need new blinds but you’re on a budget? Don’t worry everything that looks nice does not mean you have to spend a lot of money. They’re some options that will make your home look like you just spent a million bucks. Whether you’re looking to purchase blinds and shades to simply eliminate outside light or your looking for window treatment that will complement your home décor, there’s a good chance you have a strict budget for this purchase. While most blinds and shades are relatively inexpensive, the cost of outfitting an entire home or several rooms with new window coverings can add up.  No matter what room you install them wood blinds always convey elegance and classic charm. They’re also highly versatile from a décor standpoint as they effortlessly complement almost any type of furniture, decorative color scheme, and window type. Wood blinds are among the best-selling window coverings due to their affordable price and their natural wood grain beauty.  In addition to the wood blinds they are highly effective at insulating your home during winter and summer.

Aluminum blinds are among the most commonly used window coverings in the world and for good reasons. They’re efficient at blocking out light and very affordable. 1-inch aluminum blinds feature a low profile, and available in many colors. Cellular shades would be a little step up in price, but it would make up for the cost in your energy bill. For insulation and energy efficiency cellular shades with their little pockets of cells keep your temperature serene. All those little pockets trap air and keep the summer and the warmth in during the winter. They are available in every color, they are ideal fit for most rooms and have many options that make them great for families with children.  If you have large windows or sliding doors you can’t beat vertical blinds. Vertical blinds are a much better fit as they are easily to open and closed and can cover even the widest window or doors. They are one of most inexpensive blinds to replace even if one slat brakes. The good news is that you don’t have to buy everything all over; just only the one or two slats that are broken.

The great thing about buying the simplest blinds or shades is that they can go with any décor that you decide to do.  Once you make this one-time investment in buying your blinds they are going to last for years just if you take good care of them. Remember you may have a beer budget but a champagne taste you are the only one who knows what you spent on blinds or shades. It is no need to go that expensive, just keep it simple.

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General Products Shades Tips and Advice

Harmony Shades

Roman shades are a classically popular window treatment with everlasting style. Their versatility and durability make them the perfect shade for high traffic rooms like the living room and offices. They have the ability to soften a room with a comfortable vibe and add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral space.

They are said to have originated in Rome

Their original purpose was to shade pampered spectators in public amphitheaters or stadiums, the most famous being the Colosseum in Rome. Well-to-do audience members did not want to endure the hot Mediterranean sun and so they sat underneath large, elaborate cloth awnings that protected them from the sun’s rays. The system of ropes and pulleys that was used to remove and replace the awnings for events was essential for the development of today’s Roman shades.

Roman shades are difficult to make

Each shade is very complicated to make and takes a lot of human labor to ensure its perfection. Because of the time put into each individual shade, they do tend to be a bit more costly. Any mistakes that are made while creating the shade are very difficult to remedy, with a lot of imperfect shades having to be recreated entirely.

Some Roman shades require training

Like parting your hair a different way or house breaking a new puppy, some Roman shades need a little training when they are new and young. If your new shades are made of a thick fabric, you may have to train them to fold in the correct place. After a few times of being guided into the correct placement, the fabric of your shade will start to hold a “memory” of where it should fold.

They are perfect for inside and outside mounts

Roman shades look beautiful mounted within your window frame and also outside your window frame. If you have nice trim around your windows you should show it off by mounting the shade inside the frame. They will look perfectly built-in and allow the finer details of your home to really shine. If you have unsightly trim or simply want to make your windows appear larger, these shades can be easily mounted on the wall around your window and you can let your pretty shades take center stage.

They come in a variety of features

Roman shades are very versatile and can fit into any aesthetic. Because they are made of fabric, there are a lot of color and texture options available, as well as options for top down/bottom up, blackout, cordless and pleated.

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Motorized Cascade, girl controing window shade via remote. Inspiration Products Tips and Advice

You Control It!

The window treatment industry strives to stay on the cutting edge by constantly refreshing selections and offering customers with the latest and greatest of blinds or shades. One of the newest and coolest product lines is the Motorization! In addition to being extremely versatile and easy to operate, these selections also feature a beautiful and traditional design, making them ideal for just about any room in your home.

Easy Operation

Although we test the control options for all our shades, including standard nylon cords, chains, continuous cord loops, and cordless options, to be as easy and intuitive as possible, we know that some homeowners prefer an even simpler method of raising and lowering their window treatments. Motorized shades are the easiest to control of all, as the simple touch of a button on their remote raises or lowers them effortlessly to the desired height.

Perfect for hard to reach windows

Got windows that are hard to reach, but still want to cover them with shades? If so, motorized shades are the ideal solution. No more stretching or even climbing on furniture or ladders to adjust your window treatments. With motorized shades, you can set them to the perfect length without putting your furniture or yourself at risk by climbing to reach cords, chains, or bottom rails.

Control up to 15 shades with a single remote

With our motorized shades, you won’t have to worry about jugging multiple remotes and forgetting which one controls certain shades in your home. All our motorized shades ship with a remote that can be configured to control up to 15 shades. That means you can quickly and easily control the shades in a large room or throughout your entire home with a single remote control.

No need for electrical outlets

We know that many homeowners are concerned about the appearance of unsightly cords and cables snaking along their walls to power their motorized shades. However, our window treatments are operated with a lithium battery power pack, eliminating the need for messy cables, extension cords, or outlets directly underneath your windows. The included batteries are designed to be long-lasting, which means you won’t have to worry about replacing them until after many hours of usage.

Available in a wide variety of styles

We know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to window treatments—including specialty items like our motorized shades. That’s why we offer light filtering cellular shades, exotic solar shades, shades with five percent openness, and shades that block 99 percent of the sun’s light and harmful UV rays.

Huge variety of colors

Getting the right color for your window treatments is an important part of the decorating process. You need a color, texture, or pattern that complements your home’s style. And with our line of motorized shades, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect look to match your furniture, wall colors, and décor.

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