Blind Solutions

  Skylights are a beautiful asset to your home. A well-placed skylight can accent a room, give light to a small space, or even accentuate a piece of art. A skylight over one's bed can provide a fabulous view of the night sky before drifting off to sleep. However, skylights do have their shortcomings.  Contribute to increasing a room's temperature Increased energy bills Can provide too much light There is a solution on how to tame those skylights.   The Purpose of the Room The purpose of the room will dictate what kind of fabric you will choose for your skylight shade:   " If your skylights are in areas where you get a lot of sun—especially  bedrooms  or media rooms—you might want to consider skylight shades with a room-darkening or blackout fabric, so natural sunlight doesn't interrupt your sleep or add glare to a TV screen. And if they're in rooms like  kitchens  that don't require complete darkness, choose a fabric that will bring in natural li...

  It was a long winter, but spring has finally arrived! It's time to get out the 'ol mop, bucket and rags and get cleaning. One of the most dreaded items to clean is those dusty blinds. Here are a few tips to help make that task of spring cleaning your blinds a bit easier. Aluminum and Vinyl Blinds Aluminum blinds are the most common type of blinds found in homes today. The good thing is, they are relatively easy to clean. Lower blinds and slightly tilt them downwards. Use mild detergent soap and wipe each blind clean. Take care not to bend them because you will end up with a permanent chink in the blind. Always start from the top and work your way down. Gently wipe them dry. You may consider vacuuming your blinds first to remove the extra dust so the dirt will not smear when you clean them with a wet cloth. Wood Blinds Spring cleaning rule number one is never use water. Water on wood blinds can cause warping over time. A clean, dry, microfiber cloth is best. Tilt the blinds un...

  Owning a period home can be challenging. An older home requires constant maintenance and a lot of TLC. Attempting to decorate a period home can be just as tricky as maintaining one. For example, using mini-blinds in a period home is like nails on a chalkboard. Here are a few more suggestions on how to choose blinds and shades for period homes. Victorian  Victorian-style homes were quite popular in the mid-1800s to around the early 1900s. Victorian homes typically have ornate gables, bay windows, stained glass windows and decorative brickwork. The style is very distinct so when considering window dressings, make sure you consider what your blinds and shades will look like from the outside. This very busy architecture will require blinds and shades that will not clash with the exterior; however, the typical window coverings of that era were lace curtains. Lace curtains are a little too fussy for most people unless you are trying to restore the home to its original design. Sim...

   We all know that the sun is pretty intense here in Colorado due to the altitude and new home designs frequently include larger windows so we can enjoy the beautiful views that the Rocky Mountains provide. The combination of intense sun and large windows can wreak havoc on your furniture, floors and walls of your home. Fading and material degradation can happen over time when the sun comes pouring through your windows on a daily basis. You don't want to block out those stunning vistas but the interior of your home is taking a beating. What can you do? Your best bet is to prevent sun damage with solar shades. Screen Shades Screen shades provide the most outdoor visibility while protecting your indoor furnishing from harmful UV sun rays. Screen shades are the most sheer protection available. One factor that should be considered however, is the issue of privacy. Screen shades alone do not provide optimum privacy but layered with more opaque window coverings can be a great optio...

   When purchasing window coverings we usually try to weigh all the variables and then insert our priorities for the room in question. Usually, it ends up being a battle between light and dark. This is especially true when it comes to desiring privacy, and yet, desiring light to filter in a room. The good news is, you don't need to sacrifice light for privacy. The Basics You will want to consider the opaqueness of the material when purchasing shades or blinds. If you want light in a room and don't really care about privacy, sheer materials are satisfactory. However, when privacy is primary, you will want to consider more opaque materials that are much more difficult to see through when light is shining behind the shades. Another basic consideration is -- just because standard blinds may be of a dense material, the angle of your blinds may not give your the privacy you think you have. A good rule of thumb is if you can see out at a certain angle (when the blinds are closed) oth...

  Since the end of 2018, most corded blinds are no longer being manufactured. Corded blinds pose a dangerous risk of strangulation to small children and pets. According to a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics : Although many of the injuries in this study were nonfatal and resulted in ... From 1981 to 1995, there were 183 deaths from window blind cord  ...  In this day and age, we have technology that can help create a safer environment.  Let's look at some of the wonderful benefits of cordless blinds.  Manual Blinds and Shades   Manual systems are less expensive and usually require a gentle push or pull on the bottom bar to raise and lower the blind. This type of blind is primarily good for smaller windows and easy to access areas. SIMPLELIFT (tm) lowers and raises your blinds with ease with and easy clean tab. SimpleLift ™ SimpleLift...

   The New Year is right around the corner and we all could use a little change around the house. Blinds and shades can be real statement pieces and can even change the entire feel of a room. Here are just a few ways you can change the look of a room with window coverings. What look are you going for in 2021? Make a Room Look Larger Small spaces can be made to look much larger by choosing light, fabrics for your shades or blinds. Light colors and minimalist designs can really open up a room. Optimize the view outside during the day as if the outdoors is an extension to your room! If your view is not to your liking, use soft, light, sheer material to let the light in while keeping the view out. Hunter Douglas Luminette sheer shades would work well when you are trying to create a more open feel to a room. Cozy  Nothing makes a room more cozy than warm wood and/or textured fabrics. Natural wood shutters and blinds add warmth and a grounded feel to a room. Textured shades w...