Blind Solutions

  Drapes can make a room instantly luxurious, cozy and warm. What a great feel for winter. A cascade of opulent material flowing from the ceiling line into puddles on the floor, creates a soft, grounded feel to a room. Drapes not only look fabulous in a home, they are also quite practical -- especially during the winter months. Let's look at three benefits of drapes for the winter season. Eliminates Drafts It is well known that our windows are where there tends to be the most heat loss during the winter. As cold breezes begin to chill the night air, it becomes less comfortable to sit on that couch in front of the window. Since drapes (unlike curtains) are of heavier material and can be lined for UV protection, the drafty windows are kept at bay. This reduces your energy bill and makes your wallet very happy. Creates More Privacy As winter approaches and the sun sinks further to the south, the hours of the day wane into darkness much earlier. Another benefit of drapes is privacy. We...

     It's a well known fact that light and color have an effect on the way we feel. Traditionally, darker colors and diminished light can create a more closed-in feeling. For some, this is a feeling of coziness and security. For others, this atmosphere may seem heavy or even depressing. If you are not satisfied with the way a room makes you feel, there is a solution. Changing your window treatments can change your mood. Control Your Light The more versatile your blinds are in controlling light, the more choices you have as to how you want your room to feel. Studies have shown that lighting can affect your appetite, your ability to make decisions and sleep cycles. Our moods are also affected by the amount of natural light we receive each day. Natural light is a great motivator; however, too much light can affect our ability to focus. There are a wide variety of blinds available to fit every decor. Consider Color Window treatments occupy quite a bit of space on our walls....

  Blinds have come a long way. In the past, when we thought of blinds, we pictured white, horizontal, metal slats with a pull cord. Today, there are many different styles of blinds using many different fabrics, materials and colors. So, the question remains: With all these choices, what are the most popular blinds and shades?    Vertical Blinds One nice thing about vertical blinds is that they allow for excellent directional light control about the room. They are also great for large windows and doors and are readily available in large sizes. They may come in metal, plastic, and fabric-covered styles. However, on a problematic cleaning scale of 1-10, they hover around an 8. Every slat requires individual cleaning, using the manufacturer's recommended protocols.   Roman Shades Roman Shades are probably the most opulent-looking window treatment. These shades are highly versatile and can enhance any room's decor. They can be more expensive than blinds, depending on t...

    Technology has permeated our lives. However, when we think of technology, we don't generally think of our window coverings. Did you know that you now can program your shades to lower themselves during the heat of the day or raise them to the desired height at sunrise? Yes, there is now technology for your shades. PowerView® Automation The PowerView® Automation system is a wonderfully diverse system that offers many different modes of operation. Let's take a quick look at how this system can make attending to your home both easy and convenient. The PowerView® App The PowerView® App is available for both Apple and Android systems. With this app, you can program all your shades to raise and lower at set times with a touch! Use Your Phone! The Remote Connect™ feature will allow you to connect to your home from anywhere. Being able to adjust your shades is beneficial for your home's light control and will provide your home with additional security while you are away. The act...

  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...