Posts

The Beauty of Valances

Image
The best way to freshen up a room is to start with your windows. Windows cover a great amount of the room's surface. A properly dressed window can really make the room pop. Poorly designed window treatments can totally ruin a room's esthetic. Consider incorporating the beauty of valances. The pros of valances is that they are both versatile and affordable.  Minimalist Look Using a colorful valance is a great way to add that pop of color or softness to a window while maintaining an uncluttered look. The fabric will need to be chosen very carefully because the eye is naturally drawn to the brightest colors in a room. If you want to draw the eye to artwork or some other feature in the room, your best bet is to use a valance fabric the blends with your walls. This will create a more timeless look. A pleated valance will add a structural element to your windows and is a timeless look that will never go out of style. To obtain a color cohesive look, have the valance compliment the pr...

Three Widow Dressing Tips to Create a Fresh, New Look

Image
    Window dressings have a great impact on the look of a room. You want to change the look of a room but your finances are a bit thin. No worries! Here are three window dressing tips to create a fresh, new look. 1. Layering You can soften the look of a room by adding drapes to shuttered or shaded widows. Shutters and shades create a more structured look to a room. These window treatments create hard lines around your windows and are a good choice for a minimalist look or to create an airy feel to a room. Layering drapes at the window edges will soften the look of the room. Drapes will cozy-up the room and depending on the color and pattern you choose, drapes can really make the the room pop! 2. Mixing Colors and Patterns You may be thinking: "my shades have a pattern/design so layering won't work." No problem! Drapes and sheers come in a variety colors and patterns today. This makes it very easy to upgrade any window to match your lifestyle and home decor. You can find c...

Let's Talk: Roman Shades

Image
    Looking for something with a little more panache for your windows? Blinds just won't do it for you and shades will seem a little "meh". Let's talk: Roman Shades... . A Little History Roman shades are a product of very ingenious Romans who were looking to keep the dust out of their homes as well as cool their homes in the summer. They would wet these pleated shades and let the breeze flow through the wet cloth to cool their homes as well as capture any dust blowing about. The style is obviously timeless and has always been quite popular. Pros If a touch of style is what you are looking for, Roman shades are hands down a class act. These shades will never go out of style, come in a very wide variety of patterns, colors and sizes to fit any decor. Roman shades can also fit any budget while adding that old world charm to a room. When lowered all the way and depending on the thickness of the shade, they can act as an insulator for your windows -- cutting a few extra do...

Light Can Make All The Difference

Image
        One may be very surprised to find that light is very influential with regard to our well-being. There is actually a heavy psychological impact upon our work and daily mood with relation to the amount and color of light we are exposed to at any given time. Light can make all the difference. Studies have shown that people who spend a considerable amount of time in windowless workplaces are more subject to depression and suffer more sleep disruptions than people who work in adequately lit spaces. And, did you know that inadequate lighting can affect your overall mood, creativity and cognitive functioning patterns? ( Medium Psychology, June 13, 2017 ) The color of the light also affects our sleep cycles and moods. For example, blue light stimulates us and will keep us up. We are bombarded with the blue light spectrum from our computers and cell phones. Some cell phones today have a night mode where the screen lighting changes from blue to amber...

Use Window Coverings to Save Money on Your Energy Bill

Image
    Everything is rising in cost. Gas, food, household items and clothing just to name a few. Then are are rising energy costs. It is going to cost more to heat and cool your home these coming months. Here are two simple ways to reduce the hardship on your wallet and use window coverings to save money on your energy bill. Let in The light During the Winter The windows on the south facing side of your home provide the most light during the winter months. Utilize the sunlight to help warm your home. During the day, open blinds and shades on the south side of your home (provided it is not overshadowed by another structure) to allow for the maximum amount of light into your home.  On the northern side of the home, you will want to make sure your windows are draft-free and sealed tight. Honeycomb thermal shades are the best window insulators on the market and they come in many colors and textures to fit any home decor. These shades should fit snugly against the windows. The g...

Want to Change the Feel of a Room?

Image
 There are times when we just feel a need for change. You want your child's play room to look more playful or a home library to feel more scholarly. Your windows play a large role in how your room looks and feels. Want to change the feel of a room? Here are a few tips to turn an ordinary room into an experience. Playful and Whimsical  Blinds and shades come in a variety of colors. For a more playful feel, try Honeycomb shades in a primary color of yellow, blue or green. The texture and construction of these shades are fun and will provide a soft light that reflects color about the room. Cozy and Studious Do you have a home library that does not have the sophisticated library feel? Wood blinds will provide coziness and structure to the room. Blinds also allow for ultimate light control so that you can create your desired  atmosphere.  Elegant and Sophisticated  Roman shades are a sophisticated accent for any room. Roman shades come in elegant brocades and classic...

Three Benefits of Drapes for the Winter Season

Image
  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...