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Honeycomb Shades May Be the Answer

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    The season of fall reminds us that chilly nights are ahead. Seldom do we consider how our window coverings can affect that heating/cooling bill and the overall comfort of our home. We have all seen the folks who duct tape plastic to their windows to address this problem (we know this is not you)! Heavy drapes have been used for years to also keep out the chill. Actually, even though it is cold outside, you want that warm daylight to flood your room. Honeycomb shades may be the answer.  Honeycomb shades are known for their insulation properties while allowing light to be diffused into the home. These shades are a real money-saving feature for your home! The shades also have a top-down and bottom-up feature available to customize the amount of light filtering into your room during the day! This shade type is not only stylish but also provide noise reduction for those street-facing rooms. There is also a cordless feature for homes with children and pets. Che...

Tips on Getting Your Windows Ready for Fall

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  Believe it or not ... fall is here! The leaves are changing and cooler temperatures will soon have us turning on the heat and pulling out the blankets. It's time to check the heater, clean the gutters and read these Tips on Getting Your Windows Ready for Fall.  1) Check Window Seals Take a good look at the seals around your windows. The summer-time heat can cause drying and cracking of the seals. As the weather cools, these seals will now contract, causing small gaps that will allow the outside air to filter into your home. Make sure to inspect both inside and outside of the window. 2) Inspect Window Coverings Another tip on getting your windows ready for fall is -- inspect your window coverings. Do your blinds/shutters have missing, bent or cracked slats? Are your shades thinning, torn or have holes? All of these conditions compromise the insulation properties of your window coverings. Decreased insulation equates with higher energy costs when it comes to keepin...

The Beauty of Valances

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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

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    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

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    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

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        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

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    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...