Category Archives: Window Coverings

Blinds and Flooring Set Stage

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When you have a contemporary house with little or no architectural detail built in, the best solution is to create architectural depth yourself.

This room has a strong contemporary feel, and the light wood flooring and matching wood blinds support that while adding interest and depth to the room.

Choosing dark tape for the blind mechanism grounds the light elements in the room and connects the light wood choice with the dark leather bed frame and dark wood nightstand. Together they provide the contrast that makes a modern room work – the light wood horizontal combined with the dark verticals complement the dark horizontal furnishings.

The bed has a curved padded headboard that creates a comfortable place to lean back and read or watch the flat-screen. The nightstand also shows function as well as style with room enough for essentials on top and storage for books and magazines underneath.

Notice the pillow choices. Three sets of matching pillows add pattern. The bottom pillows are in a solid fabric, but the tie closures add a nice detail. The next two sets combine modern and a touch of traditional with the embroidered dragonflies. This room keeps accessories to a minimum, so the pillows add interest and help make the bed the focal point.

Functional and well-designed, this bedroom brings together a good foundation with an appealing finish. Do you want a bedroom with the right combination of connection and contrast? Let us help you select just the right combination of flooring and window treatments to get you started.

Good Design Starts with the Fundamentals

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If you are drawn to modern styles, every choice becomes more critical. With traditional design there are many details to draw the eye. Good modern design keeps lines simple and furnishings to a minimum. This forces every element to carry more importance in a room.

Take a look at this bedroom. Its clean lines and neutral palette requires attention to every detail.

First, notice how the two-inch wood blinds match the light wood flooring. This connection creates style before adding stick of furniture. These blinds offer a selection of fabric tapes to cover the mechanism, and this daring dark choice brings the equally-dark bed frame into focus. The dark verticals coordinate with the dark horizontals of the only two pieces of furniture in the space.

The bed linens are simple and light and the matching bed pillows provide the only patterned fabric in the room. The large circles on the larger set of pillows show a classic modern design, and then the gold dragonflies embroidered on the smaller pillows provide an unexpected touch of romance. The flowers also provide a softer element, but the very contemporary vase keeps the design consistently modern.

Do you want to create a contemporary room with just the right design elements? Come visit our showroom and learn how coordinating flooring and window treatments provide the start you need to design the modern room of your dreams.

Good Foundation for Great Room

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One difference between a nice room and a room that’s well designed comes from how the furnishings fit with the design structure of the room itself.

This room demonstrates an effective connection between its flooring, window treatments and the style choices.

The wood flooring’s natural maple finish matches perfectly with the light wood window blinds. In contrast, the dark tapes selected as blind pulls reflect the dark leather bed frame and wood nightstand.

Although furnishings are limited in the space, the coordination of dark and light throughout the room helps it feel finished from a design standpoint. Additional touches are limited. The nightstand sports a phone, magazines and a lone vase of flowers. The reading material is a natural fit for that headboard. The curve and padding makes this a great spot for reading or watching television.

The touch of pattern comes from the bed pillows. One set is a large dot pattern that suits the contemporary feel of the bedroom. The smaller pillows show a more traditional pattern – embroidered dragonflies – which provide a more luxurious and gentler touch.

By starting with a coordinated and attractive foundation, this bedroom owner created an inviting and simple bedroom that still shows natural design flair.

Whatever your preference in flooring: wood, tile or carpet, there are window treatments that will coordinate well and create the finished look you want. Let us help you make the right match for your home.

2011 Design Trend: Metallic Surfaces

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Hunter Douglas resident design experts, Jen & Sally, give their top ten insights for what’s going to be hot on the interior design scene in 2011. One of the trends they called and we are already seeing a lot of is a throwback to past eras of when the theatrical and dramatic glamour of metallic surfaces was all the rage. “Alluring and theatrical, metallic surfaces are back in style. You’ll see them as primary and secondary design elements throughout the home, from stainless steel furniture to gold leaf accessories.”

The trend hasn’t been lost on Hunter Douglas product designers either. You’ll find metallic finishes on hardware, blinds and many other products. Their blinds in particular are expertly made and give off the glamorous glint of precious metals. The following collections offer the widest variety of metallics:

Alustra Modern Precious Metals—available in ten metallic finishes such as aluminum, brushed aluminum, champagne pearl, twilight pearl and bright gold, Their  2” slat surface reflects the light beautifully when open and gives a good amount of privacy control at night. Use in any room and add a few metallic accents such as mirrored furniture or window side panels hung on metal hardware in bright metallic finishes.
http://www.hunterdouglas.com/imagine_wrapper.jsp?sessionid=AB694CC8641E5CF1CF0BBD9749B600CD&ref=http://www.hunterdouglas.com/design-trends.jsp%3Fso%3Dtn

Somner Custom Vertical Blinds—available in six metallic finishes such as bright aluminum, antique gold, bronze and golden honey. The 3 ½ vane size allows for a lovely glow for daytime and a privacy control of 5. Be sure to visit the link above to see all of the swatches. These are also great for any room especially the bedroom and living area.
http://www.hunterdouglas.com/imagine_wrapper.jsp?sessionid=AB694CC8641E5CF1CF0BBD9749B600CD&ref=http://www.hunterdouglas.com/design-trends.jsp%3Fso%3Dtn

Child Safety and Window Coverings

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F1ONRF-00005794-001We’re in the middle of October, which is child safety month. As future parents plan for their new little one, safety is a number one concern.

It’s interesting to consider how much more important safety has become over the past few decades. At one time, there were no safe child car seats or swallow-safe toys designed for children under three. Home products have also changed to reflect child safety issues.

Hunter Douglas stood in the forefront of the changes to make today’s homes safer for both children and pets. Although it’s not top-of-mind for most people, some children – and pets – lost their lives after becoming entangled in cords hanging from blinds and shades. Once the problem was recognized, Hunter Douglas developed a number of innovations to eliminate this risk.

Their roman shades demonstrate the changed perspective, with no exposed cords, and the tassels on their wooden blinds have a quick break feature that will split under pressure.

Two newer Hunter Douglas window products eliminated the cord issue completely. One, the LiteRise® system, allows shades or blinds to be raised or lowered to any position by hand. The other is a motorized lifting system which adjusts height on window treatments with the push of a button.

Today’s children have a much safer living environment than we did, thanks in part to efforts of consumer safety groups and companies such as Hunter Douglas that have stepped up to make a difference.

Window Coverings – What to know before you buy

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Window coverings are not an option! Every home has to have window coverings. If you don’t purchase them before you move in, you will have to purchase window coverings and will usually do so within 30 days of move-in. It’s important to be aware of the many advantages of purchasing window coverings before you move in to your new home or when remodeling your home.

Window coverings bring immediate privacy and a sense of security.

Questions to ask yourself:

  • What activities are going to be done in this room?
    • Keeping these activities in mind will help you determine the answers to the following questions.
  • What are my privacy and light control needs?
    • You will want to consider how much privacy you desire in each room.  For example, you may not need the same amount of privacy for a dining room as you may need for a bedroom. You then want to consider how much light control is needed. Do you want the capacity to filter or completely block out the sunlight?
    • Window treatments come in varying degrees of opacity.  There are many products in sheer, semi-opaque and opaque fabrics and materials.  Light and privacy can be easily managed, and virtually eliminated, if desired. Additionally, if you want the capability to adjust light, privacy and a view, blinds offer amazing versatility.  Any product with a louver can redirect light and completely change the complexion of a room simply by rotating or tilting the louvers.
    • You should also consider that sunlight can cause many interior finishes to fade.  You will definitely want to protect your cherry cabinetry and hardwood floor from damaging UV rays as soon as possible with window coverings. Window 2
    • Window coverings will protect the floor coverings and cabinetry from harmful ultra violet light.
    • Window coverings provide privacy that you may forget about until you move in and are exposed! Window coverings also provide security while the home may be vacant prior to renting.
  • How do your windows open?
    • You will want to look at the window layout of your home and determine how each window opens and consider how often you will want to access them.  There are many different styles of windows.  Some windows open up, some out and some in, while some go side-to side.
    • If you are covering sliding glass doors, are they opened often? This is an important question to ask because you might design a beautiful window covering, but if it doesn’t fit the function, you will be unhappy with the result.  Keep in mind that you will want a window treatment that is easy to lift and stacks nicely for windows that you will open often or for sliding glass doors.
  • Are you shopping for any specialty or unusually shaped windows?
    • There are many interesting window shapes and your window treatments may need a bit of special attention.  There are arched or palladian windows, bay windows, skylights, A-frames and casement windows, to name a few.  You also want to remember any doors that will require coverings, such as sliding glass doors and French doors.
  • Do you have children, pets or elderly persons living with you?Windows 3
    • Some types of window coverings can pose a safety threat to small children or pets with their pull cords.  There are products that help create a safer environment. Products with cordless operations minimize hazards associated with lift cords.  Additionally, safety tassels and wands are available on several aluminum and vertical blinds.
  • Is energy efficiency a concern? / Is there a need to control temperature or is energy efficiency a concern?
    • Window coverings make an enormous difference in the enjoyment of a home. Besides adding to the beauty of the rooms, they can reduce the heating and air conditioning costs. You will want to consider the heat in the summer and cold in the winter, along with the exposure of the room – does it face north, south, east or west?
    • Window 4North facing windows provide the most consistent light but also the coldest exposure.  For these windows, it’s wise to consider energy efficient window treatments.
    • South facing windows receive good light year-round.  Light diffusing treatments help protect upholstered furniture from the sun.
    • East facing windows admit warm, bright light, especially in the morning.  You will want to consider window treatments that help block ultraviolet rays.
    • West facing windows admit the hottest, haziest light of the day.  Light diffusing window treatments are best in these areas.
    • It’s important to know that sunny windows make air conditioners work two to three times harder, while in colder seasons, heat lost through windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of the heating bill.  Honeycomb shades are well known for their energy efficient components.

Hunter Douglas Energy Efficient Window Fashions

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INGMRF-00067178-001Did you know that almost 5% of all energy consumed in the U.S. passes through the windows of residential homes. meaning as much as 50% of a home’s energy is lost through its windows. Hunter Douglas is the worldwide leader in creating innovative, energy-efficient window fashions that can significantly reduce this energy loss, helping you and your family to stay more comfortable, save on heating and cooling costs and contribute to protecting the environment.

Here’s how Hunter Douglas products help conserve energy:

  • Insulation: Reduce heat flow (both heat loss and heat gain) through the windows.
  • Solar Heat Control: Help to control solar heat (heat generated from the sun) by allowing it into your home in the winter and minimizing the amount that comes in during the summer.
  • Daylighting: Enhance daylighting (the use of natural light) by diffusing and dispersing sunlight deep into a room, reducing your need for electrical lighting.

The most recent innovation from Hunter Douglas, Duette Architella honeycomb shades, takes energy conservation to a whole new level. Its patented honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb construction forms three air pockets to dramatically reduce heat flow at the window to save on both energy and heating and cooling costs.

What does that mean?

If installed in every window of every American home, Duette Architella shades have the potential to cut the country’s annual energy consumption by 2½%. This may not sound like much, but it’s the equivalent of a 33% increase in fuel mileage for all passenger cars on U.S. roads — which would save almost 450 million barrels of oil annually and reduce C02 emissions by about 200 million tons.WOW! Those are real numbers!

For more detailed “green” product information, visit the Our Products section of the Hunter Douglas website.  Once you select a window fashion, click on the “Hunter Green” tab inside Product Details.

Have you used any of these products in your home? Have you seen a difference?

What’s New With Hunter Douglas

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windowpishutters1I just took a field trip outside the blogoshpere (a.k.a away from the laptop) to spend some time at the Hunter Douglas Coffee Talk Training. WOW was it inspiring! Stations were set up demonstrating each product showing all of the new features, colors and offerings. Hunter Douglas really does a fantastic job of keeping up with trends in color, style, fabric and technology.

Some Notable New’s

  • Chalet Woods Wood Blinds have specialty finishes in 3 stylish motifs. Enhanced Grain Finish that resembles beautiful cherry wood grain, Antique Finish (my personal favorite) with an aged rub-thru look in colors like “toasted marshmallow” that would be perfect for a beach cottage, mountain home or shabby chic space and Distressed finishes are comprised of a stained base coat accented with gentle worm- hole distressing and a matte sheen. You can also now get the lite rise cordless feature for a cleaner look that is also safer for households with pets and children.
  • Silhouette and Nantucket Shadings have a new installation bracket that features a locking lever. The lever makes a click sound to indicate the shadings are properly installed and in the locked position.
  • Silhouette, Nantucket and Vingette Shadings have the new UltraGlide designer tassel that was introduced on Duette Honeycomb Shades in May 2009. This tassel features a clear, frosted base and a color coordinated cover. The tear drop design fits better in one hand, allowing for increased control when operating the shading or shade. Also, to improve the PowerRise with Platinum Technology, Hunter Douglas has implemented a software upgrade and hardware improvement that includes low battery detection, visible indication of reception and dry contact pins to accommodate harness connectors for input/output communications. This enables their usage with the advanced control systems used for home automation.
  • Designer Screen Shades, Designer Roller Shades and Provenance Woven Woods feature  great new motorization option with a proprietary new offering for residential hard-wired motorized shades.
  • Skyline Gliding Window Panels are now available with PowerGlide 2.0 with Platinum Technology!

Visit Hunter Douglas’ website for more information.

Window Coverings Design Scenario: What to Do!?!

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dsc04344In this situation, a homeowner needed some guidance about which type of window covering would be best for his contemporary downtown loft.

Here’s how it went down. The customer called and asked for a price on Silhouette window coverings for his home. He also asked for samples of other vertical products or products that would be good choices for large windows also keeping in mind that he would like some shading from the sun without completely blocking his city view.

Having  already seen the space, Skyline gliding window panels from Hunter Douglas were an immediate consideration. Skyline has plenty of designer fabrics to choose from (187 color/material combinations), has the option of 11″ or 17″ veins and can cover the wide span of windows he has across the front of his home. Skyline also offers heights up to 168″ for his tall ceilings. (note: widths can go up to 384″)

After seeing the Skyline product, he fell in love. Skyline gave him a more contemporary feel for his loft than the Silhouette and the fabric and color choices left plenty of options for the accent wall he wanted to coordinate with.

Next came the details. He wondered whether the hardware could match the dark fabric he liked. The answer: YES! He wondered if the shadings offered any UV light protection for his fine furniture and artwork. The answer: YES! He then asked about the warranty only to be pleased to learn that like all Hunter Douglas window coverings, they are backed by Hunter Douglas’ exclusive lifetime guarantee. The best part – when he learned that he could operate the whole wall of windows with one single remote control. A bachelor’s dream!

Once again, Hunter Douglas was able to meet the needs of a client with multiple issues. Stay tuned for photos of the product installation!

Consideration for Window Coverings

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81A-00003476-001When considering the purchase of window coverings, there are several things to keep in mind. Hunter Douglas provides everything you need to make your windows a beautiful expression of the way you live.

Considerations:

  • Light Source – different products are designed depending on which direction your windows face
  • Privacy – Do you need privacy from people such as neighbors or from objects outside that are not something you want to constantly view?
  • Style – Traditional, contemporary, relaxed, formal, country warmth or urban sophistication. No matter what your style, Hunter Douglas has a product for you
  • Color – Hunter Douglas stays on top of all of the latest color trends to offer you all of the color choices you could want
  • Shapes – Have a difficult shape? From arches to angles, circular to Palladian, there is a Hunter Douglas product to fit your shape
  • Special needs – need special assistance operating your window coverings? Hunter Douglas offers a variety of lifting options such as remote controls
  • Energy efficiency – Hunter Douglas window coverings are impressively energy efficient
  • UV Protection – Built in ultraviolet protection gives you the power to reduce harmful rays that can fade carpet and furniture
  • Safety – Kids, pets or loose cords can spell trouble. Hunter Douglas offers operating systems and special features that are designed to keep your home safe

For more information and picture of specific products, visit the Hunter Douglas website. There’s a variety of tools and a wealth of knowledge to be discovered!