Monday, September 6, 2010

Designing with woven woods

One of the hotest window treatments on the market that is being shown in all of the design magazines and shows such as HGTV is Woven woods.  Woven woods come in a wide variety of different weaves and colors.  The openess of the weave and whether or not it is lined will determine how much light and privacy you will have.  I like to use Woven woods both as full covering treatments, valances and in coordination with drapery treatments.  For added decorative touches tassels and banding can be added.
Additionally, the shades can be made as top-down bottom up or even reverse roll (without a top valance which normally is considered "flat roman style).  Unless you need the headrail to be as skinney as possible it is a good idea to add a continuous cord or rolease as this will prevent the cords from "puddling" on the floor.
Personally, I do not recommend the reverse roll shade as this is made with the fabric on the front of the headrail and the controls on the back.  By doing this, the fabric automatically is not on or near the glass of the window itself creating gaps of light on the sides (you don't have this with the roman style).

All of the shades that we sell have lifetime warranties against defects in the material and the internal mechanisms of the shade.  For further info see windowperfection.com

Monday, August 30, 2010

New twist on Drapery for a baby's room

When decorating an infants room most people tend to think in terms of  pastel colors or "blue" for boys and "pink" for girls or even primary colors.  Since  custom bedding and drapery treatments can be definite investment you might want to consider colors that the child can grow with as they become a toddler or better yet even a teenager.  Most people do not consider black as one of the colors to choose for a baby, however, we recently implemented black, white and purple and came up with something quite fun and unique.
Additionally, baby furniture does not always have to be stained wood pieces or white.  Using items such as mirrored dressers, pictures, chandlers etc. can really dress up a room and give it that designer "unique" look. See pic below








 

Saturday, August 21, 2010

What are the best types of shutters

Customers often ask me is it better to have faux or wood shutters.  Well that depends on the type of material the shutter is made out of, where it is made and what application the shutter is going to be used for.  As a general rule, faux shutters work well in most applications except where there is high humidity such as a saunas, showers or other wet areas.  There are many types of faux shutters on the market today.  Most of them are made of either a composite interior (compressed wood with a filler), foam (such as polywood) or entirely of MDF (Norman Shutters)which is a nice name for multiple density fiberboard with a faux wrap.  While MDF looks pretty sturdy it is still particle board or sawdust with a glue adhesive to keep it together (this product is also used in cheap cabinetry).  The real problem with using MDF in shutters is that when moisture gets inside the frame can come appart and the panels tend to be heavier than wood.  Additionally, the glues used to bind the wood particles tend to be toxic and "off gas" in your home.    Either way, in my opinion it is best to stay away from this type of construction, and go with a more natural product such as wood or wood with a composite louver only (we still call this type faux ).

Wood shutters applications are a must for areas where one wants to see the natural grain of the wood or if you are trying to match existing paneling etc .  Also wood can be bent into arch windows and used for over sized panels (most faux panels cannot be made larger than 24"). Make sure the wood is adequately thick and fairly heavy weight.   Some cheap brands are thin and shaved to size.  Lastly look at the paint finish.  It should be smooth and free of any drip marks (most good custom companies sand and paint the shutter 2-3 coats).

Another thing to consider when ordering shutters is to ask where are the shutters made?  Many of the  companies today get most of their materials from China where quality control and safety issues are non existent.  Again, if possible opt for products made locally.  You will be doing yourself and America a favor.

It is difficult to keep up with all of the products on the market.  With a little research finding a knowledgeable salesman will ease the process.  After all, anything that lasts a lifetime and is a major investment  is worth the extra effort!  For more pictures and info see Windowperfection.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Shutters as decorative elements

Shutters can be used not only as window coverings but as decorative elements in a room.  Instead of using the shutters on the inside of the window you can mount them on the outside-they can be left permanently open or fit to close whichever works best.  Another option is to use shutters as room dividers or even as a slider on a large window. The decorating options are endless.


Think outside of traditional whites and stains.



Cafe Shutters


Putting the "Wow" Factor into a Room

     Sometimes the simplest things can dramatically change a room.
1) Paint- is easy and cheap.  It is important to make sure the color flows with the rest of the house.  Also you might want to test a small sample on the walls before painting the whole room.  Often a color will be much darker or brighter in large areas than on a small paint swatch.  I suggest going into model homes and picking out colors you like.  This is a great way to see how they will look in your home.

2) Rearrange your furniture.  Consider placing furniture at angles rather than everything against the walls.  This will add visual interest and often open up the room.

3) Use a few great accessories such as artwork as a focal point.  Artwork does not need to be expensive.  You can even use posters that are nicely framed or even groupings of personal photos.  Just make sure the frames are attractive.  It is important to hang pictures at eye level.  If it is too high it will get lost and if it too low it will be out of balance. Use one large picture or a grouping of pictures for the best impact.
When accessorizing you can use both modern and traditional pieces.  Odd numbers of things when grouped look best. This is one area that you can really personalize a space.

4) Window treatments-make the most dramatic statement of all!  If you cannot afford custom, consider purchasing ready made panels that are over 90" long.  This will make your window look taller and the room have more of a wow factor.  Consider adding trim or additional fabrics to the panels for a more custom look.
Additionally, you can purchase ready made valances and staple them on wood boards adding returns and trim for a brand new look.  Layer your windows with hard treatments such as blinds, shutters or shades on the inside of the window with simple drapery treatments on the outside.

5) Consider wallpapering or faux finishing at least one room of your home.  There are a lot of great wallpapers on the market right now that can really make your home look very plush and expensive.  You can also experiment with faux finishes or hire a professional.  Faux finishes look great on dinning walls and trey ceilings.

6)  Pillows are an easy way to tie a room together.  You can purchase inexpensive ones or have them custom made.  This is a great way to easily change things from season to season.   Use different sizes, fabrics and shapes for visual interest.  Again, odd numbers in groupings work best.  Don't forget about spaces such as garden rooms and porches they are a great place to add color with pillows too.

Putting the Focus on Your Windows

Believe it or not, the most important part of your room is the windows. It is the first thing people notice when entering into a room. It is even more important than your furniture! While good window treatments can be an investment, it is definitely worth the effort. Window treatments not only add warmth, style, privacy and energy efficiency, but they can also create the illusion of greater architectural interest. To many people, choosing the right treatments can be a daunting and confusing task with endless options available in the market. When you do decide to invest in your window treatments, you should consider working with a professional instead of a big box store, which in the long-run will save time and money. 

Upon meeting your design consultant, it is important to consider the function of your room, whether it is formal or informal. Additionally, the degree of privacy or sunlight that enters the room will also have an impact upon your decision. Personally, I like hard treatments, such as blinds, shades and shutters, inside the window with a stationary valance or panel outside the window. A great way to let your personality shine through in your home is by adding different fabrics, trims and rods. These can help create a unique style of your own.  For more pics and info see:
Windowperfection.com