Easy ways to create the "Downton Abbey" look

It is easy to create a look of luxury in your home by adding the following:

1) faux painted walls and or ceilings

2) chair moldings -you can paint the bottom half a  darker color than the rest of the wall for definition

3) add chandelier lighting-even places such as Lowes offer inexpensive selections

4) silk or faux silk drapery with trim and tassel tie backs.  This is one place you will not want to scrimp!

5) vintage accessories- this is where you can really have fun personalizing the room.  There are plenty of reproductions that look almost as good as the originals.  If you have room purchase a curio cabinet and display your favorites.  A great place to find inexpensive beauties is the Biltmore gift shop in Asheville.  

New wood blind product

O'hair is now making a new selection of wood blinds in 3 3/8", 4 3/8", and 5 3/8" wide slats.  These slats can be manufactured in 2 weeks for windows up to 10 feet wide which up to now has been totally unheard of.  The nicest thing about these blinds is the fact that they have great closure with no rout holes creating maximum light control.  Additionally, they are easy to lift even in the widest spans with their special lift systems.  Everything is made in the USA with all of the new child safety features.  Pricewise these blinds are considerably more than the standard 2" wood, but they offer a lot of great features for the money.  So the next time you are looking for blinds to cover large windows don't settle for several small blinds in one window without taking a look at other options on the market. The view that you create will be worth the extra effort.

Fall Decorating Forecast

Each season  designers try to forecast what colors will be hot in decorating and fashion.  While you may not want to paint each room of your home a different color it might be fun to consider painting at least one of your rooms these colors. Or you might want to just paint one wall as an accent wall.   The new fashion colors for 2013 are as follows:  french roast, honey gold, pink flambe, tangerine tango, ultramarine green, bright chartreuse, Olympian blue, titanium, rhapsody and rose smoke. These colors can be incorporated into your pillows, accent pieces as well as draperies too.

Reasons for Window Tint

1. Decrease Heat - It can provide up 78% heat reduction versus untreated glass.

2. Reduce Fading & Health Risks - Blocks up to 99% of UV rays, as well as significantly reducing heat. This helps to protect your valuable furnishings from fading.

3. Cut Glare - Allows one to enjoy a clear view without annoying glare.

4. Enjoy Energy Savings - Reducing heat loss increase HVAC efficiency and lower energy costs.

5. Increase Safety - It can act as a "safety net" by holding shattered glass together.

6. Enhance Appearance - It aesthetically compliments the exterior and interior of your home or office building.

7. It's Fast & Easy - Professional installation is quick and simple!

FAQ's

Q: Does window tint last a long time?
A: Yes, we offer a lifetime warranty against cracking, bubbling, peeling, chipping, and color fading.

Q: Will window tint make my windows look dark?
A: No, we have a large variety of films and color options suited for both residential and commercial use. Many blend seamlessly and are unrecognizable from inside or outside.

Q: Is it expensive?
A: No, it is relatively inexpensive and will actually save you money on utilities (both heating and cooling).

Q: Does window tint void the manufacturer's/builder's warranty on the windows?
A: No, we offer a warranty that complements the existing warranty.

Q: Does installation take a long time?
A: No, depending on the number and size of the windows, it can take as little as 30 minutes!

Q: Is it easy to clean my windows afterwards?
A: Yes, windows can easily be clean with a soft cloth and a non-ammonia glass cleaner.

   

How to Combine Fabric Patterns

Instead of brightly patterned bedding and a plain-vanilla bed skirt, why not turn the bed upside down, so to speak? Here, a multicolored awning-striped dust ruffle, in a rainbow of sherbety shades, and a matching bolster create an unexpected but completely charming effect. Note how the headboard--upholstered in a playful small-scale pattern in a coordinating huge--adds more interest to the composition.

Two kinds of stripes can be twice as nice, provided they work well together. This is comfortably elegant living room mixes two coordinating patterns: the classic lineup on the curvaceous club chairs, and the rows of abstract paisley motifs on the Roman window shades. Unifying the overall effect are the warm, spice-tone palette and the fact that all the stripes are of similar scale. The resulting mix is rich in variety--and panache.

Wish your ceilings were just a little bit higher? Vertically striped window treatments will pull the eye up toward the ceiling, giving the impression of a more expansive space. They'll also draw attention to your windows, making them seem larger.

Combining patterns can be tricky, but not when stripes are involved. Just choose a stripe in a similar color and scale to the print with which you're mixing it. Here, the refined patterns and cool blue-and-cream palette blend effortlessly.

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

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