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W
H A T S F O R Y O U ?
Determining
the type of window covering for you!
When
determining the type of window coverings to use there are
several things to consider. We will focus on the most common
considerations which are privacy and light control, color,
function, and style.
P R I V A C Y A
N D L I G H T C O N T R O L
The primary reasons we use window coverings is for privacy
and light control. If you desire maximum privacy and light
blockage then our blackout cellular shades and room darkening
roller shades are a good choice. Their fabrics are completely
opaque and provide total privacy and 99% light blockage. Next
is wood, faux wood, and aluminum blinds as well as plantation
shutters. The materials used in blinds and shutters provide
a nearly private environment and a allow for varying degrees
of light control. However there is a possibility of light
gaps at certain angles. For added privacy you might consider
adding the routeless (no route holes) option to your blinds.
This option eliminates the route holes in the slats for maximum
privacy. The final group includes double and single cell light
filtering cellular shades, light filtering pleated shades,
and woven wood shades. The fabrics used in these products
are sheer and gently filter natural light. They provide privacy
and insulation but because the fabrics are semi opaque they
do not provide the degree of room darkening as opaque materials.
Note and opaque fabric liner can be added to woven wood shades
to maximize privacy and light.
C
O L O R
With most people color is probably the second most important
factor when selecting a window covering. Should the treatment
match the trim, the walls, the cabinets, the furniture? There
is no right answer. As with trim and wall paint white and
off-white are by far the most popular color choices in window
coverings. Typically you want to select a color that matches
or complements the colors throughout the room. For example
lets say you want wood blinds and you have a room with an
alabaster wall paint, antique white trim, and oak furniture.
You have several options, you could choose an alabaster, antique
white, or even an oak color blind. All would nicely fit within
the color scheme of the room. Custom colors are available
at an additional charge for wood blinds and plantation shutters.
F
U N C T I O N
There is a window covering solution for almost every window.
Functionality is a very important element to consider when
selecting a window covering. Consider the window location,
room type, window size, and window depth. Also consider needs
for visibility, variable light control, insulation, control
options, child & pet safety, weight,
durability, care and maintenance.
S
T Y L E S
Here we detail a few of the most popular decorating styles
along with window covering suggestions for each style.
Arts
and Crafts
Arts and Crafts was popular at the beginning of the 20th century.
It is based around hand made items that give the feeling of
simplicity and getting back to the basics. Open areas and
horizontal lines dominate the layout of rooms in this style.
Rooms are functional and favored oak floors, trim, and cabinets
enhanced with lead glass doors. For this style the window
treatment would be a wood or faux wood blind, perhaps accented
with a cloth tapes.
Colonial
Colonial was predominately the style during the 18th century
during the foundation of our country. Room layouts often include
wood paneling with upholstered and handmade furniture. Suggested
window reatments for the colonial style include wood and faux
wood blinds, plantation shutters, cellular shades and roller
shades. Drapes are a very common window coverings for this
style as well.
Contemporary
Contemporary room settings are simple and uncluttered with
clean lines and open spaces. Walls are usually white and window
treatments for this style should be simple such as vertical
blinds, aluminum mini blinds or aluminum shutters.
Country
The Country style is very similar to the Colonial style but
with an Americana feel. Floors are usually unfinished or painted
wood with area rugs scattered about. Wainscoting and chair
rails are very common with molding having simple profiles.
Window treatments include wood and faux wood blinds, cafe
style shutters and roller shades. Hang-tab curtains are also
a common window dressing for this style.
Oriental
Oriental style comes from Japanese or Chinese culture. This
style is simplistic by returning to Oriental roots. The Oriental
style can be incorporated with other styles such as Contemporary.
Window treatments are usually simple and delicate such as
woven wood shades, cellular shades, and pleated shades.
Southwestern
This style's roots are based in the Southwestern United States
and are influenced by Native American culture. Southwestern
style has bold colors, earth tones, and pastels. Adobe walls
can be common with rounded interiors. Accessories in the Southwestern
style include Navaho woven tapestries, native artwork, Pueblo
pottery, and heavily carved furniture. Wood and faux wood
blinds as well as vertical blinds are the main window treatments
of this style.
Traditional
This style comes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Traditional
is a blending of popular trends, such as Chippendale, Federal,
Empire, and Rococo, but has been adjusted and softened. Traditional
rooms are airy and open with large windows. Upholstered furniture
and drapery adorned with rich looking velvet, silk, brocades,
and Damask fabrics are common. Walls are wallpapered with
large floral patterns in classic motifs. Cellular shades and
pleated silhouette shades work well with this style since
they can be hidden behind drapes during the day and let down
for extra privacy in the evenings. Curtains are typically
ornamented with tassels, fringes, shutters and rosettes. Another
option would be traditional 1-1/4" or 1-7/8" louver
shutters that are double hung and bi-fold off the windows.
Victorian
Excess defines the Victorian era in which this style is patterned
after. This style is named after Queen Victoria who reigned
in England during the mid 19th the to early 20th centuries.
The Victorian style came of age in America in the early 1920's.
Big rooms, coffered ceilings, ornate molding with busy wall
paper patterns are all present in this style. Victorian accessories
include stained glass windows, romantic paintings, photographs,
and mirrors, with heavily embellished frames. Typically the
main floors are natural woods with heavy inlays while second
floors are painted wood floors, walls, and trim. Window treatments
for this style include wood and faux wood blinds, cellular
shades, shutters, 1-1/4 inch louver bifolds and pleated shades.
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