Archive for January 2011

Aluminum mini blinds and rugs add to decorative style of bathrooms
Instead of a traditional shaggy throw rug, today's bathroom rugs have more in common with rugs and carpeting found in other parts of the house. Function is still important because of the humidity and water spills that occur in a bathroom, but not at the expense of good style, according to IdeasForHomeDecorating.com.

Honeycomb shades can be coordinated with homeowner's color choices
Relying on their instincts and personal preferences, homeowners can make choosing a color scheme for their rooms a lot of easier on themselves.

Softer metal tones in custom drapery hardware are among new décor trends
Following the recession, calculated home décor choices are focusing on long-term value for the price and sustainable design that cuts down on energy use.

Metal window blinds can match industrial chic pieces
At Canada's largest contemporary design fair in Toronto, The Calgary Sun recently asked interior designers about the hottest trends of 2011. Many responded that one of the biggest fads in home design was to decorate with industrial chic pieces.

Window treatments can be coordinated with kitchen rug
Rugs aren't often associated with kitchens, but they can help take the edge off the hard look of kitchen appliances and flooring.

Wooden blinds can be integrated into a new furniture arrangement
Apartment dwellers need to make the most of the space they have in their dwelling, especially if the same space serves different purposes.

Clocks and window treatments serve functional and decorative purposes
Clocks are frequently overlooked as a decorative item in a household, because they have such an important function. But they can be drawn into the design scheme of any room in the house.

Rollup shades can complement the hottest colors of 2011
Each year is marked by a new combination of colors that can bring a little life into a household, and paint supplier Benjamin Moore recently released a list of some of the colors that will be popular this year.

Natural bamboo shade can look peaceful on seaside homes
A new apartment in Dalkey, Ireland, seamlessly blends contemporary and classic elements and offers a balcony with a breathtaking view of the sea from the back of the apartment.

Design a room with cordless cell shades that grows alongside children
A newborn baby can bring a lot of excitement to a household, and one of the things that parents often do is design their room with bright shades that will appeal to the young child.

Custom drapery teamed with window shades or blinds can make a statement
For architect Barbara Bestor, who chairs the graduate program at the Woodbury University School of Architecture in Los Angeles, the biggest selling point about today's wallpaper is its disposable nature.

Versatile woven shades continue to fit rooms that are redecorated
A hallmark of New York designer Sherrill Canet's style is to recreate the past with antique and vintage pieces from different eras. But recreating the past doesn't mean getting stuck in it, she told Elle Décor magazine.

Custom blinds can add to the new look in a master bedroom
A lot can be accomplished in one weekend if a homeowner wants to develop a new look for the master bedroom.

The best color combos of 2011 can be complemented with fabric roller shades
Every year, there seems to be a new theme for interior decoration,ac and this time it's all about colors that bring a room to life and reflect a homeowner's personality.

Fauxwood blinds can be ideal for ambitious renovations
When it comes to renovations, homeowners may be hesitant to perform any substantial construction because they never know how it will turn out. Michael and Sarah Sypher recently completed a three-year project on their new Kansas home.

Beautiful cell shades can create a serene feeling in mom caves
One of the newest trends in interior design is the mom cave, a space that is specifically created by and for mothers.

Monochromatic theme can be complemented by metal window blinds
One couple recently worked for three years making their home as comfortable and inviting as possible, but become stuck in a rut when thinking about the master bedroom.

Window treatments can be layered in the style of designer Jonathan Adler
No one could ever accuse designer Jonathan Adler, known for his bold colors and assertive design schemes, of being afraid to try new things.

Soft sheer shades fit designer Lydon's mix of contemporary and vintage style
British-born interior designer Katie Lydon brings a lively and sometimes retro look to the rooms she designs, often mixing modern art with antique and vintage items.

Optimism, function and personality can be reflected by roller window shades
There has been a lot of talk when it comes to starting the new year with a fresh look for the home. The Kansas City Star recently shared a comprehensive list of styles that individuals can choose if they are looking to remodel their abode.

Horizontal fabric shades are a good choice for a closet room that needs lots of light
A closet room may seem like a contradiction of terms. But for a homeowner who has the luxury of an extra room that isn't used much, Baltimore interior designer Amanda Austin can share her experience in creating a closet room in her home.

Woven shades add a warm look to a room filled with family memories
For Chicago-area interior designer Vanessa Nunley, who writes the More is More Mom blog on lifestyle issues, focusing on family memories brings meaning to home décor.

Custom blinds can help indecisive decorators
Homeowners who are in the process of redecorating an old room may know the dilemma of indecision firsthand.

Wooden blinds can give a home a coastal feel
One of the most popular decorating themes is designing an abode so that it feels like a coastal beach house.

Roller shades for windows show that good design isn't just for the wealthy
The average homeowner is just the customer that interior designer Michele Blasco wants. Good design isn't just the purview of rich celebrities, and Blasco strives to prove that each time she's hired by a client.

Solar blinds add a measure of practicality to good design
Much like the mantra of a real estate agent – location, location, location – the philosophy of Manhattan-based interior designer Sara Gilbane is edit, edit, edit.

Roller shades can help designing on a budget
When it comes to creating a new theme, homeowners may not know where to begin. This can be an especially difficult situation when one doesn't have the budget to hire an interior designer and has to wing it.

Vertical blinds can help make a small home bigger
Homeowners may feel frustrated if their abode is modestly sized and can't seem to accommodate all of a household's needs.

Cellular shades are an energy-conscious choice for today's smaller home
Homes may be getting smaller, but consumers aren't willing to give up their storage space or energy-saving features, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Light therapy, solar shades may help lift spirits
Sunlight is in short supply during the winter, which makes any kind of light even more important.

Custom blinds, wallpaper can change the feel of a room
Interior designer Elizabeth Gordon recently shared some tips with InStyle magazine when it comes to creating a unique blend of colors and textures. Her biggest weapon is creating a unique design scheme is wallpaper.

Horizontal fabric shades a versatile option for kitchen and bathroom renovations
Design director Adrienne Chinn recently told Britain's Press & Journal that, in uncertain economies, homeowners generally invest in kitchens and bathrooms to improve a house's value.

Faux wood blinds a design secret for sophisticated rooms
Interior designer Candice Olson recently sat down with The Detroit Free Press to discuss her life as a premier home decorator. She also shared some of her personal favorite design tricks.

Vibrant colors like honeysuckle rose are a natural companion to a valance
From a kaleidoscopic flower pattern on a pillow by interior decorator Jonathan Adler to a festive dress that appeared in the spring collection of fashion designer Nanette Lapore, honeysuckle rose has made its entry this year as a color to be reckoned with.

Vertical blinds give an illusion of adding height in a room with a low ceiling
In a room with a low ceiling, some design tricks can direct the eye up high and create the illusion of height in the space.

Aluminum mini blinds help create spaciousness in a small space
Nothing beats white when it comes to opening up a small space, according to Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Design a simple and elegant home with wood blinds
Simplicity may be one of the biggest interior design trends of 2011.

White roller shades continue to cast light into a room after dark
Interior designer Vern Yip, best known for his work on HGTV shows and The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces, believes homeowners shouldn't have to do without strong light in their homes during the shorter days of winter.

Details, custom drapery can make a room luxurious
Many homeowners may have a desire to make their house look a five-star hotel, but lack the funds to pursue this passion.

Go for a tidy look in the new year with pleated shades
The new year is an ideal time for homeowners to reevaluate their interior design themes and try to think about what can be improved. There are many ways to add some new, creative flair to a space.

Adding soft sheer shades can be part of a fast facelift for a room
If company is coming, and a fast facelift is needed in a room where they'll be gathering, design professionals have some easy tips to bring about a new look.

Cordless window blinds offer safety for outfitting windows in a child's room
A child's room needs to be outfitted with furniture that is not only attractive and child-friendly, but safe as well. There should be no sharp edges or small moveable parts that can be easily removed and surfaces need to be easy to clean.

Eco-friendly home design, bamboo woven wood shades may be lasting trend
There has been a lot of speculation about whether going green is a fashion fad bound to fade away within the next few months or whether it will be the next big thing. Interior designer Pavitra Rajaram is one advocate of the latter opinion.

Lower heating bills with honeycomb cellular shades
When it comes to heating bills, many homeowners look for any effective way to reduce costs.

Help jumpstart a personal design scheme with roman shades
For a new year's resolution, many homeowners may have decided that they will throw contemporary fashion out the window and try to invest in an innovative home design.

A valance can bring an architectural detail to a formal living room
Most people think of the living room as the most formal part of their homes, and with good reason. It's the area where visitors are likely to be entertained, and a space that many homeowners view as the showplace of the home.

Honeycomb cellular shades conserve energy at home's entry
The foyer is the space that a visitor to one's home sees before any other, the place where a good or bad impression can be made instantly.

Cottage-style shutters are a good choice against blue gray walls
If gray is the new beige, then it fits beautifully with a cottage look that traditionally focuses on whites and pale blues.

Pleated shades fit the orderly look of a tailored-style bedroom
One way to have a bedroom that appeals to both men and women is to take a tailored approach.

Create a simple, elegant bathroom with faux wood blinds
Popular trends for bathrooms tend to change every few years and, nowadays it appears that homeowners are opting to design these spaces with clean, simple fixtures.

Blackout shades can be valuable addition to sleeping regimen
When it comes to sleeping trouble, many experts recommend trying to follow a pattern so that the body gets used to one schedule.

Make a home office productive and comfortable with solar screen shades
When it comes time to create a home office, building and designing the room sometimes seems to be the hardest part.

Variety of windows treatments offset the new neutrals foreseen by designers
Warm colors can create an atmosphere that's as vibrant as fire engine red or as bright and lively as sunshine yellow. Cool colors, straight out of the seashore and pastoral settings, evoke a sense of peace and relaxation.

Noise reduction shades can help soundproof a home
Children pets and guests can all contribute to a general feeling of chaos in an otherwise quiet home, especially if it isn't designed to be quiet. Some abodes will echo with the sound at an unpleasant volume that may end in headaches.

Motorized blinds convenient for basement windows
Many empty-nesters are looking for ways to create new areas in their homes by making use of space that was previously designated for storage.

Custom drapery adapts well to both traditional and contemporary designs
One of the most adaptable of window treatments are panels of custom drapery. They can influence how much natural light comes into a room, pull together the overall look of a space and help coordinate contemporary and traditional furnishings.

A valance is a versatile window feature that gives a home a welcoming look
Interior designer Bunny Williams has simple advice for people who are looking for a new look in their home. "Edit, edit, edit," she said in an interview with The Boston Globe. "Reorganizing a room that you've lived in a long time can make it look fresh and new."

Horizontal fabric shades can accommodate savvy design principles
Interior designer Candice Olson recently shared some of her top design principles with The Winnipeg Free Press, right before her show, Candice Tells All, premiers as a forum for her to explain all of the secrets she uses when designing rooms.

Soft and luxurious solar screen shades ideal for cozy dining room
With the arrival of the New Year comes new styles, and interior designer Betsy Burnham recently told The Associated Press that cozy dining rooms have slowly started to replace more formal ones.

Honeycomb cellular shades fit energy-saving mission of green building
A popular misconception about green building is that it needs to be done on large, complicated projects that cost a lot of money. But that view of sustainable building practices and eco-friendly interiors isn't true, according to The Tyee, a British Columbia online magazine.

Custom drapery gives a cozy look to a dining room used for different purposes
With the holidays over, one may not use the dining room for a family gathering for a while. But letting a large table and many chairs sit empty takes up space that can be put to multiple uses until the next big dinner occurs.

Versatile pleated shades can accommodate changing tastes
Interior designer Chad Scheli is no stranger to redecorating a room, but sometimes, he loves his old furniture just as much as new pieces and has to come up with creative ways to hang onto them, according to The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.

Start the New Year in style with wood blinds
In the ever-changing world of interior design, it's sometimes difficult to keep up with all the new fashions. Luckily, The Kansas City Star recently released a concise list of the 2011 trends that will be in homes across the country.

Motorized window treatments offer convenience on floor-to-ceiling windows
For the 15th annual HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes, viewers will be casting their entries for a chance to win a new home with modern architecture in a rustic mountain setting.

Soft sheer shades offer durability and an elegant look for many home designs
Interior decorator Genevieve Gorder begins each episode of her HGTV design show, Dear Genevieve, looking through correspondence she gets from viewers asking for design advice.

Home theaters can be complemented by blackout shades
Once the basics for a home theater are in place - the large-screen TV, surround speakers and related home entertainment equipment - there are other design factors that can influence the quality of the theater experience.

Roman shades and other quick touches can make a home feel new
Those who are trying to think of ways to update their home's appearance for the new year may be at a loss when it comes to deciding how to start, but The Oregonian recently shared some tips for amateur designers.

Roller shades can add to a simple design scheme
These days, many homeowners seem to be opting for a simple, yet elegant design scheme that depends on a few key elements to tie the room together.

Tackle clutter and make a room stand out for the new year with faux wood blinds
Now that 2011 has officially begun, many homeowners may be thinking how they can spice up their house for the new year. The trick may be to start small, especially as one picks up after the holiday season and starts to put decorations back in the attic.

A vintage look can include horizontal fabric shades in a bathroom
Creating a vintage look for a bathroom doesn't mean having to go to the expense of installing a classic, clawfoot bathtub. While that may be the ultimate in vintage bathroom design, there are easier and less expensive steps that can transport a bathroom into a bygone era.

Roman shades are one of many choices that give home design pro's touch
Home decorators can learn from the practices of professional interior designers to turn their living quarters into the rooms of their dreams.