Archive for November 2010

Decorate for the holidays without breaking the bank with roller shades
Many homeowners can make the mistake of getting so caught up in decorating for the holidays that when it comes time to shop for gifts, they find that they have little money left to spend. However, by following a few simple tips, individuals can save for presents while having a stylish abode.

Make a living room unique with custom drapery and lamps
George Gronvold has been working with creative lighting solutions since the 1980s and he is confident that if a homeowner takes the time to implement lamps in a room, they can drastically change its look, according to The Arizona Republic.

Bamboo woven wood shades complement an Asian-inspired room
Wood beams and dark furniture against neutral walls gave clients of designer Chayse Dacoda what they wanted when she designed an Asian-inspired contemporary dining room for them.

Faux wood blinds can help create an elegant holiday look
Coming up with affordable and effective holiday decorating tips can be a hassle for any homeowner, particularly when one is also trying to shop for loved ones. Luckily, the Poughskeepsie Journal recently interviewed several interior designers, who shared their wisdom in creating a warm and welcoming abode for the holidays.

Roman shades add soft contrast to geometric lines of fireplace and mantel
Decorating a fireplace mantel is something that occurs naturally at holiday time, but mantel décor can create a design statement any time of the year.

Aluminum mini-blinds are a good choice for a basement hobby room
A finished basement can provide plenty of space for a hobbyist to indulge their special interest, whether it's model trains, woodworking or arts and crafts.

Blackout shades can create a perfect romantic getaway
Not many couples have the opportunity to take time off work and jet away for an island vacation. Instead, it may be more practical to make the bedroom into a place that a pair can enjoy as a haven from stress and worries.

Light, colors, horizontal fabric shades can create warmth in a home
When it comes down to it, most homeowners do little more than turn on the heat when trying to keep warm during the winter. However, some suggest that improving the aesthetic appeal of a room can have generate a kind of mental warmth, according to The Auburn Citizen.

Personalizing one's space turns an apartment into a home
By the time the rental and utility deposits are paid, there may not be much money left for apartment dwellers to spend on decorating their new homes. But there are ways to make a design statement in a rental property, no matter how small the space or meager the budget.

Pleated shades can help transform a shed into a home office
When San Diego resident Brian DeHamer's growing family took up the space he needed for a home office, he looked outside for what he needed.

Candles, custom drapery can add elegance to a home
Homeowners who are looking to create an elegant environment in their abode may want to experiment with some of the oldest lighting solutions available - candles. These items can make for a mystical and relaxing atmosphere and give a home a whole new look.

Make a beautiful guest room with roller shades
When hosts are preparing for guests to arrive to celebrate the holiday season, they may be preoccupied with getting dinner ready or cleaning the house. However, it's important not to forget that company can also require accommodations that will make them feel welcome and comfortable.

Horizontal fabric shades go well with a decorative throw in a reading area
On chilly days, decorative throws are a practical addition to bedrooms or cozy reading areas in the family den or living room. But they can also complement the colors and textures of any style décor.

Keep warm in the winter with honeycomb cellular shades
As November comes to an end, homeowners across the country are starting to think about the best ways to keep a home insulated for the long, cold months of winter. Heating can be expensive, so that means that innovative methods for warming up a house can be beneficial and help keep costs down.

Roman shades integrate well in a room with more than one fabric pattern
Choosing a selection of fabric patterns for a room causes home decorators to doubt their judgment about how much is too much.

American colonial style can be offset by roller shades in any room
For an interior that matches American colonial architecture, homeowners can choose from two styles - early colonial, which is more rustic, or late colonial, for a refined look.

Wood blinds, winter bouquets prepare a home for the new season
After Thanksgiving, it's time for homeowners to consider putting away autumnal decorations and start pondering what to use to give a residence a wintry feel.

Lighting, solar screen shades can make a room appear more spacious
In light of the economic downturn, it's started to become stylish to be frugal. That means that homeowners across the country are downsizing their residences and making the most of what they have.

Custom drapery and slipcovers provide a personalized look in any style room
Between entertaining visitors and family activities, upholstered furniture takes a beating more than most furnishings.

Aluminum mini blinds are attractive and easy to maintain in bathrooms
A common problem faced by homeowners with a compact bathroom is how to make the space appear larger.

Practice holiday safety with motorized blinds
When homeowners are preparing for the holiday, safety can sometimes slip down to the bottom of the list. However, those who are hosting older adults may want to consider the fact that many seniors can be prone to falls, particularly in unfamiliar areas.

Consider lifestyle before selecting window treatments
No room is complete without the vibrant punch of window treatments complementing a window, but homeowners should first consider their options before settling on the first pair of curtains that they see.

Shutters work well in beach or garden-inspired cottage style
The crisp look of cottage style can be applied to any room in the house, by creating a light and airy atmosphere with beachside or garden themes.

Pleated shades help overcome the limits of decorating in a rented home
The limitations of decorating in a rental property can be a challenge, but there are plenty of products available to renters these days that won't cause permanent damage to walls and other surfaces.

Renew a home in need of care with honeycomb cellular shades
Any homeowner can attest that a house can be a difficult piece of property to maintain. Year after year, many suffer from minor neglect that can go unnoticed. However, there comes a time to rejuvenate an old residence, and The Washington Post recently shared expert tips to initiate the process.

Go green with bamboo woven wood shades
Homeowners who are concerned about their carbon footprint may be looking for effective and stylish ways to decorate their abode while also conserving the environment. By making old items new and finding eco-friendly furnishings, one can easily green their residence, according to Care2.com.

Valances fit the streamlined look of Art Deco style
For a homeowner who likes a streamlined, geometric look in their furnishings, the Art Deco style is a good choice for their home décor.

Vertical blinds help personalize a home office to reflect one's personality
Home offices can be designed to reflect the personality of those who use them by adding their favorite colors, memorabilia and a style of furniture that suits their business needs and personal taste.

Noise reduction shades create conditions for restful night's sleep
A new study by Italian researchers has found that people who experience sleep deprivation because of a sleep disorder may also suffer brain damage that leads to attention and memory problems.

Decorate a child's room with roller shades
When it comes to decorating a youngster's room, parents often face a difficult choice, because children's interests are always evolving, so it's best to make a space that is general enough to change, but specific enough to feel personal.

Prepare a home for the holidays with wood blinds
Across the country, homeowners are looking for unique ways to get a home ready for company. From Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year's, the holiday season will ensure that a house sees a lot of company in the coming weeks.

Holiday visitors can enjoy reading near windows with horizontal fabric shades
A visitor who stays over during the holidays can be made to feel at home even when the host doesn't have a spare bedroom.

Coffee tables and roman shades both show versatility for living room design
Whether it's called a coffee, occasional or sofa table, setting a small table in front of a couch or between seating in a living room is both decorative and practical.

Decorate with landscapes and organic foods for Thanksgiving with solar screen shades
Many homeowners will be hosting Thanksgiving day celebrations in their home and may be wondering how to effectively decorate for the holiday. Freshome.com has recommended that those who are looking for an affordable way to honor the occasion should try to follow an organic theme.

Custom drapery can help a home stay unique
Interior designer Chad Alan recently shared his favorite innovations with The Washington Post. He highlighted one new trend for homeowners - customization.

Soft sheer shades soften light and reduce glare over kitchen desk area
A small desk area set aside in the kitchen for paperwork or time spent on a laptop can be a boon to all members of the family.

Cacti and succulents can be offset by bamboo woven wood shades
Homes that have lots of windows facing south and west - and plenty of light streaming into the house - are tailor-made for growing desert cacti and succulents that flourish in direct sunlight.

Bring in daylight with solar screen shades
The fall and winter are much darker than the summer months, and homeowners who are looking to prepare for the early sunsets may want to find effect ways to brighten their homes.

Wood blinds bring warm, cozy atmosphere into a home
When Eliza Hart and Stuart Wright purchased their San Fransisco home, the boards were rotten and the kitchen and bathroom hadn't been updated for half a century, according to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Pleated shades can offset different shades of trend-setting gray in home decor
Gray is being hailed as one of the trendiest color in fashions and home design, and the new hues are definitely not drab.

Solar screen shades limit sunlight damage on books in a family library
Building a home library not only helps organize a book collection, but can provide a comfortable reading nook as well as attractive surroundings for a family room or den.

Emulate savvy interior design with custom drapery
A Louisiana home recently won the regional 2010 American Society Interior Design Excellence Design Gold Award for its creative and beautiful features of the master bedroom, according to The Shreveport Times.

Noise reduction shades can help with complexion
Getting the right amount of sleep every night can do wonders for concentration and mood, but it can also be a natural beauty agent, rejuvenating the skin's tone and complexion during the night, according to MSN.com.

Honeycomb cellular shades are energy savers for renovated attic windows
Using an unfinished attic to enlarge a home's living space requires some basic construction to meet buiding codes.

Vertical blinds effectively control light source in an open design office
Companies are increasingly moving toward open design in their workplace layouts by removing barriers between workspaces and limiting the number of private offices for managers.

Faux wood blinds can add a natural touch to a modern ranch
Those looking to modernize an older home, but retain the style of a farmhouse, may want to consider blending the indoors and outdoors with different rooms, according to Better Homes and Gardens.

Make a modest residence larger with soft sheer shades
Individuals who live in apartments may constantly find themselves pressed for space, but there are a few ways that one can try and open up a space as much as possible, even when there are only a few rooms to spare.

Motorized shades control light and heat on skylight windows
Adding a cover to a skylight can create visual interest with a ceiling-level window treatment, but it's also a practical solution to controlling light and cold weather drafts.

Uncomplicated country design is offset well with wooden shutters
Uncomplicated and relaxing are two words that come to mind when a room is decorated in country style, but adding a modern touch can replace fussy accessories with a simpler, uncluttered look.

Solar screen shades can improve home's value
Many homeowners are constantly on the lookout for effective ways to increase the worth of their home. Whether they are planning to sell the residence soon or invest in it for the future, there are some definite areas that should be the focus of any renovations.

Highlight an uncluttered room with wood blinds
There are many different suggestions fo uncluttering a room, but they can sometimes seem overwhelming. Homeowners often have a difficult time to decide where to start when cleaning a room.

Aluminum mini blinds are a versatile choice for a home's storage center
Whether storing family heirlooms or gardening supplies, shelving is a storage solution that allows people to know where things are at a glance.

Soft sheer shades allows light in a room that creates Feng Shui balance
Feng Shui may be an ancient Chinese art of arranging and placement of furniture, but color also plays a role in this spiritual system of interior design.

Custom drapery can complement a home of colors, patterns and textures
It makes sense that the home of an interior designer is a special and unique place, and The Telegraph recently explored the home of Allegra Hicks, a place of colors and textures.

Touch up a DIY project with roman shades
Many homeowners are looking for a creative way to make an abode more unique, and do-it-yourself projects are always tempting to ambitious families. However, plunging into a renovation without the proper preparation can be disastrous.

Horizontal fabric shades appeal to variety of tastes in window treatments
Sometimes do-it-yourselfers go too far in their quest to build a distinctive look for their homes, as shown by a new survey of what consumers considered among the worst home improvement trends in the past 30 years.

Valances tie in window treatments to other elements in kitchen design
Kitchens have always been the heart of the home, bringing families together over meals and making visitors feel welcome.

Soft sheer shades can open up a cluttered room
With winter right around the corner, families are bound to spend more time indoors. This can mean a little more one-on-one time with the kids, but it can easily lead to a messier household, with games, electronics and toys scattered across the home.

Roman shades can complement artwork
When it's time to set a decorative focal point for a room, homeowners may often go with a bright and notable piece of artwork. A distinctive painting in a living room can make a space feel dignified and cultured, but there is sometimes a risk that it can overwhelm guests.

Vertical blinds that work well at home also fit hospital's bright new decor
The whitest items these days at the Orange Base Hospital in the Australian state of New South Wales are the doctors' coats.

Bamboo woven wood shades are an eco-friendly choice for green decorating
When green designers and buildings converge on Chicago this year for the annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, they'll hear from someone who knows a thing or two about leadership.

Liven up a bland bedroom with honeycomb cellular shades
Interior designer Candice Olson recently came across a master bedroom that was in desperate need of a fix and immediately went to work to liven things up, she wrote in The Seattle Times.

Mix traditional and contemporary elements with faux wood blinds
A couple in Sharon, Massachusetts, didn't know that they were creating a home with a steampunk theme, they just designed the home the way they wanted it, according to The Boston Globe.

Custom drapery adds texture and color in planning room renovations
Just as a long journey starts with one step, Toronto interior decorator Jackie Morra guides her clients to decide on their inspiration before beginning renovation and decorating projects.

Noise reduction shades can help children get healthy night's sleep
Sleep problems are usually associated with adults, but a Loyola University pediatrician says that about 70 percent of children under age 10 experience restless sleep that can cause them stress, headaches and difficulty concentrating in school.

Aluminum mini blinds can make a bathroom glisten
Many homeowners may want to consider adding some new touches to a bathroom or kitchen before company starts to arrive for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and interior designer Kate Hart recently shared some practical ways to give these spaces a fresh look with The Seattle Times.

Prepare for Thanksgiving with solar screen shades
It's natural for hosts to become nervous when company is about to arrive at a home for the holidays. College students may be visiting the house for the first time in months and far-flung relatives may even be stepping foot inside for the first time.

Pleated shades are a stylish window treatment for both office and home designs
In Kenya, designing office space has emerged as the latest market for the work of interior decorators, according to BusinessDailyAfrica.com.

Soft sheer shades fit the language of design promoted by designer Alexa Hampton
New York interior designer Alexa Hampton is convinced that interior decorating has its own language.

Decorate for the holidays with wood blinds
November, December and January are months that are filled with holidays. Thanksgiving can bring friends and family from all over, as can Christmas and New Year's, and families with college students will soon find their homes suddenly full again.

Vibrant colors of roman shades can make a home feel cozy
Homeowners who are preparing for the dark evenings of winter may also want to foster an environment in their abode that reflects vitality and energy. Interior designer Robert Kime recently shared some tips with The Telegraph for those who are interested in using colors to create a warm atmosphere.

Horizontal fabric shades have staying power as styles change through the years
A four-story apartment building in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn is a study in how a home changes over the years to match the needs of the people who live there.

Valances fit Jonathan Adler's happy, but chic design philosophy
No one could accuse interior designer Jonathan Adler of taking himself - or his work as a potter and decorator - too seriously.

Roman shades offer style and function that even a design student would envy
When they chose to attend fashion design school in the film capital of the world, students at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles probably never thought they might be filmed for a television show.

Budget-conscious homeowners may want to invest in faux wood blinds
Frank Fontana, the host of HGTV's Design on a Dime, recently shared practical and affordable design tips with Express Night Out, claiming that everyone had a little bit of a designer in them.

Keep rooms lit in the winter with roller shades
Winter is right around the corner and many homeowners may find themselves wondering how to keep an abode warm and inviting during the darker months. The Independent recently suggested a few lighting solutions for the days when the sun sets before dinner.

Custom drapery complements wide range of colorful furnishings
Homeware and furnishings designer Allegra Hicks wants homeowners to create a visual pathway through their homes that connects all corners, surfaces and interior shapes into a cohesive whole.