Window Covering Answers

  Kitchen Curtains   What is it about kitchen curtains that we agonize about. If the kitchen is the "new" hearth then what goes at the window here can make a real statement.   First. It doesn't have to be practical, but it helps. Can you clean the blind you have chosen? Does it offer enough privacy? Enough light? Is the blind or curtain too close to the stove? Should you have flame retardant blinds? Some condos demand it.   Beyond that, kitchen curtains or blinds can offer a glimpse of the past, or of the future. Perhaps within the heart of family activities, where nurturance and food are prime, a kitchen curtain or blind becomes a reflection of the main nurturer. Whatever it is, or isn't - it should be beautiful to you. Whether it is nostalgic for the past or commandeering the future, whether it looks out on a magnificent landscape or a terrible view.... it needs to be something more than utilitarian.  More than other rooms what goes at the window need

Outdoor Blinds          "What?", you say, "Why would anyone need outdoor blinds."  Weather protection sometimes begins on the exterior of a building. With today's new construction which often uses far more glass than in the past... outdoor blinds become another layer of protection from the elements. More than that outdoor blinds offer sun control over thermal windows. Thermal windows work great in the winter but as the summer sun beats  down on thermal windows...up goes the temperature.  Then we have to use the air conditioning and up go our electricity costs. For some time now I have been thinking about this and wondering how in summer in North America at least, where we design our homes to retain heat we can remedy this situation. Here is one answer. Hella Group from Austria, have been building sun and weather protection systems since 1959. They offer a variety of systems which address this need for further climate control. Click on t

Photoblinds So this is one of the directions I see blinds going in.... photos and blinds together at last. So many people live in tiny apartments with poor views.... limited landscapes. What better way to improve one's outlook than with a blind that creates a totally different art form. Blinds as photographic art. How cool is that? And why don't we see this on this side of the pond? Anyone know who does this in North America. I see this as a coming trend....as we deeply personalize our homes and our lives. Unfortunately this video will not load into my blog so you will have to click on the link below in order to see the delights that await you. Worth watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD46O9Oeh4M&list=UU2Bc-DZH4e7R0MsDNLIzPbg 

Enormous Window Treatments with an Arch. This excellent decorator, Paul Kempler, has created something quite astounding. The window treatment speaks for itself in the following video.  It is a real challenge to make window treatments that add nuance and subtlety.  This huge window could dominate the room. In this short video the window is softened and integrated perfectly into the entire design. And that is the mark of a true professional.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjlICF3H-MI    

Innovations from the ingenious What people come up with to solve window treatment problems always amazes me. How often have you been stuck with vertical blinds at a patio door because that is the only solution you have for ease of use? Or because what you really want is not in the budget? From Krystal who writes a blog called Sassy Sanctuary comes this treat... and why oh why have we never thought of this before? An ace idea for many homes... using the vertical track, add small grommets to the header on sheer draperies and voila... an instant improvement over an older window fashion.   http://www.sassysanctuary.com/2010/02/vertical-blinds-alternative.html          

Solar inserts seem to have their promoters and their detractors. However. Whether or not 'real' energy is created... people seems to "feel" warmer. What happens at the window is truly important. Windows are one of the keys to sustaining and lowering our power and energy costs. Small inventions like the solar inserts are just one way to improve your energy savings. The following link has the instructions to make such an insert. Take the time to read the comments after the main body... they too have interesting concepts to explore.  http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Window-Inserts/