Window Covering Answers

INSULATING APARTMENT WINDOWS              In my searches to find new ways to improve window treatments that will save energy I found these new videos. It looks like the bubble pack with large bubbles works well and is being used all over the country. Perhaps some manufacturer will find a way to make a blind out of this? Anyway. I keep searching and the world keeps innovating.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sycJwM-w27I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqD5fdEj8t8 http://www.builditsolar.com/index.htm http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-ways-to-insul-37643 And for those of you who are needing another cup of coffee about now... here is another way to save money. A solar design that makes coffee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-8vBJISgZY

Democracy has many faces and these days the most interesting face that democracy shows is in the way it is moving towards lower costs for power and towards more sustainable electricity. The video link below shows how citizens in Boulder, Colorado intend to shape the future. All of this will hasten change and move us in a better direction. Locally owned power systems have always saved a community money and taxes. Cutting out the middle man pays a huge dividend for everyone involved. With lower costs and greener electricity more companies will be able to expand their bottom line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1qCf-ohOQ

Garbage Warrior       This post is not primarily about window coverings, it is more about shelter and how to create it in new and innovative ways.   Every once in awhile a single individual seems to move the rest of us forward... Michael Reynolds is one of those innovators that can demonstrate how to build  better homes. His plans and designs are truly innovative and self sustaining. Entirely self sufficient for energy, water, heating and cooling. Think it can't be done? Well he seems to have done it.  Most of us are still living on the grid entirely nested within some great hive of activity, steadily eroding the future, instead of securing it for the next generations or for ourselves. He presents an entirely new way of making buildings. And why not?  It is about time.  The easiest way for me to show you what the future of housing might be is for you to examine the following links. Here they are....enjoy. http://e...

ETSY curtains, drapes and fabric at the window One of the more fun ways to shop for draperies is to check out ETSY. Looking for something authentic from the past? Or something someone has just invented ? Something that you might never have considered or imagined is to be found here. It is the amazing plethora of different styles, colours and designs that surpass what is commonly manufactured. In the handmade section I am just transfixed by what I see. So here are some of the sites that caught my eye this morning. http://www.etsy.com/shop/DentDesignerTextiles     http://www.etsy.com/shop/HatchedinFrance?ref=l2-shopheader-name         http://www.etsy.com/listing/51752652/pojagi-window-covering?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=curtains&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_my_etsy=true&ga_search_type=handmade       http://www.etsy.com/listing/1237...

Passive House Scrolling through the internet I find that Passivhaus projects are blossoming around the world. Born in Germany, and initiated by Dr. Wolfgang Feist, the ideas contained on this site might interest those who are also interested in energy saving for their homes and offices. Originally in German there is a small translation flag in the upper right corner of this site. So far only English and German. Here is a recent update on Passivhaus techniques applied to an office building. Press release: 16 July 2013 World's first Passive House office tower certified International Passive House experts visit project in Vienna Vienna. High levels of energy efficiency are all the more important when it comes to high-rise buildings. For the first time ever, an office tower in Vienna has achieved the Passive House Standard. The certificate was presented by Susanne Theumer of the Passive House Institute on the 20th floor of the building with a prime view of the old city....

Trapezoid or Triangular Window Coverings A wall of windows is always a challenge to cover. Unusually shaped windows that are trapezoids or triangles is a triple challenge.  Of course Motorization is the obvious answer. With motorization of a cellular style blind, dramatic windows turn into a theatrical event par none.  The touch of a button reveals the outdoors, or delivers much needed  privacy. The leader in the industry of these singularly shaped blind coverings, offers a unique product, that can be adapted to almost any angled window. In the past windows like this  were nearly impossible to cover beautifully.  Out of Colorado, they are, as is typical of innovators, a small but agile company. These products are unmatchable in the window covering industry . In my experience writing about innovations and their innovators, the best innovations often come out of the smaller centres and smaller companies.  Remember the name Blind Corners and Curves...