Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Power to the People

It is amazing what technology has done to change our lives! Now, mentally I do not consider myself "old" (checking the calendar - the reality might be a "sort of"). But it wasn't so long ago that I did not have a phone with me whenever I left the house. Now, like most people, I feel naked if I am without that 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" lifeline. Why is that? We survived quite well for years without being constantly attached...

One of the incredible things these little technology wonders now have the capability of doing is to control our window treatments! Always the innovator, Hunter Douglas has designed an app can allow the homeowner the ability to manage their PowerView motorized window shades right from their smart phone or tablet. Providing you with energy savings, security and convenience whether you are at home - or not!

I've seen an uptick in the requests for motorization over the past few years. You can motorize just about any type of window treatment. Often, customers request motorizing to control window treatments that are difficult to reach...


The center drapery in this room is set up and far back, making it virtually impossible to open and close unless you climbed onto a ladder each time. While the homeowner was able to operate the very tall drapery flanking the center manually, they opted to motorize the center to control the light and privacy in their large family room.

 
This customer chose to motorize their two walls of Luminettes by Hunter Douglas in their living room. Not because it was difficult to reach, but strictly as a convenience. I have found not only the younger, tech savvy homeowner is opting to motorize their window treatments, but the older consumer as well. It makes their lives easier and eliminates the "heavy lifting" of treatments that may take some physical strength or flexibility to move. This was the case with one of my customers recently - an older couple needed to control the light in their great room, yet both were incapacitated and confined to large recliners during the day. Motorization gave them the flexibility to control the glare off the television and give them privacy when needed. 
 
Predicted to grow exponentially over the next several years, motorization is no longer just the big boy toy. With the emphasis on child and pet safety, motorization has become a very viable alternative. Like the price of big screen TV's, we have seen the cost of motorizing our window treatments drop from being an unattainable luxury to an option to be considered for any room in your home. The power is in your hands!

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Let the Sun Shine In

Over the past few years I have seen a resurgence in drapery. By the way, drapery is the correct term, not drapes - "drapes" is a verb not a noun. But I digress. I'm so glad to see drapery as a current trend! Not only are you providing wonderful insulation against cold and heat, but it affords you the opportunity to show off some beautiful fabrics that can pull a room together with color and/or pattern.

I recently completed a job for one of my favorite clients - she and her husband built a lovely home that backs to a country club golf course. They enjoy a fabulous view from the two story great room and from their master bedroom. Which is great, most of the time. When they moved in, we installed Hunter Douglas Alustra Silhouettes with PowerView motorization. The Brio pattern is the prettiest pattern offered in Silhouettes and we used it in different colorways throughout their first floor.

Except that still left the master bedroom upper specialty shaped windows uncovered. Not great for those weekend mornings when you want to sleep in! When Lynn and I met to discuss this challenge, we both agreed that keeping as much of the window open when they were up and around was important - they didn't want to lose that fabulous view! Contributing to that challenge was the slope of the ceiling. We couldn't bring any kind of drapery rod far out from the window because of the angle of that ceiling.

Our answer: ripplefold drapery! Unlike traditional pleats, ripplefold drapery allows for a tighter stackback so more of the glass can be cleared. It's a simpler, more contemporary look that is used frequently in urban lofts, but translates well to a transitional style like Lynn's.
 
With the tight amount of space available for the drapery when opened, the ripplefold stack allowed most of
the glass to still be visible.

 
When closed, the strong light that pours in on sunny days is no longer streaming directly at those trying to sleep.

 
The luxurious deep folds sit under the custom Designer Metal Ripplefold Rod, because the ripplefold system is a snap tape system that allows for maximum stackback. With a ripplefold drapery, you can also reduce fullness to give even more clearance or increase fullness for a sheer fabric.
 
This style has quickly become one of my favorite recommendations - it brings Grandma's draperies into 2017. It's about time, don't you think?

Friday, February 3, 2017

High Contrast, High Reward

Like many design junkies out there, I am a big fan of HGTV and websites like Houzz. It's always fun to follow trends and (let's be honest) judge the designs others have done. Besides these guilty pleasures, with my position as an in-home design consultant for Eddie Z's Blinds & Drapery, I have the pleasure of visiting many different homes. Consequently, I pick up ideas to use for both myself and other clients.

My current favorite idea is one I've decided to use on my entry staircase. Having been in this business for a quarter of a century (!), and living in the Chicago area my entire life, I have had my fill of oak! Like the Midwesterners that love it so much, oak is a wood that is very sturdy, with a strong grain, yet still warm and beautiful. While I don't want to lose the benefits of this hard wood, it's time to give that golden oak a new, fresh look. So, my plan is to paint the treads and the handrails of the staircase high gloss black, while also painting the risers and the spindles high gloss white! The impact will definitely get attention when you walk through my front door!

Using a high contrast in a window treatment can also take a room to the next level. This Barrington client has been remodeling her older home for a while, but she has done it the right way. By taking her time in making design decisions, she has turned the 1st floor of her home into a show stopper! When I came along, I quickly understood that Sheryl loved to use strong graphic fabrics that make a statement and will complete her beautiful rooms. One of the most striking treatments we've done so far is in her dining room.

 
Simple flat roman shades, yet the high contrast pattern (Robert Allen - Lewis Range/Chalkboard) finishes the room in stunning fashion. There is a reason you are reading black type on a white page - it stands out! This particular fabric is actually a charcoal gray, yet the light to dark not only of the pattern but the wide white trim against the dark walls pull the room together to make an impact when you enter. You can't miss it!
 
Another less permanent way to achieve that high contrast visual is with your family photos grouped on a wall. By using simple black frames and wide white matting, you can draw new attention to those treasured shots as they become a statement work of art. It serves a second purpose by unifying what may have been a hodge podge of images and gives you the opportunity to change the photos as seasons change or children grow.
 
Now I just have to get to work on those stairs...