Exciting Windows! by Marisol

How do you decorate sliding glass doors to provide privacy and also keep them functional? There are so many options available but which one is right for your home? If you live near Fort Lauderdale, FL Roller Shades are one of many products that I can help you select to bring beauty and functionality to your home. Read the entire decorating tips newsletter here.

Residents in Fort Lauderdale, FL call on Exciting Windows! by Marisol to provide solutions for all of their window covering needs.

Great decorating ideas that help design a custom look unique for you with draperies, blinds, shades or shutters in Fort Lauderdale, FL are my specialty at Exciting Windows! by Marisol. It’s easy to get started with my free in home consultation or my new service… a free phone consultation to help you get your thoughts together.

Sliding glass doors can sometimes be a challenge, but with a little creativity you can make them look terrific. There are so many choices in the market available to you that at time I know it can be overwhelming.However, there are two forms of treatments that works perfectly for this situation.

• Horizontal – this is your roman shades, horizontal blinds and shades, basically any treatment that goes up or down to be fully open and allow passage or view.
• Vertical – this is a treatment that moves side by side.You move them to the right, left or center to allow full access to the other room or view.

Which one to use is based on how the door is used, owners’ preference, and room design?Right now let us look at what I call vertical solutions type of window treatments.This is the most practical form of treatment for you sliding doors.Keep in mind that each of this type of window treatments will have options available to you depending on the room that you are using them, i.e. blackout materials or layering or adding top treatments to complete the look.

Most common treatments available are:

• Drapery
• Vertical Sheers
• Shutters
• Panel Tracks
• Vertical Cellular
• Averte
• Vertical Blinds

Draperies or Sheers, $$ – $$$$: This is definitely one of my favorite ways to dress up a sliding door. It is beautiful and appropriate for almost any décor.  This is also an opportunity to bring color and texture into your room. You will not have any other treatment that offers you the largest selection of fabrics and styles; from sheer to upholstery type fabrics, to custom printed, the choices are vast.Draperies are the only option available that is unique to you and your family.You have a choice of any fabric and any hardware – truly the sliders become your canvas! A word of advice. First, make sure your draperies clear the floor enough to be able to slide back and forth on the rod without dragging – usually 1/2″ is enough.That is not to say that I have not done them ½” longer when the design calls for it. Second, consider your stack – the width of fabric that the draperies create when in open position. The stack will vary depending on the fabric, lining and design; however, the rule of thumb is about 30% to 50 % of the width of the drapery. So if you want it to clear, say, the entire door, make sure to start with enough width and have the room on the sides to do it.Although sliding glass doors can be a challenge, they don’t have to be hopeless.

Vertical Sheers $$+- $$$$: There are two types of products available to you that fall into this type of window treatment.Hunter Douglas Luminette and Vertical Wraps from a few other manufacturers.They both have a vertical pane of different materials that works just like your typical vertical blind with the added beauty of a sheer material.The difference between the Luminette and the other manufacturer’s vertical wraps has to do with how they are manufacturer, the mechanism and the fabrics available to you.The Luminette’s are you Bentley or Mercedes, the vertical wraps become you Cadillac.They both have great choices of material as well as an option to have room darkening vanes.It is also a treatment that can be used in almost any décor style.  First picture shows the Luminette from Hunter Douglas and the next picture shows the Vertical Sheers from Levolor.

Shutters $$$ – $$$$: From painted white to custom stained, plantation shutters are a great product to use for sliding doors.By-pass shutters are commonly used to mimic motion of the sliding doors.Most of the time a boxed frame is created that holds the panels.You also have the options of louver sizes up to 5 ½ in some cases, with 3 ½ being the most common use.Where to use them and what color to use depends on the look that you want to achieve.They are a higher end product than most when it comes to dressing you window.

[ Panel Tracks or sliding panels$$-$$$: This is definitely a treatment that is not suitable for all decorating styles.It is more of a modern, contemporary look when you use sunscreen or sheer material or an eclectic look kind of organic/natural when you use woven type material that add that earthy tone to the room.This type of window treatment behaves just like a patio door, the panels are a fixed size and they stack in front of each other.There are two types, Hunter Douglas Skyline which are 11” to 17 “panels attached to the top of the track and to each other on the bottom. It is my favorite mechanism when it comes to this type of treatment.Hunter Douglas has a nice selection of fabrics, but it is limited on their materials. The other treatment is attached to the top with Velcro and the panels can be made of almost any type of material.Panels’ size varies depending on the design and the material used.One word of caution: even the Hunter Douglas will tend to get caught at the bottom is they are open and close to fast.You need to be more conscious of the speed in which you open and close these treatments.

Vertical Cellular Shades$$$-$$$$: This is a great option for just any décor, especially modern.Imagine your basic cellular shade or honeycomb, turn vertically.It goes side by side and they are the only ones that have the smallest stack. There are no cords, chains or wands, just a simple slide mechanism with a magnetic closure.It is a very clean and sleek look that can be use behind decorative side panels, or with a top treatment.This treatment is also great for darkening a room.

Averte$$-$$$: A beautiful treatment for a casual/tropical look.If you like the Tommy Bahamas’ look, you will love this treatment.Made out of woven wood, bamboo or grass the colors of these products are your warm tones.There are a few that are painted, but I usually prefer the natural color of the material.There is no mechanism to open or close, just hold it at the wooden edge and slide it as you wish. B&W Horizons is the manufacturer for this treatment.

Vertical Blinds $-$$$: Yes, those tired looking vinyl are still around.The truth is that vertical blinds are truly very functional and practical and they do the job very well.They serve a purpose and are the most economical way to dress a sliding door.There has been some new material introduced and improvement in the mechanism so the choice is no as boring as it used to be.

As you can see there is a good selection of products available to you to cover a sliding door.Cost to cover a patio door is usually higher that most windows mostly because they tend to be larger in size than a typical window.You have options that cover all budgets from the vertical blinds to the Luminette and vertical cellular.Each of the treatments mentioned also have different options available to you, making it a custom product for your place.Even though sliding doors can be a challenge, they don’t have to be hopeless.

Even though it’s been an unusually mild winter all over North America, we’re ready for spring and summer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It’s time to open up those draperies, blinds, shadings and shutters to let in the light! If your curtains are looking a little tired and under the weather, it’s time to freshen up. Like a new spring wardrobe, layers on your windows can add fashion and style to your home in a unique and surprisingly affordable way. Here’s some great ideas for spring that will make your home look and feel warm and welcoming all year long. Read the entire decorating tips newsletter here

Great decorating ideas that help you freshen up for spring and summer using custom draperies, blinds, shades or shutters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are my specialty at Exciting Windows! by Marisol. It’s easy to get started with my free in home consultation or my brand new service… a free phone consultation to help you get your thoughts together.

Unity in a neighborhood is nice, but what we really want is a home that expresses our unique personality; one in which our friends and family say “WOW!” when they walk in.  In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, homeowners generally start with the unified look of Blinds, Shades and Shutters for light control and privacy and then add the WOW impact with custom window treatments.  Draperies, fabric shades and top treatments will give you a unique look and the WOW you want.  Read the entire decorating tips newsletter here. 

 Great decorating ideas that help you express your own uniqueness using custom draperies, blinds,  shades or shutters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are my specialty at Exciting Windows! by Marisol.  It’s easy to get started with my free at-home decorating appointment or my brand new service… a free phone consultation to help you get your thoughts together.

Looking for passion, energy and strength, look not further than at the color RED.  What an energetic color this is!  When you use it in a dining room area, it tends to increase the appetite, mmm! and it will also make you more impulsive so forget about that diet in this room!

It is such an exciting color, why go for the black cocktail dress when you can be HOT in a red dress.  I love using shades of reds on pillows, accessories, throws, and sometimes on the window covering such as the valance or other top treatments, or drapery to bring a room alive!

Like in everything, you always want to be moderate of the use of red, even though a red room can be a great design.  (See picture below.)  Red is a great accent color for a room if you want to add some fun.  Red in combination with other colors can take the negative side of it, aggression and rebellion, and add excitement to an otherwise boring design.

Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas.  Exciting Windows by Marisol

Sometimes we look at window treatments and we hardly think about the mechanism to operate the treatment. We are all very familiar with the cording system and at times it does get very frustrating dealing with them. You have those dangling cords that you have to tie to cleats to keep them away from children and pets. What about lifting the shades? specially the heavy ones. IF you do that daily it can get old very quickly.

One of the trends going forward and one that I personally will be recommending to my clients is the use of cordless shades. They are easy to operate and the best part is that with the elimination of cords, you also get a very safe window treatment for children and pets. Like everything there are limitations, but most windows should be able to accommodate this. Check out B&W Horizon’s cordless system video that shows the ease of operation. Cordless roman shades are here to stay and you will be seeing them more and more and I will not be surprise if this becomes the standards instead of an option that it is now. Time will tell.

The great thing is that cordless systems are not only limited to shades, but you can also get wood blinds and honeycombs available as cordless.

No Matter your style, there is a window treatment for that!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Marisol Hernandez
Phone: 954.600-3419
Marisol@ExcitingWindows.com

www.ExcitingWindows.com/Marisol
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and surrounding communities.

That’s right, Exciting Windows by Marisol is offering a FREE UPGRADE to the B&W Patent Pending Cordless ONE Control^TM during the entire first quarter of 2012, January 1st to  March 31, 2012.  All roman shades, including Horizons Natural Woven Shades, Horizons Fabric Roman Shades and Custom Fabric Roman Shades can be upgraded to Cordless ONE Controls fro FREE!

Call to schedule you appointment at (954)-600-3419

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

No Matter you Style, there is Window Treatment for that!

Fort Lauderdale, Parkland, Coral Springs  – the South Florida Area!

You may ask, why bother with a custom window treatment? I will say, WHY NOT? You might want to reconsider the use of custom treatments, they do not only enhance the beauty of your room, and they can also control lighting, protect your furniture and flooring, and even save you money. HOW? This is very simple, by keeping the summer heat out or keeping the house warm in the winter. I live in South Florida so my biggest concern is to keep the sun out and one of my favorite is to use a honeycomb shade, such as Hunter Douglas Duette Architella and pair that with beautiful side panels to complete the look of the room. You do not always have to combine different type of treatments but I have found that the layering effect gives you the option of changing the look of the room.

Imagine adding a sheer layer to the window on top of that shade. You are now controlling the light and at the same time adding a soft glow to the room during the day. Do not be concern about the challenging window; whatever type of window you have there is a window treatment for it.

As your Exciting Windows! Designer, I can help you with some unique and beautiful designs which would bring out the best in your room. So if you are in the South Florida area, do contact me at Exciting Windows! by Marisol for all your custom drapery designs.

Fashion is limitless when we think outside of the box and don’t equate it to clothing or accessories. Consider high-end fashion windows, a combination of quality, craftsmanship, and exclusivity that makes you feel just as good as your sexiest pair of pumps.

It’s a feeling you get when you walk into a room with long floor to ceiling windows and long flowing drapes that allow you to stay present in that place. It’s the look and feel of the drapes, the length, the color, the fabric, the finish, or the hem. Are they handmade, with a unique finish? Do they make the room feel warmer, more formal, or friendly? The use of fabrics and the creative ways in which you arrange textures, colors, trims, and unique materials allows you to create a theme and incorporate that theme fashionably through your windows. A well-constructed valance, shade, drapery or upholstered piece will emit character. These exquisite pieces of art will complement any room.

In the end, fashion reflects your personal style. Coach verses Gucci, Nine West verses Jimmy Choo, the fashion and the design of the purse or pump is what attracts us the most. If you enjoy high-end fashion, exclusivity, and quality why not consider dressing up your window?

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Exciting Windows by Marisol