Interior Plantation Shutters are gaining popularity here in the midwest.  The south and west have been in love with shutters for years, with their tremendous ability to insulate from the sun.

The clean lines lend themselves to so many interiors – from traditional to contemporary.

Shutters can be made to fit any window.   So, you know that irregular shaped window that you don’t know how to handle?  A plantation shutter can be the perfect solution.

Enjoy flipping through this picture book of design inspiration from Norman Shutters.

www.EWbyKimLyon.com

We all know that convenience is a major player in the decision to choose a motorized window treatment, however, child safety is also a deciding factor. Matthew Kandl has this to say about child safety:

“When it comes to choosing window treatments, most consumers consider color, style, and even privacy. If young children are around the home, then cord control should be another important factor in selecting your window treatments.

Although today’s window fashions come with built-in cord-safety features, the Window Covering Safety Council believes cordless window coverings are the best choice for use in children’s bedrooms and any area of the home where children spend time playing.

In fact, cordless designs are rapidly gaining favor with consumers and decorators because of their “clean” look and streamlined design. Most traditionally corded window fashions are available in “cordless” styles through the use of spring-loaded mechanisms, battery- or motor-operated lift controls, or simple wand pulls. When combined with the scores of new fashion looks in today’s window coverings, consumers can pick from a wide choice of high-style cordless designs.”

Remember, the Hunter Douglas Fashion in Motion special runs through September 4^th. If you have small children in your home, you may want to consider motorization for their safety as well as your convenience.

Matthew Kandl was the Training and Education Manager for Hunter Douglas and in 2009 started Motorized Window Treatments

Like the subtle cast their name suggests, Silhouette window shadings from Hunter Douglas, have Signature S-Vanes that easily create beautiful gradations of light and shadow.

The soft fabric vanes are suspended between two sheers, diffusing softened light deep into the room. Silhouettes’s patented sheer facings provide an uncluttered view to the outside.

You can select from 240 color and fabric combinations and three vane sizes.

The vanes are easily tilted to suit the privacy you desire while maintaining the UV protection (88% with vanes open, 99% with vanes closed).

Silhouette with LiteRise operation is cordless control rendering the shades the perfect choice for enhanced child safety. Motorized PowerTilt with Platinum Technology allows you to tilt the slats open or close remotely using either a hand held control or through any home automation system.

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I LOVE Roman Shades.  They are such versatile treatments for a window.  They provide not only function of privacy, light control, and energy savings, but also add a softness to bring beauty, warmth and style to your room.  They truly provide the whole package.  Roman Shades can be made from any fabric you want that coordinates with your interior.  They can also me made from a more traditional shade cloth, or natural woven wood materials.  It all depends on what feeling and look you want to achieve at the window.

Recently, Roman Shades have undergone extreme scrutiny for child safety.  Our industry just adopted new guidelines for the manufacturing of products that have working cords, which includes roman shades.  It is important to purchase your Roman Shades from a company that strictly adheres to these new guidelines.  I am very proud to align myself with manufacturers that have undergone all the testing necessary to comply with the new guidelines.  You can be assured that our shades, when professionally installed,  meet the current industry standards for safety.

Roman Shades are  available in many different styles.  Enjoy these photos of several of my favorites.

Since its introduction 25 years ago, the Hunter Douglas Duette® brand has been recognized as the most innovative honeycomb shade in the market – always leading the way with revolutionary new fabrics and lift systems.
A yearlong celebration has been planned that includes special training for dealers and special sales for the consumer.

Duette shades offer such versatility in light control and privacy, while leading the way in energy savings for your home.  Look for more info scattered throughout this birthday year!

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I just returned from a certification course in Somfy Motorization.  Simply put, adding “power ” to your window coverings adds a new dimension of convenience, child safety, and energy efficiency.  Shades, blinds, or draperies can be motorized by either a battery powered or plug in motor.  If you are in the construction phase of a new house, hard wiring for window treatments is easily accomplished by an electrician.  This will eliminate the need for power cords or changing batteries.  Retrofitting motors into existing window treatments is also possible.

2″ Wood or faux blinds are still a mainstay in many homes in the Cincinnati area.  They come in a beautiful section of paint or stain colors.  You can also dress them up by adding decorative tapes to the blinds.  The tapes come in solid colors or prints.  Alternative lift systems make the blinds truly custom for you.  Whatever your needs are, there is a lift system to meet them.  From cordless lift to motorization, just ask us the possibilities.

Now through the end of the year, Hunter Douglas is offering FREE Literise upgrade on all their Duette Cellular Shades.  Literise is a cordless lift system which eliminates any dangerous cords that children or pets could get tangled in.  This promotion and many more are available at Exciting Windows by Kim Lyon