Ventanas, LLC

With summer just around the corner, homeowners are starting to think about using their outdoor spaces to their fullest extent. Patio shades, or screen shades, are the solution to controlling the afternoon light, so we can maximize the time we spend on our patios. A well-positioned solar shade can block the late afternoon light so we can enjoy our outdoor furniture through much of the day.

When designing an outdoor space, pay close attention to the direction of the sun, and think about what time of day, the space will be used. Often-times, a southern or western exposure will benefit from a screen shade to provide protection from the sun. These can be installed on cables that will keep the shade from “billowing” in a light breeze. Be aware that a strong breeze can either rip the fabric, or destroy the cables, so you should never lower the shade on a breezy day, unless you’re there to raise it up when the wind kicks up.

When measuring for window shadings, whether they are cellular shades, roman shades, privacy sheers, Silhouettes, or any type of window covering that mounts directly at the window, it’s important to make the right decision as to whether you want to mount the shade inside the window trim (inside mount), or outside the trim (outside mount). The first consideration is whether or not there is enough room on the inside of the trim to mount your brackets. Some trims are either not deep enough, or have too much detail to allow a flat surface onto which you can mount your brackets. If this is the case, an outside mount is necessary. Likewise, if light gaps are an issue (say in a bedroom, where you want total blackout), an outside mount might be the best option, so you can extend the shade 2-3 inches on either side of the opening. This will give you the most light control.

If there is sufficient depth to the window casing, and you prefer a custom fitted look, an inside mount is the preferable option. Assuming the window is “square”, you can achieve this look if you can measure correctly. A professional window fashions consultant can help you determine your options.

Sliding doors can present a particularly difficult problem, especially in a room where you already have wood blinds on all the windows. Wood blinds over sliding glass doors are extremely difficult to raise because of the weight of the wood over the expanse of the door. A better solution is to look at woven woods in the same wood tones as the wood blinds in the room. Both products are wood-based, organic, and the resulting look is very cohesive and beautiful. HunterDouglas’ Provenance or Horizons B&W woven woods are excellent options to to resolve this dilemma.

You’ve installed the bamboo flooring, your countertops are pre-cast cement, and even your carpet is made from recycled tires and plastic bottles. Now what about your window coverings? How can you make a “green” statement with your blinds and draperies?

Window fashions aren’t the johnny-come-lately to the green party. In fact, Conrad, a shadings company out of San Francisco, has been selling roman shades made from exotic grasses, reeds and bamboos for over 50 years. All of their products are hand-woven in Japan, Indonesia and Korea. These one-of-a-kind shadings naturally filter the light, and create a dramatic look in any room.

But what if you want to save big on your energy bill? HunterDouglas’ new Duette Architella is the most energy efficient shade in the industry. This is a cellular shade that traps air in not just one, but two chambers to reduce the heat of summer and the chill of winter. No small feat, when it can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

And if you want to further reduce your Xcel outlay, consider motorizing your window treatments. Almost any window covering can be automated to a timer, so it opens and closes at various scheduled times during the day, trapping heat in the winter, and reducing sun exposure in the summer. Insolroll is a Colorado company that sells motorized sun shades and drapery track that can carry up to about 80 pounds of pleated drapery panels.

Concerned about indoor air quality? Lafayette has two GreenGuard certified options in its Woodland Harvest line of shutters, and Genesis II roller shades. Both are made from low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), which are known to contribute to ground-level ozone pollution and indoor air contaminants.

So, if green is the goal in your home, don’t stop with the countertops and carpet. Let your window fashions reflect your eco-consciousness as well.

HunterDouglas is once again offering rebates on their most popular products, just in time for the holidays! Save $25-$100 on Duette Vertiglide vertical pleat system, Duette Architella honeycomb shades, Silhouette window shadings, Vignette modern roman shades, Luminette privacy sheers, Skyline gliding window panels, and the new Pirouette window shadings. Top them with custom stationary panels or a beautiful fabric valance or cornice, and you’re ready to celebrate the holidays in style!

Home decorating can be both fun and exciting, especially if you know what you are hoping to achieve. Everyone has their own style in mind when they begin their decorating project. Regardless of what end result people look for, whether it’s a certain culture, a specific color scheme or a certain style, there is one thing they all usually have in common. They want the end result to be elegant. If you’re hoping to have an interior design that’s elegant, there are a few ideas you can use to reach your goal. The two most important factors you need to consider are your budget and what you want to get from your home decor.
1. Consider your budget for your makeover
You need to know at the beginning of your decorating plans just how much money you have to work with. You don’t want to choose a specific elegant scheme and get all excited about it only to discover your finances won’t cover it. So, decide right off the bat what you have to spend, making sure you don’t cut it too close.

Cherry Hills Village, CO decorating

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