We attended the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2013 (KBIS), and were among 40,000 others, previewing the latest innovations that are happening in these important rooms in the home.       Here are 5 new products that we loved that won awards for their beauty and function: The Brizo Odin Faucet with SmartTouch™ technology   The Winelogic Wine Rack that stores your wine inside a standard-sized cabinet   The Kohler Moxie™ Acoustic Showerhead with Wireless Speaker   The Glasatti Decorative Shower Door Pull in Tempered Glass   The Better Living 18” Extendable Squeegee for frameless shower enclosures   See more Design Trends from around the world with our home fashion expert on the street, Karin: Fantasy Windows on Display…

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True to their name, Roman Blinds got their start in Ancient Rome. In the time before roads were paved, heavy foot traffic, travel by donkey, and constant construction left the air in the city extremely dusty. To trap dirt and dust before it came into the home, Romans hung wet cloths over windows. When people noticed that these fabric coverings also kept homes cooler by blocking the sun, window coverings of all kinds became more popular and elaborate. Bali Custom Tailored Roman Shade Roman shades are most well known for their overlapping folds. Some historians attribute the inspiration for this design to the fabric awning that sheltered spectators from the sun in the Colosseum. The long awnings extended out over…

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What catches your eye in this angular living space?

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The International Window Coverings Expo, an annual industry event, took place last week  in New Orleans.  Industry executives, suppliers, designers and retailers from around the world were in attendance.  New products were on display, and experts presented seminars. One of the highlights was the showcase sponsored by the Custom Home Furnishings Academy, where professionals were challenged to design a vignette with none of the real-world constraints such as cost, existing décor, or client preferences… they were even able to sketch their own window!   Take a look at the fantasy window treatments that these creative pros dreamed up when they were told “anything goes”:   Left:  “Black Swan” by Debra Martin of Debra Martin Designs and Sheri Stouffer of Finishing…

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Since the 1950s, Italian appliance brand Smeg has been bringing well made ranges, hoods, dishwashers, and ovens to the world, along with it’s iconic candy colored retro refrigerators. They have been on the cutting edge of kitchen technology for years and continue to lead the way while staying true to their classic Italian style. Read on to see our favorite ways to style our current design obsession, Smeg fridges:   Smeg + Eclectic Mismatched decor dresses down these Leave It To Beaver-esque fridges. With patchwork elements and rustic treasures, a Smeg can trade in the pearls and circle skirt for a more relaxed look. Smeg + Retro Why not stick with what mama gave you and go full 50s flashback?…

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  We shared this 19th century Wisconsin church on Facebook a few weeks ago. Architect Kurt Melander rescued this dilapidated Lutheran church and transformed into a modern home complete with a painting studio inside of the oculus window. Homes with ecclesiastical roots are sweeping the architecture world. Innovative designers are finding ways to retain the history of the house of worship while creating a modern and functional living space. Here are a few of our favorite churches turned into homes from around the world.   Anglican Church Turned Sleek Contemporary Home This 1892 Anglican Church in Melbourne, Australia was transformed into an open living space with with gorgeous decor elements and a swimming pool surrounded with crystal clear glass walls. Some…

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Spring is finally upon us! The gloomy winter days are gone and it is at last time to bring color back into your home.  Be sure to check out our recent blog post on what colors and products are hot this spring – The Hottest Spring Colors Come To Your Windows. Pinterest is full of DIY crafty ideas.  Check out 4 of our top picks to bring Spring into your home this season with our Spring Pinterest Fab 4 Picks: DIY Citrus Wreath Never judge a book by its cover?  Well in the home décor world, the outside of your home is just as important as the inside.   Let your home speak for itself with this warm invite.  This Pinterest…

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  Spring has sprung, and along with it, the season of home improvement and redecorating is upon us. The design world is ripe with modern minimalist spaces for spring 2013. To achieve this look you don’t have to throw out all your belongings and leave behind one bare bulb.  Here are 5 easy ways to modernize your home. Turn Up the Contrast The modern look is all about industrial shapes and clean lines, but this visually stunning furniture can be cold an unwelcoming in reality. Add comfort and high contrast by pairing hard shapes with soft textiles. This wire chair and furry throw are the perfect match. Even more traditional shapes, like this Windsor style rocking chair look cozy with…

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Ready to shed those drab winter layers and liven up your look for spring? In the fashion world, Spring 2013 is blooming with bright colors that don’t hold back. Your home decor can fall victim to a wash of greys and oatmeals during winter too, so brighten it back up with spring’s hottest hues on your windows.   Cellular Shades in Top Spring Colors Cellular shades are the colored skinny jeans of the window fashion world. They can be dressed up or down, are uber functional, always crisp, and a no brainer solution to brighten up a room. Our Norman Brand Cellular Shades have just undergone a complete color makeover with extensive research into what’s trending now in the home…

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