The Finishing Touch

Tricky Design Problem: How to Prevent Blinds from Blowing in the Wind

Esther,

We have recently purchased and installed nine Exterior Sheerweave Solar Shades with cassette valence systems. They are inside mount shades with removable porch screens on the outside. They have inserted metal rods in the bottom hem which is providing some weight; however, they blow into the room even with light breezes. We would like to have some sort of a clip to fasten the rod to the sill to hold them down or possibly a clip mounted on the window casing which would hold the ends of the metal rod when the shade is rolled down. Any suggestions or hardware available?

Bob P.

6 Ways to Decorate Your Patio or Backyard for Summer

Are you dreaming of sunning by the pool, margarita in-hand? Ready or not, Summer is here! Birds have headed home, gas prices are steadily climbing, and warm weather wardrobes are just waiting to explode from closets everywhere. There’s no better time than right now to decorate your porch, patio, or backyard. Maybe you’re feeling inclined to opt for a stay-cation this summer. If so, turn your backyard into a relaxing sanctuary for you and your family. Toss out your old white plastic patio furniture, and make your backyard a place you can be proud of. Then, invite your friends, family, and neighbors over for a little Summer vacation barbeque. Bring on the hot dogs… Hebrew National, of course!

Inspiration for Decorating Your Home with the Color Purple

The color purple is regarded as chic and elegant. Known as the color of royalty, purple is often found in formal dining and sitting areas. It connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. You’ll rarely find hints of purple; people drawn to this color for home design often use it in abundance and make the color itself a focal point of a room. Purple can be a wonderful complement to a variety of colors, even those close to it on the color spectrum. It doesn’t often create dissonance, and will promote a sense of harmony in a space. Purple is a popular color used in small rooms, because it really opens up the room and makes it look and feel larger.

It’s one of the most in-style colors of 2009, especially for window blinds and shades. Purple curtains and fabric valances are also fashionable:

 

French Door Blinds

French doors can pose a problem for homeowners. They cause us to ask that age-old question: “Should I hang blinds or leave the windows uncovered?” While they are beautiful, they let lots of sunlight in. Those harsh afternoon rays can raise the temperature in your home up to 10 degrees, forcing your air conditioning unit to work overtime. They will also fade and damage your furniture, especially in the Summer.

Top 3 Window Blinds and Shades for Houseboats and RV’s

Just like traditional homes, window blinds can be custom-made for houseboats and RV’s. Customization is recommended over ready-made window coverings; they’re more durable, and will fit the size of smaller windows to your specifications. Like other homeowners, RV and boat dwellers want their décor to look chic and beautiful for their own enjoyment and for entertaining. Here are few things that anyone who owns a mobile home or boat should consider when choosing blinds or shades:

1)       Curtains can incur more dust in mobile homes, and dust from the road or sea air can become easily trapped. Avoid heavy curtains if possible.

2)       Constant lowering to protect from the heat, and raising to see the night sky can wear blinds down more quickly.

      3)       Operation in bumpy conditions, whether riding the waves or driving the open road, can lead to further damage. 

What’s the Difference Between the Different Styles of Roman Shades?

Q: I noticed Blinds.com has a lot of difference choices of roman shades. I’m confused. What are the differences?

Signed,

Sydney

Give Your Mom the Gift of Beautiful Windows For Mother’s Day

When you head over to your parents’ house for a home-cooked meal, do you notice that the old blinds in your childhood home are starting to look a little, er, yellow? Has your wife been hinting that it’s time to replace the old, saggy blinds that came with the house? If you love your mother or wife, treat her to a gift that keeps on giving for the same price as a bouquet of flowers. Maybe less.

Mom deserves the best, so this year, instead of that grocery store cake and dozen roses, Give her a unique, unusual gift, one that she won’t expect. Giving her new window treatments will make you a hero in her eyes, and who doesn’t want to be the hero? When she’s bragging to her friends – who, by the way, received vacuum cleaners this year – that her husband or son bought her new blinds… trust me, Hero-Status reached.

Check out the Blinds.com Mother's Day Guide for blinds and shades that are sure to make mom smile. Plus, hear what real families had to say, and check out pictures of real homes:

Blinds.com Partners with Mommy Bloggers to Promote Child Safety

Blinds.com and Amber, blogger for Miracles on Mama Street have teamed up to raise awareness for window blind safety. After a family in her community suffered the tragic loss of one of their children due to unsafe window blinds, Amber decided to take matters into her own hands. She immediately replaced all of her corded window treatments with cordless ones. She also told everyone in her network about the dangers of having out-of date blinds and shades in their homes. They also replaced all of their dangerous treatments with safe ones.

Amber realized that it still wasn’t enough, and that there were so many more people she could be reaching. She contacted us here at Blinds.com, and her cause touched our hearts.

Amber is reaching thousands of other mommy bloggers as well as parents dedicated to child safety. Please join the crusade to end senseless deaths like this by ensuring that your home is well equipped with safe window treatments, and that your neighbors’ homes are as well.

To make it financially possible for parents to replace dangerous, Blinds.com is offering 10% off our top rated and most popular product, the Blinds.com 3/8” Light Filtering Cellular Shade, when ordered with the cordless option. Simply use code “Mommy” at checkout.

To read Amber’s full account, visit her blog, Miracles on Mama Street, and support our efforts to increase awareness. Grab the button on the top left of her site, link to her post, and/or pass the 10% savings on to family and friends.  

Help us avoid heartbreak, and protect our children.

Sincerely,

Follow Amber and me on Twitter for updates and information regarding this special promotion.