The Finishing Touch

Four Things Every Parent Must Know to Help Get Kids Ready to Go Back to School

Back to School is can be a hectic time as parents struggle to get their homes, refrigerators, and carpool schedules ready for Fall. While all parents think about what to put in their children’s lunches, very few consider taking steps to make their homes more conducive to good study and sleeping habits.

Child psychologists say that getting into the pattern of studying and getting a good night’s sleep starts at an early age. Studies also suggest that children who establish these patterns early on do better in school and are more successful in college.

One way to increase a child’s productivity while studying is to create a space that puts him or her in the right mindset for learning. Window blinds play a surprisingly big factor. Here are a few things that all parents should do:

1.                           Install window blinds that block glare from the sun. Glare often makes it difficult for a child to see his or her computer screen. It can also damage the child’s eyes if he or she has to strain through it.

2.                           Choose top down/bottom up options on the blinds nearest to your child’s study area. While it is important to block glare, sunlight easily affects moods. Allowing a little sunshine to come through the top of the shade can make a world of difference in a child’s concentration.

3.                           Blinds can prevent distractions. Even the smallest movement, like a bird or car, can break concentration. Prevent those interrupters from making an impact by keeping the blinds lowered during study time.

4.                           Put blackout shades in a child’s bedroom. In the Summer and early Fall months, the sun sets on the late side. Make it easy for kids to go to bed at a reasonable hour by installing shades that completely block light, like the Blinds.com 3/8” Double Cell Blackout shade. This popular shade won’t break the bank, but will help kids get a good night’s sleep.

It is just as important that the home be a place of learning as it is for a child’s school to be. Talk to children’s teachers about how tired they are, and how prepared for class they are. Take the proper steps to correct any issues, should a child’s teacher say he or she needs some extra help at home.

Protect Your Home and Furniture from UV Ray Damage

You know that pretty spot where the sun pours in through your windows every morning? Look a little closer next time you pass by that area in your house. Do you see the discoloring the sunlight has caused the furniture or floor? That's UV rays damaging your home, just as it can your skin. UV rays have the potential to harm any organic substance. Although sunscreen won't help this problem, you can still protect your home and furniture from the damage caused by the sun.

If you don't mind reducing the amount of light coming into the house, you can simply choose a window covering to reduce the UV rays. A light filtering shade, like an inexpensive cell shade, will allow light in your home but still block out the damaging rays.

Another option is tinting your windows. This will block some of the UV rays, but not all - so be prepared that discoloration will still happen, but at a slower rate.

Finally, if you are in the market for a more radical change, you can update the windows themselves. Window glass can be made that blocks UV rays while still allowing visible light to come through your home - but as this isn't the norm for standard window glass, you will have to seek it out in most cases. Laminated glass and UV-blocking coated glass can filter anywhere from 95-99% of all UV light.

And don't think it is only your home you are protecting - it is also your health. For more information, check out this New York Times article about the importance of reducing the amount of UV rays coming in through your windows.

Tricky Design Problem: Are Wood Blinds Available on Trapezoid Windows?

Hi Esther,

I have a set of large living room windows that I need to cover for privacy and to get rid of the glare on the TV. I really like the look of wood blinds. The lower window is rectangular, so it should be easy to cover with wood blinds. However, the two upper windows are angled at the top to match the ceiling. Is there a way to make wood blinds work for these windows or do you have other suggestions? I have included a photo for reference. Thank you so much for your help!

Loretta

 

Hi Loretta,

Thanks for your question. The picture you sent me (above) is gorgeous. We just love your windows! It's no wonder you want to preserve the distinctive look. Odd-shaped windows are very common in contemporary homes. You don’t want to lose the uniqueness of the window by hanging an outside mount blind or shade over it. I can understand that, though they present some serious challenges when finding a functional window treatment. The good news is you can get the best of both worlds: a practical, real wood blind. Hunter Douglas Country Wood blinds are stylish and beautiful and are available with the Extended Angle with moveable slats feature, pictured below:

 

A Blinds.com Design Consultant can easily custom order such a window treatment for you. Simply give them at call at (800) 505-1905. The treatment will be delivered right to your door, with free shipping to boot.

Of course, if you have additional questions, post ‘em in the comments below!

Best regards,

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.

Don't Build a Home Until Reading THIS!

There are so many elements to consider when designing and building a home or addition that it is easy to overlook window treatments. This article will show you how to avoid the most common pitfalls, and hopefully save you money.

Window Depths

Window depths should be at least 2-1/2 inches, especially when decorative casing surrounds the window. Homeowners prefer to mount treatments like shutters and plantation size (2") wooden blinds within the window frame. When installing double-hung windows the 2-1/2 inches applies to the bottom window, where space is especially shallow. Some plantation shutters have 4-1/2 inch louvers These and some other treatments require even more room.

Tricky Design Problem: Blinds and Shades for a Home Gym

This is a week of Q&A, it seems like! Your questions have been pouring in, and I'm going to answer as many of them as possible. Many of you asked about home gyms, so on to the problem solving!

Q: We have an exercise room with a shower and sauna and a large window.  We want a shade for privacy but want natural light to come through.  What type of shade do you recommend?

-Melissa

Escape the City, Turn Your Room Into a Chic Hotel Suite

So you just got back from NYC after a weekend getaway at the Bryant Park Hotel. The sleek wood floors, the floor-length draperies, and the crisp, white walls against that striking furniture make your boudoir at home feel like a room at a Motel 6. Not that I’m knocking Motel 6… it serves a purpose. But those rooms aren’t known for giving you that I’m-never-getting-out-of-bed feeling. If you’re aching to create a tranquil oasis of your own – or for your guests – there are a few things you can do to make the most impact quickly. A handful of simple touches will make all the difference, especially if you’re working on a limited budget. The goal is to make the room feel charming, without each piece overwhelming the sense of calm. This can be difficult, as modern or interesting pieces of art, furniture, and décor can easily overpower the other elements.

First thing’s first… Buy new linens.

Hotel Max, Seattle, WA / Photo from BusinessWeek

How to Make Small Spaces and Rooms Look Bigger

Most people have a least one room in their homes that could stand to be a little larger. In fact, the majority of people believe that some of those rooms are too tiny for stylish décor, so they opt not to decorate at all. If you are trying to decorate a smaller area, don’t cram in multiple elements. Instead, try to make a few work for you. They won’t overpower the space or cause the eye to focus on too many facets at once.

Subtle lighting will make a big impact immediately. If you have fluorescent lighting, get rid of it. Opt for softer, less abrasive light. Affix lighting high on the wall instead of the ceiling. Choose lighting fixtures that are thin and sleek and steer clear of bulky piece. You’ll like the look they create.

Avoid “Attack of the Tsotchkes.” The more small boxes, picture frames, and candles you use, the more filled up a space looks. Place a few well-chosen items on a narrow shelving unit for maximum impact in minimum space.

 Your furniture should not overpower the area. Choose shelving that leans against or mounts to the wall, or something that fits snuggly into the corner. You will save a lot of space that way.

 

 The art you choose can easily open up the room. A lot of Starbucks coffee shops have done a stellar job of making their smaller locations look large by hanging black and white photographs surrounded by large white mattes in matte-colored frames. By hanging these in multiples against a darkly painted wall, you’ll create the illusion that the room stretches farther back. White and off white are great colors for creating space, so if you don’t want to paint the room white, go for white-matted sketches, photos, or simple designs instead.

 

 

Q & A: What is Winter White? How Do I Create the Look?

Q: This may sound like a stupid question, but what exactly is “winter white?” A friend of mine claims she decorated her living room for the holidays in winter whites, but I went to her house, and it looks like regular old white to me. There's really nothing winter about it; in fact it's really summery, whether she calls it winter white or not! How do you create a seasonal winter white look?

 

Thanks,

Reyna S.

 

A: Your poor friend! She probably didn’t realize that decorating in winter white isn’t just about putting white stuff in the room and calling it a day. It is about creating a vibe or mood, not only through the use of white, but though the use of color to offset it. Winter white is the look that a pure, white snowfall creates. Think of a blanket of white powder against the backdrop of a gray-black night. Think of children skating on an ice rink, bundled in heavy down coats and wool hats. When you imagine these scenes, a few things come to mind: heavy texture, deep color, and lots of material to keep you warm. That being said, your memories and notions of this season should be applied to transforming your room into a winter-white wonderland. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

 

1. Heavy textures and fabrics

Texture is so important. There’s a big difference between wearing a white or cream-colored wool coat in December, and wearing a white linen sundress. No matter how you dress it up, it’s still a summer piece. Volume creates coziness and makes you want to curl up in front of the fireplace. To get the look, opt for silks, velvets, or really anything heavy-hanging. Try to avoid linens and anything else that looks free flowing and wispy. Choose a puddling drapery or white silk roman shade in the teardrop/hobbled style. It will give you that feeling that you’re being enveloped in warmth. Antique-looking white pieces like the chairs shown here are also great investments, and will work every season, depending on the rest of the decor. Housewares.com offers these unique chairs, and they even ship to Canada.

 

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2. Pair your whites with deep hues

A splash of color goes a long way. There are two ways to do this. Either you can design a completely white room with pops of rich color, or you can opt for mostly color and use white accents. For the former, choose white furniture and accessories (even a white chandelier!) paired with a few beautiful chairs and ebony wood blinds, which will create a sleek, clean look. It will also make your room appear more spacious. The white table with white roses resting on top makes the room look modern. The Planet Dinette Table by Calligaris table from Jensen-Lewis in New York, is a great piece and will compliment beautifully.

 

 

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For the latter, choose beautiful fabrics of red and gold in different prints like paisley and plaid. Don’t be afraid to mix and match prints; together; they will add sumptuousness. Then select some simple accessories, like white blinds, and white bedding like gorgeous white hotel bedding from Restoration Hardware and you’ll be set. Create a beautiful living room with a collection of chocolaty browns coupled with a modern white couch and white cloth tapes against oak-colored wood blinds.

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All you need to do is to recall what you love about winter, then base your design on those colors and touches. You’ll end up with a distinctive look that encapsulates winter white and how soft and beautiful it can be.

Happy Decorating,

: Avoid decorating in florals and small prints for winter. Try to follow the foliage of the season. If it doesn’t bloom or grow in the snow, avoid draperies, bedding, and upholstering with patterns of it.

Find Paint to Complement Your Drapes or Fabric

If you have the perfect linens or draperies, use your fabric as a starting point when selecting paint.  Simply take a fabric swatch (from a sofa or draperies) to the paint store. Look for paint chips that pull out the different hues in the fabric. The paint color doesn't have to match the fabric exactly -- in fact, if the wall color is slightly lighter or slightly darker than the color in the fabric, the results will seem "evolved" but harmonious.

The major exception is when the wall color and draperies match exactly. This approach enlarges a room by creating an unbroken envelope of color while softening the walls with dimension and depth.

To match a solid-color fabric exactly, take a swatch to the paint store or home improvement center; there, a spectrometer, which measures heat and light can translate the fabric hue into a formula for matching paint. This will only work on solid fabric, however.

Choosing a darker tone for the walls makes light-color upholstery pop by contrast, and creates a more dramatic environment. If the draperies match the paint or are close to the same shade, the walls and draperies work together to form a consistent background, and the sofa stands out as a focal point. If you choose a lighter color for the draperies, then the darker wall color will draw more attention to the windows.

As you narrow your choices, remember that a paint chip is only a general indication of how a color may look on the walls.

Editor's Tip: Always test the color on the wall, or on a large piece of poster board, then view it in daylight and at night to see if the color is right.