The Finishing Touch

Tricky Design Problem: Will My Skylight Blind Sag?

I’m thinking of covering a skylight with the Cocoon 3/8" Single Cell Blackout Skytrack Skylight blind.   The skylight is deeply recessed, so what I would be covering is an opening in the flat part of the ceiling.  The span is only 17” wide.  With the tracks on the sides, could this blind be mounted horizontally in the ceiling opening without sagging?

Thanks,

Ron

 

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your question! You’ll be happy to learn that a Cocoon 3/8” Single Cell Blackout Skytrack Skylight will fit perfectly into your skylight without sagging at all.

When skylight shades exceed 30”, they have a visible cord running down the center to help hold them in place. Since yours is well under the 30” you will be fine. Bali’s Cocoon shade is an excellent option for a skylight because it allows you to block all light if you need to, open it partially for a touch of sun, or let the sun shine in by opening it completely. You’ll enjoy the flexibility it allows you, it’s of great quality so it will last you forever, and it looks fantastic.

Happy decorating,

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.

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 the Heck is Top Down/Bottom Up?

For most amateur home decorators (read: homeowners) the various options and features can be daunting. If you’re trying to save money, you might be thinking “Why would I want some fancy add-on when I don’t even know what it is or what it does?” Would you be interested in a feature that allows you to utilize natural light, get varied amounts of privacy when you want them, and create a beautiful look? If your answer is “Yes!” you might be in the market for Top Down/Bottom Up. 

Tricky Design Problem: Alternatives to Vertical Blinds

Q: I have a sliding glass door that I want to cover, but I think vertical blinds are ugly. What are the alternatives? – Brad D., Los Angeles, CA

Trending Towards Solar Shades in 2009, Sunglasses for your Windows

Get this: Solar Shades increased in popularity nearly 63% from 2007 to 2008. Why is this small category experiencing rapid growth? Because they do a fantastic job of blocking solar heat – energy savings, woohoo! The room will literally cool down the instant you hang the shade. They are one of the best and most popular options for reducing glare on your flat screen television and computer monitor (which is why Starbucks uses them), and they protect your furniture, carpet, and paint from fading in the sun. They’re one of the only modern/contemporary products that accomplishes all of these things… without breaking the bank.

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

Tricky Design Problem: Odd Shaped or Trapezoid Windows

Q: I need to block the sun from my larger trapezoidal windows approximately 87" h x 18" h, long side-short side, with a 72 ' width.  What can I use and where can I get them? They are in the top of a chalet wall so are also up high.

Thank you,

Jackie M.

Window Treatments for Manly Men

I don’t mean to generalize here but sometimes you men need help choosing the right window treatments. You don’t mind letting the lady in your life carefully choose each blind and shade. It’s also not uncommon for you bachelors to fashion some kind of homemade drapery out of an old sheet. I understand; you’re busy, you’re not sure what looks good, and you don’t want to spend the money. But if you really want to impress your lady, or not scare away the next one who happens to see your place, pick something that matches YOUR personality. Trust me, she’ll love it too.

Color and add-ons make a big difference. When in doubt, go with something in a dark wood. Mahogany and walnut woods are generally on the darker side of the spectrum. They’re sophisticated and classic without drawing too much attention. Choose something cordless, which are more sleek than corded blinds. Choose some accents, like cloth tapes or edge binding (depending on the product you choose) in black or brown. If you want to add a little color, you might choose Hunter green cloth tapes or blue. The valance is also important; choosing an outside mounted valance with an inside mounted blind provides depth to the room.

Now this is what I'm talking about...

You also might choose a simple solar shade like this one. It's great for media rooms, computer rooms and offices because it protects your high-tech gear from the sun, and it prevents glare. Functional AND good-looking... just like you.

One of our customers submitted this photo to us. He even told us that his girlfriend was totally impressed with the blinds in the game room.Woven woods are rustic and cool, and compliment any type of room.

Aluminum blinds are all about function, function, function. They're extremely durable, resistant to little kids and pets (they're tempered aluminum, can't get much sturdier than that), and they're no fuss. They're really easy to install, and they get the job done.

Last but definitely not least, the holy grail of window treatments, are shutters. This customer not only installed them in his windows, but in his skylights as well, a very non-traditional look. You can see the kind of effect wood shutters have on a room. Instant upgrade!

 

Tell me your thoughts - what type of window treatments are perfect for modern men?

Happy decorating,

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.