The Finishing Touch

Order Free Samples Before You Buy Blinds: What’s the Point?

The Internet is a great resource for buying quality products at prices much lower than those found in brick-and-mortar stores, we know that. But can you really get the same in-store experience from an online retailer that? Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? The team at Blinds.com say “Yes!” Buying online is not only a great option, but a better one when buying your custom blinds. We were the first to give customers free samples before they buy. It’s just one of the ways online retailers like Blinds.com are adding value to the shopping experience and making it easy to shop online. Taking advantage of free samples is a great way to get up close and personal with quality, material and color.

I feel strongly about this, not just because I work here at Blinds.com, but because I’ve been to the big box stores. I’ve experienced the frustration of chasing down a salesperson who knows the floor map of the store, but doesn’t know the first thing about blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies.

What’s truly amazing about the evolution of the Internet is how much customer service and user experience has evolved. Now, you can call us 7 days a week with questions, get advice from certified Design Consultants who will tell you exactly what you need, and get free samples of the products you’re considering in just a few days. Samples come in a beautiful, easy-to-keep packet, filled with useful tips, instructions for how to measure, and unique coupons only available in our sample kit.

Order free samples and see how hassle-free it is to shop online.

Home Insulation – How Window Treatments Keep Your Home Warm in the Winter

If you think all you need is a Snuggie to keep you warm in the Winter, you are sorely mistaken. Window treatments are an critical part of home insulation. Home insulation is a topic on everybody’s minds these days, but most people don’t really understand their options. There are plenty of super expensive ways to help keep the heat inside your home (aluminum siding, attic insulation), and you should most likely do those things too, especially if you live in colder climates. But window treatments, believe it or not, do a great job of insulating your home. Certain blinds and shades trap expensive heat in, just as they block solar heat in the summer. Plus, there are some new, exciting, and innovative products on the horizon that you’ll want to know about for even better insulation!

First, take stock of what you already have. A good rule of thumb is that shades, which are made from a single piece of material that can’t tilt open and closed, are better insulators because heating and cooling can’t escape through the slats.

There are a few shades that I highly recommend for home insulation:

1. Blinds.com ComforTrack 3/8” Double Cell Blackout Shade: The ComforTrack products at Blinds.com are approved for federal tax credit, meaning that because they are so energy efficient and help reduce energy spending so much, the government is actually going to give you a refund for putting them in your home. They are Energy Star approved. The system consists of side tracks that attach to your window frame with magnets. They have specially fitted end caps which, along with the notched sides of the shade, minimize energy loss. They are available in Light Filtering too, but the Blackout version will provide total light blockage and privacy when you need it.
2. Blinds.com One Day ¾” Single Cell Blackout Shade: This shade will not only be made for you in record time (one day! seriously.) but the cells are lined with mylar. Mylar is a strong but thin polyester that lines the wall of each cell, creating a real and noticeable barrier between you and the frosty outdoor air. If you’ve ever stood by a window that has no covering on a cold day, you know that air can and will seep in through little cracks. This shade will prevent that from happening.
3. Bali DiamondCell 3/8” Midnight Double Cell Blackout Shade: Another great insulating honeycomb shade from one of my fave brands, Bali. This shade comes in more colors than you can imagine.

Considering Shutters for Your Windows?

We at Blinds.com are obsessed with helping you choose the perfect product. So it’s no wonder that our latest product feature video, Plantation Shutters, is one of our favorites. If you’re wondering who the girl in the video is… well, I’ll give you 3 guesses, but you’ll only need one.

Plantation Shutters really are the Cadillac of window treatments (aside: do people still say that?). We love them because they really, truly increase resale value, and give your home an instant designer boost. Though they can run you thousands of dollars at a big box store, and even more from your local store, if you buy them at Blinds.com, you’ll save literally hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Blinds.com actually offers several lines of fauxwood shutters that are considerably less than real wood, and look fabulous to boot. The Blinds.com Economy Quick Ship Fauxwood Shutter is the least expensive of them all, giving you big-time bang for your buck.

Even if you can’t afford shutters in all your rooms utilize them in rooms that get the most traffic, like living rooms. Also use them in rooms that have street-facing windows for extra curb appeal.

Enough out of me. Watch the video, and let us know what you think!

What is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?

Really, truly think about it... can you answer this question?

Seems silly, and maybe it doesn’t matter that much in the grand scheme of things. However, there is tons of confusion surrounding these two mundane, everyday terms, and believe it or not, a blind and a shade are not one in the same. When you begin your quest for the perfect window treatment, having this basic knowledge of the differences will allow you to quickly and painlessly navigate to the product you want.

A blinds typically has slats – also known as louvers – that rotate back and forth to control light and privacy. A blind can be completely lowered, yet still allow light to come through. You might sometimes here a shutter referred to as a blind, or plantation blind, because it has louvers, though shutters are usually in their own category.

A shade is generally one piece of material that raises and lowers, but does not have moveable slats. Shades are the preferred insulators.

Blinds used to be the preferred method for people wanting maximum control over light. In recent years, the top down/bottom up option has become more popular. It allows you to lower the top of the shade, letting a lot or a little light in, without giving up your privacy.

The most popular and top-rated blinds are the Blinds.com 2” Fauxwood Blind (over 571 customer reviews, and 4.7/5 rating) and the Blinds.com 2” Deluxe Wood Blind (over 287 reviews, 4.6/5 rating).

Customer mLegreen (see customer submitted photo below) purchased the Deluxe Wood Blind and had this to say:

"I used to work for a window shade manufacturing company and the quality & price for these blinds cannot be beat! We just got new windows and are hoping to sell our house within the next year and a half but we needed shades and these were perfect! They are clean and elegant without breaking the bank - plus we wanted to be able to let the natural light in as much as possible during the day. Couldn't be happier and I WILL be buying more!"

On the flip side, the most purchased and reviewed shades are the Blinds.com 3/8” Light Filtering Cellular Shade (over 430 reviews, 4.6/5 rating) and the Blinds.com 3/8” Double Cell Blackout Cellular Shade. (over 230 reviews, 4.5/6 rating).

Customer Dan121 purchased the 3/8” Blackout shade and said this (his photo below):

"Before I installed my shades it was like trying to sleep with the light on. After it has been great. They look great and they keep the sun and other light out of the room."

Have questions about the differences between blinds and shades? Email, or leave questions below.

P.S. – Follow Blinds.com on Twitter to get ALL your questions answered!

Designer and Modern Doghouses Fit for Humans

There’s no doubt that we love our pets as much (if not more… sorry kids) than our own children, so it should come as no surprise to you that people will go to great lengths to pamper their precious pups. When I set out to write this post, I had no idea that I would find a staggering number of websites catering to the fake homes of dogs. And let’s face facts here, people. Some of these homes can be purchased for the price of a small or used car. I know it’s appealing to see a little furry creature scurry in and out of a miniature house, and if money was no object I’d surely buy my little Winnie a Cape Cod Cozy Cottage Kennel, which is more like a small mansion than anything resembling a kennel. In the meantime, I think she’s pretty happy sleeping on my New Kids on the Block sleeping bag.

All that being said, these doghouses are ridiculously cute. Especially the ones with draperies. Of course these houses need blinds and draperies. Dogs are people too, you know?

 

First, a little plush leopard house with taffeta drapes. Nice tiebacks.

 

Next we have the Spanish Villa. Notice the light fixtures and Spanish clay tile roofing.

 

No window treatments on this fancy little trailer. Like any good eco-conscious dog, this Westie has his clothes drying in wind.

 

Might be the most spoiled dog in all the world. Her room is nicer than mine.

I like the Danish inspiration on the Cape Cod Cozy Cottage Kennel. The scalloped edge on the roof is a nice touch, as are the outdoor shutters.

 

The creme de la creme of custom designer dog houses. This house has a nice white fence surrounding its little deck. Perfect for lounging. Now check out the inside:

 

Nice draperies with bone-shaped valances. Oh yeah, and AIR CONDITIONING.

What do you think, Winnie?

 

She likes 'em.

Window Treatment Trends of 2009 - Black and White

The use of black and white in your design scheme will create great drama and contrast. The stark contrast of black and white is sophisticated and modern, even in the most traditional patterns. Right now, amid the bright colors of summer, I’m loving black and white in an almost rebellion-against-summer way. Without having to spend a fortune on a modern white couch, choose draperies instead.

Black and white will be a hot trend in home decorating for the fall and winter months. By adding a splash of black to your existing décor, you’ll effectively change the focal point of the room and add new dimensions and depth.

If you don’t fancy yourself a professional Interior Designer, choosing black and white décor is a safe bet. Get style without a lot of know-how.

 

Color: Chantilly Onyx

 

Color: Deco Black

 

Color: Delicate Onyx

 

Color: Lotus Black

 

Color: Rustic Black

Color: Sarah Ivory

 

Color: Streak Blackbelt

Don't forget to follow Blinds.com on Twitter for exclusive Twitterati-only deals and contests.

 

Sherwin-Williams Paint Colors Match Blinds.com Blinds and Shades

One of the wonderful things about the Internet is how easily and quickly shoppers can access any information they need. Matching paint to your window blinds is now a sure thing, without ever having to go to a paint or hardware store. The savvy writers over at Good Housekeeping Magazine featured us in a recent issue in an article called “20 Bright Ideas for Your Home.” In the article, they mention that “Blinds.com offers colorful designer blinds that match hues in most of Sherwin-Williams's paints,” and it’s true! Tell us your Sherwin-Williams paint color, and we can identically match blinds to it. It’s that easy. Design Consultants can also help you choose complementary colors. Why go for complementary colors instead of matching?

 

Because complementary colors produced aesthetically pleasing interior designs. Utilizing complementary colors will help you create a vivid and complex color scheme in your home, one that draws people in and makes them want to stay (but not too long!).

 

However, it is often better, or necessary, to match colors. This is true if you’re trying to match wood stains, browns, variations of white and cream, and even bright colors in some cases.

Another tool we LOVE to help you match paint colors in your home is the Sherwin-Williams iPhone app. This amazing little tool allows you to take pictures of your surroundings and colors that inspire you, then match them to Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Love the color of the cardinal that feeds from your birdfeeder every morning? Snap a photo and find the paint that matches his feathers. If you’re moving, and love the color of the paint on your walls but can’t remember what it’s called, use this app to figure it out.

 

The Blinds.com Color Matching System takes all of the guess work out of the process. And when you’re redecorating, one less thing to worry about can make a world of difference.

Happy decorating,

 

P.S. - Follow Blinds.com on Twitter to keep up with great home decorating/DIY information, and special contests only for Twitter followers.

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,

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You Should Be Watching: DIY Network's Man Caves

Don't know what a man cave is?

"A part of a home specifically reserved for adult male activities, such as drinking beer and watching TV; often a garage or den."

 

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