Hunter Douglas has added new materials to their line of solar shades for even more decorating choices for your home. There are lots of exciting new textures and colors to choose from making it even easier to find just the right shade for any room of your home.

The Solar Screen Roller Shades are the perfect choice when you want to reduce some light and glare as well as harmful UV rays but still maintain an outward view. These shades have a screen material that you can see through while it still provides moderate privacy and protection from the sun, protecting your furniture and rugs. Most materials are made of easy to clean PVC and fiberglass blends, but can also be made Polyester and other materials. Some designer screens are fire retardant and therefore ideal for office buildings.

New collections include the Catalina, Orion, Ottomon Stripe, Gemini, Grass Hut, Del Sol & more, introducing new textures, grass inspired looks and colors to this product line. The standard screened look has been brought to life with lots of texture weaves and warm colors.

Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Shades are a great choice when privacy is not necessarily an issue and a view wants to be preserved. Openness factors range from 3% to 14%, giving more or less of a view out depending on openness. Any shade can have a standard roller shade look, with exposed tube on top or can be paired with a cassette system, to conceal the role. The standard beaded chain is made of plastic or a stainless steel chain can be ordered at no additional cost. A new feature is the cordless lift, also available for added convenience is the motorized lift, eliminating all cords.

Enjoy browsing our new collections!

Beautiful shades can change the feel of any room and the only thing better than getting new shades is getting them for a great deal. Anybody looking for sheer shades should take a look at our current sale. 3” Shangri-La sheer shades are now a steal at 20% off through the end of the year. This super sale is for a limited time so if you have been considering making changes in your house, now is the time to buy.

Window shades are one of the biggest changes with an impact you can make in a room. Shangri-La’s are one of our top sellers, and for a good reason. They have an elegant and soft experience that adds comfort and functionality to your room. This product features floating fabric vanes between 2 sheers, can be tilted in the open position for a screened and soft view out, closed or raised all the way up. The entire shade does not stack, as it completely disappears inside the headrail. With sheer shades you control the light in your room so that it is always a comfortable and inviting place to be. And they also provide you the privacy you need.

Shangri-La shades have a sophisticated look that works beautifully in a formal living room, dining room or family room. The room darkening material is an excellent choice for bedrooms. Choice of materials allows you to prioritize between light filtering and room darkening, while your choice of vane size allows setting the tone in atmosphere. 2” tends to work well for smaller windows and traditional settings, whereas the 3” is a great choice for large windows and modern settings.

No matter what direction the windows face or what your climate is, having nice quality sheer shades will make your favorite rooms even more lively and livable. So shop now before the New Year comes and take advantage of this excellent sale!

In the window covering industry, the terms blind and shades are used and actually often used incorrectly. Most people are not even aware that there is a difference between the two of them. So, what are the differences and which one is right for you and your window covering needs?

Blinds:

Window Blinds actually offer a dual functionality. They are usually made of slats or vanes, which can be made of PVC, wood, composite materials or even fabrics. Blinds are often horizontal products, like the wood blinds, faux wood blinds, mini blinds but can also be Verticals, most common ones being fabric or PVC verticals often used for patio doors. One function on blinds is to lower and raise (for horizontal blinds) or draw to the side(s) (for vertical blinds). This means the entire product is pulled up or to the side to provide an unobstructed view to the outside. The lowering or raising is usually done with a pull cord. In today’s window covering market there is also the cordless lift system, providing a child safety advantage, eliminating dangling cords that can be a hazard. The second function on a window blind is the tilting function. This allows for the blind to be open and closed when in the lowered position. The slats or vanes stay in its place, but are rotated for an open view out, slanted at an angle or closed for complete privacy. Tilting is usually done with a wand, a cord tilt or on vertical blinds with a chain. The very upscale product can even be tilted with a “click of a button” using a motorized tilt for your convenience. Most blinds provide excellent light control.

Shades:

Window Shades are products that are usually made of a “fabric” or material that can be lowered or raised, using different hardware systems. Most popular shades are cellular shades, pleated shades, roller shades or the very decorative roman shades. The woven wood shades also belong into the shade category, consisting of natural products like bamboos, woods or reeds which can be paired with a privacy lining. Yet again, the product will be lowered or raised. Most shades use a standard or continuous cord. Upscale products use retractable cords to avoid pooling of long cords on the floor, or can be paired with a handle, even a motorized lift for a cordless shade. Cordless is always a great option when thinking of child and pet safety. In today’s market most of these products also offer a top down / bottom up version, for added functionality. Window shades come in all different kind of opacity levels, from sheer to semi-sheer for a screened view out, to light-filtering or room darkening, giving privacy and blocking light where needed.

So, which one is right for you, window blinds – or shades?

At the end of the day it’s always about your taste, what you like and what your needs in regards to insulation, UV protection, light control and privacy are. When trying to find the right window treatment, you should always ask yourself:

• How much light control am I looking for?
• Is privacy and issue?

• What is my decorating style? (Contemporary, casual or traditional? Does that translate into a soft treatment / clean lines etc?)
• Do I want to use color or stick to neutrals and whites?

After looking at these questions, you should be able to narrow your options down. Then, just go with your gut. If a product stirs you up and you get excited about “seeing it in your home”, go with it. Your new blind or shade will certainly transform your room and give it character, your character  Lastly… Enjoy!

Bali has just revamped their DiamondCell cellular shades line! So, what’s new? Colors, extended specifications on cordless and cordless top down/ bottom up shades and more.

Bali cellular shades are great window treatments of fashion and style, while helping to insulate your home year around. The unique honeycomb design forms pockets of air that insulate from heat and cold. Bali offers three cell sizes, the ¾” single cell, 3/8” single cell and the 3/8” double cell, the latter being the superior insulator of the three.

All fabrics have enjoyed color updates, providing you trend and fashion for this fall and winter to come, while the most popular classics remain. Deep tones like the new cherry color or the denim help you to decorate with bold and strong colors. When choosing color over neutrals, you create drama and character in your living space. Have fun with them!

Also new is the cordless top down / bottom up. October is child safety month, where this feature fits so perfectly into. When trying to keep our little ones safe, best lifting system for any shade is the cordless lifting system. A cordless shade utilizes a little handle on the bottom rail, which is used to lift or lower the shade, eliminating all dangerous cords from a shade. Now Bali also offers this feature in the popular top down feature at greater widths than ever before. So even your large windows can now be cordless and lowered from the top down, while enjoying privacy at the bottom.

And as always, Bali DiamondCell shades can be paired with VertiCells. The vertical honeycomb shade that is perfect for sliding glass doors, opening from side to side. Any of the light-filtering or room-darkening materials, are available in the vertical product, helping to keep your area uniform and coordinated.

Enjoy browsing our updated online selection & create the most comfortable living space that is all about you J

Bali’s formula: Great Quality + Great Price = VALUE. I agree!

Faux woods are off course always a great choice, because you can create a wood blind look at a great price. Today’s composite faux wood blinds are amazingly close in the wood grain imitation and their ability to resemble a true wood blind.

Humid environments pose a threat to real wood blinds, while faux woods provide a durable alternative. With Bali faux woods you also create a natural defense against humid environments, this makes them an fantastic product for kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, even garages or any place where humid conditions apply.

Here are some highlights of our Bali faux and composite blinds. Bali faux wood blinds are available in a wide range of color choices, including the popular coffee or dark walnut stains, as well as oak-like or natural finishes. The palette of whites and off white paints is sure to match your interior décor. The slat sizes range from 2” to the new 2 ½” slat size providing the new modern shutter look. For very large windows a 2 on 1 headrail or 3 on 1 headrail application can be selected, where each section can be operated individually. Features include the decorative cloth tapes, which allow setting an accent while concealing rout-hole gaps. Anther feature is the NoHoles feature which eliminates rout-holes all together, enhancing your privacy. A trapezoid bottomrail enhances privacy by providing a flush landing spot for the blind’s bottom slat. Every blind is finished with a decorative valance for a finished look. Bali cornices and valances work in harmony with your current décor. Valances come in distinctive sizes and extensive range of colors and wood stains.

The different faux wood lines are:

·         Wood Images – Bali’s composite line, available with most options and features. Colors are whites and neutrals. Available with motorized tilt option

·         Wood Images Premium – Bali’s Vinyl Polymer faux wood blind, offering a range of stains

·         WoodPlus – Bali’s most competitive priced Vinyl Polymer blind, including stains and whites.

All Bali products are tested in an environmental chamber to ensure they stand up to the most extreme temperature and humid conditions.  Bali products always come with a Limited Lifetime warranty to ensure peace of mind.

The new Chalet Woods Wood Blinds collection is more beautiful than ever. Hunter Doulas Chalet Wood Blinds are offered and designed for consumers who want Hunter Douglas quality at an affordable price point. The expanded versatile color selection is amazing, ranging from painted to stained, antique specialty finishes to distressed finishes with special markings. The line has been enhanced with added functionality on the 2 ½” slat, now available in a cordless lift option, for your convenience.  

Chalet Woods are offered in two slat sizes, the 2” standard and more common size or the 2 ½” slat size for a bold look and increased view through. An extensive color palette of painted, stained and specialty finishes including distressed, antique and enhance grain are available in the 2” or 2 ½” slat sizes. The LiteRise cordless system is an enhanced safety operating system that eliminates pull cords which has been available in the 2” slat only in the past. It is now also available in the 2 ½” slat size as well. With this system blinds are raised and lowered by moving the bottom rail with the touch of a finger. Select the optional wand tilt control to eliminate tilt cord for a truly cordless wood blind.

Design options are the standard traditional routed blinds or the optional de-Light Feature which eliminates any routeholes for a clean stream-lined look. Any light gaps or privacy wholes are now eliminated. Another option is decorative tapes which run vertically across the blind and give a finishing accent to match or contrast your décor. Each Chalet Woods Wood blind is finished off with a decorative Wood Valance. The choices are a 3” standard valance, which is available on all standard colors or the 3 ¼” Chancellor Valance which can be added at no additional charge and comes standard on the some of the specialty finishes.

The new Hunter Douglas Wood blinds collection has been GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and GREENGUARD Children and Schools Certified. Every product comes with a Hunter Douglas Lifetime Guarantee.

Just as in wardrobe fashion sheer materials have enjoyed a comeback, so are soft and sheer materials having a comeback in interior design. Unlike the old sheers we remember in our grandmothers home, today the sheer materials have clean lines and are far more functional, giving us flexibility to control light and UV rays for interior protection. The trend is migrating from Asia, where sheer fabrics have long been favored by interior designers and the fashion world.

Sheer materials are soft in appearance, dreamy and allow lot’s of light to filter into our room. With today’s open window designs and the desire for open spacious rooms, these products complement with this is mind. Our most popular product line, where the sheer look is incorporated is Sheer Horizontal Shades. This elegant window shade features fabric vanes floating between two layers of knitted sheers. The product gives full functionality with a sheer view out when tilted in the open position, while giving privacy when the vanes are closed.

The sheer soft look can also be found in the roller shades category. Comfortex’ Shantung fabric features a satin inspired sheer fabric for example. Also following suit has been Hunter Douglas with their pleated shades fabrics “Shimmering Forest” or “Castille”, just to name a few. Even within the Duette honeycomb shade’s a sheer fabric “Whisper” can be found.

Sheer materials are elegant, luxurious and sensual and elevate the style of any room. In our online selection you will find many sheer fabrics across our product lines; enjoy browsing.   

Alright, you have made the decision: It will be new sheer horizontal shades for your windows. And now the questions come up: Which vane size? Should you go with the 2” or 3” vane? Is one better than the other? What are the advantages or disadvantages for choosing one over the other?

These questions have been posed to us many times. So here are some things to consider when making this decision:

Price. Even though that rarely will be the “decision-maker”, but the 3” vane size on the Comfortex’ Shangri-La Sheer Shades has a 10% higher price point. That being said, you want to consider your window size. For small and narrow windows, usually the smaller vane size will be great. On large windows or doors, it will be a personal decision. The The large size will complement your big, open windows, creating an open, modern. The 2” will complement with its more traditional, soft atmosphere. When looking for a modern look, a lot of times the 3” vane size will be great. Also to consider, when choosing the larger vane size, you will have less vanes and therefore a better view out. Off course, the 2” vane has one and one half times as many vanes “obstructing” the view when tilted in the open position for a screened view out. So, how important is your view?

Another technical aspect to consider, how much or little mounting surface is available; when you have limited mounting surface the 2” vane size will be the better choice. It can be paired with the UltraSleek low profile headrail, whereas the 3” sheer shade can be as well, but is not ideal for it.

Above and below are sets of pictures illustrating what the 2” versus 3” sheer shades will do in terms of view. Whatever you decide, please remember, there is no right or wrong here. Many things are preferences of YOUR taste. Make your decision, run with it and enjoy your home

As flat and big screen TV’s get bigger, so has the problem of glare control increased when trying to enjoy them. The best picture of a great Plasma TV can become pure annoyance, when the screen has turned into a mirror.

For a dedicated media room a blackout shade might work. We can work here with any cellular blackout shade, room-darkening roller or roman shade or any shade that offers a darkening liner. But when our living area has become a pitch-dark room we have not found the best window covering solution. Let’s talk sheer shades. Sheer horizontal shades will eliminate glare, but not block sunlight (unless a room-darkening material is chosen). The Hunter Douglas Silhouette is the most recognized sheer shade, however is restricted from being sold online. Therefore we will focus here on the beautiful Comfortex Shangri-La sheer shades only. Available in 2” or 3” vane size, the sophisticated product offers great glare control, but does not necessarily block light. While the suspended fabric vanes can be in light-filtering or room-darkening materials, the sheer fabric in front and back will give a screened view out when tilted in the open position. For hard to reach windows a motorized version is available for your convenience. When raised, the Shangri-La shades are fully tucked away in its headrail for an unobstructed view outside. We have here a perfectly versatile product that will work in any living area where light is welcome, while providing glare control for the media and entertainment system.

When finding the right window treatment one does not have to resort to an either or solution. In today’s market, the right window covering will provide functionality and a beautiful look at the same time.

Woven wood shades have been revamped and are today again used in many upscale homes as well as corporate offices. The answer to the question “why woven wood shades” is simple: VISUAL DRAMA! Their unique texture, rich colors and unmatched sophistication will transform any room and add a distinct decorating style.

Woven wood blinds are made of natural products. They mostly consist of grasses, reeds, wooden materials or bamboos and are therefore also referred to as bamboo shades. The raw materials woven into each shade make each product truly one of a kind, where one shade will never truly be identical to another.

The product operation is simple, utilizing a left or right cord to lower and raise the shades. The shades lay flat when in the lowered position and create overlapping folds when in the raised position. Most materials, like the grasses, reeds and bamboos create a relaxed look and are usually somewhat see through. However, most fabrics can be paired with a privacy option to provide privacy where needed. Further design options include a valance that usually drops down about 6” (depending on brand), a classic style where the fabric runs of the front of the headrail and eliminates the need for a valance. Also available are the top down/ bottom up feature, providing more versatility or edge banding, giving the shade a finished “frame” with decorative cotton tapes.

When decorating with woven wood shades you will create rich dimension in any casual or traditional setting. The natural materials are warm and inviting and will translate any room into a perfect retreat.