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.

Sheer shades have become more popular and affordable in the last few years, but are still not as well known as the wood blinds or cellular honeycomb shades category. Mini blinds are recognized by anybody, even though not as high in demand anymore when looking for custom made products.

Sheer shades are very versatile products. They are a mix of a shade and a blind, while draped in a sheer. Sounds intriguing… and it is. The sheer shade, also known as sheer blinds, have 2”, 3” or 4” fabric vanes suspended between 2 layers of sheers. They almost look like a wood blind with a sheer in the front and back, but are much softer than in their appearance. We sometimes say that the wood blinds have a more masculine look, whereas the sheer horizontal shades have a more feminine appearance. The sheer horizontals have the advantage, that when fully raised, the shade completely tucks away inside the headrail, a wood blind on the other hand will have a rather large stack. It is usually operated by a single continuous cord which will lower and raise the shade as well as open and close the vanes once fully lowered.

The overall appearance is soft and dreamy and the clean lines work well with most decorating styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary. The vane material comes in light-filtering or room darkening materials, giving privacy in any setting and additional light control for bedrooms or media rooms. For added convenience the sheer shades can be ordered with a motorized lifting system, eliminating all cords for additional child and pet safety or any hard to reach window. Furthermore, sheer horizontal shades can be paired with sheer verticals, coordinating in fabric and appearance for the hard to cover patio door.

The best known sheer shade is the Silhouette by Hunter Douglas; however, restrictions apply for selling them online. Online we offer the Shangri-La made by Comfortex, offering most of the same features and decorating benefits paired with a Limited Lifetime warranty.  

If you are looking for a Cellular Shade for windows in your home, the Comfortex cordless cellular shade is a great one to choose. This type has many advantages including price, Limited Lifetime warranty, fabric choices, great insulation, and safety.

In today’s economy, price is a big reason why people don’t buy things they need. As you will find when shopping around, Comfortex shades are fairly priced while ensuring to get a quality product. Comfortex has been in business for 25 plus years and makes great quality products. The Comfortex honeycomb shades include many fabric choices in order to give the rooms in your home the look that you want, with a price that you can afford. Some of the most popular fabrics are double cell Symphony, ¾” Baritone, and ½” Virtuoso, giving a well rounded offering of cellular pleat size and types. Not only are these shades price worthy, while giving you a great choice of fabrics but they are great insulators that will help to decrease cooling costs because honeycomb shades act as insulators, trapping the heat or cold inside each cell.

Honeycomb shades are also a wonderful choice when considering them for a child’s room. Comfortex cellular shades can be ordered with a cordless lift, which will give added safety in family homes with pets and children, eliminating dangerous cords. However, you can still lift or drop them at your convenience. These shades come with a handle on them so you can quickly and easily place them to the desired level, never having to worry about one side being higher than the other. Consider the Comfortex brand if you need a shade that is reasonable in price, safe, and easy to use while saving money on your energy bills!

The top down/bottom up is one of our most popular upgrades ordered on pleated shades adding versatility and functionality. Shades with standard lift only allow for the bottom to be lifted. The top down/ bottom up shades give you the control and the freedom to move your shade to cover or expose any part of your window you prefer. With this feature you don’t have the compromise privacy for natural light. While exposing the upper half of the window, you can keep your privacy by keeping the lower half covered.

This feature is especially popular with light-filtering or room-darkening materials. In bedrooms a blackout or darkening window shades are often used. During the day however, instead of needing to turn on electrical light, the upper half can be exposed without losing the necessary privacy on the bottom.

The way a top down bottom up shade works is with two cord controls (unless combined with the cordless feature). The right side cord lowers the top down, while the left side cord raises the bottom up or vice versa. This type of window shade utilizes an intermediate rail or “second” headrail. The top headrail is mounted to the top of the window, while the intermediate rail lowers down. All rails are connected with slim polyester cords. The polyester cord can vary from 2 to more cords depending on the width of the shade. Pricing for this feature varies depending on brand but is usually within the range of $25 – $50 and can be found as a “free” upgrade at times of a promotion J

Roman shades are becoming more and more popular window treatments in upscale homes and designer magazines because of the beautiful and soft fabric folds that are created when the shade is raised or lowered. Roman shades offer classic and clean lines to maintain a sophisticated look throughout your home. Depending on manufacturer, roman shades are window treatments that utilize a series of fabric tapes, rings and cords that are stitched onto the backside of the fabric for raising and lowering the shades which draws up into horizontal folds when raised.  Pricing is usually in the upper price range of window treatments, as they are more labor intensive. Off course there are many places, especially on the net, where pricing will be more competitive on top name brand products.

Before purchasing a roman shade, there are different design options one can choose from. A flat panel roman shade is perfectly flat when it is fully extended. Next to the contemporary flat panel shade is the hobbled or “tear-drop” style that offers gentle folds for added dimension. Another consideration is what level of light control you will need. Is it a bedroom (darkening material), a living area (light should filter into the room) etc. And then off course the material itself – crinkled, with pattern, shiny etc? Lastly you will have to make a decision on operating system. Standard lift, top down-bottom up (where applicable), motorized lift etc.

While there are places online where one can find cheap roman shades, we certainly recommend sticking with a major brand, where the manufacturer’s experience is paired with a solid warranty. After all, creating a comfortable and inviting living space is one of the most important investments you can make.  

Many people have trouble deciding on the perfect window treatment for their bathroom. When considering blinds, you don’t want real wood because the moisture will warp and can ruin them. Vertical blinds, while not an obvious choice, can be a great option as long as the material is made of PVC, where moisture and humidity will not cause any damage to the material. And then there are mini blinds, but why would you want to get mini blinds when you can get faux wood horizontals at the same price. Curtains should always be avoided in bathrooms because the moisture will cause the curtains to mold and begin to smell.

When considering window shades, cellular shades are popular in bathrooms because of the privacy they offer, and the tranquil glow they illuminate in the room. Cellular shades are lightweight easy to control and are available in many different colors. Plantation shutters are the most popular window covering for bathrooms all around the world. Shutters are easy to open and close and they give you the option to open the shutter completely to expose the entire window for the full outdoor view. Plantation shutters are easy to clean and maintain with minimal effort.