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Window Treatments: Different Types of Window Blinds


Choosing window treatments for the windows in your home is an important part of the decorating choices in your home. You need to determine the style you are looking for, the purpose of the room and a budget to better help you determine what you are looking for in window treatments. When determining style you will need to look at the room and your home as a whole.

Do you have a very modern home with sleek lines, is it contemporary or is your home a little bit more country? When looking at the purpose you will need to look at the room. For instance a kitchen window has different needs than a bedroom. Light needs to be kept out of a bedroom and the kitchen is a room where light is of value. Budgeting is important in any room improvement. It is not necessary to break the budget for designer window treatments in a room no one will ever occupy like a laundry room. We will look into these objectives as we explore different types of blinds.


Windows with blinds between the glass are a popular option these days. They are very efficient and the blinds inside the glass can be switched up depending on the desired look. However, this option is expensive and requires replacement windows be installed. The benefits are high though so if you are looking into replacement windows that you would then have to dress up with window treatment this option then becomes a little bit more feasible. They are perfect for a home that needs a low maintenance window that is energy efficient and made to blend with any style home. Windows with blinds between the glass are really a great choice for anyone looking into replacement windows.


For larger window and door walls panel blinds are becoming very trendy. They can be purchased in many styles but gear toward a trendier look and feel for your room. They are also sold in many different price ranges depending on several factors; fabric density, size and style. You will find the hardware to install them is pricier than the panel blinds themselves.

Venetian blinds have been and continue to be a very popular option in window treatments. They offer many advantages over other types of window treatments. If you are looking for an all around good deal the venetian blind is the way to go. They offer a style that is timeless and are great because they also offer different degrees of privacy. You can find them to go with any size budget and are incredibly easy to install.

When looking to add blinds to windows that are odd in shape or out of the way, like skylights pleated blinds are the best options. They do tend to be pricier than other window treatments but offer the convenience of coming modified to more custom windows. They do fit in to any type of home décor and are often viewed as a higher end window treatment. Pleated blinds are often seen as a higher end window treatment and can be used in staging a home for resale very effectively.


Roller blinds are neat. You can purchase them in a variety of textures, colors and prints. They bring a different look and feel to a room. Roller blinds can be used to fit into any décor. They also offer varying degrees of light control for the rooms they are used in. They are usually a bit more expensive than traditional blinds. You are paying for a more sleek, stylish and custom product.

Cellular shades are a perfect choice to give a warm feel to the rooms in your house. You can open them form the top or bottom which is super nice in a room such as a bathroom where you want privacy to be maximized but also to enjoy natural lighting. They are incredibly affordable and can be purchased in most colors to compliment the décor in your home.

If you are looking for a very inexpensive route for a temporary place such as an apartment you are renting stick with mini-blinds. They are inexpensive, can be used to create ultimate privacy by closing them tightly or no privacy at all by retracting them completely. They tend to blend into any style and are really for a temporary fix for window treatment needs. They are hard to clean but are so inexpensive it is probably cheaper to buy new ones than to waste time cleaning them.

Faux wood and real wood blinds offer the same advantages with different budgets. They are both very pleasing to any décor and soften the look and feel of your room. They offer any degree of privacy a homeowner would desire. The biggest advantage of real wood is that it is incredibly durable where as faux wood can easily get damaged.

When choosing window treatments there are many different options as there are with blinds in general. Depending on style, budget, purpose and personal choice can affect your window treatment choices. Look into several different options when looking into window treatments. You will find that between curtains, blinds and other treatments that the options within the categories can vary greatly. You will want to look at décor that is pleasing to your eye and determine exactly what you desire for your home. Personally I am waiting to purchase window treatments for my home because I am hoping my husband will agree to replacement window so I can buy windows with the blinds between the glass so I don't have to worry about the kids and cats tearing the window treatments up. I have had a cat stuck in the middle of my venetian blinds.


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If you have enjoyed this article on blinds between the glass from Kevin Germain at CPS please visit our website http://www.heatkeeper.com/ where you will find useful information on windows with blinds between the glass.

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Christmas Tree Ornament Tips


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When it comes to decorating, we are all perfectionists about our Christmas tree. After all, it happens only once a year and the decorations are a treasure to behold. The finishing touch, for any Christmas tree, is the ornaments. Perhaps you have memories of a personalized ornament given to you as a child or maybe it's the tradition of hanging them with your family - making sure that each is perfectly spaced from its neighbor for that added touch of beauty. The Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees, which we choose, should be a reflection of ourselves and our family.

There are all types of Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees. From glass to unbreakable, there is something for everyone. Glass ornaments are among the most expensive, in part, because they require such intricate detail and add a touch of elegance to any Christmas tree. Glass ornaments pick up the reflection of lights and beam them across the room with, perhaps, even a twinkle or two. These ornaments are often hand-painted, which adds to their uniqueness.

There are a variety of unbreakable ornaments, also available, in a multitude of colors. If you have a child who loves to be near the Christmas tree, glass ornaments may not be the best option. Or, if you have a pet that enjoys the mystique of the tree a little too much, you may opt for something unbreakable. This is why there are plastic ornaments, which are much safer for your inquiring family members whether they be small or furry.

If you have children, there are plenty of ways to make beautiful Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees at home.

Using gold ribbon, tie a bow and place it on the tree. Repeat these steps until your tree is filled with golden memories of your child's imagination. You can also purchase plain white ceramic ornaments and, together with your children, paint them into beautiful Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees.

What's good enough to eat and also looks beautiful on a Christmas tree? Give up? It's a candy cane, of course. These pretty little symbols of Christmas are everywhere during the holiday season. If you can resist the temptation of eating them, candy canes make terrific Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees. Leave them as they are or tie little red bows around them for an added touch of Christmas.

If your child would like a personalized letter from Santa, contact one of Santa's helper services and inquire about Santa also sending your child a personalized ornament with his/her name engraved. This will truly be one of the most special ornaments on the tree and your child will treasure it forever.

Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees truly are the icing on the cake. Let them reflect you, your family, your home and your love for the holidays. The most precious ornaments are those we decorate with love. Not so surprisingly, these are also the most beautiful.

Source: Free Articles

HB: 11 Things Every Kitchen Should Have


11 Things Every Kitchen Should Have




Updating your kitchen? 

We asked designer Mick De Giulio —

 who designed his first kitchen when he was 19 and has 

3,000 projects under his belt 

— to give us a list of what he thinks are the essentials.

By Christine Pittel











1. Natural Light
Look for ways to maximize light, from eliminating cabinets next to windows to using transparent or reflective materials like glass and stainless steel.
2. Comfort
I like to incorporate soft seating, a TV, and — when I can — a fireplace, to make the kitchen the coziest place in the house.
3. Visual Texture
It's the mix of woods, countertop materials, and finishes that creates warmth, personality, and mood.
4. Stainless Steel
The consummate neutral, it looks great with everything and will never go out of style. I love its organic quality — it develops a well-worn patina over time.
5. An Island
If space allows, an island is essential. It's the social center of the kitchen.
6. A Great Sink
Accessories such as an integrated colander and a sliding cutting board make working there more efficient.
7. Intergrated Refrigeration
Creating cabinet facades to hide refrigeration units gives me a tremendous amount of design freedom. By eliminating a large, boxy element, I can make a kitchen feel more room-like.
8. High-Performance Appliances
Today, high-efficiency burners and ovens with convection and self-cleaning are really indispensable.
9. A Hook
Every great kitchen has a hook, that one unique element that just pulls you in. It could be a hood, a sink, a pot rack.
10. A Kitchen Designer 
Kitchen design is complicated, and the landscape is constantly changing. Hiring a professional is perhaps the most valuable investment you will make.
 11. Ice Cream
 In my opinion, no kitchen is complete without it.

BHG: Home Decorating Ideas



Better Homes and Gardens



http://www.bhg.com/decorating/

Decorating

We have the best decorating ideas, do-it-yourself projects, paint-color help, window treatment tips, and small-space solutions for your bedroom, bathroom, and living room.