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Increase Your Energy Efficiency With Plantation Shutters




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Cooling and heating your entire home can be an expensive undertaking. An energy department report from July 2012 indicates that while the price of natural gas has gradually decreased since 1984 - making it cheaper for utilities to produce electricity - these savings aren't being carried over to the consumer. In fact, U.S. electricity prices are going up. These inflated prices have caused many people to seek out ways to make their homes more energy efficient.

Windows Create Energy Leaks
Poorly insulated windows and doors cause the biggest energy wastes in a home, significantly raising heating costs. It is estimated that energy loss through windows alone accounts for up to 35 percent of your heating bill. You can spot drafts in your home by holding a flame or thread up near doors and windows, tracking the level of movement to see where energy is escaping the most. Selecting energy-efficient window treatments is one way to counteract this expensive energy loss. In this regard, one of the most functional and attractive options on the market is plantation shutters. Once properly fitted to a window, they provide an insulating pocket of air between the glass and interior of your home.

Increased Efficiency Through Higher R-value
When selecting an energy-saving window treatment, R-value becomes an important indicator for energy savings and insulation capability. R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used by the building and construction industry. It is a standardized rating system that indicates the ability to resist heat and air conditioning loss of transfer. The Smart Energy Alliance reports that wooden plantation shutters have R-values between 2.77 and 3.17, nearly doubling the insulating capabilities of a standard, double-paned glass window.
Wood and vinyl plantation shutters are both effective insulators. However, wood is slightly better at resisting temperature conductivity. Since the shutters fit snuggly in the window frames, they also limit the transfer of heat through air movement or convection. This is what forms the insulating barrier between outdoor temperatures and the interior temperature of your house.

Energy Savings and Cost Effectiveness
Though the installation of plantation shutters is higher upfront than other window treatments, it truly pays off over the years in the form of energy savings. A typical house with 15 windows featuring these green window treatments can achieve an average annual savings of $150. Within about 15 years, plantation shutters have paid for themselves in energy savings and increased the value of your home. Besides reducing energy costs, some window coverings qualify for an energy-efficiency tax credit. The credit offers a 30 percent rebate on the cost of the coverings (minus installation costs) up to $1,500.

Shannon Hodges is Director of Marketing at Eclipse Shutters. Eclipse Shutters is an Atlanta-based custom shutter provider with a network of licensed fabricators around the country. Their company has grown to become the number one shutter selling company in North America and largest manufacturer of tailor-made plantation shutters. Eclipse Shutters was established in 1992 and offers customers fast delivery and a 25-year warranty. Learn more about plantation window shutters at http://www.eclipseshutters.com/about-eclipse-shutters.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Hodges



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A Beginner's Guide In Prestigious Textiles Roman Blinds


Hunter Douglas Roman blinds


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These days, the use of roman blinds at home has become inevitable. Homeowners find ways to optimize their home using the most elegant accessories. In particular, blinds can provide the best looks at home that the family will surely love. For those who are just getting started in home improvement scheme, it is important to understand what blinds are. In this article, you will know the importance of roman blinds and some of the best kinds such as prestigious textiles roman blinds that can provide the best appearance at home.
Particularly, roman blinds are window blinds that are made from fabric designed to fold into pleats when it is raised. It is popular because of the wide range of interior design schemes to choose from Many stores specializing in home improvement has this type of blinds for their customers. Also, other stores offer the blinds according to the liking of their clients. Custom products will likewise have special features like unique and more elegant fabrics.

How Roman Blinds Are Being Manufactured?
These types of blinds are being made by having a soled fabric panel. Then, slats will be mounted into its back. These slats are linked to cords that pull the slats altogether when the blind is raised. As a result the fabric will be fold into pleats. In the UK, there are several stores that offer custom-made blinds for clients who want to incorporate their own style in the fabric.

In addition, fabrics that are being used in these kinds of blinds can vary from one another. The most commonly used textiles these days are silk, cotton, and hemp. On the other hand, synthetics can be used as well. Likewise, there are companies that add up liners to their blinds to get insulation and block light coming from the outside. Homeowners should also know that blinds can be used outdoors. Patios can be covered with the blinds to control temperature and light.

Homeowners can tremendously take advantage of these blinds most especially during summer. They can enjoy staying outdoors without having any troubles like the harmful rays from the sun. When buying roman blinds, it is important to choose the ones that will fit perfectly at home. In particular, prestigious textiles roman blinds will let homeowners have the freedom to select the best for their home. There are endless selections of fabrics to choose from, which is why they will never run out of options. From these fabrics, they will surely get the most amazing looks for their home.

How To Purchase Roman Blinds
Today, there are several methods that can help homeowners purchase roman blinds without any hassles. Several online stores are by now offering home improvement items for a very affordable price. These online stores will likewise provide free fabric samples for their clients who want to check the fabrics personally. Overall, blinds are among the best home accessories that everyone can include in their home improvement scheme. It offers elegance and sophistication to every home, which is why homeowners will never go wrong in having it.

Prestigious textiles roman blinds can provide amazing ways to let homeowners enhance their home with the best level of elegance. To know more deals in choosing the best roman blinds, take a look at this website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Saver


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Bespoke Designs for Your Windows


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A lot of us see ourselves as great DIY professionals when it comes to doing up our homes or offices. No doubt that there is one family member who when the word DIY is mention jumps to their feet and offers to give the job needed doing a go. They will then after a few hours of being locked away somewhere re-emerge with some sort of strange contraption that looks nothing like you wanted or needed. Despite the need of us as humans to want to create some household furnishings are best left to those with the professions to create these products.

The manufacturing of blinds is something which requires a great deal of care and professionalism and it is a very popular necessity for most households and other buildings such as apartment complexes or office buildings. Blinds can range from very complex designs such as wooden venetian blinds to more relatively simpler designs such as just plain simple vertical blinds. The blind manufacturing trade has been around for quite some time however only recently it is starting to grow and expand extremely quickly as it is becoming a lot more popular. A lot of people do not consider the amount of design and manufacturing that does go into their finished product, But a lot of blinds are tailored and made specifically for customers who want their blinds a specific colour or style. A lot of thought also has to go into the sizing of blinds, not every window is exactly the same size so all blinds are different lengths and widths so that they fit specifically for certain people's windows. This can make the process highly tricky for manufacturers which prove that the job requires a lot of skill and understanding.

Most manufacturers will ask you to measure all of the inside of your windows before ordering so that to ensure that the blind fits perfectly into your window which will help the manufacturer to avoid any errors or gaps when the tailor made product is installed and fixed into your window. When installing a blind, wall brackets are the first thing that is placed in position so that the blinds have some sort of support and then the frame which the blinds will hang from will need securing into place onto the brackets. This DIY technique seems simple enough and is a minor step in the long process of a blinds design and creation.

The process of manufacturing blinds is of course far more complicated than picking up a flat pack from IKEA and following the instruction leaflet, as blinds are often unique and made specifically for a certain person or companies windows and not all windows are the same size or shape. Blinds also use a lot of different materials from aluminum to wood and commonly very sturdy fabrics. Also the more flimsy fabrics are used such as nylon or cotton. A manufacturer will often work with direct requirements that they are given to by their customer for example the measurements, material, what the blind is exactly being used for and placement of the blinds that are being created.

The profession of trade manufacture of blinds often seek out wholesalers and stores as their main customers but they also provide for individuals who maybe want them for their office or own home. As the whole manufacturing process for individual orders is so bespoke the need for good quality and in many cases correct quantity is of the upmost importance making the job something that is extremely important in today's trade markets.

Chan Ghand owner of local Leicester blinds company Colourful blinds, suppliers and vertical blind manufacturers UK and roller blinds. We supply to traders across the country visit our website or please contact Colourful blinds trade direct.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chan_Ghand



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Celebrity Homes: Holiday Decorating From the Stars



Check out these star-studded design and entertaining ideas from the homes of Kathie Lee Gifford, Jewel and Holly Robinson Peete. We've got your first look at the HGTV special that's brimming with good cheer.

By Leslie Judson


101 Holiday Decorating Ideas






Our biggest guide ever is packed with clever tricks and chic tips to spread plenty of cheer.


How Can A Home Benefit From Blackout Blinds?






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When most people approach interior design, they approach it with the mindset of making their home a more pleasant place to live. This could be by making the room lighter and thus appearing larger to the naked eye. It could be fitting pretty flowery curtains and a matching three piece suite, complete with a wonderful cream carpet and some antique oak furniture. Or it could be by fitting blackout blinds.
Hang on a second. Blackout blinds? You mean the blinds that block out the sun and deprive a room of precious sunlight? The blinds that can transform a bright summer's day into a cold winter's night with a simple pull of a cord? The blinds you'd find in a goth's ideal home store?

Yes, those ones.
The prospect of fitting blackout blinds can seem horrifying to some; after all, why on earth would you want to shut out sunlight? However, blackout blinds can actually improve the look and feel of your home, making it a much nicer place to be.

First, to debunk a common myth; blackout blinds aren't all black. Rather than a heavy black sheet of material, blackouts are actually the same as their roller equivalents except for a sheet of material which removes any transparency from the actual blind's material. So if you are worried that fitting blackouts means painting your whole home black, don't be - they come in a wide range of colours and patterns.

So what benefits can this unique variety of window covering offer your home? Well, if you live in a big city, you'll be well aware of how encroaching street lights can hamper a good nights sleep. These lights are generally powerful enough to make an impression through even the thickest of blinds - except blackouts. Fit blackout blinds and you'll benefit from a darkness more befitting of the countryside at night!

On a similar note, if you happen to work night shifts or have young children who go to bed during daylight hours, blackouts can recreate perfect night and allow you to doze off in even the broadest of daylight.

It's not just sleeping that these special blinds can help with either. If you enjoy watching a good movie during the day or the sort of person who understands the phrase 'fragging noobs' or 'kill/death ratio' then you're bound to be aware of the horrors of screen glare. The sun, you see, wants you to go outside whenever it's out and, true to it's selfish manner, will try and disrupt most indoor activities.
Blackout blinds allow you to eliminate the screen glare menace and get on with doing what you do best - regardless of the time of day.
If privacy is a major concern, then blackouts can also help with this too. Blackout material works both ways - you can't see out and outsiders can't see in. That means no more distracting shadows passing by your window as you watch TV and no more peeping toms having a quick snoop around your living room! Blackout material can also act as a deterrent to thieves, who are unable to see what potential booty lies inside and if anyone is in or not!

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in blackout blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith


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A Simple Guide To Blinds




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Blinds; what's that all about then? They're the functional covering for our windows, a method through which to block out the prying eyes and cynicism of the outside world and trap in the love and comfort of your home. They keep out the cold and keep in the heat. On the whole, they're pretty useful.
Unfortunately, they also go unnoticed quite often. Think about it; when is the last time you looked at your blinds? Not just glanced, but had a good ol' look, really considered what they say about you and your home. What do you think? Do they give a good or bad impression?

If you answered the former then congratulations, you're content with your interior decor and can stop reading right now - actually, it's best that you stick around just in case. However, if you looked and were overwhelmed by a wave of disgust that your old self could have made such a hideous design choice then stick the kettle on and get comfy - this article is for you.

To understand how to choose the right blinds, one has to take it back to the very basics. Window blinds come in all shapes and sizes and picking the right one for you comes down to a fine balance of personal choice and interior design conventions. Of all the blinds on the market, the most popular by far are roller, vertical and venetian blinds. Each have their own merits and disadvantages.

Roller blinds are possibly the most popular of all three and are certainly the most functional. A flat sheet of material attached, unsurprisingly, to a roller, these blinds are great for trapping heat in and offering full coverage of your windows. They also tend to be the cheapest of the three styles and as such are considered the least 'luxury'.

Vertical blinds consist of slats held together vertically by cords; they can be drawn across the windows entirely or adjusted to let in a particular level of light. Vertical blinds tend to be the preferred choice of blind for patio doors rather than windows, although window variants are available.

Venetian blinds are similar to verticals expect in reverse; the slats run horizontally and are held together by cords running horizontally. Instead of drawing from side-to-side, venetians are drawn up and down in a similar manner to the roller style but can also be adjusted to allow for different levels of sunlight. Essentially, they combine the best of the previous two styles with a little extra which is one of the reasons they are one of the most popular styles of blind available.

There are no hard and fast rules on what particular style is best for a particular rule but generally rollers are preferred for 'utility' rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen, whereas venetians are usually favoured for relaxation rooms such as the living room and bedrooms. However, the choice is largely yours!

Once you've picked a style, you can work through the plethora of different materials, colours and patterns. Fabric, plastic and wood tend to be the most popular materials, with each offering a different style to your home - wood, for example, is considered quite rustic. When it comes to colours and styles, the world really is your oyster - you'll be hard stretched not to find something you love! And even if you don't, many manufacturers will print a picture or logo of your choice onto your blinds, making for the perfect personalised home decoration!

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in wooden blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith



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Window Blinds For Bathrooms: How Do You Choose?


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Blinds are a bathroom essential; while you can spend hours debating the various merits of curtains and blinds in a bedroom or a living room, blinds are the be-all and end-all when it comes to bathroom window coverings.

Why is this? Well firstly, they offer a level of privacy that curtains just can't offer. A solid fabric roller blind - when rolled down - will block any prying eyes from taking a peek in your bathroom. One rogue gap in a pair of curtains, however, and you might have more viewers for your nightly shower than you expected!

Blinds are also extremely practical for the bathroom. You can operate them via a cord rather than having to touch the material itself, meaning that wet hands from the shower or post-handwashing won't damage the blind. Similarly, if your window is above the bath, blinds won't dangle into the water itself, saving you a bundle on repair water damaged curtains.

So we've established that blinds should be your first choice when it comes to decorating your bathroom. But how do you choose the right blinds for your bathroom?

First, you need to consider what your blinds are going to be coming up against. Bathrooms tend to be damp and hot, meaning that your blinds need to be moisture- and heat-resistant to ward off the negative effects of mould, mildew and even warping.

Unfortunately, these characteristics rule out wooden blinds straight away. As good as they look, wooden blinds just aren't made to survive in a bathroom. The frequent moisture generated by the shower will warp them over time and it's impossible to repair this warping; you have to replace the blinds entirely. The small cracks in wood also means that it's a breeding ground for mold.



It's also worth avoiding any particularly heavy fabrics as they are susceptible to mould and are surprisingly difficult to clean. It is possible to remove mould from a heavy fabric but it's likely that the problem will return, leading to a time-consuming cycle of cleaning.

So what about metal, such as aluminium? At first, this seems a great choice - it's a heavy material for privacy and best of all, it's rust resistant. However, aluminium tends to only be used in venetian blinds, which aren't a great choice for a bathroom as there are frequently privacy-compromising gaps in the slats. The same goes for vertical blinds.

What makes for the perfect bathroom blind then? Well, style-wise, it's best to go for a roller blind. It's simple to use and is best for maintaining privacy. They're also quite easy to clean and maintain and won't warp due to moisture.

For material, it's best to go for a light, easy-to-clean fabric or even better, a blind made from waterproof material. While these aren't necessarily the heaviest of materials and won't offer the kind of privacy afforded by more 'solid' materials, they are probably the best when it comes to regular cleaning and standing up to the unique conditions of the average bathroom.

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in roller blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith


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What Advantages Do Venetian Blinds Offer?


Hunter Douglas Silhouette Window Shadings.
By

Anyone who's ever been shopping for blinds will tell you that there are an awful lot of blinds to choose from; you've got different styles, each coming in a range of materials which then branch out in a plethora of colours, patterns and imagery. In short, there are literally thousands of different blinds you could choose from.
Therefore finding the right blinds for your home can be extremely daunting, especially if it's the first time you've ever shopped for interior design materials. With that in mind, we're going to break down the process and introduce to one of the most popular styles of blind - the venetian blind.

The first thing to get out of the way is the name; venetian blinds, despite what the name suggests, didn't actually originate in Venice. First coming to prominence as we know them today in the 16th century (although fixed slat window blinds had been around for aeons before that), venetian blinds consist of horizontal slats held together by vertical cords. The blinds can be drawn up and down and the slats rotated nearly 180 degrees into order to control the level of sunlight in a room.

This level of control is one of the greatest advantages of the venetian style. Engrossed in a video game in the middle of the day and want to eliminate glare, but without shutting out natural light entirely (it's unhealthy)? Simply adjust the blinds until they're letting in the optimum amount of light!

Another great advantage of venetian blinds is their versatility; the style comes in a vast array of materials including wood, aluminium and fabric with each offering their own distinct advantages.
Wooden venetians are perfect for adding a rustic look to your home and are effortlessly stylish. They're also extremely durable; treated well, it's unlikely that you'll ever need to replace them.

However, treating wooden venetians can be tiresome - they require special cleaning and to be kept away from any source of moisture. This means you can't use wood in a kitchen or bathroom, as the moisture produced by steam would warp the blinds to the extent that they would need to be replaced completely. They're also the most expensive type of venetian blind.

Aluminium blinds are an alternative and are almost as durable as wood, with the added benefit of not being susceptible to water damage. Aluminium is a popular choice among those buying blinds for their home and can be customised in a range of colours and patterns. They're perfect for a home in which contemporary and modern design is the order of the day. Aluminium blinds are relatively easy to upkeep and are suitable for most rooms.

On the whole, venetian blinds are low maintenance and won't require too much cleaning beyond running a soft cloth along the slats to get rid of any excess dust or grime. Cleaning wood can be a bit more troublesome but with some proper wood cleaner, it's worth the effort in order to achieve the stunning look wooden blinds can provide a room.

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in Venetian blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith



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Roller Blinds: For Your Office or Home


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Roller blinds are a common and popular window treatment that can fit into any kind of design style or motif. They look just as attractive and practical in your bedroom, paired with a beautiful and flowing set of curtains to block out early morning sunlight, as they do in your office, to offer privacy and protection from potentially harmful UV rays.

Roller blinds are very thin and unobtrusive and can come in a variety of colours, textures and materials. From sea grass to suede, linen to leather, roller blinds are an exquisite choice and the best for filtering unwanted sun and moon light. Roller blinds can be paired with many other window treatment options in order to fit into your personal interior design, or add flare to an understated room. Drapes or curtains offer a relaxed and airy look to any room, in particular bedrooms and living areas. Curtains can be made from a variety of materials, and act as multipurpose window treatments when paired with roller blinds. This combination is amazing at blocking out harsh beams of light and exterior noise, while still maintaining a beauty worthy of a home decor magazine.

Shutters are also a great match for roller blinds, offering the perfect blend between practical and avant garde. Shutters on their own are a functional window treatment, excellent at controlling the sun, heat and air from entering through your windows. However, when paired with the sun repelling lining of a roller shade, they make the perfect window treatment choice for shift working individuals, who need to sleep during the day and must have a dark environment to do so.

Roller blinds are also a fantastic look all on their own and have other great properties aside from their light filtering capabilities. These blinds are perfect at creating a private area and marking a diving line between offices or working spaces. Many businesses will buy motorized blinds and roller shades to cover large exterior windows, in that they look unobtrusive, yet can be operated at the touch of a button to deflect the sun, no matter what time of day. In this type of setting, roller blinds are professional and smart looking and can turn a drab office into so much more.

Venetian blinds are also a staple in many offices in that they are a cost effective choice and are very functional to use. Available in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, venetian blinds can be added to windows with ease and offer the user control over how much sunlight to allow to flow into a room. Venetian blinds are also a great choice for the home, in that they can be paired with other window treatments, and they offer that ever necessary light filtering quality.

It is difficult to find a window covering that can function well in both your home and office; however roller blinds are a common and popular window treatment choice that can fit into any kind of design style or motif.
Blind Advantage is a renowned supplier of various types of shades and blinds. You can browse through the site and get more information on roman blinds. You can also find quality brands such as Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Eclipse Shutters, Maxxmar and many more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_A_Lapp



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The Advantages of Wooden Blinds




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Blinds or curtains, mauve or maroon, subtle or extravagant; delving into the world of window coverings means delving into a world of daunting and difficult decision-making. It's possibly one of the hardest parts of interior design (or redesign) - a good window covering can enhance a room significantly while a bad choice can throw off the design of your room completely.

There's so many options when it comes to choosing window coverings that it's hard to know where to start so in this article, we're going to be focusing on one of the most popular styles of window covering available; wooden blinds.

Presuming you've made the leap from curtains to blinds (and there are plenty of reasons to), you'll be well aware that there are hundreds of different stylistic combinations available; metal vertical blinds, neon roller blinds and so on.

Wood is probably the simplest of potential blind materials but also one of the most attractive. Wooden blinds should be considered the first port of call if you're going for a rustic vibe in your home, but can also had a classy edge to just about any room in the house. It's undoubtedly more 'homely' than metal blinds and arguably more 'expensive-looking' than fabric.

The most common style of blind wood comes in is Venetian - horizontal slats connected by vertical cords. The Venetian style offers a wealth of advantages; not only do they look good, but they are also extremely easy to clean and offer a strong degree of control over how much sunlight enters a room.

If you're not a fan of the Venetian style then don't panic; wood also comes in other styles too. Woodweave is essentially wood's answer to traditional roller blinds while you can also get wooden vertical blinds - basically a reversal of the traditional Venetian style.

Wood offers more privacy than some other materials traditionally associated with blinds, owing to the 'heaviness' of the material. It's more or less impossible to see through wooden blinds, meaning that no disturbing shadows will be cast by passers-by - and they won't be able to see yours either!

Wood's heavy nature also makes it extremely good at retaining heat in a room, saving you money on your energy bills as well as keeping you cosy on long winter nights.

Wood is also extremely durable; it's highly unlikely that you'll need to replace wooden blinds within five years if you maintain them properly. Luckily, maintaining wooden blinds is relatively easy too - a quick brush with a dry cloth to remove dust and grime every week will suffice cleaning-wise.

If there's one drawback to wooden blinds, it's the materials weakness to moisture. If exposed to steam or water on a regular basis, wooden blinds can warp and unfortunately, this is usually impossible to repair meaning that you have to fork out on new blinds. This means that wooden blinds are more-or-less a no-no in bathrooms and kitchens.

Overall, however, wooden blinds are highly recommended for anyone looking to rejuvenate their windows!

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in Wooden Blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith



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8 Window Treatment Ideas for Your Bedroom



Window treatments can set the tone of your bedroom's style. Check out these ideas to add color, pattern and drama to your space




10 living rooms we love


Whether you're relaxing after a long day or entertaining friends and family,
the living room is just that - it's where you live. Being a room that doesn't require appliances, the space is completely reliant on its decor.
We've rounded up 10 different living rooms that showcase
 a variety of styles and personalities - all different and all of which we love.


10 living rooms to love that are full of style and personality        

http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/10-living-rooms-we-love/a/43270

10 Surprising Ways to Add Color to Your Home



Whether it's on a pair of pillows, the back of a bookshelf, the floor or the ceiling, a splash of unexpected color transforms any space from boring to breathtaking.



BY JEN DEROSE


http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/color-decorating-ideas?click=pp#slide-1

20 Fantasyland Dining Room Designs That Delight




A wonder to behold, these incredible professionally designed rooms take everyday dining over the top.

Vanessa Brunner
Staff Writer, Houzz.com


Although many of us don't use our dining rooms regularly (I'm more of a couch and coffee table gal myself), the space still begs to be bold and exciting. For October's Serving Up Style 2012 fundraising event in Portland, Oregon, 20 designers created spaces that practically kick you off the couch. From a hot air balloon to a Lego sculpture to a reinvented retro design, over-the-top elements figured in each of these inspiring dining rooms. 



How to Redecorate on a Small Budget


By
Expert Author Suzy Rubenstein


It is not necessary to have a huge budget to redecorate. What is important is to be creative and smart about it. By carefully assessing what you have and prioritizing what you will spend money on, you can achieve a great new look on a budget.
decor8blog.com

The first thing you need to do is to take a good look at the room you want to redo. What is working in the space? Items that are in disrepair should be removed. You should also remove the items that aren't working in the space.

Next, you should look to your other rooms for items to repurpose. There might be a chair that isn't working in your living room that would be perfect for the study you are trying to redo. This is a great way to redecorate without spending a dime!

Reorganizing the way furniture is placed in the space is another way to change the look of a room without spending any money. Examine the way you are using the space. Try the furniture in a different arrangement. Just rearranging the furniture can dramatically change the perception of the room. How you place furniture can make the space seem larger or smaller, depending on the arrangement. In addition, furniture placement can affect traffic flow in your space. Take all of this into consideration when planning how to arrange your furniture.

Carefully consider what items need to be replaced in your space. Decide what the most important thing to be replaced is. By choosing wisely what you will purchase, you can cut down on cost. For example, replacing the worn sofa, but keeping your side tables that are in good shape, is one way to save.

Slipcovers are a great idea to refresh a worn sofa. Not only can they make your couch look new again, you can also change the color scheme in your space with a slipcover. This is an inexpensive way to make a big impact on the look of your room.

Changing the accent pillows in your room is another inexpensive way to alter the look of a space. Just that small change will make the room look different. Accent pillows can bring a new color into a space or highlight an existing one. Slipcovers are also available for throw pillows. This makes it easy to change a color scheme permanently, or just seasonally.

Replacing just the wall art is another way to refresh a room without breaking the bank. A new mirror or piece of artwork can make a big impact on a space. The new piece will draw your eye to it, changing the look of the space.

Another idea is to replace the existing accessories with new ones that are coordinated with each other. For example, items to decorate shelving and tabletops. These include as candle holders, vases, bowls, etc.
Comparison-shopping before making a big purchase is another way to save money when redecorating. Discount retailers often copy designer styles, making it easy to find the look you want for less money. Shopping on line is another way to save. Online stores often have a lower overhead than brick and mortar stores resulting in lower prices for you! In addition, internet shopping makes it easy to compare prices in multiple stores for the same item.

Overall, there are many things you can do to redecorate on a budget. Careful choices and comparison-shopping are important to remember to keep costs down. In short, it is not hard to change the look of your space without spending a lot of money!

For more information on home decorating, as well as a large selection of Tuscan home décor products, please visit http://www.cheapchicdecor.com, where you will find no hassle return policies, price matching and excellent customer service.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzy_Rubenstein


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What Do Window Blinds Offer Over Curtains?



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Humans, as a race, tend to be an impatient and easily bored bunch; we always want the latest gadgets, the newest cars and the newest clothes, despite having perfectly functional versions of each at home already. 'New', it seems, has become synonymous with 'good'.

It's no different when it comes to interior design. It's rare that any homeowner will keep the same decor for over five years, as design trends move quickly and, well... it gets boring looking at the same thing everyday!
Of course, redesigning your home usually means tearing up everything and starting from scratch. This offers the perfect chance to reinvent your home, and one area ripe for a bit of reinvention is your window covering.
For decades, curtains were the go-to choice for homeowners; they're typically associated with a 'homely' feel and can offer a sense of grandiosity to a room. However, the past twenty years or so have seen the glorious emergence of blinds as a popular window covering choice.

Formerly confined to home offices and the odd bedroom, blinds have become a popular choice for just about any room in the house. But why is this?

One of the biggest advantages of opting for blinds instead of curtains is the diverse range of styles available. Sure, curtains come in a vast array of materials, but every curtain is essentially the same; two hanging drapes of material connected by a rail.

Blinds, on the other hand, come in many shapes and forms. Probably the most popular style is venetian, which consists of horizontal slats held together by vertical cords. Not far behind, however, are roller blinds; a solid piece of material that rolls up and down. Vertical blinds are another option and are basically a reversal of the venetian style, with vertical slats binded together with horizontal cords.

In addition to this, blinds come in a wide range of different materials. Fabric, aluminium and wood are just three of the most popular styles, but you should blinds in most materials if you're willing to shop around. For those with a penchant for the darker side of life, you can even get blinds that blackout the sun entirely!

The aesthetic benefits of blinds don't stop there either. Like curtains, you can get blinds that are adorned with an extensive spectrum of patterns and images, not to mention in just about any colour you could care to imagine.

You can even customise blinds with your own images; you could be waking up to an image of your gorgeous beach holiday rather than opening the curtains and having the face the dreary, rain-sodden world outside.
There are, of course, practical benefits to opting for blinds too. A common problem of the digital ages is screen glare - sunlight that reflects in a screen and makes it difficult to view whatever is showing on that screen. With curtains, you're only choice is to shut out the sun completely, which eliminates glare but also looks extremely antisocial.

This isn't an issue with blinds. With venetian and vertical blinds, you can control precisely the amount of sunlight that gets into your room. This means you can eliminate glare while also keeping the room light and breezy rather than dark and dingy.

Blinds also allow you to control the level of ventilation in a room. Keep the blinds slightly open on a warm, but not too hot, day and you've essentially got your own air conditioning system - without the costs associated with running such a system. Like curtains, closed blinds can also keep heat in a room, saving you money on your energy bills.

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, retailers specialising in blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith



Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
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(951) 924-9435


5 Tips to Cosy Up Your Home This Autumn


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It's time to say cheerio to Summer, and hello to Autumn! No need to be sad that the season of sunshine is over, autumn can bring us so much warmth. The colours and freshness are bound to keep us in happy spirits for a while to come yet. Rich autumnal colours offer a great opportunity for a seasonal home makeover.
As the evenings are getting shorter and the temperature drops be ready to get your home cosy for the season. To make the transition for your home from summer to autumn, we have put together five simple tips.

1. Scented Candles: Nothing says Autumn like scented candles. Seasonal fragrances such as Orange and Cinnamon or Sandalwood are a perfect choice to fill your home with seasonal warmth. Dim the lights and let the candles set the ambiance as the evenings draw in. Light the fireplace and add candles throughout the house to ensure that all-round feeling of warmth.

2. Bring the outside in: Autumn is the perfect season to get outside. When out in the woods, collect yellow and orange colourful leaves, branches and pine cones to place around candles. Make beautiful Autumn settings this way. This is a simple DIY way to impress guests and family. Decorate the dining table, hallway or your living area with autumn candle arrangements that look great even when your candles aren't lit.
3. Flowers and plants: Treat yourself to fresh greenery and blooms regularly to enhance the fresh fragrances of Autumn, or better yet, pick your own flowers from the garden. Mix this with the aromatic candle scents, and Autumn is here.

4. Add little details: Add special details to every room in the house to create little autumn surprises everywhere. Don't just limit yourself to the main living space. Place small pumpkins or pine cones in bathrooms and on bedside tables add some scented votives for a warm feel.

5. Get everyone involved: Go out for a nice walk in the woods with the kids. When you get back home, kick off the wellie boots, cuddle up together with blankets and throws, draw the curtains, light the scented candles and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with all the family!

These are just a few simple and easy ways to cosy up your home for the autumn season that can be done on any budget. Other options to consider are using fabrics and accessories to add to your decor.

To buy beautiful luxury scented candles online in the UK, visit The St Eval Candle Company website. These candles have amazingly long burn times, and great reviews!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Ferron

How To Choose The Right Blinds For Your Bedroom


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Occasionally, deciding which blinds are right for certain rooms in your home will come down to practical considerations - for example, wooden blinds are a no-no in a bathroom as are susceptible to moisture damage. This helps narrow down the search and makes deciding on which blinds to opt for a lot easier.

However, with certain rooms such as the bedroom, there are no practical limitations to choosing blinds - the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. This means making the tough decision between venetian, roller or vertical blinds as well as sifting through the thousands of different designs, colour choices and materials. The lack of limitations makes the process of finding the right blinds a daunting one.

Given the personal influence behind most interior design decisions, there is no hard and fast method of finding the right blinds for a bedroom. However, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to each style of blind which should make finding the right ones for you significantly easier.

One of the most popular styles of blind is venetian, which consists of horizontal slats held together by vertical cords. The style allows for direct control over the amount of sunlight that is let through through your window via slat adjustment, as well offering a classic, aesthetically pleasing vibe to your home.

Venetian blinds tend to be a popular choice for bedrooms, especially wooden venetians. Wooden venetians can add a rustic, charming look to any room and tend to be more durable and easier to clean than other materials. However, do be aware that wood tends to be more expensive than other materials.

Vertical blinds are essentially the venetian style reversed, with vertical slats rather than horizontal slats. This style is easier to clean than the venetian style owing to dust not being able to gather on vertical surfaces but arguably offers a harder-edged 'office' style look than their horizontal counterparts making them less suitable for a relaxing bedroom design.

Roller blinds consist of a single sheet of material that can be rolled up and down. They're undoubtedly less versatile when it comes to managing sunlight levels but still offer a good-looking window covering solution. They're also less susceptible to breakage than other styles, making them ideal for childrens bedrooms.

When it comes to choosing the colour or pattern of your blinds, there's only one basic rule; match it to the decor of the room. There are literally hundreds of different shades and colours available, and enough patterns to cater for even the most unique of tastes - if you want to deck out your bedroom in entirely leopard print, there are blinds for that!

For an extra personal touch, you can even customise roller blinds with your own images. A photo from a summer holiday to rouse you on a cold Winter's morning or a picture of a loved one to send you to sleep with a smile; the only limit is your imagination.

Crucially, remember that you are choosing blinds for YOUR home. What works in one home may not be right for you so while it's important to keep tips such as those above in mind, don't feel restricted by them - choose the blinds you feel are right for you.

Christopher Joseph Smith is writing on behalf of Better Blinds, specialists in wooden blinds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Joseph_Smith



Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

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