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?
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!
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
Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435
A Simple Guide To Blinds
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!
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
Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435
Window Blinds For Bathrooms: How Do You Choose?
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.
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
Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435
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