Blinds, Shades and Curtains

Are you redecorating or have you recently purchased a home and now find yourself in the market for new window treatments? If so, you will have a decision to make between blinds, shades, and curtains, each offering something unique. The choice would depend on a number of factors starting with personal taste and style. However, the size, shape, and type of window, décor of the room, and even architectural features would also be contributors. In this blog, I wanted to provide you with some tips for buying blinds, shades, and curtains to make the buying process more enjoyable and successful.

4 Factors

If you plan to work with a professional decorator then much of the guesswork is eliminated but if you want to choose the window treatment yourself and actually hang them, you need to do a little research so you go through the appropriate steps. In either case, remind yourself that light control, privacy, functionality, and style are the four primary factors looked at when buying new window treatments,. Therefore, we suggest you consider these four factors so you can put them in order of importance. Once this is done, you would finally choose between blinds, shades, or curtains.

Privacy

Above all, privacy should be a big deal. After all, you do not want just anyone peeking into your child’s bedroom.. For this, make sure windows in bedrooms and bathrooms are the most protected from peeping toms. The types of window treatments that offer the best type of privacy include a fabric or roller shade, and backed curtains. With shades, the material is from vinyl, mostly opaque although other colors are available.

Curtains

On the other hand, you could choose traditional style curtains. However, for privacy, new curtains means choosing something with a backing and teaching other members of the family to keep the curtains drawn at appropriate times, such as taking a shower or bath, dressing in the bedroom, and so on.

Fabric or Roller Shade

Now, for a fabric or roller type shade, these are very affordable and if cared for properly, will last for years. The fabric is also opaque whereas fabric shades can be constructed using literally any colour or type of fabric imaginable. In this situation, the final choices goes back to personal preference and the inside style of the home.

Curtains and Drapes

For curtains and drapes, we strongly recommend you add a backing or buy the curtains that way. In addition to providing better privacy, this means better ability to block out daily light, which is great for people who sleep days and work nights. If you prefer something that is airy and contemporary, you can certainly go that route but to address the privacy and light issues, you would also need to couple the curtains with some type of shade.

Type and Style

The type of blinds, shades, or curtains you choose for your home will make a huge difference in the way your home looks and feels. Sometimes, people choose just one but other times, blinds and shades are coupled with curtains. In this article, we wanted to provide you with some options that you might consider specific to light control, style, and safety, two things people are look for when buying new blinds, shades, and curtains.

Other Privacy Concerns

First, privacy is one of the most important considerations coupled with style. Today, privacy has become a major issue and with the right blinds, shades, or curtains, you can keep the inside of your home off limits. Some of the best choices offering opaque covering include roller or fabric shades, lined curtains, cellular and pleated shades, and blinds. With shades, most are made from opaque material, which is great for both privacy and keeping the hot sun out. The key to success with shades is to make sure the fit is exact.

For lined curtains, you benefit not just from privacy but also from the outdoor elements. In other words, lined curtains block out hot UV rays from the sun, wind, and even cold air. Therefore, you can go to bed knowing your home has an added layer of protection while helping reduce the amount of money spent on utility bills. In addition, lined curtains can be used alone or with shades or blinds, meaning you can enhance the inside while receiving benefits for the outside as well.

Mini-blinds

Now, mini blinds have been and continue to be a very popular choice of window treatment. The nice thing here is that mini blinds are relatively inexpensive and they work amazingly well. For this, you could choose white shutters made from vinyl to go with draperies or if you want something as a stand-alone solution, beautiful wood blinds. Just as with shades, the key to blinds working is to make sure you have an exact fit so there are no small gaps.

Cellular and Pleated Shades

Cellular and pleated shades are another excellent solution for window treatments. In this case, you could use the shades alone or with sheers or curtains. Shades are also an affordable option and with so many incredible choices now available, you are sure to find a number of styles you like. In addition to the privacy factor, cellular shades are also a great insulator. Now, if you want the best option for blocking out unwanted light, we suggest you choose a type of darkening shade. These shades are made from special material specific to fighting UV rays. You will enjoy a cooler or warmer home while also protecting your furniture, artwork, carpeting, and other furnishings from fading due to the UV rays and dampness.

ANDREAFAY is an interior design company based in Muswell Hill, North London. ANDREAFAY writes on home improvements, Travel and whats HOT in the world of design.

Upholstered headboards are a must for comfort and luxury and are not very expensive to own. Headboards not only look good on your bed, they also help to rest your pillows, head and back while sitting up in bed and they protect your head from being on the wall.

We make or source many different styles, shapes and size to suit your deco.

These are just a few for you to see, headboards can even be made as a mural on your wall over your bed and be used in a baby, child or an adult’s room.

We would love to hear your comments and please follow our blogs as we write about interior design, whats hot and new trends in design.

Thanks for reading,

Andrea

ANDREAFAY INTERIOR DESIGN is based in Muswell Hill, North London.

When I think about luxury interior and furnishings, I think of high end exquisite fabrics, textures, details, colours and materials. These elements can work together to make a space look classy, chic and sophisticated.

Having a home full of expensive furniture and ornaments can make you feel precious and important, it is fundamental to have a functional space for entertainment or relaxation but we still should be comfortable in our own surrounding. Some people may buy luxurious items because of its expensive price tag others as a show piece; I don’t think we all are materialistic, we like to appreciate the craftmanship behind each creation. Luxurious items are different in standard and quality, the care and attention to detail that has gone into each items makes it more durable and lush.

I will show you some different type of furnishing and interiors but all have the notion of luxury.

The chinchilla faux fur throw: is considered to have the softest fur in the world it’s also incredibly warm.  As this modern faux fur holds a variety of colours, it complements a whole host of colour scheme, which includes blacks, white, earthy and bold tones. It can be used as a throw over the bed, sofa or as a decorative wall hanging. I prefer mine over a sofa keeking me nice, warm and cosy while watching a bit of TV. This super lovely fashionable throw is from www.fauxfurthrows.com. U.K.

The Charles II style mirror captures Edwardian gothic style, an exquisite piece of novelty to have as a centre piece.

Cushions, drapes and curtains create comfort, depth, warmth and privacy

Victorian bedroom wardrobe: this dark wood wardrobe is beautifully crafted, but be careful with large dark interiors try to maintain a balance, you would not want your bedroom to feel small and unsettling.

Dining room with glass table and chairs: sometimes keeping it simple captures the beauty in luxury, break up the theme with small ornaments and furnishing. With a room that’s capturing a lot of natural light it’s essential to have some natural elements, colour and texture to balance the deco.

And finally

I find furniture designer Roberto Ventura designs fabulous. New designs with classical influence gives his furnitures character. Each individual piece is captivating,  the detailing of the patterns, straight lines and curves on each furniture has a story to tell.  The rich bold upholstery makes each creation stand proud, on its own in a living room or in a reception it will be the focus of everyone’s desires.

Thank you for your time in reading the latest addition to my blogs.

Please feel free to follow my blogs and to leave a comment!

ANDREAFAY is an interior designer based in North London, England. She has commissions UK and Global wide.

Transformer Collection: Wallpaper, Lighting and Coffee Table.

Transformer Coffee Table

Transformer Lighting

Designer ChunWei Laio is demonstrating the durability of the product…

100% Design London 2010 has exhibited a great number of inspirational products for your architectural or interior needs. The product that has caught my eye in this year’s show is the Transformer Collection designed by ChunWei Liao.                                                                                                                                                                                  

When the economy is weak and people are worried, Shoppers don’t want to risk spending money. A sustainable and environmentally friendly product made from cardboard or solid wood at an affordable price sounds great. The Transformer Collection comes flat packaged and gives you the control in what you want to build it can be a built into a pendant light to a piece of furniture.

The system is designed like pieces of logo, it has folded geometric shapes which are connected together to form the furniture of your desire whilst having the option to change the form of the product every day. It is astonishingly strong and flexible in many ways, it can be scaled to more or less any size and just to bring in some unique flair it can be painted or printed on for your own personal fulfilments.

 ANDREAFAY is an interior designer based in North London, England. She writes about what’s HOT in design, new trends and her travels in order to source items and inspirations.

Please feel free to leave a comment and to follow her blogs.