Home Design Articles

My home is in the country and one of the conveniences of not being surrounded by city dwellers is that I have a view of the lovely country side. I have found valances instead of curtains give me that unobstructed view I most desire. Since valances only cover the uppermost section of windows and can be used with or without curtains they are an ideal choice. Either stands alone or combined with accessories such as blinds, draperies or curtains it then becomes a matter of personal preference.

You can find valances at any department store that specializes in window treatments.  They typically offer a wide range of options to choose from. If you live in a smaller area like I do your best source is to utilize the internet where you can find many choices.  With proper research you’ll be able to uncover huge manufacturer discounts on closeout styles often times with free shipping.

As with most decorating ventures start with a budget and try not deviate from it. Along with the valances you’ll need to invest in clasps, accenting rods and hangers and maybe even some window blinds if you don’t want to work only with the valance.  Once again research will result in bargain prices and low shipping cost if you order via computer and from the same store.  Another place to keep your eye on are the sales offered by local department stores.  These are especially a good place to bargain hunt off season and when new styles first come on the market.

There are many valance styles to choose from. You can opt for the more expensive type such as custom valances or the do it yourself version of making your own. As with most design styles you have the choice of either formal or casual type valances.

A less elegant look is free flowing material that softly drapes along each side of your window. With materials that are airy and light weight such as cotton you’re sure to find a style that meets your needs. For a more formal look choose tapestry material for your creations.

The two most popular styles are swag valances which are shorter pieces of material framing each side of the window and balloon valances so named for the shape which it resembles. A more complicated valance is the pleated valance because of its rather complicated folding design.  Unless you are good at sewing, it is best to consult a professional seamstress if you prefer this fancier choice of window treatment, because the material is a little heavier and more difficult to work with.

Valances add style and a distinctive touch to any room. I enjoy my pink valances each and every time I take a moment to admire them and the unobstructed views they allow me to see.

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Window blinds are better than curtains. They are stylish and impart a sophisticated look to the rooms. They are durable, cheaper and easy to maintain. Unlike curtains you can decide how much of lighting you want to allow inside the rooms. You can also control the heat, ventilation, shading and privacy. There are different kinds of blinds to choose from. Given below are some of them.

Bamboo blinds add a rustic appearance to your rooms. They are visually pleasing and gorgeous looking blinds that come in a wide range of colors, styles, sizes and patterns. These blinds are durable and worth the money you spent. For people who support nature, these eco-friendly blinds will be an apt choice.

Venetian blinds are quite different from the normal blinds. They are known for their excellent protection from sunlight and simplicity of design. The horizontal and overlapping slats provide maximum protection from sunlight. The most important feature of this kind of blind is that you can adjust the slat positions according to your requirement to control the heat and light. They are made of wood, aluminum or PVC. You can find them in different colors, patterns and sizes.

Faux wood blinds are very popular window treatments. They come in affordable prices and have the real look and feel of wood. For homes with great traffic it is ideal to use faux wood blinds. These blinds are made of either vinyl or a combination of vinyl and wood. Nowadays people prefer to buy the combination blinds because of their durability and resilience.

Custom bay window blinds are made-to-fit blinds. You can have the style of blinds you want according to your home décor and have a complete makeover. You can choose them according to theme of your room. For example, for a traditional themed room, wooden blinds are the best. For children’s room you can have floral patterns or cartoons etc. These are made of wood, faux wood, PVC, fabric and aluminum.

With so many different bay window blind ideas to choose from you can transform your home with the use of appropriate blinds.

Because of the unusual shape of the various types of bay windows, as well as the fact that every bay window area is different, there may be some other options available for the bay window treatment you choose. The bay window blinds will perform the actual job of covering the bay window, but the area would look somewhat incomplete without some other kind of window treamtent to define the area.

You might choose to add curtains and swags to the windows to bring them to life. Adding a valance to the top may also provide you with a dramatic effect that looks appropriate. make sure whatever treatment you add it doesn’t come off as being too much.

In reality the way you decorate your bay window is really down to your intuition and your imagination. There is a lot to work with when you aim to cover the bay window.

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Arched windows are one of the most beautiful designs you will ever come across. Their elegance is striking and in a world where so much is ordinary this isn’t the case with arched windows. Originally from Europe from the Gothic Era, arched windows were mainly designed for the richest nobles, churches and other religious institutions. Nowadays you see them in some of the most loveliest suburban homes, as well as upscale urban apartments. People who have arched windows have a dilemma when it comes to blinds. The reason being  that blinds for arched windows are not ready made. Custom window blinds are the only solution to window dressing these elegantly designed windows.

Leaving the arch or the dome of the window open and unobstructed is also a solution. Having cellular blinds in the lower portion of the rectangular window portion with an unobstructed arch is very fashionable. However some people are inclined to cover the arch with some kind of material. There are options, and one such option is a fabric arch blind and this could be a permanent blind or one that is movable. The problem here is matching precisely the color of the window blinds that are installed in the bottom with a fabric of the arched window. This can be more problematic than you can imagine, this usually arises when you buy window blinds from one retailer and an arched window blind from another.

Trying to avoid such a situation at all costs and try to work with one retailer that makes custom window blinds and ask them to design both units. Wood window blinds wouldn’t be such a problem though because the type of work can be matched much easier. And if necessary the arched wood lined can be painted and polished to reflect the same window blinds beneath it. Shopping for custom window blinds is also not the easiest of things. Retailers for whatever reason are not as reluctant to display their prices and costs openly. Be prepared to write several e-mails to several custom window blinds retailers asking them for quotes for the specifications you have in mind.

 

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