The Buzz on Blinds

Do HUNTER DOUGLAS Silhouette Window Shadings Enhance Safety as Well as Beauty?

2012-02-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, Silhouette window shadings offer enhanced child safety because absolutely no cords or tapes run through the product. They are enhanced even further with cordless operating systems UltraGlide and PowerRise 2.0 with Platinum Technology cordless operating system.

But child safety is only part of the story. Featuring the signature s-vane, these shadings magically transform the look of a room by turning harsh exterior light into soft, radiant beauty. Suspended between two sheers, the fabric vanes tilt to filter in just the right amount of natural light. With numerous luxurious fabrics to choose from, Silhouette window shadings provide unparalleled ultraviolet protection without compromising views.

At Just Right Blinds - We repair blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman. Direct: 630.292.3756, tz@JustRightBlinds.com, www.JustRightBlinds.com .

Visit Just Right Blinds for free measuring, free estimates, and free design services and as always free installation.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is based in Wheaton, Illinois, and serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, Bartlett, Elgin and other communities.

JUST RIGHT BLINDS – Wheaton to Show HUNTER DOUGLAS Blinds & Shutters AT ST. Charles Home Show

2012-02-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

ENERGY SMART REBATES ON HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS, SHUTTERS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS

Visit Just Right Blinds & Shutters at the home show and discover the latest in draperies and window treatments, hear expert’s advice for a greener home and enjoy a chance to receive Hunter Douglas rebates. Consumer mail-in rebates available from $20 to $50 for a limited time.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters will show the latest in HUNTER DOUGLAS insulating blinds: Duette Honeycomb, Silhouette Sheer, Vignette Roman Blinds, Pirouette and New Style Plantation Shutters.

HUNTER DOUGLAS products provide the most energy-efficient nationally branded window coverings available today. Duette shades in the Phenomena triple honeycomb fabric protect against solar heat passing through windows by as much as 76% and boast a very high insulating winter R-value of 4.8 (double glazing). In addition, these semi-opaque Duette fabric shades block 99.9% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. As with all Hunter Douglas products, Duette shades are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

“The Old House New House” Home Show, the longest running home show in the Chicago area, will return for it’s 54th successful season at Pheasant Run Resort in St.Charles, IL (Route 64, North Avenue). Attendees experience 300 fabulous displays, with innovative products, time savings services, home style tips and trends, fresh ideas, expert advice and creative solutions for all homeowner projects.

Show hours are Friday, February 10, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday, February 11, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday, February 12, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free parking! Discount coupons are available at www.kennedyproductions.com.

Just Right Blinds - We repair and clean blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman, Just Right Blinds, Direct: 630.292.3756, tz@JustRightBlinds.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters introduces the new safety standard in Modern Roman Shades from Hunter Douglas.

2012-01-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

In this day and age of product recalls and child safety issues The Vignette Modern Roman Shades have no exposed cords on the back of the shade for enhanced child safety. Instead it has a smooth, neutral backing, so it looks as beautiful from the outside as it does inside your home. Even the new Vignette Tiered design, with the look of a typical stacking roman shade, captures the lift cords between the front and back fabrics.

Vignette shades are available with four lifting systems tiered with LiteRise, UltraGlide single retractable cord system, PowerRise 2.0 with platinum technology and hand wired motorization.

For a free consultation and estimate contact Todd Zimmerman, design consultant at Just Right Blinds 630-292-3756, a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.JustRightBlinds.com, http://www.JustRightBlinds.blogspot.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

How Do You Bring Dirty Blinds and Tired Draperies Back to Life?

2011-11-28T13:00:00.001-08:00

Ultrasonic cleaning from Just Right Blinds will clean and brighten your blinds and revive your draperies.

Honeycomb blinds, metal blinds, vertical blinds, pleated shades, roman shades, wood or faux wood blinds, Silhouettes, Luminettes, Country Woods, Everwoods – all are cleaned in our shop with ultrasonic blind cleaning equipment. You can drop-off your window treatments for service or we’ll schedule a pick-up for take-down and re-installation service.

Drapery cleaning is also available. Call us to schedule take-down & re-installation of your draperies.

WHAT IS ULTRASONIC BLIND CLEANING?

Ultrasonic blind cleaning is a revolutionary method of cleaning your window treatments through the use of sound waves, which thoroughly clean your blinds/shades in a fast, efficient way. When the process is complete you will have a window treatment that is free from odors, dust, soot and allergens.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE BLINDS ULTRASONICALLY CLEANED?

Not only does ultrasonic cleaning improve the appearance of your blind or shade, but our process actually lengthens the life of your window covering and improves the airquality of your home or office environment as well. Ultrasonic cleaning eliminates bacteria, smoke and germs that cause allergies.

HOW DOES ULTRASONIC CLEANING WORK?

Within our ultrasonic tank, transducers create sound waves. These sound waves produce microscopic bubbles that implode (not explode), creating a vacuum that pulls dirt particles from an object. Because these bubbles are so small, every nook and cranny is cleaned!

At Just Right Blinds - We repair blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman. Direct: 630.292.3756, tz@JustRightBlinds.com, www.JustRightBlinds.com

Visit Just Right Blinds for free measuring, free estimates, and free design services and as always, free installation. Let Just Right Blinds show you how Hunter Douglas products are superior to other window products.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is based in Wheaton, Illinois, and serves the western and far western suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

Just Right Blinds Offers Rebates from $25.00 to $300.00 on Hunter Douglas Blinds Until December 12, 2011

2011-11-28T12:34:00.001-08:00

The promotion “Celebrate the Season” is designed to encourage homeowners to upgrade their homes’ decor and receive great savings.

Insulating Duette Architella honeycomb shades can also help reduce energy costs. As an added incentive, consumers who purchase and install Duette Architella blinds before December 31, 2011 may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $500.00

At Just Right Blinds - We repair blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman. Direct: 630.292.3756, tz@JustRightBlinds.com, www.JustRightBlinds.com .

Visit Just Right Blinds for free measuring, free estimates, free design services and as always, free installation. Let Just Right Blinds tell you how Hunter Douglas products are superior to other window treatments.

Hunter Douglas Product Video

2011-11-08T10:55:00.001-08:00

2011 Hunter Douglas Product Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3gXq454vjM&feature=player_detailpage

Shades - Hunter Douglas Window Fashions

2011-10-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds Shows Hunter Douglas Blinds & Shutters at St. Charles Home Show

2011-09-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

FREE LITERISE CORDLESS CONTROLS ON SELECT HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW TREATMENTS

Visit Just Right Blinds & Shutters at the show and discover the latest in window treatments, hear expert advice and enjoy a chance to receive special show pricing on custom blinds and shutters. LiteRise Cordless controls are free on Architella and Duette Honeycomb and Roman shades during October and November 2011. Also, Consumer mail-in rebates available from $25 to $300.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters will display the latest in HUNTER DOUGLAS window treatments: Architella Duette Honeycomb, Silhouette Sheer, Vignette Roman Blinds, Luminette and Modern Draperies and New Style Plantation Shutters.

“The Old House New House” Home Show, the longest running home show in the Chicago area, will return for it’s 52nd successful season at Pheasant Run Resort in St.Charles, IL (Route 64, North Avenue). See Lou Manfredine “Mr. Fix-It” on Sunday, September 25 at 1 PM.

Show hours are Saturday, September 25, 10:00AM to 6:00PM; Sunday, September 26, 10:00AM to 5:00PM. Free parking! Discount coupons are available at www.kennedyproductions.com.

Just Right Blinds - We repair blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman, Just Right Blinds, Direct: 630.292.3756, tz@JustRightBlinds.com
Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters Introduces the Hunter Douglas Solar Energy Sensor for Window Treatments

2011-07-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

The ultimate control for wireless motorization provides added convenience and may help reduce energy costs in the home. It is also great for those hard to reach windows.

Mount the solar Energy Sensor directly to the window pane, the solar energy sensor detects solar energy entering a home through a window and sends a radio frequency signal to raise or lower window coverings to increase energy efficiency. No cords. The solar energy sensor operates off a watch size battery. Call Todd at Just Right Blinds 630.292.3756 for more information and how it can adapt to your PowerRise shades.

Also available at Just Right Blinds is a new Hunter Douglas RF adapter that controls operation of blinds from an AC power outlet. Flip a switch on a switched outlet to open and shut a blind or you can use the RF adapter in conjunction with a simple lamp timer.
Just Right Blinds can provide all these accessories and more by contacting Todd at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.justrightblinds.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

Hunter Douglas Summer Savings on Window Treatments

2011-07-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds announces an exciting, new Hunter Douglas promotion designed to reward consumers with mail-in rebates on some of the most popular window fashions. Dress Up for Summer Sale rebates are valid through September 12, 2011, with rebates being provided in the form of an American Express prepaid reward card. Rebates are available with the following minimum purchase required on some products:

Save $100 on four Duette Architella Honeycomb shades
Save $100 on two Silhouette Shadings
Save $100 on one Luminette Privacy Sheers
Save $100 on one Modern Draperies

Just Right Blinds is a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.justrightblinds.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

ELEGANT LIVING

2011-07-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Formal living rooms will always hold their own against family rooms as one of the most essential elements of a home, both for entertaining purposes and simply for decoration. Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for window fashions leader Hunter Douglas and the design expert, offers the following advice on how to adorn a formal living room in homes today:

Traditional versus Contemporary: Just because this room is deemed “formal” does not automatically mean it must have a traditional setting. This room is a reflection of the tastes and styles of the homeowner, both in attitude and furnishings, and should be decorated to suit them.

If you tend towards contemporary looks you will gravitate towards statement pieces; one picture on the wall, for example, versus the eight you might find in a traditional interior. And, in traditional décor, shapes are more ornate and finishes are mellow – they look as if they have been aged at least a decade.

• Floorcoverings: Luxurious decorations take precedence in the formal living room with the floor serving as the launching pad. For a more traditional feel, use Oriental rugs in common shades of red, orange, yellow and blue. For a more contemporary flare, rugs with geometric patterns or exotic animal prints such as black-and-white zebra stripes add a zesty element.

• Window Treatments: Elegance at the window is key, particularly as this room typically resides at the front of the home, giving the first impression of the style of the rest of what’s inside. Luminette® Modern Draperies from Just Right Blinds & Shutters a Hunter Douglas distributor feature beautiful woven fabrics that offer the look and function of traditional draperies, while making a consistent, clean, modern statement. Unlike traditional draperies, they also offer quick delivery, easy motorization options and the Hunter Douglas Lifetime Guarantee. They’re modern, but with a softness that can work in any design style.

Luminette Modern Draperies also offer a very popular Dual Panel design where the drapery is combined with sheer fabrics on one headrail. This allows for the best of both worlds, the rotating fabric vanes of the sheer providing light and privacy control and the drapery providing elegance.

• Walls: Fill this area with decorative items such as gilded mirrors and wall sconces that make the eye wander around the room. Paint hues should be simple so they do not compete with the furnishings and other decorative elements. Colors such as taupe, beige or even a light gold work best. Again, for a more contemporary feel pare down the number of items.

• Final Touches: Finish off the look with important accessories including lamps, antique clocks and decorative books, or even a whimsical chandelier. Remember quality over quantity, whatever your style, as you want the room to emit elegance, not clutter.

Using these tips, your living room will be fit to entertain in no time.
Just Right Blinds is a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

Just Right Blinds introduces the new Hunter Douglas Elegant Decorative Hardware

2011-07-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Luminette® Privacy Sheers
and Modern Draperies product
line is renown for beautiful sheers
and fabrics that create instant drama in
any room. And now, we are pleased to
introduce the Manhattan™ Decorative
Hardware system. This traversing
hardware system is available in smooth
or fluted rail styles and three finial design
options. Manhattan Decorative Hardware
adds a finished look and sophisticated
style to windows covered with Luminette
sheers or drapery fabrics.
Manhattan Decorative Hardware is
offered in three fashionable colors that fit
any decorating color and style — Bronze,
Oro and Champagne. Optional finials are
available in three design options. Imagine
the decorating possibilities when you
combine all Luminette Privacy Sheers
and Modern Draperies fabrics with this
exclusive decorative hardware!
In addition to launching Manhattan
Decorative Hardware, we’ve expanded
the SofTrak™ hardware system colors to
include Gold, Bronze and Champagne.

Convenient, Reliable Window Blind Repair for Hunter Douglas, Graber and More - Parts, Cords, Controls and Gears

2011-07-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds & Shutters offers window blind repair for Hunter Douglas, Graber, and other window treatment products, with “front-door service” that includes pickup and delivery, quick turnaround and reliable repairs that put your blinds back into operation.

Services include change or replacement of cords, change of motorized controls, restringing, shortening, and replacement of tilt gear.

We repair most window blind products, including Honeycomb, Architella, Silhouette, Duette, pleated, vertical, roman, cellular, aluminum, mini, wood, vinyl, roller and many more.

Free estimates. Call direct: 630-292-3756 and ask for Todd. www.justrightblinds.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is based in Wheaton, Illinois, and serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, Bartlett, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters introduces the Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shadings with SIGNATURE S-VANE.

2011-05-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

The new 2011 Silhouette Collection gives many reasons to say yes to Silhouette window shadings with the Signature S-Vane. This exciting collection of products featuring soft fabric vanes suspended between sheer facings offers four beautiful new fabrics, Chateau, Nouveau, Voila and Sunscreen privacy sheers.

There are many benefits attributed to Silhouette shadings, and the top six are:

Transform -- Vanes and sheers combine to softly filter light.

Provide UV Protection -- Up to 88% ultraviolet protection with vanes open, 99% when closed.

Enhance --Natural daylighting. Sheers disperse sunlight deep into the room, reducing the need for electric lights.

Preserve -- Outside views. No cords or tapes to obstruct outside views.

Secure -- Daytime privacy. View to outside is clear while view from street is obscured during the day.

Reflect – Solar heat. Exterior white sheer reflects the sun’s heat.

BROAD RANGE OF PRODUCT OPTIONS:
• Available in three vane sizes and two opacity levels.
• Four innovative lifting systems.
• Top-Down/Bottom-Up shadings, specialty shapes and Tilt-Only shadings also available.

For a free consultation and estimate contact Todd Zimmerman, design consultant at Just Right Blinds 630-292-3756, a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.JustRightBlinds.com, http://www.JustRightBlinds.blogspot.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters introduces the Hunter Douglas Vignette Tiered Architella Blind – BEAUTY with ENHANCED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2011-05-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

When Vignette product line goes green it’s not a new color selection, but instead, an entirely new design concept called Vignette Tiered Architella Modern Roman Shades, with enhanced energy efficiency.

This extraordinary design features rear fabric air products that create an extra layer of insulation. The Architella fabric construction almost doubles the energy efficiency of the Vignette Tiered shades, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in the summer while saving energy costs and reducing CO2 emissions.

In fact, Vignette Tiered Architella shades reduce unwanted heat from solar energy 33% more efficient than traditional Vignette shades and provide exceptional R-values. The same energy-savings benefit can be achieved with EasyRise, LiteRise or UltraGlide lifting systems. And, the sound absorption rating is an impressive .70, meaning that 70% of ambient noise is absorbed by the product.

For a free consultation and estimate contact Todd Zimmerman, design consultant at Just Right Blinds 630-292-3756, a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.JustRightBlinds.com, http://www.JustRightBlinds.blogspot.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters Introduces the New Hunter Douglas Vignette Traversed blind with Vertiglide – the VIGNETTE VERTICAL BLIND SOLUTION

2011-05-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Chances are, you’ve wished for a vertical Vignette application to cover expansive windows and sliding glass doors. Hunter Douglas introduced the Vignette Traversed with Vertiglide product. Vignette Traversed with Vertiglide will make an impressive fashion statement in your home. Choose from six fabrics in 4” fold size, including the Grasslands Collection, Linen Weave, Satin Weave, Shuntung, Sheer Linen and Vintage Scroll. A netural white back fabric presents a neat, clean exterior appearance. And, of course, the Vignette traversed product provides enhanced child safety with no exposed cords on the back of the shade.

Available with left, right and center stack options, Vignette Traversed offers superior stackback with the shade fully opened. Plus the uniquely designed Vertiglide operating system is easy to operate and install.

For a free consultation and estimate contact Todd Zimmerman, design consultant at Just Right Blinds 630-292-3756, a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds. www.JustRightBlinds.com, http://www.JustRightBlinds.blogspot.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

WHAT’S NEW IN WINDOW FASHIONS?

2011-04-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

When you’re wondering what’s new in window fashions, there’s no place else to look. Hunter Douglas, the window fashions leader, has the answers – innovation, design, energy efficiency, child safety features and convenience, all supported by superior quality manufacturing and customer service and the industry-exclusive Lifetime Guarantee. The industry’s first hybrid shutter – NewStyle® hybrid shutters – has important enhancements such as the state-of-the-art UltraGrain™ finish that replicates the color and grain pattern of real wood stated Todd Zimmerman at Just Right Blinds & Shutters in Wheaton, IL.

The Perfect Blend of Nature, Technology and Design
NewStyle hybrid shutters is now the only hybrid shutter on the market that offers the color and grain pattern of real stained wood while still providing the strength, stability and straightness of modern-day materials. It’s the perfect blend of nature, technology and design; the brand new UltraGrain™ finish takes color options to a whole new level and was created using a highly innovative industry-exclusive manufacturing process.
The finish comes in four distinctive colors – Golden Oak, Warm Cherry, Amaretto and Bahama Brown. These colors are on-trend with the current hardwoods look – which tends towards darker woods – match interior woodwork and coordinate with Heritance® hardwood shutters. The solid color offering also includes a refreshed color palette following the latest design trends and includes Pure White, Soft White, Warm Cream, Cameo White and new to the line, Eggshell and Linen.
All NewStyle shutters also include the Finetech® finish, which is smooth and lustrous to the touch and beautiful to the eye. There are hundreds of configuration possibilities and expanded frame styles with 11 options in all. Framed specialty shapes will now be offered as well. A new Decorative Valance conceals Bi-Fold and Bypass track system hardware, complementing the elegant styling. The colors, frames and configurations of the NewStyle offering coordinate beautifully and effortlessly with the Custom Shutter Collection, which includes Heritance hardwood shutters and Palm Beach™ polysatin shutters. NewStyle is ideal for consumers who want the prestige of quality shutters and Hunter Douglas brand name at a price that fits comfortably within a budget.

WHAT’S NEW IN WINDOW FASHIONS?
Backed by the Hunter Douglas Lifetime Guarantee, NewStyle hybrid shutters are highly energy efficient in winter and summer, with an R-value of 6.01 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.17. And, like most Hunter Douglas product offerings, NewStyle hybrid shutters have passed rigorous standards and test procedures and are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Certified® and also certified by GREENGUARD for Children & SchoolsSM. Like all Hunter Douglas Custom Shutters, NewStyle hybrid shutters are cordless by design, eliminating the potential safety hazard posed by operating cords. They’re also custom designed and assembled in the U.S., so delivery is fast.
“Hunter Douglas offers the only hybrid shutter on the market with a finish like UltraGrain, which brings the natural warmth and beauty of a real wood look into the home with the strength and quality of NewStyle,” said Todd Zimmerman, Owner of Just Right Blinds & Shutters “Wood looks are so popular today and UltraGrain and the other enhancements that increase shutter options and coordination within a home provide the solutions customers are seeking.”
For more information, contact Todd Zimmerman, 630-292-3756 , tz@JustRightBlinds.vpweb.com, www.JustRightBlinds.com

Just Right Blinds to Show Hunter Douglas Blinds & Shutters at St. Charles Home Show

2011-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

ENERGY SMART REBATES ON HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS, SHUTTERS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS

Visit Just Right Blinds & Shutters at the show and discover the latest in draperies and window treatments, hear expert’s advice for a greener home and enjoy a chance to receive Hunter Douglas rebates. Consumer mail-in rebates available from $25 to $300 for a limited time.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters will show the latest in HUNTER DOUGLAS window treatments: Duette Honeycomb, Silhouette Sheer, Vignette Roman Blinds, Pirouette and New Style Plantation Shutters.

HUNTER DOUGLAS products provide the most energy-efficient nationally branded window coverings available today. Architella honeycomb blinds can receive up to $500 of 2011 tax credits for qualified products. Duette shades in the Phenomena triple honeycomb fabric protect against solar heat passing through windows by as much as 76%and boast a very high insulating winter R-value of 4.8 (double glazing). In addition, these semi-opaque Duette fabric shades block 99.9% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. As with all Hunter Douglas products, Duette shades are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

“The Old House New House” Home Show, the longest running home show in the Chicago area, will return for it’s 53rd successful season at Pheasant Run Resort in St.Charles, IL (Route 64, North Avenue). Attendees experience 300 fabulous displays, with innovative products, time savings services, home style tips and trends, fresh ideas, expert advice and creative solutions for all homeowner projects.

Show hours are Friday, February 11, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday, February 12, 10:00AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday, February 13, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free parking! Adults $7, Seniors free. Discount coupons are available at www.kennedyproductions.com.

Just Right Blinds - We repair and clean blinds too! For more information contact: Todd Zimmerman, Just Right Blinds, Direct: 630.292.3756, tjayzim@sbcglobal.net

Bedrooms Fit for A Dream

2010-12-30T13:43:00.000-08:00

From Just Right Blinds & Shutters – A HUNTER DOUGLAS Distributor in Wheaton, IL

While smaller homes are becoming more popular, large-scale master bedrooms continue remain on-trend as they offer an escape from the real world. Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for window fashions leader provides the following tips on how to create the perfect retreat in your bedroom:

• Atmosphere: Leave the world, and the items that remind you of it, outside where they belong. Your master bedroom should be tidy and clutter-free, offering a place to de-stress and find solace. Replace cell phones and computers better suited for a home office with candles and photos of loved ones.

• Furniture: Keeping with the streamlined look, furnish the room with essential elements only. An oversized bed with lots of pillows offers a comfortable escape and focal point. Additional furnishings such as “his and hers” bedside tables provide a place for personal items and an armoire can host a television, decorative books and photographs.

• Window Treatments: The right window treatments can soften harsh light and provide privacy and noise control for a restful environment and maybe even a touch of romance. Products such as Silhouette® window shadings from Just Right Blinds & Shutters a Hunter Douglas distributor, diffuse light through two fabric layers for a warm glow and calming effect. The shadings’ rotating fabric vanes have the added benefit of allowing one to manage the amount of incoming light and close when complete privacy and light control are needed. Silhouette shadings also absorb up to 30 percent of reflected sound.

• Decorative Accents: Inviting, yet soothing colors such as soft yellows and warm blues invoke a sense of calm and happiness. A fresh coat of paint in these colors can dramatically alter the look of a room. Add an inspirational element using paintings from places around the world where you have traveled or hope to.

• Bath: Luxury still resonates with the master bath. “His and hers” vanities remain popular as do relaxing soaking tubs. Scented candles and oversized, fluffy towels add both a functional element and serene setting.

With these tips, you will be dreaming in your bedroom both night and day.
Just Right Blinds is a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

A Satisfied Customer

2010-12-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

Just Right Blinds installed Hunter Douglas pleated shades in a home in Roselle, IL.
Brilliance pleated shades are available in custom shapes to cover nearly any window, from arched to angled to round. Pleated shades come in colors and more colors, and in fabrics that you'd never have expected in shades.

JUST RIGHT BLINDS IS CREATING A BUZZ WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS APPLAUSE HONEYCOMB SHADES

2010-12-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

With exceptional new fabrics plus, the availability of PowerRise 2.0 Platinum Technology much excitement surrounds the HUNTER DOUGLAS Applause honeycomb shades. The new Vintage fabric features a contemporary, linear pattern created from 40 percent post-consumer materials, such as recycled water bottles.

Other fabric updates announced included the new Crystalline sheer designed to provide a true Duolite option, a new 3/8” pleat offered with the Sunterra fabric, the availability of a triple honeycomb with the original Legends fabric and updated colors throughout the line.

The Applause Honeycomb is a refreshing collection of warm, inviting neutrals and soft colors. Plus, dependable operating systems and innovative design options that give you the ability to select the window covering that fits your needs perfectly. The top-down/bottom-up feature is ideal for rooms where you need privacy yet still crave natural incoming light. In addition, the fabrics are easy to clean, providing years of lasting beauty.

Just Right Blinds is a priority HUNTER DOUGLAS distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn, South Elgin and other communities.

THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF COLOR IN HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS & SHUTTERS HELP EXPRESS INDIVIDUALITY WITH HOMEOWNERS

2010-08-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

The right color brings out the beauty of furnishings and enhances a room’s décor. Silhouette window shades and Vignette roman shades coordinate beautifully with current trends.

Barbara Schirmeister color design consultant for Hunter Douglas defines the 2010 palette as combinations of classic and contemporary, cool and warm, quiet and vibrant and stable and unpredictable. When asked for the number one color combination for the year, Barbara stated, “A gamut of blues (Including both blue-greens and purple hues) balanced with warm yellows, oranges and pinks. Barbara also mentioned these important trends: layering and texture, metallic’s, less of matching colors and more unexpected pairings."

Today’s top colors:
Purple – grayed out violet, redder plumbs
Blue is new green – soft watery blues and vibrant sky blues
Grays and cooled down browns. Yellow for energy.
Brighter accents – oranges, turquoises and teals, red and yellow abound
White is now a business color
Mauve is an older color – works as an accent

Just Right Blinds is a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds.Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

Another Satisfield Customer!

2010-08-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed Hunter Douglas 3-1/2" plantation shutters into a home in Wheaton, IL. The New Style hybrid shutters blend the strength, stability and straightness of man-made materials with the look, feel and style of real wood. Available in 2-1/2", 3-1/2" and 4-1/2" louvers.

A Satisfied Customer!

2010-08-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed 2" wood alternative blinds into a home in Naperville, IL. The alternative wood blinds (Composite) are very affordable compared to natural wooden blinds (Stained & painted). Alternative wood blinds are guaranteed not to warp, fade, or crack and have a lifetime warranty.

SAVE UP TO 3 WAYS WITH SUMMER REBATES ON HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW BLINDS

2010-06-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hurry! Hunter Douglas rebates end August 15, 2010

Just Right Blinds & Shutters, is offering Hunter Douglas summer rebates on Silhouette, Pirouette and Luminette blinds. Homeowners save through rebates, and get UV protection.

Rebates include $100 per unit on Luminette® Privacy Sheers, $50 per unit on Silhouette® Window Shadings and $50 per unit on Pirouette® Window Shadings.
All rebates are mail-in.

Shape sunlight in beautiful new ways with the intelligent design of Hunter Douglas window shadings and sheers. With exceptional ultraviolet (UV) ratings, Silhouette, Pirouette and Luminette blinds are like sunscreen for furnishings, fine rugs and artwork.
All feature soft sheer fabric that offers the versatility and light control of a blind, while delivering protection from sun damage. Think of them as sunscreen for your home interiors! When vanes are open, up to 88% of UV rays are blocked, 99% UV blockage when vanes are closed. With today’s consumer favoring darker wood finishes and brighter accent colors, UV protection is essential.

Services from Just Right Blinds include in-your-home free consultation, measurements and estimates, plus free installation. Blind repairs and cleaning are also available from Just Right Blinds. Contact: Just Right Blinds & Shutters, Wheaton, Illinois, 630-292-3756. Ask for Todd.

A Satisfied Customer!

2010-06-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed a custom arch shutter in a home in Westmont, IL this week. The arch shutter is operable, energy efficient and affordable. The Highlite shutter coordinated with the Hunter Douglas Silhouette semi-opaque window treatment to reduce UV light and provide enhanced fashion for the living room.

A Satisfied Customer!

2010-06-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed energy efficiency blinds in a home in Plainfield, IL last week. The Architella collection from Hunter Douglas, Duette honeycomb shades is a state-of-the-art patented design with three insulating pockets for enhanced fashion and function. Duette Architella shades help reduce energy loss up to 50%.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Pirouette blinds provide UV protection from the summer’s sun, unmatched by any other horizontal window covering.

2010-06-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

With exceptional ultraviolet (UV) ratings Silhouette and Pirouette blinds are like a sunscreen for furnishings, fine rugs and artwork.

Over time, the UV rays cause artwork, furniture, floors and other valuables to fade and wear prematurely. Fortunately, Hunter Douglas offers two fashion-forward solutions that provide UV protection unmatched by any other horizontal window covering. Both feature soft sheer fabric that offer the versatility and light control of a blind, while delivering protection from sun damage. Think of them as sunscreen for the home interiors! When vanes are open, up to 88% of UV rays are blocked, 99% UV blockage when vanes are closed.

With today’s consumer favoring darker wood finishes and brighter accent colors, UV protection is essential.

Just Right Blinds is a priority Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. Design consultant Todd Zimmerman can be contacted at 630.292.3756 for free consultation and estimates. Installation is always free at Just Right Blinds.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

A Satisfied Customer!

2010-05-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades into a home in Wheaton last week. Vignette Modern Roman Shades are the fashion alternative to the Roman Shade, combine the look of a fine drapery with the ease and convenience of a shade. Distinctive woven fabrics bring rich texture and color to every window.

Another Satisfied Customer

2010-05-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed Hunter Douglas Pirouette window shading into a home in Naperville, IL on Wednesday. Pirouette window shadings come in three fabric styles, two vane sizes and a total of 44 fabric color combinations. All are available in both semi-opaque, room darkening variations and motorization. For more information contact Todd at 630.292.3756.

Another Satisfield Customer!

2010-05-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds installed Hunter Douglas Everwood Collection into a home in St Charles, IL. Everwood Collection is an alternative wood blind perfect for hot, humid enviroments, and should be considered for bathrooms, kitchens and saunas areas. Contact: Todd Zimmerman at 630.292.3756 for additional information.

Just Right Blinds Offers Spring Special on Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning

2010-03-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Remove the grime and dust of winter and make your window blinds sparkle like new with ultrasonic blind cleaning, now available at spring special prices from Just Right Blinds, Wheaton, IL.

“Ultrasonic cleaning offers window blind owners several distinct advantages over traditional methods,” says Todd Zimmerman, owner of Just Right Blinds. “High frequency sound waves–over 18,000 cycles per second–create tiny, high pressure bubbles that remove dirt from areas no brush bristle could ever touch. The result is better, faster, safer cleaning that won’t damage even the most delicate parts of a window blind.”

In addition to completely cleaning all blind parts, Just Right Blinds provides lubrication of all blind mechanisms. Ultrasonic cleaning is available for all blind types and sizes, including mini, pleated, Silhouettes, Vignettes, Luminettes, verticals and wood blinds.

Spring special cleaning prices from Just Right Blinds feature $58.00 for “front-door service,” which includes pickup, delivery, take-down and re-hang. Cleaning is additional, with prices starting as low as $9.00 each for mini or pleated blinds up to three- feet wide.

For a free, no-obligation quote, call direct: 630-292-3756 and ask for Todd. www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is based in Wheaton, Illinois, and serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

SAVE UP TO 3 WAYS WITH SPRING REBATES ON HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW BLINDS

2010-03-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hurry! Hunter Douglas rebates end April 15, 2010

Just Right Blinds & Shutters, Wheaton, Illinois, is offering Hunter Douglas spring rebates on select energy efficient blinds. Homeowners save through rebates, potential tax credits and energy savings.

Rebates include $25 per unit on Duette® Architella® honeycomb, $100 per unit on Luminette® Privacy Sheers with PowerGlide® 2.0, and $100 per unit on Silhouette® Window Shadings with PowerRise®. PowerGlide and PowerRise both include Hunter Douglas trademarked Platinum Technology. All rebates are mail-in.

Homeowners can enjoy additional savings with tax credit opportunities of up to $1500 with qualifying energy-efficient Duette Architella honeycomb shades purchased and installed now through December 31, 2010. Duette Architella honeycomb shades’ patented cell-within-a-cell design reduces energy loss through windows by up to 50% both summer and winter.

Services from Just Right Blinds include in-your-home free consultation, measurements and estimates, plus free installation. Blind repairs are also available from Just Right Blinds. Contact: Just Right Blinds & Shutters, Wheaton, Illinois, 630-292-3756. Ask for Todd. www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com

CONVENIENT, RELIABLE WINDOW BLIND REPAIR FOR HUNTER DOUGLAS, GRABER, TIMBER AND MORE – PARTS, CORDS, CONTROLS AND GEARS.

2010-03-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Just Right Blinds & Shutters offers window blind repair for Hunter Douglas, Graber, Timber and other window treatment products, with “front-door service” that includes pickup and delivery, quick turnaround and reliable repairs that put your blinds back into operation.

Services include change or replacement of cords, change of motorized controls, restringing, shortening, and replacement of tilt gear.

We repair most window blind products, including Honeycomb, Architella, Silhouette, Duette, pleated, vertical, roman, cellular, aluminum, mini, wood, vinyl, roller and many more.

Free estimates. Call direct: 630-292-3756 and ask for Todd. www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is based in Wheaton, Illinois, and serves the western and far west suburbs of Chicago, including Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Downers Grove, Darien, Geneva, Batavia, St Charles, Wayne, Sugar Grove, Elburn and other communities.

Just Right Blinds to Exhibit at Naperville Home Showcase March 19 to 21

2010-03-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

Just Right Blinds & Shutters will exhibit its growing line of window treatments, including Hunter Douglas products, at the Naperville Home Showcase, Friday through Sunday, March 19, 20 and 21.

The Naperville Home Showcase is a premier spring home improvement exhibition featuring an extensive selection of the latest information, options and trends in products and services for homeowners. Show visitors will enjoy an outstanding venue at the North Central College “Res-Rec” Center, a just completed, environmentally green, leading-edge design campus building. “Mr. Fix-It” Lou Manfredini will present “Sprucing Up for Spring – from Lawn and Garden to Quick Upgrades to Freshen Up Your Home” at 11 am Saturday and 1 pm Sunday.

Visit Just Right Blinds in Booth 708 to enter our drawing for $500 off your next blinds order and to see all the latest in stylish and energy efficient window decorating options. Show features include Hunter Douglas highly energy-efficient Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades that offer spring rebates of $25 per unit and the potential to earn tax credits up to $1500. Rebates are also currently available on Hunter Douglas Luminette® and Silhouette® shades.

Just Right Blinds will also exhibit its newest lines from Chicago Blind Company and Graber Company, as well as provide information on blind repair services including cord replacement, restringing and shortening, replacement of tilt gear and change of motorized controls.

Show hours are 4 pm to 8 pm Friday, 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, and 10am to 5 pm Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, under 18 free. For a $1 off admission coupon, go to www.homeshowpros.com.

Just Right Blinds & Shutters is a full-service window blinds and shutters company based in Wheaton, Illinois, and offering in-your-home free consultation, free measurements and estimates, and free installation. Blind repairs are also available. Contact: Just Right Blinds & Shutters, Wheaton, Illinois 60189, 630-292-3756. Ask for Todd. www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com

HOW TO SAVE UP TO 25% ON HEATING COSTS THIS WINTER

2010-01-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

Duette® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas stop heat loss, may earn energy
tax credit

Just Right Blinds, Wheaton, IL . . . As the temperature drops to single digits and below, shivering homeowners learn the hard way that frosty window surfaces draw out lots of heat. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that indoor heat escaping through cold window glass accounts for 10 to 25 percent of home heating bills.

A cost effective and green solution is to install energy efficient window treatments with a high insulating R-value. R-value measures an item’s resistance to heat flow, so a high R-value window covering will keep heat inside, helping homeowners stay more comfortable without cranking up the thermostat.

“An R-value of 4.8 will more than double the energy efficiency of a double-glazed window, and will nearly quadruple the efficiency of a single pane of glass,” says Todd Zimmerman, owner of Just Right Blinds, a Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, IL. “Hunter Douglas offers a 3-layer Duette honeycomb shade with a 4.8 R-value, making it one of the most energy efficient window coverings on the market. These shades have been shown to protect against heat passing through windows by as much as 76 percent.”

To understand how the Duette’s pleated honeycomb design holds in heat, picture the difference between a flat piece of fabric and a multi-layered, three-dimensional fold. That’s exactly what young architect and inventor Wendell Colson did while enduring a winter night in Massachusetts during the depths of the 1970’s energy crisis. “As I was shivering in bed, a double curtain came together in a folding pattern with a honeycomb-like configuration, capturing air between the folds,” says Colson, now Senior VP of Product Development for Hunter Douglas. “I saw this vertically, but I thought if we put it together horizontally you would have a highly energy-efficient treatment because air would literally be trapped in the honeycomb cells.”

Certain Hunter Douglas Duette honeycomb shades may also qualify for the federal energy tax credit of up to $1500. “Homeowners need to save their original product purchase receipts,” says Zimmerman of Just Right Blinds, “and go to the Hunter Douglas website for more information and manufacturer’s certification statements that they can provide for their tax professional.”

In addition to saving energy costs and providing a possible green tax credit, Hunter Douglas Duette shades are available in a wide variety of colors, fabrics and hardware options, as well as in single, double and triple honeycomb layers. Shades are anti-static, dust and stain resistant and virtually maintenance free, plus they are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. “You can make your home warmer this winter, save on heating costs, and enjoy a fashionable addition to your home décor,” says Zimmerman. “It’s a great package of benefits in a single product.”

Just Right Blinds provides free in-home consultation, free measurements and free installation for blinds and shutters. Call Todd Zimmerman at 630-292-3756 or visit www.JustRightBlinds.vpweb.com.

Window Covering Recall Gives Consumers Several Safety Options

2009-12-16T06:16:00.000-08:00

Does your home have roman-style shades or roll-up blinds manufactured before 2001? If so, take special note of the voluntary recall of these products announced December 15 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council. The industry-wide recall covers all pre-2001 blinds and shades whose pull cords can form a loop and accidentally strangle infants and young children. For a list of recalled blinds, go to the Consumer Products Safety Commission website, www.cpsc.gov.

Consumers can either retrofit their older window treatments to remove safety hazards, or they can replace them with today’s safer products, such as cordless blinds, says Todd Zimmerman, owner of Just Right Blinds and Shutters, a Hunter Douglas distributor in Wheaton, Illinois. Hunter Douglas products are not listed in the recall at www.cpsc.gov.

“Retrofit kits are free,” says Zimmerman. “You can request them online at www.windowcoverings.org, or call the Window Covering Safety Council’s toll-free number, 1-800-506-4636. You can use the free kits to eliminate looped pull cords on pre-1995 mini blinds and pleated shades, to install cord stops on pre-2001 horizontal blinds and corded shades, or to install tie-down devices on pre-1997 vertical blinds. Windowcoverings.org also offers step-by-step how-to videos for repairing all types of older blinds and shades.”

To more fully protect young children, the Window Covering Safety Council also recommends consumers follow safety guidelines, including:
Using only cordless window coverings in homes with infants and young children
Moving cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords
Keeping all window cords and inner lift cords out of children’s reach
Locking cords into position whenever blinds or shades are lowered

What if you decide to replace instead of retrofit your window coverings? “Today’s blinds and shades don’t include dangerous loops, even on regular corded products,” says Zimmerman. “But consumers also have several exciting new options to choose from, such as continuous cord, cordless, or convenient motorized blinds with remote control operation.”

For more information about the voluntary safety recall, free retrofit kits or new purchase options for blinds and shutters, contact Todd Zimmerman of Just Right Blinds and Shutters, 630-292-3756, or visit the company’s website at http://www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com

How to retrofit from Window Coverings Safety Council:
Install only cordless window coverings in young children’s bedrooms and sleeping areas. Owners and renters should replace all other window coverings in the home made before 2001 with today's safer products.

However, if you prefer to keep your older window treatments, the following instructions will help you retrofit them. You can also watch Video Examples of Retrofit Steps! www.windowcoverings.org

ELIMINATE LOOPED PULL CORDS (pre-1995miniblinds and pleated shades)

INSTALL CORD STOPS (all pre-2001 horizontal blinds and corded shades)

INSTALL TIE-DOWN DEVICES (pre-1997 vertical blinds and draperies)

HOLIDAY GLOW INSIDE AND OUT STARTS WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW FASHIONS

2009-11-17T10:16:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY GLOW INSIDE AND OUT
STARTS WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW FASHIONS
Whether you decorate for the holidays in traditional Currier-and-Ives fashion or in the most minimally modernist manner, there are lots of creative ways to rev it up a notch or two this year. Formulate your action plan now with tips from one of the creative geniuses at Hunter Douglas Window Fashions and three of America’s top interior designers.

The Heart and Soul of Your Home
“Light is crucial year-round,” says Joel Kelly of Joel Kelly Designs in Atlanta, “but even more so during the long, dark, winter months. The right kind of window treatments can make us feel comfortable, relaxed and really in tune with each other whether we’re snuggling by the fire or cooking up treats in the kitchen.” He continues, “Warm fabrics like wool have a great drape and texture for this time of year and for something really easy and inexpensive, exchange traditional tiebacks with holly branches or other natural elements. A glimpse from the road of these festive decorations will put guests in the party mood before they even step through your front door.”

Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for Hunter Douglas, is a whiz when it comes to devising new takes on old ideas. “Those glittering mercury balls from the 1930s are a favorite of mine,” she says. “Why not string them, or other cherished ornaments, on a garland with invisible fishing line and drape it over or on top of your curtain rod?” Quick to note that even the most cutting-edge among us often want a traditional touch to our glass-and-chrome homes come holiday time, Morse suggests adding swags of lace or dramatic velvet in the same tone as blinds and shades for a new and modern twist on Victoriana.

Easier still, another way to create a beautiful window design regardless of decorating style is with Luminette® Privacy Sheers from Hunter Douglas. “These offer both soft fabric sheers and privacy in one fell swoop,” says Morse. “With neutral white fabric rotating vanes at the rear, they present a consistent look on the outside, and because they are sheers and available in a subtle palette of neutrals and gently saturated tones, they work with all colors and patterns on the inside. And, the filtered light warms up short days and adds a gorgeous glow to any room.” The sheer face fabric of Luminette sheers range from a traditional elegant sheer, to subtly patterned designs, including a graceful scroll and barely-visible checks.

Holiday Cheer in Every Part of the Country
Even in warm climes like Los Angeles where Kenneth Brown operates his interior/exterior design business, one can conjure up the holiday spirit in a myriad of ways. “Capture and enhance the light in your space,” he says. “Trade your daily window dressings for ones with an opalescent finish (Duette® honeycomb shades are available in such a fabric that contains the naturally iridescent mica) or with glass bead, sequin or small mirror accents in the fabric. That way they’ll pick up light from the fireplace and candles, and colors from your holiday decorations, creating an artistic focal point.” Another way to add pizzazz and a personal touch to your home, Brown says, is by sewing a fun trim on plain draperies.

Brown’s concept of relating home décor to a person’s wardrobe makes decorating easy. “Just as we wear lighter clothes in the summer and heavier ones in the winter, so should your house. Think of summer window treatments as shorts and a tank top, winter ones as tweedy pants and a leather jacket. With all the new ideas out there, who can resist tearing down the old and getting new? The holidays are a good time to try out new colors and textures. And don’t forget all the blinds now available in exotic woods, bold colors and all kinds of funky fabrics. Think about celebrating and then go for it!”

Another hot-weather specialist is Ty Burks, who with Christopher Ridolfi, owns the renowned interior design firm William-Christopher Design in Dallas. "While we rely on window treatments here in Texas to keep out damaging UV rays and the often stifling heat," says Burks, "we also use them to frame a wonderful outdoor garden and figuratively to bring the outside in, especially when it’s brightly colored flowers like
bird of paradise and bougainvillea.”

For the holidays, the partners like to exchange cotton and linen draperies with more festive, yet still simple looking, rustling taffeta, and whenever possible, add mirrored pieces to a room to reflect the lights from the tree and masses of candles grouped about on tables and mantles. “The appearance of your windows sets the stage for a room’s ambiance. Remember, your home is a gift to friends and family alike,” they say. “Gift wrap it for them, so to speak, and they’ll know you care.”

"We think one of the best products out there is Hunter Douglas Duette honeycomb shades. They do everything – control and diffuse light, increase insulation, block UV rays and even block out noise. You can use them as a stepping stone to all kinds of window treatments because they're available in hundreds of colors and sheer, opaque and
semi-opaque fabrics."

“No matter where you live, windows really are the focal point of every decorating scheme,” adds Morse. Whatever you do, be it simple or grand, they draw attention to a beautiful view, the holiday treasures you’ve lined up on the sill or, at night, reflect the mirrors and artwork on opposite walls to create, in effect, a masterpiece all their own.

Holiday Tips that Work ‘Round the Year
“The holidays are freezing in Kansas City,” says Alan Karlin whose eponymous design
firm is based there, “and because we spend a lot of time indoors out of necessity, it’s extra important to trim the windows along with the rest of the house.” Karlin brings up another point that is valid elsewhere in the country, too. “Window treatments are key to holiday safety. With the right ones, you can very beautifully and discreetly, keep nosy neighbors, or worse, burglars, from seeing what Santa might have brought or your best silverware laid out for a dinner party. It’s also a good thing to keep in mind when you go away on a trip summer, fall, winter and spring.”
.
Morse agrees with the safety issue and suggests one terrific solution is Hunter Douglas Silhouette® window shadings with the new Top-Down / Bottom-Up TiltAnywhere™ hardware application. These can be open at the top, at the bottom or both at the same time, giving you full control as to how much or little of your home is on view to outsiders. The vanes can be tilted the way you want them as well.

“While it’s great to have all the generations together at this or any time of the year,” says Morse, “sometimes kids need a break, which may be one reason media rooms are gaining in popularity. So while your friends enjoy an aperitif in the living room, send the kids off for video games or a movie.” Perfect for that room is her company’s new Alouette® LightLouvers, a totally new concept that boasts the look of a shutter without the heavy framing and also available in a selection of room-darkening fabrics.

Great New Ideas for the Holidays and Beyond
“Our goal,” says Morse “is to create what people want and need for their homes before they even know it.” Among the latest Hunter Douglas offerings are Modern Precious Metals® aluminum blinds with state-of-the-art PowerTilt™ motorization and an expanded range of colors finishes and textures; and “for that extra nap you know you’re going to need during this party-filled season,” the billowy folds of Vignette® window shadings in the new EveScape™ room-darkening option.

With some advance planning, advice from the experts and a little help from family members, decorating for the holidays can be fun. Sometimes it turns out so well that you’ll want to keep parts of it in your décor for all-year-round enjoyment.

INSPIRATION IS ALL AROUND YOU

2009-10-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

Reinvent a Room’s Lighting with Blinds & Shutters

There are many kinds of light: filtered, direct, reflected, indirect, natural, so you want to enjoy as much variety as you can in your room. Too many people treat a window as a mere hole in the wall; it’s much more satisfying to think of windows with blinds or shades that control the light coming through as an integral part of the room. Light comes from two opposite extremes: from the untouched corners of natural sun and from room light. If you can incorporate the effects of both – filtered light with louvered shutters, blinds, or shades and strategically placed artificial room lighting; you will have something really special. Hunter Douglas room décors’ provide these options. JustRightBlinds.blogspot.com, www.JustRightBlinds.vpweb.com

You Should Borrow as Much as You Possible Can from the View Outside.

2009-10-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Think of Your Blinds and Shades as Links Rather than Barriers.

There’s a wonderful world outside your windows, and it is my belief that you should borrow as much as possible and use it inside. Claim that view outside your window by breaking down the barrier between interior and exterior. Window blinds and shades help that transition. Try this single trick: Select an arrangement of natural clippings or flowers from the world outside your window; make it a part of your inside space. This visual connection brings the view inside, creating a feeling of a much larger room. For blinds and shutters that let the outside in, contact Todd Zimmerman, 630.292.3756,
www.JustRightBlinds.vpweb.com

Cultivate Your Mind and Every Day is an Adventure

2009-09-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Just Right Blinds & Shutters, Wheaton, IL

An open mind is essential to good home design for blinds and shutters. People come to a project of designing and redecorating the windows in their homes with their minds full of ideas. When they clear their minds of these preconceived ideas they begin to be much more creative when they look at blinds and shutters and how they fit into the interior design of their home. A lot of people believe only a design professional can decorate their home. They copy ideas from magazines to make their home look like those ideas. The real truth is that you can design your own room with blinds and shutters when you begin to analyze who you are and what makes you comfortable in your room. Then you can move on to how the room should look with blinds being a part of the design. Who you are and what blinds you use also change over time. How you live and what you can afford changes too.

Your home is your world as you’ve heard. Designing with blinds and shutters is all about who you are and what you enjoy. I hope I’ve inspired you to use your home design as a means of creative expression and to be bold with blinds and shutters from Just Right Blinds, Todd Zimmerman, Wheaton, IL 630.292.3756
http://www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com/

GOING GREEN THIS WINTER IS MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN EVER

2009-09-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

~ Hunter Douglas Can Help Reduce Heating Bills ~

Hunter Douglas, the company that pioneered the category of highly energy efficient yet fashionable window coverings with the development of the Duette® honeycomb shade in 1985, has the following tips to help save on those heating bills without giving your home a major overhaul:

· Weatherize – First, test your home for air tightness. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lighting an incense stick on a windy day and holding it next to your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures and other places where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke travels horizontally, you have located an air leak. Seal up these holes, weather-strip doors and insulate attic floors. And, when the fireplace is not in use, keep the damper closed tightly.

· Insulate – Don’t just insulate your attic. The Department of Energy calculates that 10 to 25 percent of a heating bill goes out the window, literally. Duette honeycomb shades, boasting a cellular structure that traps air in the honeycomb pleats, can dramatically increase energy savings at the window. Insulation is measured in R-values and the higher the R-value, the better a window resists the transfer of heat. A single layer of uncovered window glass has an R-value of about 1, while a typical double-glazed window (two panes of glass or with a storm window) has an R-value of around 2. By selecting an energy-efficient window treatment, you can increase the R-value one to four points.
Duette honeycomb shades with three layers of honeycomb pleats more than double the energy efficiency of a double-glazed window and nearly quadruple the efficiency of a single pane of glass with a very high insulating R-value of 4.8 (on double-glazed windows). For more detailed information on the insulation R Value, Email Todd at tz@justrightblinds.vpweb.com
· Improve and maintain your mechanical systems – Make sure your gas or oil furnace is serviced and cleaned at least once a year and change or clean furnace filters often during heating season. Also, clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed.

And, replace your thermostat with a programmable one that allows you to set temperatures at different times of the day. Turning the heat down from 72 to 65 degrees for at least eight hours a day can reduce heating bills by 10 percent according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Portland General Electric, Portland’s largest utility company, has dispelled the popular notion that the higher you set your heater’s thermostat, the faster your home will warm up. In reality, they say, it takes the same amount of time for the temperature to reach 70 degrees F whether the thermostat is set at 70 or 90 degrees. Setting the thermostat all the way up only increases your heating costs.

Another hint, according to Tom Silva, general contractor on PBS’s “This Old House,” air conditioning units should be removed in the fall as they are drafty and suck the air out of a house. If that is too much work, use an insulated jacket that goes on the exterior.

· Watch Your Windows – For the rare sunny day, open your shades to help heat the house with the sun, but be sure to close them at night. Also, keep the windows on the south side of your house clean to ensure maximum solar gain.

· Landscape – Let Mother Nature work for you. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall permit winter sunlight to reach and warm your house. Plant deciduous trees on the south and east sides of your home. Stop chilling winter winds by planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and west sides.

www.justrightblinds.vpweb.com.

Finding Peace and Quiet in A Noisy World

2009-08-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

FINDING PEACE AND QUIET IN A NOISY WORLD
~ Hunter Douglas Can Help ~

Oh for a little peace and quiet. There is noise everywhere we go. Boom boxes blare in our parks. People yell into cell phones on public transportation and on our streets traffic roars, machinery drones, planes zoom overhead and pedestrians scream at one another and into their cell phones to be heard above it all. According to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, a national non-profit organization with extensive online noise-related resources, (www.nonoise.org), “Noise is among the most pervasive pollutants today…Noise negatively affects human health and well-being. Problems related to noise include hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep loss, distraction and lost productivity, and a general reduction in the quality of life and opportunities for tranquility.”
More than ever we yearn for our homes to be peaceful sanctuaries but too often noise from the outside imposes on even our most personal spaces. Not only are our cities noisier than ever, but also, our suburbs, where even large houses are being built closer to their neighbors.
Hunter Douglas, the nation’s leading manufacturer of custom window coverings, can help. Its products provide great style at the window and are engineered to improve the quality of life at home by providing privacy, climate and noise control. In fact all its products are rated for sound absorption and all their window coverings are custom-made to your window’s specific sizes for maximum light and privacy control as well as sound absorption.
Duette® honeycomb shades, whose construction mimics the inside of a honeycomb, have especially high sound absorption ratings with several fabric styles absorbing 55 and 60 percent of reflected sound. Duette shades in Phenomena™ fabric with three layers of honeycomb pleats absorb an impressive 65 percent of reflected sound. And now the most comprehensive offering of honeycomb shades on the market has even more varieties from which to select. In honor of
its 20th anniversary this year, Hunter Douglas has added a significant line extension built around its proprietary 1 ¼-inch pleat size, which speaks to the trend for larger-scale window coverings. This offering consists of two new fabrics and three lifting system extensions, including PowerRise® battery powered remote control motorization, an ideal option for large windows, especially for bedrooms and media rooms where sound and light control are high priorities.
Most of the popular Silhouette® window shadings that softly diffuse light through two sheer fabric layers and gently curved fabric vanes absorb 30 percent of reflected sound. This window covering also has the unique ability to diffuse light protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays, while still revealing the view out the window. Hunter Douglas has recently introduced three new fabrics for this product – The Matisse Collection™, which features colored sheer fabrics as well as fabric vanes, Lumiere™ and BonJour™ – and the new fabric-covered headrail designated Palette™. Luminette® Privacy Sheers, a similar concept to Silhouette window shadings that is oriented vertically, provides up to 50 percent sound absorption with most fabrics.
For those who prefer a window covering with the timeless beauty of a Roman shade and the practical functioning of a totally modern window covering, Hunter Douglas has made Vignette® window shadings available with the PowerRise® easy, affordable motorization option. Offering billowy layers of fabric folds, Vignette window shadings with EveScape™ room-darkening fabrics absorb 60 percent of reflected sound.
Hunter Douglas continues to innovate with window coverings that combine high style with practical performance. New Alouette® LightLouvers feature 2 ¾-inch wide elliptical fabric louvers that seem to magically float at the window because there are only two support cords, no matter how wide the product, and because the headrail, which is also elliptical in shape, tilts with the louvers to virtually disappear. Alouette LightLouvers offers the timeless look of a shutter with the light control of a blind and the softness of a shade, and with “Clair” fabric they provide
45 percent sound absorption.
Window coverings can make a big difference in bringing peace and quiet to a home. Hunter Douglas is pleased to share some additional tips from the Noise Center of the League for the Hard of Hearing:
Pay attention to the noises around you and whenever possible, turn down the volume.
Limit exposure time to loud noise sources in the home.
Wear adequate hearing protection such a foam ear plugs or ear muffs when using loud equipment.
Buy quiet products. Contact the Consumer Products Safety commission and the manufacturer of noisy products.
Try not to run all appliances in your kitchen at the same time.
Make your home acoustically sound by following recommendations of the National Bureau of Standards:
Place vibration mounts under major appliances and foam pads under small appliances.
Install padded carpeting, vinyl tile or thick linoleum to absorb sound.
Seal holes or cracks in doors and windows with caulking or a minimum expansion foam sealant.
For even greater noise control, many Hunter Douglas products, such as Silhouette window shadings, are ideal for use in combination with drapes. Combined they will provide maximum sound absorption – a lullaby for your windows!

Light-Nature's Natural Mood Transformer

2009-08-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

LIGHT
~ Nature’s Natural Mood Transformer ~

If you have any doubts about the emotional effects of light, ask Dr. Judy. According to world-renowned radio advice host Dr. Judy Kuriansky, it can increase your energy, elevate your mood and when properly controlled, it can facilitate more healthful sleep patterns and create a romantic atmosphere. Window coverings play a crucial role in controlling light. “The key to a good relationship is creativity and flexibility and that is also what to look for in a window covering,” Dr. Judy advises. Perhaps most widely known as a radio call-in therapist, Dr. Judy is an adjunct professor at the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University Teachers College and at the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia Medical Center.
“Light has a tremendous effect on mental health,” she says. “There are early birds and night owls.” Dr. Judy asks that people think carefully about both their own circadian rhythms (the 24-hour psychological rhythms associated with the 24-hour cycle of the earth’s rotation), and those of their significant other. “It is important for people to feel that they have control over their environment and some window coverings enable you to do that,” she says. Dr. Judy advises consumers to be assertive about their needs when shopping and favors Hunter Douglas products for the variety and flexibility they offer in controlling both light and views from wide open to the outside sunshine to the glow of diffused light, the dramatic effect of deflected light and to the warmth of screened light. If in order to get a good night’s sleep you need a window covering that will totally block light, demand it!
She encourages people to experiment to see what gives them the most pleasure with light control as well as romance! Continuing its tradition of award-winning innovation, Hunter Douglas has recently introduced Trio® Convertible Shades, a window covering that offers so much flexibility in light control that it invites experimentation. This soft window covering features 1 1/8-inch individual, hexagonally shaped horizontal vanes that “open” (compress) and “close” (expand), even when the shade is partially raised. Vanes close for soft, diffused light
and complete privacy; can be adjusted to anything in-between for full control of an environment; and open for a full view-through. A single operating cord both opens and closes the vanes and raises and lowers the shades – allowing the product to transform itself from a shade to a blind in one smooth motion for options in light control never before available.

Dr. Judy notes that there is a segment of the population that is so seriously effected by light deprivation that during the short days of winter they may suffer serious bouts of depression. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypolthalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Hunter Douglas window coverings can help alleviate this disorder because many of the products beautifully soften and diffuse through two fabric layers or gently filter incoming natural light, rather than simply blocking it, so that its positive effects can be felt without its harsh glare and heat.
Cheryl Terrace of New York City-based Vital Design, an advocate of green, or ecologically sensitive design, is so acutely aware of the emotional effects of light that she advises friends and clients to take a walk on the sunny side of the street every day. For window coverings, Terrace likes Alouette® LightLouvers, one of the newest products from Hunter Douglas – it has a shutter-like look without the heavy framing. This innovative window covering consists of soft fabric 2 ¾” rotating louvers that are elliptical and cellular in shape with a headrail that pivots with the louvers to virtually disappear. Because the louvers consist of two layers of fabric with space in between they soften and diffuse light while controlling it. Terrace also favors natural fibers, like woven woods, especially bamboo for the texture they add to décor. Provenance® woven wood shades from Hunter Douglas has unique designs in bamboo, reeds, grasses and wood slats, and has expanded its offerings to 65 fabric options.
Christine Baumbach, an interior designer in Oak Park, Illinois, says, “The winters here are long and dreary, so people need as much light as possible, but in the summer my clients are concerned about light and heat control.” Moreover, although Oak Park is a suburb, houses are frequently only 20 feet from their neighbors, so Baumbach generally specifies top-down / bottom-up window coverings for all first-floor rooms and for second-floor bedrooms to give rooms privacy and still allow them open to be open to sky and sunlight. Hunter Douglas recently introduced its popular Silhouette® window shadings with the Top-Down / Bottom-Up
TiltAnywhere™ feature for ultimate flexibility. Silhouette shadings provide a soft diffused light with its two layers of sheer fabric with rotating fabric vanes between. Baumbach also likes the flexibility provided by Alouette LightLouvers.
Eminent Atlanta-based designer Nancy Braithwaite admits that as a young designer, she favored “the clean look of no window coverings at all.” Several years and many complaints from clients later, Braithwaite has come to appreciate the light-diffusing qualities offered by some window coverings. Braithwaite found woven wood shades to be a good solution to the afternoon glare in a sunroom and now understands that there are a variety of products that offer a clean look plus light control, a big plus in Atlanta’s climate.
Dr. Judy suggests that another important emotional factor to consider in selecting window coverings is that the window is your access to the world. Some people like the sense of enclosure provided by layered window dressings, while others want open access. Dr. Judy says to ask yourself, “When you are at home do you need to feel part of the world or do you prefer to escape?” Los Angeles designer, Peter Dunham says that most Californians like to bring the outdoors in, yet there is a need to filter light for heat control. He is partial to window treatments that “dress the room without blocking the light,” such as products like Silhouette shadings that offer top-down / bottom-up flexibility. Baumbach notes a generational difference among her clients, saying “my older clients like the sense of privacy and concealment provided by layered windows, while my younger ones want to be open to the outdoors but still have privacy at night. Hunter Douglas gives me both the reliability and variety I need for all of my clients.”
When selecting a window covering, Dr. Judy advises to also analyze and express your personal style. “It has a lot to do with fantasy,” she says. “Are you the French maid or cheerleader type? Classic people tend to like traditional relationships and traditional decoration as compared to people who prefer experimentations, surprises and wild colors. Remember that in your home you are the subject of the painting. Do you prefer the chiaroscuro of the Old Masters or the light-filled canvases of the Impressionists?” Whatever your needs and desires, Hunter Douglas has a window covering that’s a perfect match.

TOP TRENDS IN DECORATING TODAY

2009-08-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

~ Your Home is Your Sanctuary ~
We are looking for a respite from an increasingly chaotic world. We want homes that are sanctuaries, spas and above all, safe. Windows have been described as the house’s eyes to the world. Window coverings are what separate personal from public space and as such, now more than ever, they are a prime element in home décor. Hunter Douglas, always the innovator in window fashions, has new offerings to meet the latest needs and trends at the window.

Light Can Change Everything
It is a scientifically proven fact that light affects our moods and health. Window fashions like light-transforming Silhouette® window shadings put you in charge of this vital natural resource in your home. Since its introduction 15 years ago Silhouette window shadings with two sheer fabric layers and gently curved fabric vanes between them have transformed the light in a room from harsh and unyielding to soft and controllable. In addition, because of their unique construction, they are one of the few products that protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays without compromising the light or view. There are more options than ever with the following fabric selections: The Matisse Collection™ is the first-ever fabric with colored sheer facings as well as colored vanes. The Lumiere™ fabric features a chiffon-textured fabric vane with a semi-sheer opacity. Even when the semi-sheer vanes are closed, there is a soft, diffused view to the outside, while the view into the home is obscured. The Bon Jour™ fabric is translucent, similar to most of the fabrics in the existing line, but offers a horizontal linen-textured vane for a less formal, yet elegant look at the window.

Serenity Reigns Supreme
“Spa” and “zen” have become aspirational buzzwords associated with the home. Trend-spotters at the recent Maison et Objet show in Paris reported frequent sightings of figures of Buddha in materials as varied as fine crystal to rough-hewn rock. But even with a figure of a Buddha presiding, a room without privacy and filled with harsh light will not seem serene. Luminette® Privacy Sheers, a similar concept to Silhouette shadings that is oriented vertically, is available with PowerGlide® remote control motorization, an ideal solution for rooms with large expanses of glass like sliding glass doors. If the doors open to a beautiful view, you can see the view and control light with the touch of a button!

The World is Flat
Communications are instant, travel is frequent, and economies are connected. We are citizens of a global village and our homes reflect that. Rooms or wardrobes that feature only one style or place of origin seem as out of date as last week’s headlines. As photos from outer space reveal, we are all neighbors on one small planet and should be concerned about preserving its resources. Hunter Douglas has introduced what’s said to be the first-ever hybrid shutter. Hybrid – a term usually used to describe a type of car designed to appeal to consumers concerned about energy savings – here is used to describe a new type of interior window shutter that combines the style of finely painted wood with the strength and straightness of advanced modern-day materials, to create a quality shutter at an economical price that is also easy on natural resources – NewStyle™ hybrid shutters. Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Shades – offered in dozens of colors and even stripes – are another good option for rooms in the global village. They provide UV protection to preserve your world treasures while screening the light.

The Healthy House
We want our homes to be safe and healthy, not only for our families, but also for our furnishings and artwork. Duette® honeycomb shades, which today are available in single, double and triple honeycomb layers and a multitude of fabric and hardware options, increase the energy efficiency of your house and help protect furnishings from the suns harmful UV rays. Duette shades with three layers of honeycomb cells in winter, with an insulating R-value of 4.8 (double glazing), more than double the energy efficiency of a double-glazed window, and increase the efficiency of a single pane of glass by nearly four times. In the warmer months, they block up to 80 percent of solar heat from entering a home. New fabric and color introductions have enhanced Duette shades, making them now, more than ever, a fashionable and healthy choice for your home. Moreover, they reduce noise.

The New Antique is Modern
Dealers report that classic modern furnishings are so sought after that they are
commanding the prices of centuries-old antiques. These furnishings are complemented by rooms with large windows and simple, tailored window treatments. The new modernism is a softer, gentler more welcoming look that the hard edged 60’s style. Vertical blinds have always been a favorite feature of modern interiors. Hunter Douglas has recently introduced Crosswinds™ Wood Vertical Blinds which combine the warmth and richness of wood with modern ingenuity. There are four paint and six stain finishes to select from and all have as a standard feature the exclusive TopShield™ finish, a clear top coat that is applied to every vane and valance and helps protect against everyday wear and is smooth and easy to clean.

High / Low
Just as consumers feel franchised to pair a Chanel jacket with Gap blue jeans, rooms can sport priceless antiques with money-saving furnishings. Designed to capture the warm, luxurious look of real wood, while offering all the benefits of an alternative wood product for the value-conscious consumer, the EverWood® Collection boasts a complete assortment of slat sizes and colors plus a host of options and top-quality components and hardware that make it the premium collection in the alternative woods product category.

Jewel Tones
Homeowners are discovering that they don’t need to limit decoration to neutrals and pastels. Rooms can have the same brilliant shades seen on fashion runways, jewel tones have become increasingly popular, adding a rich glow to interiors and making rooms sparkle. To fulfill this desire in window fashions, the Matisse Collection from Silhouette window shadings comes in the following lively colors, which cast a tinted-toned glow: Watercolor Glass, Ink Sketch, Artist’s
Wine, Wooden Easel, Seascape and Purple Palette. They are all available in both the two- and three-inch vane sizes.

Back To Nature
We increasingly want to bring nature indoors. Just as spas add tranquility to their interiors with natural materials and the addition of flowers and plants, homeowners are seeking furnishings with natural finishes. Currently the best seller in the Alustra™ Collection, which marries the flawless engineering of Hunter Douglas window fashions with a touch of luxury, is Alustra Woven Textures™. These shades are an innovative alternative to solar screen shades and woven woods that highlight natural textures and exquisitely filter light, with 20 unique natural-textured and light-filtering fabrics available in both Roman shades and window shades.

The New Urbanism
Not only does the younger generation gravitate toward cities, but also newspapers across the country report that aging baby boomers as their nests empty are attracted to the culture and convenience offered by city living. Many of these urban residences feature the large windows of loft-like interiors. Duette honeycomb shades are a great choice for urban interiors. Not only do they offer superb light, temperature and noise control and UV protection, but a 1 ¼-inch pleat size is ideal for today’s larger windows.

At Your Service
Time is our most valuable commodity and so anything that makes life easier is popular. Both hotels and condominiums are marketing their services as much as their location. As the window fashions innovator, Hunter Douglas is adding the value of convenience to many of their products. Now combining the timeless beauty of a Roman shade with the practical functioning of a totally modern window covering, Vignette® Modern Roman Shades boast the PowerRise® easy, affordable, battery-powered remote control option.

2009-08-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

COUNTRY WOODS COLLECTION WOODS BLINDS
ACHIEVE THE DRAMATIC EFFECT OF DEFLECTED LIGHT
For the chiaroscuro of the Old Masters and the dramatic effect of deflected light, choose Country Woods® Collection™ wood blinds from Hunter Douglas, the most complete and innovative wood blind offering on the market. As showcased in the living room above, this product makes for a dramatic architectural statement and allows you to direct the light precisely where you want it.
Featured is the Country Woods Reflections® line with 2 5/8-inch beveled slats for a shutter-like look. It is one of four lines offered. Also showcased: a 4 ½-inch valance, Sage Foliage decorative tapes that are the perfect complement to the Sugar Maple color of the blinds and furnishings, and fixed specialty arches with rounded corners. All Country Woods Collection wood blinds include the exclusive TopShield™ finish to help protect against everyday wear.

2009-08-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

LIGHT
~ Nature’s Natural Mood Transformer ~

If you have any doubts about the emotional effects of light, ask Dr. Judy. According to world-renowned radio advice host Dr. Judy Kuriansky, it can increase your energy, elevate your mood and when properly controlled, it can facilitate more healthful sleep patterns and create a romantic atmosphere. Window coverings play a crucial role in controlling light. “The key to a good relationship is creativity and flexibility and that is also what to look for in a window covering,” Dr. Judy advises. Perhaps most widely known as a radio call-in therapist, Dr. Judy is an adjunct professor at the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University Teachers College and at the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia Medical Center.

“Light has a tremendous effect on mental health,” she says. “There are early birds and night owls.” Dr. Judy asks that people think carefully about both their own circadian rhythms (the 24-hour psychological rhythms associated with the 24-hour cycle of the earth’s rotation), and those of their significant other. “It is important for people to feel that they have control over their environment and some window coverings enable you to do that,” she says. Dr. Judy advises consumers to be assertive about their needs when shopping and favors Hunter Douglas products for the variety and flexibility they offer in controlling both light and views from wide open to the outside sunshine to the glow of diffused light, the dramatic effect of deflected light and to the warmth of screened light. If in order to get a good night’s sleep you need a window covering that will totally block light, demand it!

She encourages people to experiment to see what gives them the most pleasure with light control as well as romance! Continuing its tradition of award-winning innovation, Hunter Douglas has recently introduced Trio® Convertible Shades, a window covering that offers so much flexibility in light control that it invites experimentation. This soft window covering features 1 1/8-inch individual, hexagonally shaped horizontal vanes that “open” (compress) and “close” (expand), even when the shade is partially raised. Vanes close for soft, diffused light
and complete privacy; can be adjusted to anything in-between for full control of an environment; and open for a full view-through. A single operating cord both opens and closes the vanes and raises and lowers the shades – allowing the product to transform itself from a shade to a blind in one smooth motion for options in light control never before available.

Dr. Judy notes that there is a segment of the population that is so seriously effected by light deprivation that during the short days of winter they may suffer serious bouts of depression. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypolthalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Hunter Douglas window coverings can help alleviate this disorder because many of the products beautifully soften and diffuse through two fabric layers or gently filter incoming natural light, rather than simply blocking it, so that its positive effects can be felt without its harsh glare and heat.

Cheryl Terrace of New York City-based Vital Design, an advocate of green, or ecologically sensitive design, is so acutely aware of the emotional effects of light that she advises friends and clients to take a walk on the sunny side of the street every day. For window coverings, Terrace likes Alouette® LightLouvers, one of the newest products from Hunter Douglas – it has a shutter-like look without the heavy framing. This innovative window covering consists of soft fabric 2 ¾” rotating louvers that are elliptical and cellular in shape with a headrail that pivots with the louvers to virtually disappear. Because the louvers consist of two layers of fabric with space in between they soften and diffuse light while controlling it. Terrace also favors natural fibers, like woven woods, especially bamboo for the texture they add to décor. Provenance® woven wood shades from Hunter Douglas has unique designs in bamboo, reeds, grasses and wood slats, and has expanded its offerings to 65 fabric options.

Christine Baumbach, an interior designer in Oak Park, Illinois, says, “The winters here are long and dreary, so people need as much light as possible, but in the summer my clients are concerned about light and heat control.” Moreover, although Oak Park is a suburb, houses are frequently only 20 feet from their neighbors, so Baumbach generally specifies top-down / bottom-up window coverings for all first-floor rooms and for second-floor bedrooms to give rooms privacy and still allow them open to be open to sky and sunlight. Hunter Douglas recently introduced its popular Silhouette® window shadings with the Top-Down / Bottom-Up
TiltAnywhere™ feature for ultimate flexibility. Silhouette shadings provide a soft diffused light with its two layers of sheer fabric with rotating fabric vanes between. Baumbach also likes the flexibility provided by Alouette LightLouvers.

Eminent Atlanta-based designer Nancy Braithwaite admits that as a young designer, she favored “the clean look of no window coverings at all.” Several years and many complaints from clients later, Braithwaite has come to appreciate the light-diffusing qualities offered by some window coverings. Braithwaite found woven wood shades to be a good solution to the afternoon glare in a sunroom and now understands that there are a variety of products that offer a clean look plus light control, a big plus in Atlanta’s climate.

Dr. Judy suggests that another important emotional factor to consider in selecting window coverings is that the window is your access to the world. Some people like the sense of enclosure provided by layered window dressings, while others want open access. Dr. Judy says to ask yourself, “When you are at home do you need to feel part of the world or do you prefer to escape?” Los Angeles designer, Peter Dunham says that most Californians like to bring the outdoors in, yet there is a need to filter light for heat control. He is partial to window treatments that “dress the room without blocking the light,” such as products like Silhouette shadings that offer top-down / bottom-up flexibility. Baumbach notes a generational difference among her clients, saying “my older clients like the sense of privacy and concealment provided by layered windows, while my younger ones want to be open to the outdoors but still have privacy at night. Hunter Douglas gives me both the reliability and variety I need for all of my clients.”
When selecting a window covering, Dr. Judy advises to also analyze and express your personal style. “It has a lot to do with fantasy,” she says. “Are you the French maid or cheerleader type? Classic people tend to like traditional relationships and traditional decoration as compared to people who prefer experimentations, surprises and wild colors. Remember that in your home you are the subject of the painting. Do you prefer the chiaroscuro of the Old Masters or the light-filled canvases of the Impressionists?” Whatever your needs and desires, Hunter Douglas has a window covering that’s a perfect match.
Hunter Douglas Inc. is a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity, covering windows in every Habitat home built in the U.S. and Canada.