What is a Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shade?

Hunter Douglas has combined the soft sculptured look of a roman shade with the unique construction and energy efficiency of a cellular shade and created –

The Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shade

The Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shade provides new drama, sophistication and new aesthetics to the wonderful world of shades.

This Hunter Douglas product is priced similar to their cellular shades – an added bonus we are excited about.

The fabric choices are a selection of woven and non-woven contemporary styles in textures and patterns that have very fashion forward colors. There are five fabric styles with four to eight color choices for each.

All of the fabric styles for the Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shades come in both a light-filtering or a room darkening opaqueness.

The inside of the cells are color matched to the front facing fabric that creates dimension.

The street side of the Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shade is in off-white to coordinate with all of your other window treatments for a uniform look from the outside.

The head and bottom rails are fabric wrapped and the hardware is available in coordinating colors.

The Hunter Douglas Solera Soft Shade is available with all of the regular HD lift systems that provide internal cords for a sleek look and extra child safety.

Looking for the latest in shades? View our products.

Schedule Your Free In-Home Consultation

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/hunter-douglas-solera-soft-shade/

Blinds for Sliding Glass Doors

We have discussed that spring is the time of year when we want to open up our house and let the light and the lovely outdoors in. We open drapes, shutters, windows and doors to let in the fresh colors and scents of the new blossoms.

But wait . . . . . too much light?

Not enough privacy?

What do you do with a sliding glass door?

How can we address the challenges of this huge functional “window”?

Indeed, the sliding glass door is a challenge. We appreciate its function and its light but sometimes need to tone down the sunlight for energy efficiency and we want privacy at times as well. Do you remember the blog months ago that discussed energy loss in your home through windows? – well, the sliding glass door is even a bigger problem.

And of course, we have some solutions that not only give a functional, energy efficient way to dress your sliding glass door, but are fashionable as well.

If you are a fabric lover and like the look of drapes, you can use them on a decorative rod mounted above the sliding glass door. Using grommets or rings will allow easy movement of the drapes across the rod so you can either have them open for full access to the door or close them for privacy. Last time we talked about traverse rods which would be a good idea for this application as well. Depending on the type of fabric you choose, whether the drapes are lined, or if you choose to also do a second rod with sheers, your own energy efficiency goal can be met.
Another option that involves fabric is roman shades. Two roman shades can be installed above the sliding glass door on a single header that will allow you to operate each independently for the light control and privacy you desire.

Shades installed in this fashion are also an option. Decorative valances can be an additional item that can tie all the design elements of the room together.

Natural woven shade vertical drapes are a great functional, as well as fashionable choice for your sliding glass door. They are available in lots of different woods, reeds, and grasses, have no cords, and can be as sheer or opaque as you prefer.

An even more modern look is the sliding panel. These sleek contemporary panels come in a wide variety of fabric or material to match your décor. They are both functional and fashionable.

Blinds for Sliding Glass Doors

And finally we have vertical solutions that have advanced and changed with the times, offering you a large variety of color and style combinations. Hunter Douglas has Luminette Privacy Sheers, Duette and Applause with Vertiglide, and Somner vertical blinds that are functional, fashionable and energy efficient for your sliding glass door. What more could you ask for?

After 15 years in the window coverings industry, I can tell you without a doubt that sliding doors pose the biggest dilemma for homeowners.  The love affair with vertical blinds has come and gone, but many people have no idea what else to do to cover a large area.  Sliding glass doors present big challenges with energy loss and light control.  They are usually in high traffic areas of the house – so very functional, energy efficient, and, at the same time, beautiful treatments are needed.  That is a lot to ask from a window treatment! Your only option is no longer blinds for sliding doors!

Fortunately, vendors have responded to the need.  Today there are several innovative solutions to this age old problem.  Determining  your needs for light control, privacy, energy savings, and fashion will help you to select the best treatment for you.

Here are three of my favorites.

• THE most exciting trend in window fashions is the  Natural Woven Shade Vertical Drapery.  These are the ultimate blend of function and fashion. The shade operates with a simple push on the guide rail, so there are no cords to tangle or break.  With so many natural woods, reeds, or grasses to choose from, ranging from sheer to opaque, there is a style for everyone!

• For a very sleek and contemporary look, Sliding Panels are one of the fastest growing new trends in window fashions.  Flat panels of fabric slide one in front of another as you open and close the shade using a wand.  Fabrics range from opaque shade cloth to natural woven wood materials, again offering much versatility.

• Vertical Cellular Shades offer great function and superior energy efficiency.  Available in many colors and fabrics, this shade coordinates with the other cellular shades in your home, but slides easily along a track with a push of the hand, providing a truly cordless option.

If you want more information on the Hunter Douglas line of sliding glass door options or any of the other ideas here, contact Kim for your free in-home consultation – 513-398-5798 or email klyon@windowaccentsinc.com

Schedule your Free In-Home Consultation

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/window-treatments-for-sliding-glass-doors/

All About the Finest Sheer Curtain Fabric

Guide to the Finest Sheer Curtain Fabric

Color, pattern, texture – modern sheer curtain fabrics are found in an abundance of all of these!

No longer are we stuck with plain old sheer curtains – unless of course, you want to be. Plain sheer curtains are still a great accompaniment to drapery panels. Plain sheers will not distract from the heavier, more dramatic fabrics used for the draperies. Or as in the photo above, the delicate patterned sheer coordinates splendidly with the drapery and valance.

Sheer curtains on their own do a terrific job of filtering harsh sunlight, radiating a soft flowing feeling as they frame the window, and create some privacy while still allowing the light to pass through.

Sheers can be crafted and installed in all of the ways that custom curtains can be. Sheer curtains can have grommets or rings, be gathered, tabbed or pleated, and they can be attached to a traversing rod as well. The style of the mounting depends on your personal décor and the function of the sheers. Are they just beautifully framing and softening the window or are they needed for privacy and light filtering? Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by installing sheer curtains before you choose which curtains to purchase.

Either way, you will have lots of fun trying to decide on a sheer or semi-sheer fabric given the thousands of choices we have today. There are wonderful subtle textures and patterns woven within the fibers themselves or some sheer fabrics have embroidered patterns. The colors are great too – soft ivories, creams, and pastels – and below you will even see some deeper toned sheer curtain fabric in black. Here is a semi-sheer panel in a powder room in brown:

Sheer Curtain Fabric Examples

Let’s take a look at some of sheer curtain fabrics from our friends at RM Coco in Missouri – This first grouping of fabrics all have some sort of lines:

Next, we gathered some RM Coco fabrics that have leaves and swirl patterns:

Here is traditional plain sheer curtain fabric and crinkled:

And finally, some textured sheer fabrics from RM Coco:

The fabrics can be woven of different fibers to create different looks. A lot of the sheer curtain fabrics today are produced from man-made polyester, traditionally a more flame retardant material, but sheers are also made with linen and cotton.

We gathered some decorator sheer fabric samples from Lafayette Interior Fashions in Indiana.

This first grouping shows sheers with texture:

The next group of Lafayette’s sheer fabrics are ones we picked with accent

And our last group shows a bit of color variety:

If you are thinking about adding sheers to a window or changing your current sheers to a more updated fabric, Kim would love to show you some of the samples we included here and many more. All you need to do is call 513-398-5798 or email klyon@windowaccentsinc.com for a free in home consultation –     sheer simplicity!

 

Schedule your Free In-Home Consultation

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/all-about-sheers/

Faux Wood Blinds : How do I Clean my Window Treatments?

We install your fabulous new window treatments and then the holidays come around and you wonder – how do I clean these?

Well no matter what style of window treatment you have, you will do well to remember two basic rules:

Keep the Dust Off

Be Gentle

Dust will collect anywhere, anytime and will collect moisture. Moisture will then attract more dust and also dirt.  Hard-surface products like blinds and shutters are best dusted with a feather duster or a soft filament duster or wide paintbrush.  Soft products like cellular shades, roman shades or drapery stay cleanest with a twice-a-year gentle vacuuming with the brush attachment on a vacuum.  Chemically treated dusting cloths must be used with care, certain sheer shading products can be damaged with these.

Below you will find great ways to clean almost any window treatment and remember that you can contact us any time you have questions or concerns or need professional help.

Faux Wood Blinds

To keep and maintain the natural look of your faux wood blinds, we recommend wiping them off with a soft cloth, a feather duster or using the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner. Unlike real wood blinds, faux-woods can be cleaned with a mild non-abrasive soap and warm water. Always remember to rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely in the open air before placing back in the window. Remember to never use hot water and to clean on a weekly basis, and you will always be able to enjoy the natural look of wood.

Honeycomb Cellular Shades

Honeycomb cellular shades are both durable and functional. To keep your honeycomb cellular shades looking like new, we recommend regular dusting with a feather duster. You can also use the brush attachment of your vacuum or even blow off dust with a can of compressed air. If you need to deal with stains, blot with a damp sponge and a very mild soap. If this does not take out the stain, you can remove the honeycomb cellular from its mounting bracket and soak it in warm, mild soapy water. Be very careful! Make sure to test the soap on a discreet corner first and rinse thoroughly. When you are ready to put your honeycomb cellular shade back in the window, make sure to raise the shade tightly to re-crease the pleats.

Mini Blinds

How often you clean your blinds is really dependent upon you and your family, the climate you live in and the overall traffic that moves through your house on a daily basis. Your blinds will attract dust, dirt, pollen, hair, grease and even bugs!

Mini, Wood, Faux and Vertical blinds should all be lightly cleaned on a weekly basis. By lightly cleaned, we recommend simply dusting them off with a dust rag or feather duster once a week. Eventually, a light dusting will not remove all of the dirt, so you will need to be a little more aggressive.

Mini blinds are easy to clean and maintain. A good way to start is by opening your mini-blinds and going over them with a vacuum. Usually your vacuum will have a soft brush attachment. Run that over the slats, as it is a good way to get the dust. Then remove your mini-blind from the headrail. Lay out your blinds on a padded, flat area. Make sure your mini-blinds are in the closed position. Use mild soap and water (warm, not hot), you can use Windex glass cleaner or a diluted pine cleanser. Soap thoroughly, then rinse gently. Now either turn the blind over or open it the opposite way, and repeat the process. One important thing to remember is, after rinsing, allow your mini-blinds to dry .

Natural Woven Shades

Natural woven shades are quite unique. They provide a relaxed look and feel to any room. To keep your woven woods looking like new, we recommend cleaning on a regular basis using a feather duster or the brush attachment on your vacuum. You may want to start by raising and lowering your natural shades to help reduce dust, and then use a soft dust cloth until you are familiar with the uniqueness of the material. It is simple to continue to enjoy the relaxed beauty of your natural woven shades

Pleated Shades

Pleated shades are both durable and functional. To keep your pleated shades looking fresh and new, we recommend regular dusting with a feather duster. You can also use the brush attachment of your vacuum or even blow off dust with a can of compressed air. If you need to deal with stains, blot with a damp sponge and a very mild soap. If this does not take out the stain, you can remove the pleated shade from its mounting bracket and soak it in warm, and rub gently with mild soapy water. Be very careful! Make sure to lay flat to dry completely. Make sure to test the soap on a discreet corner first and rinse thoroughly. When you are ready to put your pleated shade back in the window, make sure to raise the shade tightly to re-crease the pleats.

 

 

 

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a time-tested window treatment that is both durable and functional. To keep your roller shade looking fresh and new is simple and easy. We recommend periodic dusting with a feather duster or light vacuuming with the brush attachment on your vacuum. For some of the vinyl fabrics, you wipe off with a damp sponge. Clean regularly and you will always maintain their original long-lasting beauty.

Roman Shades

Roman (Fabric) shades are both elegant and functional. One of the best qualities they offer however is that they are simple and easy to clean. We recommend occasional vacuuming with the brush attachment on your vacuum. You could also use a feather duster for regular light cleaning. By performing regular cleaning you will be able to keep your Roman (Fabric) shade looking beautiful and fresh for years to come.

Shutters

Shutters are made to be durable and easily cared for and easy to clean. Cleaning your shutters is simple and should be done periodically. It is important to remember that real wood can warp. Do not clean or soak with water. To keep and maintain the natural elegance of your real wood shutters, we recommend wiping them off with a soft cloth, a feather duster or use the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner. Occasionally you may even want to use a non-wax furniture polish and a soft rag to rejuvenate the wood to its original luster. As for vinyl shutters, it is ok to use a mild soap and warm water. Clean your shutters on a regular basis and you will always be able to enjoy the beauty and durability of shutters.

Sheer Window Shades

Sheer window shades look delicate and elegant. But don’t let their looks fool you. They are constructed with sturdy knitted polyester. To keep them looking new it is simple and easy. Both vertical and horizontal soft sheers only require periodic dusting. We recommend you use a feather duster and lightly dust them on a periodic basis or even blow off dust with a can of compressed air. In case you require cleaning a spot or stain, lightly blot with a damp sponge and some mild soap. Don’t use chemical cleaners as they may discolor the fabric. Clean on a regular basis and you will always keep your sheer window shadings looking beautiful for a long time.

We do however, recommend professional cleaning when neccessary and will recommend a technician for you.

 

 

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds come in different types: vinyl, fabric, aluminum and wood. All are easy to maintain and keep looking beautiful. One mistake people make when cleaning their vertical blinds is that they tend to be a little too aggressive in thinking that these are very sturdy and can handle anything. Although vertical blinds are quite durable, you still need to take care when cleaning them. When cleaning your vinyl and aluminum verticals, begin by giving them a light dusting like you would treat your fine furniture. Then clean with soap and water. It is highly recommended to clean each vane one at a time. It is best to use a mild non-abrasive cleaner. As for your fabric vertical blinds, you will want to dust them off lightly with a feather duster, then use a vacuum (brush attachment) and run it over all of the vanes.

Remember, whichever type of vertical you are cleaning, make sure to open completely one way. Clean. Then open completely the other way and clean. Clean each vane individually on a flat surface, never use hot water, and do not over-soak them.

Draperies, Top Treatments, Valances and Cornice Boards

The single most important thing to remember is to never wash your drapery by hand. This includes putting them in a washing machine or even cleaning them with mild soap and water. Just don’t do it! You can (very carefully) lightly vacuum your drapery using the brush attachment of your vacuum. But remember to be gentle.
Unfortunately, there are no industry standards on how often to clean your drapery, but we do recommend vacuuming twice a year or as warranted by the traffic patterns in your home. If that doesn’t satisfy you, then take them to be dry cleaned. You should consider taking your drapery into a professional dry cleaner every 3 to 5 years. It is always best to use your own good judgment as to how often to have them cleaned. Nobody knows the elements your home is exposed to better than you do.

Schedule your Free In-Home Consultation

 

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/ever-wonder-clean-window-treatments/

The Sheer Facts on Casement Fabric – Sheer Custom Curtains

Casement Fabric and Sheer Custom Curtains

We have several clients interested in sheer and casement window treatments. Today we are looking into casement fabrics. The definition of casement is:

Casual custom curtain fabric in loose or tight, open or closed, plain or novelty weave.  Often given interesting texture, color and pattern through tied complex-yarn arrangements and weave variations.

Sheer fabric is made using thin thread and/or low density of knit and which results in a semi-transparent and very light weight cloth. Some of these fabrics become totally transparent when wet.

So from the definitions we understand that casement fabric is different than sheer fabric and sheer window treatments. For more information on sheer fabrics you can look back at our blog click here.

Exploring Sheers and Casement Curtains

Like sheers, casement curtains allow light into the room but usually less than sheers. Casement fabrics are typically more loosely woven of thicker strands and the overall texture and appearance is heavier than sheer fabrics. They are better termed as semi-sheer and usually come in light natural colors although they are available in darker shades as well. Here are two close-ups to give you a better idea of the textures:

Schindlers Fabrics

Casement fabrics can absorb some sound to make the room a little quieter, soften architecture but not hide it, and can add a sensuous feel to the room without taken all the light away. When closed, the casement fabric curtains will give more privacy than a standard sheer.

Examples of Casement Fabrics

Linen, cotton, hemp, acrylic and polyester are some of the fibers used for casement fabrics. Our friends at RM Coco have a lovely selection, some of which are seen below:

 

Her are close-ups we took of a several RM Coco casement fabrics so you can see better detail of the great woven textures:

We are fans of casement fabric as it blends so well into today’s decor trends. The popular look for what is termed rustic urban design, uses reclaimed woods, metal and natural materials for a winning combination of modern and old.

If you are interested in seeing and feeling some casement fabrics or any other decorator fabrics in the convenience of your own home, contact Kim today at 513-398-5798.

Schedule your Free In-Home Consultation

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/sheer-facts/

Hunter Douglas Luminette Privacy Sheers

Luminette Privacy Sheers by Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas Luminette Privacy Sheers are a vertical option included in the Hunter Douglas Spring promotion, The Lighter Side of Living.

Hunter Douglas Luminettes provide precise light control with translucent or room-darkening vane opacity options.

Soft face fabric is permanently bonded to fabric vanes, offering full view-through and discreet privacy.

 

Hunter Douglas Luminette Privacy Sheers offer an array of fashion forward fabrics and colors to enhance any window in your home.

Face fabric of the Luminette diffuses sunlight into the room, reducing the need for interior day lighting.

There are 72 fabric combinations available.

These vertical sheers are available for sliding glass and French doors as well.

Luminette Privacy Sheers can be made in widths from 12” to 192” and heights from 24” up to 120”.

Hunter Douglas Luminettes offer excellent protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Control of these vertical sheers can be with a wand, a wand and cord combination, or with motorized options.

Schedule your Free In-Home Consultation

source https://windowaccentsinc.com/hunter-douglas-luminette-privacy-sheers/