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Add That WOW Factor To Your Atlanta Home’s Interior With Professional Window Treatments

Written by admat on May 8, 2015. Posted in Atlanta Window Coverings, Interior Design, Window Treatments.

Window treatments are easily overlooked yet they are an important part of any interior scheme. Not only can they add interest and texture, but they can also help regulate the temperature of your home. Tailored styles of window treatments work well in larger rooms and formal settings. These more structured designs will often feature valances that cover the poles or tracks and can be covered in matching or contrasting material.

Other formal styles add details such as swags and tails or pole drapery which add richness and flourish to the design.

An Atlanta professional curtain maker will ensure a crisp and neatly tailored design, whatever the style and dimensions of the window. If you are looking for a softer, more relaxed look, layered curtains are a huge trend now. Sheer or lightweight fabrics in varying tones or contrasting colors provide warmth, softening the light as it enters the space while keeping the overall appearance light and airy. This style is also a great way to mix prints in to your room without overwhelming your scheme.

When hanging a layered window treatment, it is important to invest in a multi-channel track or multi-rod curtain rail so that there is not too much bulk at the top of the window. Layered looks are easily achieved with ready-made curtains from the shop shelf.

When choosing fabric for your window treatment, it is also important to consider how much light enters the room. Lighter colors are generally more resilient to sun damage, but will benefit from blackout lining if used in bedrooms so that you can darken the room for sleep. If your room gets a lot of sun, lining the curtains will also help them to last longer, and will help to regulate the temperature within your home. Lined curtains help to keep the sun out in the summer while keeping the warmth in during the winter months.

Another option is wooden shutters. Not only are they the perfect choice for the allergy prone as they are easy to wipe clean, there is also a huge range of styles suitable for any type of home. These range from solid panels to louvered blades and half-height, cafe-style shutters that are a great option for privacy while allowing maximum sunlight to flow into the room. A great tip is to choose a slightly thicker louvered blade because these are great for the Atlanta climate as they let in more air and block out the hot sunlight.

How To Clean Your Blinds and Shades

Written by admat on April 6, 2015. Posted in Atlanta Window Coverings, Roman Shades, Window Blinds, Window Treatments.

Dusting your shades and blinds is not a fun chore to do and you probably do not attempt it very often. Many times window treatments do not get cleaned because homeowners are not quite sure what to use or how to clean them. But it really only takes around 30 minutes to an hours, depending upon number of windows, to clear your conscience and your view. Below is a list of common window coverings and how best to clean them. *Important Note: for shades with delicate fabrics such as silk, you should contact the manufacturer for instructions on proper cleaning. A professional cleaner may be needed in this case.

Faux and Wood Blinds

Faux-wood blinds are one of the most popular types of window coverings. If your faux-wood blinds are just dusty, using a vacuum with a dust brush attachment can make cleaning them a breeze. Simply close the blinds all the way, hold the bottom rail, vacuum one side, then turn the blinds the other way and vacuum the other side. When using the vacuum, make sure that the suction is on its lightest setting to avoid twisting or warping the slats. Handheld dusters like a Swiffer can also be effective here.

If your faux-wood blinds are in the kitchen however, they may have collected some grease and grime in addition to dust. This calls for a bit more thorough cleaning, but nothing that can’t be handled with some good ol’ white vinegar. Simply fill a small bowl with a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water, and then use a clean sock or microfiber cloth to dip in the bowl. Turn the blinds one way and wipe them while holding the bottom rail, then turn them the other way and clean the other side. The vinegar will take care of the grease and grime, and your blinds will be looking as clean as the day they were put up!

Most wood blinds are treated with a special finish to repel dirt and stains. Wood blinds can be cleaned with a good quality furniture polish and a soft cloth or clean sock. Spray the furniture polish on the cloth and wipe each slat individually. Avoid touching the cords.

For heavier cleaning, you can use plain water, but be careful not to saturate the wood. Wipe excess water immediately to prevent spotting, discoloration, or warping.

Insulating Blinds

Dust these with a hand-held vacuum brush on a low setting and spot-treat dirty areas with lukewarm water and a mild dish detergent. Dab, don’t rub, the fabric.

Panel Track Shades

These durable panels for large windows or doors are low-maintenance. Just glide your vacuum dust-brush tool over the panels to keep them fresh.

Roller shades

Roller shades now comes in a wide range of textures and fabrics. Give them a quick once-over with your vacuum’s soft brush tool and maybe a little spot cleaning. To clean classic vinyl roller shades, use a well-wrung cloth or sponge dipped in a solution of mild dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water and wipe the shade in sections. Start at the bottom, and continue working (washing and rinsing) upward until the entire shade is clean. Leave the shade fully extended to dry.

You can also give really dingy vinyl shades a bath. Cover them in warm water in the bathtub and add several squirts of mild dishwashing soap. Using a soft brush, clean the shades on both sides. Rinse, allow to air-dry, and re-hang.

Cellular Shades (honeycombs)

Cellular shade window treatments are a hot pick for their energy efficiency, but they have a secret cleaning advantage, too. Just use the dusting tool on your vacuum. Give them a once-over on low suction, and you’re done. After dusting, most stains can be lightly blotted with a sponge, lukewarm water, and mild dish detergent.

Roman shades

Roman shades, whether they’re flat, pleated, or draped with swags need to be cleaned with your vacuum’s soft dusting brush attachment on low suction. If necessary, spot-clean any stains with a cloth dipped in mild suds. Do not saturate; rinse and blot dry.

Sheer shades

Sheer shades can be adjusted to diffuse the light. These trendy translucent window shadings look delicate but are fashioned from sturdy, knitted polyester. Vacuum with the brush attachment on the lowest suction setting.

Window Treatments & Energy Efficiency – Atlanta, Georgia

Written by admat on March 30, 2015. Posted in Atlanta Window Coverings, Window Treatments.

Windows have a huge impact on how our homes look, feel and function, so we want to get them right. But even the best windows have a hard time doing everything we want them to do — let in light and views, keep out the cold, etc. Happily, homeowners can make their windows perform better by choosing energy-efficient window treatments such as insulated curtains and blinds.

You can find some great solutions for how to make windows more energy-efficient, and your home more comfortable, without spending a lot of money. You can even make some insulated window coverings yourself.

Windows are often described as “holes in the wall” for good reason. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that windows typically account for 25 percent of annual heating and cooling costs in older houses, and can even be responsible for as much as 40 percent.

Even those of us whose homes have high-performance windows want them to work better. “It doesn’t matter whether you get the best window in the world. The first thing that anybody is going to do is change the way it works,” says Peter Yost, vice president for technical services at the publisher BuildingGreen. These changes take place with the addition of blinds, insulated shades, thermal curtains or other coverings.

So how do we make window treatments work for us, and still be efficient? To get the most out of our windows, we need them to be adjustable. Depending on the season and time of day, we may want to let in as much light, heat, fresh air and view as possible, or do our best to keep those things out, in the name of comfort, energy efficiency and privacy.

Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta has a complete range of energy-efficient, adjustable window treatments such as roman shades, plantation shutters and blinds and custom draperies. We are the home for Atlanta Hunter Douglas products.

Choose Quality When Purchasing Window Blinds for Your Atlanta Home

Written by admat on September 1, 2014. Posted in Atlanta Window Coverings, Window Blinds, Window Treatments.

In the minds of many consumers, all blinds are created equal. To these individuals, blinds are blinds. Why bother worrying about who makes them? Who cares where they come from in the end? If you feel this way, you may want to rethink your stance. There are quality blinds, and there are flimsy and cheap blinds. Do you want something that looks good and lasts for years? Blinds made with care are the answer.

Custom Blinds Have a Longer Life than Mass-Produced Blinds

Blinds, Woodstock, Georgia You can get blinds at your local hardware store – but are you getting the best deal? Cheaper blinds may be a relief for your monthly budget, but these blinds end up costing you more in the long run. They break easily, suffer from yellowing, and warp. If your household has pets and kids, this is something to keep in mind. Consider the UV rating of blinds you want to purchase. Quality blinds made of faux wood have a 500 hour rating or greater. Feeble Chinese blinds fall short of this.

You Get More Options with Quality Blinds

When you buy custom blinds for your Atlanta home, you get something tailored to the unique needs of your home. You don’t get exactly what you want with generic blinds. You may end up with blinds that don’t fit the window properly and require labor-intensive alterations. Some material options available for blinds include faux wood, real wood, aluminum, and vinyl. Each has their positives and negatives. For example, real wood looks attractive but needs special care. If you have a theme in mind for a room, it’s possible to get quality blinds in a color that compliments it. It’s up to you and what you want to achieve. Out of the box blinds limit your choices. They leave you up a creek if you don’t like what you see at the store.

Privacy Is Always Intact

Wooden Blinds, Woodstock Cheap, light blinds make it easy for people to see the inside of your home. Slats may fall off if someone pulls at them. If you have a cat, he may put his head through the blinds and leave them stuck in an open position. When you lift the blinds, it may be difficult to lower them at a later time. If you have possessions that you wish to keep hidden, this is a hazard. Quality blinds made in the USA make it painless to keep everything you love away from prying eyes. Their structure ensures stability and durability. Give your family more control over their environment.

Still think all blinds are the same? When push comes to shove, quality blinds give you more for your money. They offer you style, comfort, and appeal. Contact Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta to find out what you can do to get blinds customized to all your needs and will last.

Window Treatment Trends to Look For In 2014

Written by admat on April 21, 2014. Posted in Color & Fabric Trends, Window Treatments.

The times they are a-changin’ – just ask anybody in the field of interior design. A color or pattern is hot one year – the next year homeowners may find it hideous. It’s hard to know what will be in demand, and some people spend much of their time attempting to keep up through whatever means necessary. Whether you care about wall accessories or couch fabrics, there is always a cycle. When it comes to window treatments, the possibilities are nearly endless. Window treatments are design elements you put on, around, or over windows. What developments can we look forward to in the year 2014?
Window Covering Trends 2014

Many homeowners are opting to use custom-made window treatments. Custom treatments ensure that you will be the only one who owns a particular item, but this option is also useful when you are dealing with an unwieldy space. If you think that custom decorations for your windows will cost you an arm and a leg, it may surprise you to learn that it doesn’t have to be that way. You can find fabrics that won’t require that you live on noodles in order to afford them, and you don’t have to sacrifice workmanship and taste. A qualified company can work with you to find what suits your preferences.

Another trend worthy of note involves the need to allow sunlight to come into the home. It used to be that people used shades and blinds that permitted complete blockage of any influence from nature. However, translucent drapes are a common want these days for people who wish to cut back on electricity costs. When you use natural light, it’s not necessary keep a lamp on at all hours of the day. Sheer curtains make it easy to gain light from the sun and privacy at the same time. Window treatments of this kind can bring benefits to tall and small windows alike.

What else is there? The vintage look is making a place for itself in the world of modern home decor. If the idea of filling your home with antiques sends you running for the door, recall that nostalgia is a powerful force in today’s world. What is old becomes new again, and you can breathe new life into your grandmother’s furniture or fine china collection. There are many items on the market that utilize the “shabby chic” trend, and there are countless window treatment options you can add to your own house.

Trends will always exist – the turning of the tide is something you can’t prevent with even the most advanced of equipment. Why not take that fact and mold it into something positive for your home? You can give your windows an original, brand-new look with the help of Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta. Our expert team can give you the window treatment advice you need and push you in the right direction. Call us to learn more.