Metropolitan Window Fashions is proud to be part of the Exciting Windows! network – a select group of at-home decorating retail professionals located throughout the United States and Canada. Michael Payne, the celebrity designer and the host of HGTV’s popular “Designing for the Sexes” program for nine years, is the spokesperson for Exciting Windows! He’s a fabulous designer and known by millions. Michael is actually a customer of Exciting Windows! and believes in our service so much that he recommends Exciting Windows! retailers and decorators wherever he goes. We’re pleased to pass along Michael’s decorating tips and ideas!

For many years, the only design element for windows were blinds and simple curtains. In the past decade, so many incredible styles, fabrics and technological innovations have turned curtains into the most elegant and personal statement you can make in determining your home decor. Add soft shirred shades, sumptuous draperies puddled on the floor, glorious valances, gorgeous ornamentation, hardware or tassels, and the look and feel becomes pure luxury… and comfort in any room of your home. The key is in finding and selecting the perfect fabrics to achieve your design goals. Casual elegance can be achieved with textured fabrics used in creating draperies with luxe volume. Shimmering silks, blends and new synthetics can bring an elegant sparkle that makes your rooms shine. Opulent multi-layered effects help achieve depth at any window, with fabric sheers, shadings and blinds beneath custom designed draperies making the ultimate decor statement.

When the air conditioning and heating bill goes through the roof, make some changes at the window by choosing from a wide range of custom treatments that cut into the high cost of energy! Products such as insulating double-layered shades, window film, lined silk draperies and hardwood shutters are just a few remedies. As the cost of energy escalates, here are some suggestions:

Eco-Smart ComforTrack Insulating Shades keeps the high cost of cooling down with their energy saving sidetrack system. This traps air between the shade and the window glass – acting as a barrier to hot or cool air. This style, which is available both as light filtering and room darkening, comes in 25 different colors!

Hardwood Shutters with elliptical louvers are effective energy savers, as well. When installed, they form a tight seal at the window that keep rooms cool in summer, warm in the winter. The shutters can also be custom-crafted to fit virtually any shape, size or style of window and come in a variety of colors, patterns and hardwood finishes like maple, walnut, cherry, red oak, teak, mahogany and ash.

Window Film blocks nearly 100% of damaging UV rays, which plays a major role in fading your draperies, furniture, artwork and even flooring. Applied directly to the window pane, this transparent product holds radiant heat and air conditioned air inside so that you can enjoy consistent temperatures in every room without sunlight glare.

Why move when you can give yourself a whole new environment by updating tired window treatments and interior fabrics? Staging is NOT just for selling new homes… it can also be the very best way to go about improving your overall home design by doing your décor updates over a span of time, and without huge outlays of cash all at once!

A professional window fashions Shop-At-Home consultant can help you come up with a plan to suit your timing and budgetary needs. Ideas are FREE and your consultant brings a wealth of design and technical information to you by measuring your windows, showing you fabric and product samples in your home’s natural light. A cost estimate, customer service follow-up and assurance that the job will be done in a timely manner are reasons to call for a free In-Home appointment. Window fashions are the finishing touch to a beautiful, unified room – so get an expert to help you with all the details!