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Interior Design Tips

It’s Autumn: Rustic Decor, Window Treatments & More

It’s Autumn: Rustic Decor, Window Treatments & More wjfigw4q3

Rustic decor has entered the design scene with its romantic charm and inviting style. And the timing couldn’t be better. With the arrival of autumn, vintage looks that offer a put-together appearance, yet relaxing and comfortable at the same time, have become one of the most sought-after trends this year. From distressed furniture to shabby chic fabrics, each design element adds to the charismatic appeal–it’s vintage style with a contemporary twist. To top it all off, you can welcome in the glowing light of autumn with window treatments that play off of nature’s inspiration. This is the one of the most beautiful times of year–enjoy it throughout your home with the laid-back air of sophistication we call rustic decor. Need help? Our design experts can come to you with inspiration, ideas and the perfect pieces to get you started.

Autumn is About Beautiful Light

 

The light that enters our homes during the season of Autumn has a glow to it, a certain warmth, like the last moments of a summer sunset. It’s the perfect season to enjoy the boost of energy the sun provides as you try to accomplish all you can before winter arrives and the pace of life slows down. The vintage look of an antique chandelier can add character to your dining space, while the textured window treatments bring in the harmony of nature. Whitewashed furniture, like the table in this home, is perfectly paired with chairs that feature upholstery with nailhead embellishments. The fresh flowers add to the positive energy in the room, enhancing the mood as a tribute to summer’s goodbye.

Autumn is About Gatherings

 

There’s no better way to welcome in a new season–especially the warmth and richness of autumn–than with friends and loved ones. Your home can feature a table setting of rustic decor that displays florals of the season encompassed by shabby chic fabrics, like the wrapped burlap seen here. Down home, relaxed but chic gatherings are a sure-fire way to get everyone in an autumn mind set.

Autumn is About the Perfect Atmosphere

 

window treatmentsSet your home apart this autumn with the charming look of rustic decor. From elements of nature found throughout your home in artwork, tablescapes and pieces of decor, you can create an atmosphere that welcomes ambient lighting and elegant design. Window treatments will add the finishing touches to your space with nature-inspired textures and materials, ensuring you enjoy the breathtaking views of autumn happening right outside your home.

At Metropolitan Window Fashions, our design consultants would love to help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted. We can come to you with inspiration, ideas and expert advice to help you design the perfect space. Contact us for a free, in-home consultation.

Hunter Douglas window shades on sale

 

 

4 tips that will help you improve the look of any room

4 tips that will help you improve the look of any room wjfigw4q3

Looking to redesign different spaces in your home? Luckily you don't have to go in blind —there are a number of different guidelines you can follow in order to revamp and refresh the look and feel of your home without getting lost in the process. Here are a few interior decorating tips that will help you improve the aesthetic appeal of any room:

  • Choose bold colors for the walls: When choosing a paint color for the walls, you will want a hue that brings out your personality and personal design taste. Go with colors that will make an impression on guests, especially in central gathering rooms such as the kitchen, dining room or living room. You can even weave these tones into accessories like area rugs and custom window treatments. As long as it flows throughout the room, no color should be off-limits when it comes to decorating.
  • Create a central focal point: Every room in the house should have a central focus that draws the eye in. In living rooms, for example, this is more often than not the fireplace. What this does is give each room a sense of cohesion and unity. In this regard, you can use the central focal point as a way to build out your entire design scheme. The last thing you want is for your living room to feel disheveled and disorganized because there are completely disparate design elements at play.
  • Give the furniture some breathing room: One of the major mistakes that people make when putting together a room is stuffing it with too many different items. While it might seem like a good idea to pack a room with various pieces of furniture, it will just result in a space that feels too busy and disorganized. You will want to walk a fine line, however, in making sure that there are enough comfortable spots for people to sit when they visit. Gracious living means giving you and your guests space to maneuver with ease, so you should focus your decorating budget on a smaller amount of high-quality pieces.
  • Window treatments pull everything together: Of course, one of the best purchases you can make is custom window treatments. Not only are they aesthetically appealing and able to pull the entire room together, they also serve a number of functional purposes. No longer will you have to deal with the glare from outdoor lighting on your television, as well as the heat from the sun's UV rays pouring into your home. Window treatments will also give you the privacy that is important to you, particularly when you are hosting friends and family.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

Freshen up your bathroom with these 4 tips

Freshen up your bathroom with these 4 tips wjfigw4q3

Whether you hop into the shower right after you wake up to start your day or prefer to wait until the end of it in order to unwind, there is no doubt that the bathroom is one of the most important spaces in any home. This is especially true when it comes to the shower, which can and should be an oasis from the stresses of everyday life.

Take a look around your own bathroom. When is the last time you updated it, even in the smallest ways? Chances are it has been quite some time, which means now is the perfect opportunity for you to make changes and improvements where necessary. All you need to do is get started as soon as possible!

Even if you do not want to make major changes to the bathroom, there are other ways you can more subtly refresh the space. One of the best ways to do so is by investing in new window treatments, as a little privacy can go a long way. Not to mention how aesthetically pleasing they will be in pulling together the rest of the space.

Here are a few tips that will help you update your bathroom:

  • Add some greenery: Perk up the space by adding plants around the bathroom. This will give the space the feeling of a lush outdoor spa. Aromatic plants are best, as scents such as lavender or eucalyptus leaves can help calm your mind when you need all your stresses to melt away.
  • Clean up the space: Of course, you will want your bathroom to be as clean and organized as possible to put you in this relaxed mindset. Having a counter that is covered in toothbrushes, makeup and other daily routine products can clog your mind. Everything should have its place, even if you need to invest in new storage containers. Take a look at what is in the bathroom and see what you can get rid of right away.
  • Home spa experience: You can set the mood to create a home spa in a number of different ways. Shutting the window treatments and turning down the lights can achieve this goal, as well as some light mood music. You'll be surprised how the right lighting can transform your bathroom almost instantly.
  • Window treatments: The bathroom is a room that will need the versatility of window coverings that both bring in the natural light and offer privacy from the outside world. One of the great aspects of window treatments is it gives you complete control over both the light that is let into the bathroom and how secure you feel in the bathroom while you are in there. Shutters would be perfect in any bathroom, and contribute to the overall spa-like atmosphere you want to give the space to help you relax at the end of a long day.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

Redesign your home office with these 4 tips

Redesign your home office with these 4 tips wjfigw4q3

These days, it is increasingly common for people to work from home at least a few times during the week. In order to maintain positive professional momentum and not get distracted by your home life, you will need a home office where you can really buckle down and get through whatever tasks happen to be occupying your time.

Here are a few ways you can create a better home office that will allow you to work in peace:

  • Decorate to complement the house: When you are putting together a home office, you want to make sure that the interior design flows well with the rest of your home and does not stand in contrast to your overall decor scheme. If you have a modern look throughout your household, keep that going in the office. While you want your home office to be separate from the rest of the household, the look of it should be an extension of the tastes you have already incorporated throughout every other space. If you do not want to give up the entire room for an office, you should also design it to be multifunctional. This space could also double as a guest bedroom when loved ones visit around the holidays.
  • Pay attention to the overall work flow: You want to fill your office with furniture and pieces that are as functional as they are attractive. If you fall in love with a certain style of desk, for example, you need to make sure it will meet all of your professional needs while you are working from home. Just because something is aesthetically pleasing does not mean it is right for you to work on, as you only want to fill the space with items that will allow you to get through your work in a timely and efficient way.
  • Color matters in the home office: When you are designing the home office, it is crucial that you choose a color for the walls carefully. While you might not realize it, the shade of your walls can actually impact your overall productivity. Low-wavelength colors, such as green or blue, improve both efficiency and focus. They also lead to a better overall sense of well-being, which will result in much less stress while you are getting work done. These calming colors are the best choice for your home office.
  • Separate yourself from the world: This can often be difficult, as you will be surrounded by objects and people that will unintentionally allow your mind to wander and pull you away from your work. One of the best ways to focus on the work at hand is by investing in window treatments, which grant you the privacy from the outside world that can intrude and ruin your concentration. The last thing you want is to fall behind on all of your work just because you happen to be at home a few days throughout the week. Window treatments will also offer the light you need for a more positive energy. Daylight is crucial to staying focused with a positive mindset, but without window coverings, there could be a frustrating glare bouncing off of your computer screen. These coverings will also keep a room on the cooler side, preventing afternoon sleepiness from setting in.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

Three Great Window Treatments for Sliding Doors

Three Great Window Treatments for Sliding Doors wjfigw4q3

One of the most often asked questions from clients is “What type of window treatments are available for my sliding doors” ? It is a design dilemma that many face . First, there are a few challenges with sliding doors. Accessing the doors easily is your first challenge, while dressing the door and having it flow with other windows or spaces that may adjoin it can also provide a challenge. How do you pull all of those things together for the door? You want products that are functional as well as good looking. We have listed 3 of our top design solutions for sliding doors below to assist you in providing well designed and beautiful window treatments for your sliding doors.

  • Luminette® Privacy Sheers – By far this is our number one solution for sliding doors. Luminettes are sheers, with vertical fabric vanes that give the clean, finished and elegant look of sheers. The vanes can be opened and closed to control light as well as provide privacy on you sliders.  Luminettes can traverse easily to go from either direction – left or right. They also can do a center draw which means the blinds draw together at the center.  They come in a variety of beautiful fabrics that you can choose from and are part of the Counterparts® program from Hunter Douglas. The counterpart program works wonderfully in identifying fabrics that will coordinate with your Luminettes. For example, Silhouettes™ have the exact same fabric in their product line so you can feel confident in knowing that your window treatments and sliding door treatments coordinate beautifully!  This product is versatile and will work well for any space, transitional, transitional or modern.
  • Vignette® Modern Roman Shades – The Vignette Modern Roman Shades are wonderful. Vignettes have a traversing panel system made especially for sliders. This traversing system is nice because it stacks back pretty tightly, but gives you a much warmer and cozier look when it is closed. There are many luxurious fabrics to choose from and the soft folds provide a clean crisp look. They pair beautifully with the horizontal version of Vignettes so that all your fabrics are matched and really complete your room. You can also get Vignettes in room darkening, so they make a perfect solution for basement sliding doors that double as media rooms or bedrooms. You can complete your look by ordering fabric by the yard for valances or drapes. This product is perfect for those clients that are looking for a traditional or transitional look to complete their room.
  • Skyline® Gliding Panels – The Skyline Gliding Panels provide a much more modern look than the two products previously described. The look is clean, sleek and urban. These Skyline panels are perfect for larger sliding doors or multiple sliders together. The look is very stylish. They offer maximum view with the panels stacking tightly at either 11” or 17”. The patented dual channel – single track headrail can cover expanses up to 32 feet. This is perfect for those rooms that not only have sliders, but wall to wall windows. You can choose custom hardware that coordinates with your panels. With the Harmony Program, you can choose from nearly 300 fabrics, to be customized into multiple product styles, such as Designer Roller Shades, or Designer Roman Shades. This product is for the trend setting client who  likes to be the first to have a designer look in their home.

With a variety of products to choose from, it’s always a good idea to ask for expert advice from design professionals. They will help guide you to find the best solutions for all your window treatment challenges.  At Metropolitan Window Fashions, we offer a free, at-home consultation to help you decide which option will work best for you needs. Our dedicated team of experienced designers are here to assist you in finding the perfect window treatments for your home.

How Silhouettes™ Perfect the Art of Light Control in your Home

How Silhouettes™ Perfect the Art of Light Control in your Home wjfigw4q3

Light speaks to you and makes you happy. A room that has beautiful light can make a home open, bright, warm and inviting. How do you capture that beautiful light and how do you control it? How do you perfect the art of light control?  We have the solution for you with Hunter Douglas Silhouettes™

Light moves throughout your day. It can gain strength and depth as it streams and washes across your room, changing your needs for privacy and protection from the harsh rays. Fortunately, Silhouettes are designed for optimal living and controlling that light.

Let’s discuss how Silhouettes add beauty and functionality to your space, transforms the art of  light control and perfects it!

  • Superior Construction – Suspended between two sheers the Signature S Vane transforms harsh daylight into a soft glow. This construction allows you to have superb light control throughout your day. The Proprietary Quartette 4” vane size offers excellent views without distracting cords or tapes running through the shade. Shading also roll completely into in the headrail when raised, providing an unobstructed view when raised.
  • Enhancing Light and Ensuring Privacy – This double layer of sheers allow for an outside view, while obscuring the view from the outside in. This will allow you maximum privacy during the day as well as beautifully diffused light that fills your room.
  • Fabric and Style Choices – Silhouettes have a large selection of colors, fabrics, opacities and vane sizes that are perfect for any décor. They also come in a wide variety of angles, arches, shapes and sizes to fit nearly any window in your home.
  • Elegant Layer of Efficiency – Silhouettes block up to 88% of harmful UV rays with vanes open and 99% with vanes closed. By controlling the light and rejecting those harmful UV rays, you will prevent damage to your floors, furnishings and artwork. The Solar reflection reflects solar heat to keep a room cooler and more comfortable.
  • Smarten Up Your Windows with PowerView – The new PowerView™ motorization controls shadings with a pebble hand held remote or a sleek wall switch. It allows you to control your window treatments throughout your home from your smart phone, table, Pebble™ Remote or Pebble Scene Controller. You can use the The PowerView app to schedule personalized Scenes to operate automatically to control light, privacy and comfort needs throughout the day.

Silhouettes have been on the market for over two decades and are engineered and refined to create beautiful and pleasing light. Rooms are transformed with  diffused light, that create stunning natural lightscapes.  By perfecting the art of  light control, you will  enhances the beauty of your surroundings. Give us a call at Metropolitan Window Fashions to schedule your free shop at home appointment to learn more about Silhouettes and how they will take your home beyond beautiful! Silhouettes have rebates from Hunter Douglas that are good until September 14, 2015, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment! We would love to have one of our professional design consultants help guide you through your purchase.

How to decorate your bathroom

How to decorate your bathroom wjfigw4q3

When are you thinking about redecorating or freshening up your home, the bathroom should be at the top of your list. The bathroom is a great place to relax and unwind after a long day, as nothing can feel better than slipping into a warm bath after a stressful day at work. Having a sanctuary in your household is essential.

While we might not think of the bathroom as a space we want to show off to friends and family, the truth is it can look aesthetically pleasing and be an area that you will be proud to have as a part of your home. All you need to do is make a few tweaks and changes to really bring out the bathroom's personality and true potential.

Here are a some decorating tips that will help you put together the ideal bathroom:

  • Choose a neutral color scheme: For your bathroom to look as sleek and modern as you want, you should consider limiting the colors used. While subtle tones in the bathroom are not for everybody, it will always look clean and give off a more formal vibe, if that is what you are looking for.
  • Long mirror above the sink: Putting a long mirror above your double sinks will allow you to utilize the space in your bathroom, as well as helping to disperse the natural sunlight that floods in. Don't opt for small individual vanities when a long mirror will get the job done better.
  • Pick a strong accent color: Of course, if you do want to use colors, you should choose one of your favorite hues that will really make the bathroom stand out. You can create an accent wall for the space where your vanity is, for example. A nice red or even blue will really enhance the look of your bathroom through artwork.
  • Window treatments are essential: You will want as much privacy as possible in your bathroom, which is where custom window treatments come in. Picking window treatments for the bathroom can be tricky, as you want something that will provide privacy while allowing natural light for a pleasant atmosphere. Products that have a Top Down/Bottom Up feature, like Duettes, will allow for greater privacy and light control. Faux wood shutters or Roman Shades will look great in any bathroom.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

How to make a small bedroom look great

How to make a small bedroom look great wjfigw4q3

If you are thinking of redecorating your home, there is no better place to start than the bedroom. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from the rest of the world, a place where you can kick back and relax, all while letting the stress of your day melt away as much as possible.

Unfortunately, many people are in bedrooms that are on the smaller side, which means much less room to decorate the space how they would like. Should you fall into this category, it might feel as if your decorative options are limited and you are facing an uphill battle.

This is not the case, however, as there are tricks you can use to make your small bedroom look fantastic. As long as you follow a few simple guidelines, you will be able to create a small bedroom that offers you all of the comfort of a space twice or three times the size.

Here are a few ways you can make a small bedroom look great:

  • Keep the color palette limited: When you are playing around with colors in the bedroom, it is essential that you keep the palette as limited as possible. If you go for too many shades, especially hues that are bold, you will end up overwhelming the space. With smaller bedrooms, it is best to keep the colors on the lighter side, as they feel airy and not as intrusive.
  • Leave empty space: While you might be tempted to fill every last square inch, you should leave as much room as possible in the bedroom. This will make the bedroom feel more spacious, as it will not be cluttered up with furniture or accessories. Keep only the essentials, such as your bed, dresser and maybe a spare chair or two for extra seating.
  • Trick the eye with mirrors: This is an old trick, but it is one that is incredibly effective. While you don't want to overwhelm your room with mirrors, having two or three lined up against one wall will create the illusion of spaciousness. Just be sure that you don't position them directly across from your windows, as the last thing you want on a Saturday morning is to have the sun's rays bouncing all around your entire bedroom.
  • Use light fabrics for window treatments: Window treatments are essential for any bedroom, for both privacy and comfort. Who doesn't love those lazy Sunday mornings relaxing in bed? But when you are picking out new curtains or drapes for the bedroom, you should choose ones that are made out of a fabric that is thin and light. Not only will this keep the sunlight out of your bedroom, but it won't feel as obtrusive while covering up your windows.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

Helpful tips for adding color to your space

Helpful tips for adding color to your space wjfigw4q3

If you are looking to redecorate your home, one of the most important aspects you should be focused on is color. Summer is the perfect time of year to think about adding a splash of color to the different rooms of your home, as the season brings with it a feeling of renewal, so try adding some lighter hues that reflect that emotion.

For those who have been afraid to go bold with their colors in the past, you don't have to be. As long as you follow a few simple guidelines, you will quickly achieve a better understanding of which tones and styles will work best for each individual space, which will collectively add up to a home you can take even more pride in.

Here are some tips that will help you effectively add color and pop to your home:

  • Choose a color scheme: There are two different major color schemes to adhere to: complementary and analogous. Complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel, such as blue and orange. They work well together, because one color does not dominate over the other. You may want to try these in a child's room. Analogous color schemes are three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, such as red, red orange and red violet. Your primary color is usually the most dominant.
  • Flow colors throughout: You should find a color that you really love and find way to incorporate it into every room in the house. While it certainly doesn't have to dominate every room, as that would become repetitive quickly, a cohesive color scheme gives the entire home a sense of continuity.
  • Follow the 60-30-10 rule: When decorating a particular space, keep the 60-30-10 rule in mind. It goes like this — 60 percent of the space should use the dominant color, 30 percent covered with a secondary color and 10 percent left for an accent color, where throw pillows or window treatments can come in handy.
  • Get emotional with color: We all have a tendency to associate certain colors with different feelings and emotions, so don't be afraid to play around with those thoughts while decorating. If you want a room to feel more calm and relaxed, such as in your bedroom, be sure to use hues that are lighter and more restful, such as blues or greens.
  • Add fabric: One of the easiest and most effective ways you can add color to any space is by adding fabric, such as custom window draperies. New fabric is a wonderful way to incorporate not only great pops of color, but also provide function. In the summer, you can draw your drapes to keep out the heat and keep the room cool.
  • Pull from the pattern: If you are only redecorating the walls, for example, you can look to your furniture and existing color patterns for inspiration. If your sofa is a wonderful shade of red that you are in love with, don't be afraid to use it in other parts of the home, such as your Entryway Wall or your Dining Room.

Custom window treatments are one of the best ways to add an aesthetic appeal to your home while also helping to keep it feeling warm and cozy. To learn more first-hand about how window treatments can complement your home and bring out a whole new look in familiar spaces, schedule a free at-home appointment with a design professional from Metropolitan Window Fashions. Our main goal is to help you create a home that you will absolutely fall in love with every time you see it.

10 Easy Ways to Color Your Kitchen

10 Easy Ways to Color Your Kitchen wjfigw4q3

A colorful kitchen is a mark of a warm and welcoming home. Adding a splash of color is an easy way to brighten up this space, making it look cheerful and inviting. But before you pick up a brush and start painting, keep in mind that there are a number of creative ways to make your kitchen pop.

By introducing color in small doses, you can achieve a more well-balanced look. Neutral tones like white, grey and brown serve as perfect backdrops for this season's hot and bold colors. Take a look at our quick and simple tips on how to color your kitchen.

  • Add Some Greenery: Plants are a great way to bring life into your kitchen. Lush green leaves, brightly colored flowers and freshly grown herbs complement the look (and smell!) of any decorative scheme. Place them around your kitchen in terra-cotta pots, which you can also paint to match their surroundings.
  • Dress Up Your Windows and Window Coverings: Bare windows are just waiting to be adorned. The right curtains and shades can add the ideal finishing touch to your dream kitchen. Make sure to install custom window treatments with your preferred color and style to flawlessly fit your  design scheme.
  • Color Your Walls: A little paint goes a long way. Instead of coloring your entire kitchen walls, go for bright patterns or sophisticated graphics such as French fleur-de-lis, Florentine scrolls or lavish damask. Pick a bold color that complements your decor like fuchsia, pomegranate or even gold. 
  • Brighten Up Your Cabinets: To revitalize your kitchen cabinets, color them bright orange, babouche yellow or mint green for a softer hue. You can also replace your drawer and cabinet pulls in a contrasting shade for extra detail.
  • Revisit Your Kitchen Decor: Whether it's sprinkling pots of flowers throughout the kitchen, swapping out old plates and utensils for more sophisticated dinnerware or adding colorful accents around the space, taking a second look at a kitchen's decor is a great way of renewing the room's feel.

To help get the best out of your beautiful kitchen, contact Metropolitan Window Fashions to arrange a free at-home design consultation. Our dedicated team of professional designers is here to assist you with all your decorating needs. We work hard to ensure that our customers get the best service possible and to help make their home decorating ideas a reality.