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blackout blinds

Blackout Drapes Or Blackout Shades. Which Is Better?

Blackout Drapes Or Blackout Shades. Which Is Better? wjfigw4q3

Sleep. You can’t really function well in life without it. This time of year can be tricky, as the longer days offer the illusion that it’s your normal timeframe, even though your body is convinced it’s wind-down time. And sleeping in on the weekends is a distant memory as the sun’s rays are shining minutes earlier each day. Does the increase in daylight hours have you searching for room darkening window coverings? While there are a lot of options, the biggest question you might be asking yourself is: Blackout Drapes or Blackout Shades, which is better for me? Much of it will depend on the ‘look’ you want to achieve in the particular room you are darkening. The soft flow of fabrics might entice you, bringing patterns and prints you love into the space. With blackout shades, the designer look is easily attained in textures and colors that will complement your decor. The fabrics and materials are available in a range of soft, flowing layers, to sleek low-profile design. The best way to know which window treatments are right for you? Talk to one of our design consultants for advice, inspiration and our incredible selection of possibilities!

Blackout Drapes

Southbank Penthouse

Many of our clients ask for the custom drapery look and feel that they’ve experienced when staying in their favorite hotels. They want the soft look of custom drapes that add beauty and style to their bedroom as well as the superior blackout qualities that have allowed them to get a relaxing night’s sleep. Blackout drapes are constructed not only with your beautiful fabric selection, they have an additional blackout liner to keep as much light out as possible. However, not all blackout liners are created equal. When you’re considering blackout curtains for your home, you need a trusted source. Plenty of our clients have come to us with one story or another of blackout drapes that didn’t do their job. And what about energy efficiency? You want to keep your bedroom at a comfortable room temperature–and with summer coming, the thermal insulation on your blackout curtains will be important. You need a good night of sleep–in other words, a bedroom that is dark and comfortable.

Blackout Shades.

blackout curtains blackout shades roman shades

The beauty of window shades offers you a vast range of decor and style possibilities for your home. And depending on your home’s unique characteristics, you’ll be able to outfit your bedrooms with blackout shades that offer every convenience and comfort of modern innovations. Blackout shades–like blackout drapes–are not all created equal. Quality matters. Energy efficiency matters. Light gaps–or the lack of them–matter. Blackout shades are often chosen because the fit of custom shades is made for your windows–and they should be. Reducing the light gaps to the smallest increments, as well as choosing the best blackout fabrics, is what you deserve. And there’s a shade for every style. Choose from the sleek, low-profile design of blackout roller shades, the waterfalling layers of roman shades, the organized efficiency of honeycomb shades–even blackout options for sheer shadings. We’ve got the solutions you need for a good night’s sleep.

It’s All About Layers

blackout curtains blackout shades silhouette

Do you love the look of layers at the window? We do, too! Not only for decor, but layers offer a range of light control options for your family. Love the look of draperies, but don’t need blackout curtains? Drapery side panels can help keep the smallest amount of light blocked along the edge of the window. Top treatments added to blackout shades can bring in your favorite fabric prints and patterns. How about blackout shades with sheer window treatments? Doesn’t that sound like a dream come true? One of the latest innovations adds a second shade–a blackout shade–that operates in place behind your sheer window treatments. This gives you layers for levels of light control, privacy and energy efficiency–meant to fit your lifestyle.

Blackout Drapes or Blackout Shades: Which One Do You Love?

We know you need a good night’s sleep. When you’re trying to decide whether you want blackout drapes or blackout shades, we can help. The design consultants at Metropolitan Window Fashions will listen to you, helping you create the atmosphere that will fit your family and your lifestyle so everyone is getting a better night of sleep. Contact us to visit you for a free, in-home consultation.

Hunter Douglas shades on sale!

Pet Safe Blinds: Make Safety a Priority

Pet Safe Blinds: Make Safety a Priority wjfigw4q3

Naturally full of adventure, pets keep us on our toes. Do you ever wonder what they are up to while you’re away? Wandering around, relaxing in the sun, taking inventory of who’s just outside the door–they stay busy. And when they get bored? They make their own fun. Do you have pet safe blinds and shades? Dangling cords become the ideal toy for a kitten. Your puppy simply must see that squirrel just beyond the windowsill–it’s too exciting to miss. Frustrating tangles and even fatal injuries can occur. It’s time to make safety a priority. From sunning themselves in their favorite spot, to positioning their body for a perfect view of morning joggers, your home is their domain. Bring excitement to their day with personal adjustments of pet safe blinds that deliver an environment suited just for them.

 

Power to the Rescue!

pet safe blinds motorizedIf I had to guess, I’d say your pet moves from one sunny spot to another. Does your pet like to take advantage of the morning rays of sun in one part of your home? And when the afternoon rolls around–are they likely to be found soaking up daylight in another space? Being away from them all day is hard enough. All of those little habits can continue when safety comes into play with cordless, motorized blinds and shades.  You create an atmosphere they enjoy by scheduling adjustments with PowerView motorization. Customized to fit your pet’s day-to-day lifestyle, their special sun spots and views are available at just the right time. While sunshine streams into one window mid-morning, the rest of your home is comfortable, controlled and covered up. As the daylight transitions, so will your pet. You’ll know they’re being taken care of–and then you don’t have to worry. It’s the peace of mind you need when your furry friends are home alone.

 

A Custom Environment

pet safe blinds shades shuttersSpeaking of moving around your home, there are certainly times of day when your pet is more active than others. Does the increase in foot traffic outside your home heavily influence your pet’s day? Some pets love having a perfect view to the outdoor activities. And others? That excitement is simply too much. With pet safe blinds, shades and shutters, you can rest easy knowing your cordless window coverings are meeting your pet’s need throughout the day. Louvers and slats can be opened for tremendous view-through so your pet can see what’s happening. No cords, no problem. What if you want to invite daylight in while blocking the intense heat and outdoor views? Top down shades will bring in the natural light across the ceiling, offering a blissful sanctuary to keep Fido calm while you’re gone.

 

Safety + Convenience + Function


cordless pet safe blindsIt’s no secret that this is a great time of year to get outside and spend time in the outdoors. Enjoy the experience with your pet, while still receiving all the benefits that pet safe blinds, shades and shutters bring to your home. Do you feel like they’re constantly playing a game called “In/Out” where you’ve barely sat down from letting them in, and they just want to go out again? Tending to their needs can feel like a full-time job. You need ease and convenience, not a jumble of cords. In addition, make sure the maintenance of outside time isn’t adding to your stress. If you’re worried about dusty paws and the gathering of hair, you can select fabrics and finishes specifically created to help maintain your home’s cleanliness.

Pet Safe Blinds; Protect Your Fur Babies!

From a Teacup Yorkie, to a Giant Schnauzer, every dog is a guard dog–and full of excitement at what’s taking place just beyond the windowsill. Letting them enjoy the views of that activity outside their own front door, or protecting them from it–you know best.  That’s why we’d love to help you find the perfect operating system and features in pet safe blinds, shades and shutters. Come visit us at any one of our three, exclusive Hunter Douglas showrooms. Or, contact our team for a free, in-home consultation today. Make safety a priority. You’ll be glad you did.

Hunter Douglas on sale

The Top 5 Bedroom Design Features

The Top 5 Bedroom Design Features wjfigw4q3

Fall is in full swing. The days feel shorter, the darkness longer. Have these seasonal changes got you thinking about your bedroom design? Does the gloominess of autumn and increasing darkness make you feel like you need to spruce up your space? You’re not alone. This is a time when we’re all getting ready to cozy in for the chilly months ahead. And we all want to do that in a bedroom that feels gorgeous and design savvy. We’ve got the top five bedroom design features you need to consider when you’re ready to make changes to your home.

#1 Your Personality.

Luxury Master Bedroom

When you consider your bedroom design, the most important feature is that it speaks to your unique personality. One of the best ways to create the perfect space is to choose the colors and specific style you love. Are you most comfortable in the farmhouse style of cozy chic quilts and linens? Or do you love luxurious patterns in rich colors? Custom bedding and accents are a perfect way to achieve the look that you’ll love. With coordinated fabrics, paint colors and accents, your bedroom will be the sanctuary you’ve always wanted. Let your personality shine.

#2 Layout.

Brambleton Master Suite

The general rule, when arranging furniture in your bedroom design, is to stand in the doorway. Most of the time, you’ll want to enter the room looking at the bed on the opposite wall. While that might not be the case in every room, the most important aspect is to create a “flow” throughout the space. It shouldn’t feel disjointed and cramped–with the wrong layout, this can happen no matter the size of the space. You shouldn’t have to walk around furniture to get to other parts of your bedroom. You might have to think outside the box and try out some different arrangements to see what works best. Changing up your bedroom design can add a whole new feel to the space, and you might be surprised at what looks best.

#3 The Perfect Accent.

Contemporary Bedroom

A focal point, a dramatic statement piece…this is what can make your bedroom design look put together and polished. In bedroom design, there are a number of ways to do just that. The focal wall of your bedroom could be an accent wall of vibrant color, elegant wallpaper or textured material. You could choose a custom headboard that fits your style. Artwork can be selected to add inspiring design and color. When choosing elements of your bedroom design, adding stunning pieces that fit your style is key to creating the perfect space.

#4 Organization.

Parkwood Road Residence Master Bedroom 2

Your bedroom should be a peaceful place where you can relax. But, that means something different for everyone. Do you love to sit and read? Is your bedroom the area of your home where you spend time with a cup of coffee in the morning? Is it your getaway from the household chaos so you can pay bills and online shop? Organization is key–no matter what. Make sure you have furniture, built-ins and closet space that adds function to the bedroom design. It will help you feel refreshed to have everything in its place, and you won’t spend all of your time cleaning it up.

#5 Darkness.

features for bedroom design

How would you rate the ability for you to get quality sleep in your bedroom? Sleep allows you to be productive and happy–a good night’s sleep can help you boost immunity and reduce your stress levels. Your bedroom should be outfitted with the latest features in window treatments. Have you seen recent innovations? Room darkening fabrics can block the incoming light. A second, blackout roller shade can be added to sheer and light filtering window coverings. Lowered in place, your bedroom will be completely dark–even during the day. When raised, you can enjoy the soft glow that comes in through sheer fabrics.

Need Help with Your Bedroom Design?

That’s where we come in. Our design experts, at Metropolitan Window Fashions, can help you create the bedroom design that only dreams are made of! Whether you need advice on starting a small project, like updating upholstery, or you want someone to help you oversee the makeover of your bedroom, we’re here for you. Come visit us at one of our exclusive Hunter Douglas galleries to get inspired and see all that’s possible in fabrics and window treatments. Or, invite us to your home for a free, in-home consultation. Contact our team to get started today!

Window Solutions: 4 Life Changing Features

Window Solutions: 4 Life Changing Features wjfigw4q3

With the change in seasons, do you feel like your home is ready for a change, as well? While the autumn light this time of year seems to glow, there’s just not enough of it anymore. The daylight is fading into earlier twilight each evening. And the weather? Well, the range in temperatures can be vast from day to night, and even day to day. Seasonal changes often make us feel like we need to shift things around. Are you wondering what real life window solutions are out there to meet seasonal needs? We have four features in window solutions that will help you transform your home and help you create the perfect atmosphere this autumn–and year round!

#1 Need Energy Savings?

energy efficient window solutionsOne thing is for sure. Autumn is a brisk reminder that winter is on its way. There’s a chill in the air, and it’s bound to get colder. Nip those temperature changes in the bud with energy efficiency! We have window solutions that will help you maintain the comfort of your home, no matter what’s taking place outside. Do you know you could be facing up to 50% energy loss out your windows? It’s time to say, “Enough is enough.” The best part? Our energy saving window solutions work year round. Next summer, when it’s hot outside, you’ll still be reaping the benefits of a comfortable home.

#2 Need Better Sleep?

blackout window solutionsThis time of year, natural light is welcomed…right? That depends. Like any time of year, light is convenient when we need it, but when we don’t? It can be the biggest frustration. With the impending time change, it may feel like your evenings are limited on light, but the mornings? You’re going to want to embrace that extra hour and try to sleep in–especially on the weekend. And if you have children? Let’s just say that blackout window solutions are going to be your only hope of sleeping past 5am.

#3 Need Convenience?

motorized window solutionsWho doesn’t? Fall is probably one of the busiest times of year. You need window solutions that will give you the convenience of one less thing to worry about. Or five less. Motorized window solutions let you…

  • Adjust with a simple tap on your remote or favorite device.
  • Save favorite settings. You know your home best. One touch of a button and you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
  • Schedule adjustments to light your home when you’re there, automatically using less electricity.
  • Program shades to close when you’re not home, making sure the inside of your home is private and protected.
  • Control them from anywhere. The comfort of your bed? Yes. Your hotel room halfway around the world? Absolutely.

#4 Need Privacy AND Light?

privacy window solutionsSometimes, you want it all. And, you should have it. Energy savings? Sleep solutions? Convenience? Yes, all of it and even more. You want to feel comfortable in your own private space, but you can’t live with the world blocked out. You need to enjoy natural light coming into your home–but not too much. Top down bottom up is one of our favorite features because it gives you everything you want! Let in light across the ceiling, adjusting the top down just enough for your liking. You can harness that gorgeous autumn light that we like to call Daylighting. At the same time, you can maintain comfort and privacy by keeping your shades far enough up that no one can see in. And, with the majority of the window covered, you can protect the temperature and atmosphere of your home as well.

Need Real Life Window Solutions?

Do these window solutions sound like they could be the answer to your needs? The struggle is real–but it doesn’t have to continue! At Metropolitan Window Fashions, we have a range of window solutions to bring you life-changing results! Visit one of our exclusive Hunter Douglas galleries to see what we can do. And then, we’ll be glad to visit you for a shop-at-home appointment where we can help you find just what you’re looking for! Contact our team today!

Get Set for a New Year: 5 Back to School Tips

Get Set for a New Year: 5 Back to School Tips wjfigw4q3

Have you been inundated with back to school ads and commercials? It’s practically impossible to escape the endless pitches for sales and savings. Even though there’s a whole month of summer vacation left, back to school season is definitely in full swing. You know, though, advertisers are on to something. It does take time to prepare for the first day, and starting early has its benefits. Besides not having to comb empty shelves and racks days before your kids head back, getting ready for the new school year now makes the transition much easier for everyone. So, we have five back to school tips that’ll have you and your family all set for when the first day finally does roll around.

#1 Get Back On Schedule

back to school tipsIt’s so nice to go with the flow in the summer. What kid doesn’t love being able to snack in front of the TV, stay up late, and sleep in if they’re tired? But those days are quickly coming to an end. As we all know, school means schedules. Your children will need time to get back to a regular routine. We know it can be a challenge for the whole family to switch over to three meals a day, a strict bedtime, and waking up earlier in the morning. That’s why it’s #1 on our list of back to school tips. In order to start the school year off with success, you need to ease your little ones into a schedule that will work with their school lives. If you start now, you can put them to bed and get them up a little earlier each week until you reach your ideal bedtime and morning wakeup time. You can also start phasing out snacking. Trust us, if you do these things gradually, it’ll be much easier on everyone.

#2 Sleep Well

back to school tipsYour kids need to be well rested in order to do their best in school. Having a regular bedtime is a great start to helping them get a good night’s sleep, but it doesn’t end there. Your children’s bedrooms need to be places that promote quality sleep. So, next on our list of back to school tips is to evaluate the sleeping conditions in your home and make any changes now. Bedrooms should be dark and free of even the smallest amount of light. Glowing and flashing devices are some of the biggest culprits for engaging the brain and interrupting sleep, so cover them or keep them out of bedrooms altogether. Noise can disrupt sleep too. If you live in a busy neighborhood or have a light sleeper, a sound machine can help your kids stay asleep and prevent multiple night wakings. Lastly, consider comfort. Could everyone use a new set of sheets and pajamas? What about a high quality pillow? Is the temperature just right?

#3 Get Organized

back to school tipsWhen school starts, you instantly have a lot more to do and a lot more stress. The last thing you need is to be frantically searching for missing backpacks, misplaced shoes, and lost lunchboxes as you try to get your family out the door in the morning. That’s why number three on our tips for back to school list is to get organized. Setting up an organizational system now will save you a ton of time and cut back on your stress when the school bell rings. The best system will be one that your children can manage on their own. Shelves, cubbies, bins, and hangers are all possibilities for helping your kids to see that everything has a place and for teaching them to put everything in its place.

#4 Post a Family Calendar

back to school tipsAfter the lazy days of summer, the flurry of activity that surrounds school can be overwhelming. You suddenly find yourself running kids to and from practices, trying to fit in homework, and scrambling to get some food in everyone before they head to bed. If you’re lucky, you can all sit together at the table, but there’s probably more than one occasion where dinner happens in the car or in the bleachers. Then, as if that’s not enough, there’s appointments, school activities, and birthday parties. You need a way to keep it all straight. A family calendar is perfect for that. Posting a calendar in a central location and updating it regularly with everyone’s commitments is essential for your sanity when the school year begins. Once everything is noted, you can decide if it’s manageable or if you need to cut back.

#5 Build a Smart Home

back to school tipsWith all the running around that happens once school starts, wouldn’t it be nice to know your home is comfortable and secure no matter where you are? The smartest tip on our back to school tips list is to build a smart home. This way, you can have touch-of-a-button control of your home from anywhere in the world. Installing motorized shades and blinds will change your life as you experience convenience like you never have before. Forgot to close your living room shades in the hectic morning rush? Tap a button on your favorite device and down they go. No more worrying about the sun heating up the room or your dog going nuts with all the foot traffic outside. Better yet, you can set and save scenes–like “bedtime” and “evening privacy”– and schedule your window coverings to adjust themselves based around your family’s schedule. Then, you won’t have to give your shades another thought. They’ll always be in position to create the ideal atmosphere. Integrate them with appliances, lighting, heating, security systems, and more with Logitech’s Harmony, The Nest, or many other home automation systems, and it’ll be the best start to a school year yet!

As you shop, schedule, and plan for the new school year, remember to throw in some fun. Summer vacation isn’t over just yet. There’s still time to visit an Ample Hills Creamery location for an outrageous ice cream cone and to spend this month’s Saturdays at the Summer Streets celebration. When you do get started on our back to school tips, if you need help, we’re here for you. With blinds and shades that offer incredible function and amazing solutions, we can help you find just what you need to get your home and life in order. Start the school year off right by contacting our team at Metropolitan Window Fashions for a free, shop-at-home consultation.