What’s your favorite new fabric?
What colors can we expect to see this year?
What’s your favorite new design element?
What are you excited to show your clients?
How is technology playing into Hunter Douglas products this year?
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When it comes to choosing custom window blinds, you want to make sure you choose the style and functional benefits that fit your home and your lifestyle. What about operation? The system you choose can be one of most important choices, and there’s one more. Orientation. The way your custom window blinds open and close can be both a personal style preference–as well as meeting the needs of your home. Custom window blinds come in both vertical and horizontal orientation. Previously, you may have thought horizontal window blinds were meant for smaller windows, while large windows, or sliding glass doors, were fitted with vertical window blinds. Now? It’s really up to you. Take a look at the custom window blinds we have–along with the style details and benefits–and decide which look is best for your home and style!
Blinds have come a long way. No longer used to simply block light, they add heightened styling to your home. You can choose from real wood blinds or faux wood blinds in a wide selection of paints and stains to coordinate your home. Aluminum window blinds are increasingly popular, as the metallic sheen of a range of colors add contemporary appeal–with a specialized ‘bounce back’ feature for homes with children and pets. Most of the custom window blinds are offered with de Light™ which reduces light coming through cord holes. And child safety has improved dramatically, as you can choose cordless operation for your blinds. What about size? Horizontal blinds no longer are meant for only smaller windows. Most blinds can handle widths up to eight feet long and 10 feet high. Our metal blinds can even fit windows that are 12 feet wide. That’s a big window! Let’s talk about what’s new in operation. The SimpleLift operating system features touch of a button control on the bottom rail. The PowerView motorization operating system puts control of your motorized blinds into the palm of your hand with the Pebble remote or by using the PowerView App on your favorite device. With 180º tilt adjustment, your motorized blinds will adjust for light control, privacy and a range of view-through settings.
Vertical blinds used to only feature hanging slats that could be opened, closed and adjusted to one side or the other. Now, you can get the traditional look of vertical blinds in a variety of materials, with contemporary influence, in colors and textures to coordinate the look and feel of your home. The operation of your vertical blinds can now adjust from one side to the other, sometimes even stacking in the middle. Our collections of vertical custom window blinds can handle the largest openings for your windows and doors–some widths up to 24’ and heights up to 16’. The safety features of vertical blinds offer you a variety of operating system, with options for cord control, wand systems and motorization. What other details do you need to consider?
Sometimes, what you’re really looking for are window treatments that offer your home beauty, a gorgeous view and functional features–easy to access with the latest innovations. Many choices for custom window blinds are not even ‘officially’ blinds, but window shades. If you love vertical options, our Luminette Privacy Sheers bring the beauty and function of sheer shadings into your home with even more levels of control. Our Skyline Gliding Window Panels share the look of classic vertical blinds, with much wider panels for a sleek look, in thin materials for the overall appearance of shades. If it’s horizontal window options appeal to you, we have an amazing selection of shades that offer the colors, fabrics and textures that will add a beautiful backdrop to your home. They have the latest innovations in design features to add to your lifestyle. Levels of light control, energy efficiency, dynamic view-through, privacy…the list goes on and on.
Metropolitan Window Fashions is a third generation family business that has been serving customers of the Metropolitan area for 83 years. We live and work in this community and support other small local businesses. Although our children are in school, they have all worked part-time with us, making them the fourth generation to join the company. We’ve served customers from areas such as Manhattan, Green Brook, Scotch Plains, Watchung, Glen Rock, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, Edison, Chatham, Mahwah, Bridgewater, & many more. Call our NYC & New Jersey custom window treatments experts today and ask about our Roman shades and the other great services we offer!
When it comes to your daily schedule, we understand. You’re busy. Have you ever wondered how to simplify your life? We have the solution: Simple Automation. It’s as easy as it sounds–even if you aren’t as tech-savvy as others–there’s no need to worry. We’ll show you how to use the newest innovations in home automation to make your everyday routine a breeze. You can personalize your simple automation to ensure it fits every part of your schedule. If you’re looking for ways to simplify your life, we’ve got some ideas. These easy changes will rejuvenate your everyday routine. Take a look.
If you’re like most people, you probably wake up to the sound of your alarm. But, with simple automation, your mornings can be comfortable and personalized. How great would it be to wake up to natural light? Perhaps you love watching the morning sunrise. With the PowerView app, you can create a schedule of your favorite settings. Program your blinds to open at the time of sunrise, and watch as your room fills with a natural glow. Do you want to keep your space as dark as possible, giving you a chance to enjoy those last few minutes in bed? Set your schedule so it keeps your room-darkening shades down and the sun out. Do you try to get an early start to your Saturday morning, but every once in awhile decide to stay cozy in bed for a bit? No problem. Reach over to your pebble remote, smartphone or Apple Watch to close your blinds with a simple touch. Or, use voice activated control, like with the Amazon Echo. It’s the start of your day; let simple automation make it comfortable.
Sometimes is seems like half the struggle of starting your day is getting out of the house. Whether you’re getting the kids up and leaving for school, heading to the gym, or on your way out the door to the office (maybe all three), simple automation can make this hectic process of your day a bit easier. It’s easy to forget the little details, like locking all the doors and grabbing your keys. Technology isn’t at the point where it can do everything for you, but simple automation can certainly help. Did you forget where you left your phone? Use your Apple Watch to “ping” your iPhone. Are you worried about the sun heating up your house while you’re gone for the day, but don’t have time to manually adjust all of your window coverings? PowerView can fix that! Create a scene for “Sunny Days” and watch as your blinds automatically adjust. Worried about the privacy of your home while you’re at work? Make a “Weekday” scene–your blinds will close, leaving your home secure, private, and comfortable. Simple automation can do a lot for your busy life.
By the end of the day, you’re exhausted. All you want to do is relax in a comfortable space. Well, simple automation can create that relaxing environment before you even walk in the door. Do you have an incredible view? Set your dining room shades to open around dinner time and enjoy the sunset. Is it the perfect night for a movie, popcorn, and curling up on the couch? Create a “Movie Night” scene with PowerView so you can adjust your shades within seconds. Do you like to head straight to bed after a long day at work? Your blinds will be shut by the time you get home. Simple automation can improve your everyday lifestyle by helping to create the environment you want. It’s your home; you deserve comfort and control.
You have a busy schedule, and it’s hard to find ways to relax. Let simple automation help you. Create and save settings that work with your lifestyle. Choose your favorite way to control your environment. Do you like voice control? Consider Amazon’s Echo or Google Home. Do you like to see your scene options? Use the app on your phone, or an Apple Watch. Our team at Metropolitan Window Fashions is ready to help you get started. Contact us today…let’s rejuvenate your life.
There’s a chill in the air…is your home outfitted with energy efficiency? In what’s become somewhat of a ‘buzz phrase’ the importance of energy efficiency grows greater each day. With winter well on its way, you’ve probably thought about what improvements your home needs. But who can keep up with what will work today, tomorrow and around the year? In this area, we are lucky to experience all four seasons–or at least, that’s what I tell myself. But what about the incredible range of temperatures we see, or the weather changes we’ll face from one day to the next? Let us help with this handy guide about the latest innovations in energy efficiency that will help you create the perfect environment within your home, no matter the season.
You’ve heard the expression, “Work Smarter, Not Harder.” The latest innovations in technology have stepped up to provide energy efficiency throughout your home. Using a home integration system, like The Nest or Logitech’s Harmony, you can achieve greater savings. Savings that have the potential to result in cost reduction, pleasant atmosphere and longer lasting appliances. Hunter Douglas has teamed up with many of the major home integration systems to offer you an amazing experience in energy efficiency. Motorized blinds and shades play a huge role in the temperature control of your home. With the latest innovations in automation, like PowerView Motorization, you can control your shades with the touch of a button, from anywhere in the world. Not only that, but you can save and schedule your favorite settings for each and every window within your home!
One of the innovations in energy efficiency is the reduced consumption of energy from new, more advanced light bulbs. This might not be news to you, but we can agree that better light control is powerful. What about reducing your light usage, no matter the time of year? It’s called Daylighting, and it’s an incredible way to change the presence of light within your home. Instead of closing your home off like a cave, it’s time to innovate your window shades! Need window insulation? Top down shades bring light in across the ceiling, using the natural light that normally would be closed out, while most of your window is covered by innovative cellular shades. Want extra privacy? Sheer shadings bring in light, while the reflective sheers keep prying eyes out. Take a look at one of our recent articles about Maximizing the Light in your home.
Windows are a necessity in the home, but they can wreak havoc on your attempts to improve energy efficiency. While the latest innovations are creating better windows, at Metropolitan Window Fashions, we are helping our clients create a beautiful, more comfortable atmosphere. We want your existing windows to work for you. You probably love the gorgeous view, the open air, the amazing light. But with those benefits of your windows, you also get some common household issues. You need window solutions from the experts! With large windows, the light is too much. We have solutions to let you enjoy the view while taming the light. Wondering what to do with sliding glass doors and french doors? These high traffic areas can be a vital part of enjoying the outdoors. We have solutions to add to the incredible function without letting them become bothersome. Don’t worry about buying new windows unless you’re building a new home! We can bring gorgeous design and impeccable function to you!
At Metropolitan Window Fashions, we can help bring some of the latest innovations in energy efficiency to your home. Don’t go another winter feeling that draft. We’ll come to your home to help guide you with options and fabrics that are just right. We can help you handle common window issues with beautiful shades, blinds, drapery panels and shutters. Want to shop with us? Come visit any one of our exclusive Hunter Douglas galleries to see for yourself. And then, contact our team for a free, in-home consultation.
Look around your home. Do you have windows that you might refer to as ‘Hard to Reach’? Do these out of reach windows enhance your home with character and glowing light? Or, do you find yourself frustrated with your inability to control them? If you’re like most people, it’s probably a combination of both. When windows are hard to reach, it can compromise your lifestyle, but they can still be an asset. While they may seem like an inconvenience at times, they add so much to your home. If you’re looking for ways to get all the benefits of hard to reach windows, while solving the issues, we can help! Take a look at this handy guide we’ve created to ensure you can enhance your windows and enjoy your home.
Providing character, beauty, lighting and a timeless view, the hard to reach windows can add to the look of your home. But as we mentioned, hard to reach windows can also be difficult to work with. Uniquely shaped, out of your reach–and possibly open and bare, you need solutions that add benefits to the beauty. Embracing the design will help you appreciate them more. Read on for some helpful tips…
Have you been keeping your windows bare because they’re hard to reach? It might seem like the only solution. Let’s face it–who wants to deal with adjusting out of reach shades or blinds on a regular basis? You probably have enjoyed letting the light enter, as the character of the windows sets a design tone in the room. But bare windows cause issues that you’ll probably get tired of dealing with over time. The best solution would be to find the right coverings for your windows. One great benefit to having high windows, like in a foyer or entryway, is the incredible incoming light. But, do you know that too much light can be damaging? The UV rays are harmful to your furniture and décor, causing fading. In the case of enjoying the incoming light, by choosing window coverings that filter the light, as well as offer UV protection, you get all the benefits without the issues. You can choose translucent fabrics or shades with a sheer backing, like these Pirouette window shadings. Fabric vanes adjust and stay in position to fit your desired level of privacy and light. The sheer backing protects against the harsh sun, leaving your room with a soft glow. The right window coverings will transform your room.
Are you dealing with a difficult layout? Do your windows seem to be inconveniently placed? Perhaps you have floor to ceiling windows, which means you have no choice other than to place your furniture in front of the window. Take time to consider moving your furniture around so that you have access to your windows. Create a layout, where your furniture can float and that focuses on the center of the room, like the one pictured here. Setting up a ‘conversation scene’ gives you access all the way around your furniture, while making the open floor plan seem cozy and inviting. Working around your hard to reach windows will give you better control of their functioning, with regard to daily adjustment for issues like light control and privacy. A few slight changes can make a dramatic difference.
A simple (and very convenient) solution to managing your hard to reach windows would be to add motorization. Motorized blinds take away the need for you to manually adjust your blinds. If you want your hard to reach windows to be open for the majority of the day, but closed when the sun is shining through in the afternoon, you can create a schedule that will make your window treatments automatically adjust. Maybe your home is set up similarly to this picture; you might want to keep some windows covered and others open. No problem! Motorization allows you to schedule the adjustment of your hard to reach windows, which means you can get the most use out of them.
There’s no need to be frustrated or discouraged by hard to reach windows. They often add character and beauty to a home, which is why they should be embraced! Finding the right window coverings will add style, convenience, and a new love for your windows. Are you ready to transform your hard to reach windows? Stop in for an inspirational visit to one of exclusive Hunter Douglas galleries. Or, let us come to you. Contact our team today for a free, in-home consultation.
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!
One 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.
This 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.
Who 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…
Sometimes, 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.
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!
“Why is it that when one man builds a wall, the next man immediately needs to know what’s on the other side?” ~George R.R. Martin
This has never been more true than if you’re talking about children. They’re naturally curious, to a fault, aren’t they? Do you have children living in, or visiting, your home? They get into everything, especially our hearts. That’s why there’s constant worry about their safety. Childproofing can be a tedious task, and many people don’t consider child safe blinds when getting prepared. But, they can be a terrible safety hazard–dangling cords are both tempting and dangerous for small children. Because October is child safety awareness month, Metropolitan Window Fashions is making it a priority to help our clients understand the features of child safe blinds and shades. There are multiple options for making your home safer with child safe blinds. Let us help you find the best choice for your home.
Window coverings become unsafe for children when they have dangling cords. Kids are curious, and they can make a toy out of almost anything–including window coverings! Child safe blinds will remove this worry from your life and keep your child away from harm. Since children are adventurous and find a way to reach high places, it’s not enough to hide the cord, which is why PowerView motorization is an excellent option for child safe blinds and shades. Cordless and chic, they allow complete control. You can even create, save and schedule your favorite settings. PowerView motorization will leave you worry-free while your child plays safely in your home.
A lasso for the cat, a climbing rope for an action figure, something to grab when jumping off the couch…you probably don’t realize how unsafe window coverings can be unless you’ve witnessed it. Children should be able to explore in a safe environment, which is why cordless is the way to go. Hunter Douglas cares immensely about safety in the home, which is why they have created multiple options for child safe blinds and shades. The LiteRise operating system is a simple solution. Adjusted up, down and anywhere in between, using the bottom rail, there’s no dangling cords. Your child can easily open and close them–safely. Without cords to get tangled in, or tempt with creative play, you increase safety and peace of mind.
These options may sound great to you, but you know that they might not work for all of your windows. We understand that every home is different, and sometimes the layout of your windows just won’t allow for cordless blinds. This doesn’t mean that child safe blinds and shades are not an option! As we stated before, the cord is a huge danger to your child, which is why we offer blinds that prevent the cord from being harmful. The UltraGlide system offers a retractable cord, which is short and automatically retracts after adjustment, leaving the cord short and out of your child’s reach. Another option is to stabilize the cord with a cord wand, no dangles or tangles. We also offer the continuous cord loop that can be secured tightly against the window frame, allowing you to activate your window coverings without danger to the smallest members of your household. If it’s safety you want, we can help!
Your home is a place of comfort and safety, and when it comes to your children, you want the safest environment. Metropolitan Window Fashions wants to help you create a safe place for your child to explore and grow. Child safe blinds and shades will give you peace of mind. Visit one of our exclusive Hunter Douglas galleries for more information. Or, one of our team members at Metropolitan Window Fashions can come to you for a free in-home consultation. We’ll take a look and help you figure out the best options for your home. Contact us today to find a system that works best for your home and the safety of your children.
As summer comes to an end, we anticipate the coming of shorter days and less sunshine. Have you taken steps to maximize the light in your home? It’s not about having bare windows. Frankly, that can be a disaster. It’s about being intentional with the light that enters, while also protecting you from the issues natural light–and too much of it–can bring. If you want to make the most of the light available to you, we have some tips that will help you enjoy the right amount of light for the perfect atmosphere in every room.
It’s called daylighting, and it’s one of the best ways to maximize the light in your home. Light that enters across your ceiling will illuminate the room–similar to how the artificial lights of your ceiling work. With bare windows, light floods into your home without rhyme or reason to where it’s going. You can easily end up with areas that are way too bright, as well as spots cast in shadows. To balance the light, directing it to daylight your home, we recommend top down shades. Top down shades lower from the top, protecting the majority of your windows from the annoyances that come from too much light. The light enters across your ceiling for the ideal amount of lighting in your home.
We all need balance in our lives. Lighting is no different. However, there are times of the day when there just isn’t very much light, while other times of day are drenched in sunshine. To create a balanced atmosphere in your home, there’s no better person to dictate a schedule for lighting than you. You know your home the best. And motorized blinds and shades are the best way to maximize the light. Do your kitchen windows face east? Your motorized shades can be set to adjust themselves so you don’t end up sunbathing in your home during breakfast. But later in the evening? You’ll want those motorized shades adjusted open to let in the much-needed light. The best part? Once your schedule is set, all that’s left to do is enjoy.
Depending on the time of year, location of your windows and specific rooms in your home, you might want light to enter. It’s the direction that needs to be controlled. Similar to the top down bottom up feature, you can maximize the light in your home by adjusting blinds, shades and shutters. With simple adjustments, you can change the direction and amount of light entering your space, making the most of the light and your experience. Because every window might be different, this custom adjustment creates the perfect scene.
Bare windows leave a space looking unfinished and plain. And, beautiful window treatments are one of the ways to bring the design of your home together. There are some windows that are best left uncovered the majority of the time because the light entering is not overwhelming. To maximize the light while still dressing your windows in character and style, drapery panels create the perfect adornment or window frame. With drapery panels, you have the option to pull them closed when necessary, leaving them open most of the time to invite the light in for a gorgeous atmosphere. And the fabrics bring elements of design to the space.
Consider the way your home is arranged. Are you using the spaces in your home to maximize the light? Are you hiding in the shadows because of frustrating light? Getting control of the light entering is a huge win when trying to maximize the light in your home. But then? Take a look at how the rooms in your home are put together and consider mixing it up. Once the glare is gone, you could move your favorite chair close to the window to enjoy soft, filtered light and the view.
The light entering your home should have a positive effect on your mood, energy and productivity. If you feel like you need solutions to help you maximize the light in your home, we can help! With an amazing selections of blinds, shades, shutters and custom window treatments, we can add style and functional light control to your home. Make the most of your home, and start living the way you deserve. Contact our design team, at Metropolitan Window Fashions for a free, in-home consultation.
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.
It’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.
Your 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?
When 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.
After 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.
With 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.
Back in 2012, Billy Crystal (and a host of other well-loved celebrities) starred in Parental Guidance. This movie depicted three generations of a family that were facing a world of technology at their fingertips–the hilarious contrasts between them is what made this movie completely relatable to the audience. What wasn’t relatable was the home automation, ahem…the ‘smart’ lifestyle these people were living. In 2012, so many of us were embracing smartphones, apps and just what was starting to trend on a new site called Pinterest. Whole home automation? A life dictated by technology? It seemed way too Jetson-like for normal life. Fast forward to 2016. Do you know what is growing faster than ever? Home automation. That’s right…exactly what we thought was way too ‘movie-like’ for real life is happening in homes all around us. Do you have this life-changing technology? Do you have components of a smart lifestyle? Do you have any idea what is possible? Take a look at the future of today!
If you’re like most of us, ‘smart’ devices are part of your life…you have an iPhone or tablet, you know what an ‘app’ is, and you have some favorites. But what about for your home? Have you updated your thermostat to wireless control? Can you control the music playing in your home with a bluetooth speaker? How about controlling the lighting from the palm of your hand? These are all aspects of the home automation lifestyle, but like most of these, they can add to the ease and convenience of your life even without home automation. If you love the way these products have enhanced your life, read on…
This year, more and more people are hopping on the home automation bandwagon. Why? Many devices you’ll buy (like and updated thermostat) are enticing you with the possibilities. Having a dinner party–want to adjust your household temperature? You can do it with the device that’s in your pocket, without leaving your guests. How about motorized blinds and shades? What’s more comfort-inducing than being able to adjust shadings from the palm of your hand? It happens in an instant, and it’s priceless convenience. These features are also an incredible way to save money. When you can set schedules, save your favorite settings and adjust your home even when you’re not home–there’s just nothing like it. But actual home automation takes things a step further.
On such a popular topic this year, PCMag.com posted an article called, “How to Build Your Smart Home: A Beginner’s Guide.” This article details what’s been done, the current status of devices and how to get started. They make reference to the “hub,” the centralized control of various home automation devices, ones that connect together for an amazing experience. Hunter Douglas is proud to announce partnerships with some of the major home integration systems that are referred to in this article, like The Nest and Logitech’s Harmony. Your motorized blinds and shades can be added into home integration for a flawless performance, with the benefits of energy efficiency, privacy, convenience and light control.
At Metropolitan Window Fashions, we are ready to help you get started on your way to home automation. Our motorized blinds and shades can be connected and integrated, giving you exceptional ease and convenience throughout your home. It’s the perfect atmosphere, every time. Contact our design team to set up a free, in-home consultation today!