Faux Plantation Shutters

Posted on August 16, 2010 by MaryJo

Faux plantation shutters are an acceptable alternative to real wood shutters for many people, especially when price is an issue. They are often made from particle board or some other engineered wood with a plastic or PVC covering that is made to resemble stained wood. Other faux wood shutters are made solely from PVC or vinyl, with no wood-vinyl mix, however these tend to be more flimsy and less sturdy than the combination shutters.

Once installed, few people will be able to tell the difference between faux wood plantation shutters and genuine wood shutters, especially at a distance. With the price sometimes half what you would pay for wood shutters you may wonder if there are any reasons not to get them.

photo credit: msmail

Other advantages to faux wood shutters, aside from price, include the fact that, unlike wood, this material will not warp when exposed to moisture in the air in the same way that some wood blinds will. They are also more difficult to damage, thus are often a great choice for areas where children play such as bedrooms or family rooms.

Onto the disadvantages: Weight wise, they can sometimes be a little heavier than actual wood blinds, due to the weight from the compressed particle board however they are often more flimsy even though they are heavier. The additional weight also puts some constraints on the size of the shutters as if they are too large it makes them rather unwieldy and difficult to handle. One other disadvantage which people may not realize is that the vinyl coating on the blind may discolor particularly when exposed to sunlight. This can alter the color of the blind quite significantly in some respects. For this reason, these type of blinds are actually not recommended in areas where there is a lot of bright sunlight.

It appears that when price is not a problem, most homeowners will opt for wood plantation shutters over faux wood shutters. There is something warm and inviting about real wood shutters that makes them stand out above all other shutters and makes wood the preferred material when buying plantation shutters.

Adorn Your Windows With Creative Valances

Posted on August 5, 2010 by MaryJo

There are many methods in which to enhance the appearance and accent the windows of a room. These methods can provide brilliance and decorum that can brighten up an otherwise dull looking space. Perhaps one of the best methods can come by adding a creative and well-designed valance. Traditional dressings and valances for windows are found in draperies positioned high on the window itself. These draperies are generally made of fabrics such as nylon and cotton. Enhancing the overall window may be as simple as changing to a different material. Using silk or Georgette may create a more luxurious alternative for hanging set of valances.

photo credit: CellPhoneSusie

There are several choices of color, styles and textures that can be used. Experimenting with these varying styles allows for the unique look that can complement the window design. Ribbons, bows and pearl like strings are just a few ideas but can customize the window valance. The right combination can satisfactorily adore the window and enhance the room. This customization can reflect culture and individual ethnicity giving the room a look that is geographically unique. Valances placed artfully around the edges of large bay windows can absorb the sunlight and projected throughout the room. This creates a natural brightness during the day.

Interior decorating can be a pricey endeavor within itself. Therefore, selecting the right set of valances is important. Consideration of an overall budget for redecorating is critical to achieving the desired look at a reasonable price. Some of the varying types of valances include Balloon valances, ascot valances and swag valances. The ascot valance is a more traditional choice, whereas, the balloon style can be considered more contemporary. This wide valance provides more of a flowing look that is often appealing to the average eye.

A traditional set of window valances can cost between 30 and $60. Unique materials and customized valances can be pricey. However, with a bit of diligence, research in patience, even the fanciest of window valances can become an affordable way to update the home decorum.

Choosing Between Faux and Real Wood Blinds

Posted on July 8, 2010 by MaryJo

There are many blinds you can get that are made out of a variety of different materials. A lot of people, however, like the ‘wooden’ look – whether it is faux or imitation wooden blinds, or real wooden blinds that are made out of hard woods such as basswood or cedar, or even bamboo. The question is, once you have decided that you want the ‘wooden look’ for your home, should you buy faux wood blinds, or do you want to go for real wood blinds, which, it must be noted, are a bit more expensive than the faux ones, depending on the kind of wood they are made from.

photo credit: Garrett Crawford

Faux wooden blinds and real wooden blinds do not look all that different from each other. You will not be able to instantly tell, from a distance, whether the blinds are made from wood or faux wood. Faux wooden blinds do have the advantage of being cheaper than those made from real wood, which can be a plus if you are looking for cheap plantation shutters or cheap wood venetian blinds. They also have the advantage that you can hang them pretty much in any room you want without being worried about damaging them, whereas with real wooden blinds, you have to be careful not to expose them to too much humidity or the wood will warp and get ruined. That means that hanging wooden blinds in the kitchen would not be really very smart, nor would hanging them in the bathroom. If you live in an area where the weather frequently gets humid, you may find getting real wooden blinds to be out of the question.

The one distinctive advantage that wooden blinds have, however, is that they are lighter than faux wooden blinds, as incredible as that sounds. That means if you cover a large window with wooden blinds it will be easier for you to pull them up and down than if you bought faux or imitation wooden blinds.

The Effective Use of Push Button Locks in the Home

Posted on July 8, 2010 by MaryJo

Homeowners are beginning to see the value of installing electronic push button locks on external doors. There are many types on the market that are perfectly suited to install in homes, they are usually decorative and easy to install and program.

One of the main benefits is the immediate upgrade you experience in your home security. It is documented that would be intruders will avoid homes with secure locking systems in place in favour of homes less well secured. You also no longer have to worry about missing, lost or stolen keys. Nor do you need to hide a key under a plant or in some other semi-obscure place, in order for those without keys to be able to get into your home. Burglars instinctively know exactly where to check for hidden keys, thus it really is poor security to hide them no matter how well hidden you may think they are.

Perhaps the greatest benefit is that you are able to tailor pin codes to each person needing to gain entrance to your home. Some people do have difficulty remembering number sequences, especially at first, thus giving them a series of numbers that is easy to memorize is really the best option. Otherwise, people will tend to write down the pin code “just until they have it memorized” which undoes all the good security measures you undertake when installing a push button lock. This means that your children can arrive home before you and enter their home safely without having to fumble with keys. You can also give guests their own pin code to use while staying with you, and then erase it immediately after they have left. It is also helpful to give trusted friends or neighbours their own code if they are going to be feeding your pets and watering your plants while you are on vacation.

Pushbutton locks really do provide a win-win situation all around, for you and your home’s security, and for those who need to be able to safely enter your home. They are also a great deterrent to would be intruders. Thankfully they are relatively easy to install and fairly cheap to buy.

Fitting Double Curtain Rods for Creative Window Dressing

Posted on July 7, 2010 by MaryJo

There are a few different styles of rods available today to use with curtains. One interesting type is the double curtain rod. In this style, one rod is positioned in back of the other. The whole fixture connects easily to your window area through the use of a double style bracket mount. This rod allows you to use two curtains or panels rather than one.

photo credit: árticotropical

For most people this type of curtain rod can be attached to the wall in a matter of minutes. Once you have your brackets in place you only need to hang your curtains onto the rod portion. The bracket mounts generally only require the use of a screwdriver.

The mount you use should be included with the curtain rods when you purchase them. It may vary a little in its design depending on what type of rods you select, but it will have a protruding end for each one of your rod pieces. You also might want to mark the area with a pencil before attaching your mounting hardware.

Measuring the window area is also recommended before making a purchase. These rods are available in different sizes, most of which come as extender pieces. This means they will have an amount of room they can extend to, usually from three feet to five feet. To create a professional look for the curtained window, the ends of the window rods should extend a little further out than the frame.

You have several options in the kind of window curtains you want to use with these double style rods. You might select a sheer inner panel and a heavier outer drapery. You also have options in how you display the particular window area. Most people will leave the inner panels in place while drawing the outer ones back and securing them with a tie.

Bamboo Roman Shades are the Best Choice for Window Treatments

Posted on June 22, 2010 by MaryJo

A window cover is an integral part of the home decor. Nowadays, there are a lot of options available to a home owner for window cover. Trying to decide what to use and shopping for the window cover can be a very tiring experience.

If you are looking for a way to make your home feel modern and yet warm and cozy, consider getting bamboo roman shades. Here is why:

1. Growing up in an apartment with a lot of windows, we had a ton of curtains. I have vivid memories of me spending my Saturdays helping my mom take down the curtains to have them washed and replacing them with fresh, clean curtains. It was a tedious work that I did not enjoy at all.

photo credit: Sabrina Zanetti

Bamboo roman shades are very easy to clean. You do not need to take them down to clean them. You can dust them every day. And you could wipe them clean with a damp cloth or a sponge once a week. You could even use a vacuum to clean them.

2. It is relatively cheaper compared to the other alternatives such as cellular shades or designer roman shades. With a decent bamboo roman shade costing around thirty five dollars, it becomes easier to get matching shades for all the windows in a room, or even the house. And you can get it even cheaper online.

3. There are many different options available depending on your needs. If you want maximum privacy, you can get the densely tied bamboo shade. It allows for very little light to pass through and makes peeking from the outside very unlikely.

But in my case, where my window is looking out the third floor of the apartment building, a less densely tied bamboo roman shade is ideal. It diffuses the light from the outside but still allows some light to come through. And the small gaps in the shade also allow some of the cool breeze into my room.

Why Select Plantation Shutters for Your Window

Posted on June 20, 2010 by MaryJo

Having a problem which window protection to use in your home and at the same time can decorate it? Well, the best choice for you would be plantation shutters. Aside from creating shade for your home, it can also decor your room neatly. Have you ever encounter provillus?

Plantation cover-ups are window protections that are made from slats that are commonly made from wood. It can actually promote the air to freely flow into the room making the room more comfortable. They are sometimes referred to as jalousies but with no glass.

photo credit: msmail
There are actually many reasons why you should select plantation cover-up for your window. And that is why this window protection should be first in your list. Here are actually what plantation cover up can offer to you.

Plantation shutters are popularly known because of its durability. This type of window covering is built to last long into your homes. With this type of window covering, you are assured that you will definitely save a lot of money having this one to shade your home.

This type of window protect is a simple and an elegant decor for your homes. The design of the plantation shutter is good for those homes that wants to keep its simplicity and at the same time serves as an elegant design. Nowadays, plantation cover-ups are made with numerous different designs for you choose from. Through this, you will surely find the design you have so long wanted for your home.

Plantation shutters like any other window coverings promote privacy and are easy to use. Unlike any other window protect, plantation protects are very easy to use. You do not have to use cords to tie them or even to cover your window but instead it has a bar that you can use to tilt the slats.

Lastly, plantation protects have less maintenance demand. Actually cleaning the plantation cover up may differ, plantation cover ups that are made from wood will only have to clean by wiping it. And other types would be by washing it.

Creating the Right First Impression of Your Home

Posted on June 14, 2010 by MaryJo

The main entrance to your home is the first thing that any visitors – invited or uninvited – come in to contact with. It is therefore the first thing that creates an impression to your home, we all know that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, however many people do and will continue to do so, so it is very important that you create a good first impression.

How can you make sure that your front door makes a good first impression?

There are many things that can be done to create the right first impression, some are free and others will cost you some money. The first thing you can do however is to keep whatever door you have clean. Particular care should be taken if you have a door with recessed panels or other moulded features as these can easily trap dirt and grime from wind and rain over time.

photo credit: ClatieK

The second set of measures that can be taken to create the right first impression will involve spending some money. Door furniture – that is hinges, handles, letterboxes and door knockers – and other accessories around your homes entrance create a very importance first impression. I am sure that everyone at some point has knocked on a door using a cheap flimsy door knocker and then stood outside wondering if the occupants have heard them. It’s not just the uncertainty though of whether you have been heard, it’s how cheap and flimsy it feels.

Now, imagine knocking on a door with wrought iron door knocker, it’ sturdiness and loudness will give you some confidence that the occupants are aware of you being at there door and you’ll be thinking that these people obviously care about the impression that they create.

Porch lighting is also important for visitors that you have to your home at night. It is important not just from an appearance point of view, but also from a security point of view. You need to be able to check the credentials of any stranger that calls on your home at night – how are you going to do that with no light?

So in summary to create the perfect first impression for visitors coming to your home you need to keep you the entrance way to you home clean and furnish it with high quality furnishings. Good quality lighting is also very important to create a warm and welcoming feeling whilst deterring any would be thieves and scammers.

When to Avoid Using a Scarf Valance

Posted on May 24, 2010 by MaryJo

When shopping for valances for windows, you need to think about which types of valance are suitable for the room you have in mind. For example, there are very crisp swags and tails which are most suitable for formal rooms in traditional style and which would be too staid for a child’s bedroom or bathroom. Although scarf valances are very popular at the moment, as far as window treatments are concerned, and can be seen in the latest glossy interior design magazines, they are not right for every situation. Here are some reasons why a scarf valance may not be the best choice.

photo credit: Posh Living, LLC

1. Style of Room

The scarf valance is beautifully informal and soft but this means it does not go with more stylized contemporary interiors, which rely on straight edges and geometric prints. It is also unsuitable for a traditional room full of dark wooden furniture and classic colors. The draping qualities of a scarf valance are much more suitable for a softer style room such as a romantic bedroom or country style kitchen – the fabric of the valance helps determine the exact style.

2. Your Creativity

Many valances you buy ready made or order from a curtain maker are pretty much fixed in style and you just have to hang them up. A scarf valance, however, may rely on you draping it in a creative way over a drapery rod or pole. If you are worried by that, you are better to choose a different style of valance.

3. Need for an “Expensive Look”

Scarf valances have a cheap and cheerful look about them and they are, in fact, usually much lower in cost than other types of more formal valances. If you want your home to look as if you spent a lot of money on it (even if you didn’t) scarf valances are not going to help your cause.

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