1.    Go organic with wooden blinds and natural woven shades.

Wood is making a comeback in decorative hardware, according to Deb Barrett, trend specialist for Grace McNamara Inc., while bamboo, birch and maple are the materials of choice for the newest finials and pulls. Since there is a “going green” theme for 2010, giving your Tampa home a touch of natural materials like bamboo blinds and maple shades instantly updates your house’s design.

2.    Sleek silhouettes for chic-looking window treatments

Simple, sleek lines are all the rave of window fashions from flowing drapes to chrome decorative hardware. Creating sleek silhouettes against a window instantly lends a clean, modern look to any window and room. Instead of blinds, why not opt for solar shades? Solar shades absorb UV light and help regulate room temperature. You’ll be on your way to having a modern and chic Tampa home in no time.

3.    Color it blue

One of the quickest ways to update a window is by using colorful treatments like curtains and draperies. The color blue will be huge this 2010. Shades of teal, aquamarine, and ocean blue on your curtains and drapes give a cool effect to the room. You can compliment this window treatment by coordinating it with the cushion covers and beddings. Be careful not to over do it. Splashes of blue here and there should do. Hunter Douglas has a wonderful line of colored, printed, and patterned curtains and drapes. Artistic Widows of Tampa holds Hunter Douglas products so you should give them a try.

4.    Luxury fabrics are a staple

Fabrics like silks, velvets, damasks, fur, leather and suede will never go out of style. Linda Henry, editor-in-chief of Window Fashions magazine, says luxury fabrics of curtain and draperies should be mixed with sparkling crystal, beaded tassels and lavish embellishments on every element of the window – hardware, trimmings and fabric. You’ll instantly add a sophisticated look to your Tampa home.

5.    A touch of velvet on your shades and blinds

According to one Tampa interior designer, grosgrain, a strong, closely woven ribbed fabric usually made of silk or rayon, is used as a ribbon detailing on blinds and draperies. Velvet banding can also be used as detailing, or as ladder tape to cover up route holes for string in blinds.

6.    Classic shutter won’t ever fail

Hardwood shutters will never be outdated as long as you keep its color fresh. Shutters for a Tampa home are important to regulate sunlight and extreme weather conditions. You can have a stylish yet fully functioning set of shutters by choosing between hardwood and poly-stain compound shutters that can withstand high heat and humidity.

The larger and bolder the prints on your window treatment, the better. Stripes and bold graphic designs instantly provide a statement to the whole interior design concept. Go for printed and textured curtains or shades.

Now that you have these tips, you can start updating your home’s interior design starting from your window treatments. Artistic Windows can offer you an array of window treatment options for your updated and modern Tampa home.

I read recently that approximately 5% of American consumers shop online for window blinds and shades. That means that the vast majority of people are either not aware that they can or are nervous about purchasing these kinds of products online.

More and more people are turning to the Internet to shop for all kinds of things, the list is too long to mention. I am wondering why more people have not caught on to the benefits of shopping online for window blinds and shades. As with most things, there’s good news and bad news, including shopping online for window treatments. So, I guess I am wondering if the assets outweigh the liabilities. I will start with the liabilities.

First, when you purchase blinds and shades online it is usually a custom product which means that they are non-returnable, unless they are defective or you received the wrong product. So, if you mess-up and order the wrong size or simply don’t like what you ordered, you are most likely out of luck.

Second – and I think that this is the one of the big problems – choosing the right window blinds and shades from a website is a somewhat nebulous concept. I for one am a very visual person and would have a hard time choosing something that I can’t see and touch. So, the online retailer needs to do a very good job of illustrating the various products they are selling. It had better be darn easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, many of the online retailers do a fairly poor job of selling their products. By that I mean that they have not done all they could to make the shopping experience easy and nearly fool-proof.

Third, if you want to extract maximum savings from shopping for window blinds and shades online, you will need to learn how to measure your own windows. To have someone come out and do it for you is fairly expensive. The good news is that measuring your windows is really easy you need only know the basics to do it properly. There are even short, informative videos floating around on You Tube that will walk you though it.

The fourth issue, similar to measuring your own windows, is having to install them yourself. Again if you want to fully realize the cost saving, you will need to install your newly purchased blinds or shades. It’s the old sweat-equity equation, do it yourself and save money. Installing window blinds and shades is not complicated, but it is work. Don’t be too put off by this because there’s a certain satisfaction in having a hand in improving your own home and many people are willing to do the work to save the dough.

Now for the good news. In my opinion one of the best aspects of purchasing blinds and shades online is the large selection available in one location. Most online retailers carry all or most of the major manufacturers, like Hunter Douglas, Bali, Levolor and so on. And, they carry all the different types of blinds and shades like: mini blinds, cellular shades, verticals, roman shades, bamboo, pleated, roller shades and so on. So, one website gives you a tremendous number of options. And, you don’t have to run all over town shopping at different stores, you can do it from the comfort of your home.

The next positive attribute of shopping online is price. Generally speaking, buying blinds and shades online is cheaper then the large department and home improvement stores. There prices are pretty good but most of the online retailers are a little better.

The last positive attribute to shopping online for window treatments, and one you maybe wouldn’t have thought of, is customer service. If you walk into the Home Depot you may or may not get the help you need. You may even have trouble finding someone at all. I know this has happened to all of us. Many of the online retailers of window blinds and shades have customer service teams who are there to help. They can answer questions, make recommendations and walk you through the various processes. I for one really like this. So, in a sense, you are getting price, selection and service. I know that sound cliché but it is true. They want to sell because they make money when you buy and because this is their business they are generally pretty knowledgeable.

Zambia is Africa’s best kept secret. It is the sleeping giant of
African safari. It’s also the friendly people and the peace the
country safeguards and continues to enjoy. That’s what makes the
country a haven of peace for refuges from civil strive. …And
Zambia is the hub of African travel.

Zambia is located in south central Africa with eight
neighbouring countries. There are 19 national parks and
34 game management areas. Thus a whopping 30 percent of the
country’s 752,614 sq kms. The country has the largest
water resources in southern Africa. There are large empty tracts
of land in pristine state and a large wildlife estate. Zambia’s
unique natural resources include minerals such as copper,
precious stones and lumber; both native hard wood and soft
exotic pinewood timber.

The National Parks

Of the 19 national parks South Luangwa is Zambia’s premier game
reserve. The South Luangwa National Park has probably the
largest variety and concentration of game in Africa and perhaps
in the world. Experts in wildlife safari consider the 9,990
sq kms park has some of the finest viewing areas. It is
rated one of the top game reserves in the world with a unique
profusion of wildlife. Some animals are rare and only found in
the park. An example is the Thornicraft giraffe.

Another game reserve is the Kafue National Park. The sprawling
22,400 sq kms is the second largest national park in the
world and is about the size of Wales in Britain and twice the
size of Yellowstone National Park in the USA. The park is
located in the central-western Zambia and boasts excellent game
viewing, bird watching and fishing.

The park has two unique wetlands. The Busanga Floodplain in the
northern sector is special. The emerald green Lunga, Lufupa and
Kafue Rivers crisscross it. Here are found multi-species of
animals and birds. The Busanga plain is an antelope country. The
endemic lechwe fill its plains. The park’s southern limit also
breaks into another wetland the Nanzhila Plains. The plains are
next to Zambia’s newest lake at the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam.

Copper and Gemstone Reserves

Apart from the fauna and flora estate the country holds 6
percent of the worlds copper reserves. In addition Zambia is the
leading producer of precious and semi-precious gemstones
including the rare beauty, the green emerald. Amethyst,
garnet, tourmaline, citrine and their verities are also
found in Zambia. Most of the finished and semi-finished gemstone
products are exported worldwide.

Tracts of Land and the Wilderness

The population to land ratio is one of the lowest in Africa. At
less than 15 people per sq km it is one of the lowest in the
world. The sparse population has left a large portion of Zambia
unspoiled and in its natural state.

You get to see teeming wildlife in pristine wilderness. The
wildlife is completely ‘wild and untamed.’ Some of the
animals have had little or no contact with humans. So the
national parks present wildlife in its natural habitat, the very
same way nature has always wanted it to be.

The Rivers and Lakes of Zambia

Zambia’s major rivers, lakes and wetlands are considered to hold
the largest component of water resources in Southern Africa.
There are four major rivers. The Zambezi covers the largest part
of Zambia from northwest through southern to southeastern. The
Kafue cuts the country in the middle. The Luangwa nearly cuts
off the eastern part of the country. But the Chambeshi that
discharge into Lake Bangweulu in north-central Zambia has
suffered name changes along its course. After leaving Bangweulu
it changes its name to Luapula River. It becomes the Congo River
on leaving Lake Mweru and entering the Democratic Republic of
Congo.

In the south is Lake Kariba on the Zambezi. It was the largest
man-made lake until the Aswan and the Cobara Bassa were dammed.
Lake Kariba is the latest destination for safari investment
besides the Victoria Falls. Another is Lake Bangweulu surrounded
by white sand beaches and by the tenth largest wetland in
Africa. The wetland is the home of the endemic lechwe antelopes
and the rare shoebill stork. The third is Lake Mweru on the
border with Democratic Republic of Congo. And Lake Tanganyika
Africa’s deepest lake has its southern tip extending into
northern Zambia.

The Wild Zambezi River

One river that deserves mentioning is the Zambezi River after
which the country is named. From its source near Kaleni Hills in
the northwestern corner of the country the Zambezi cuts a lying
down “S” shape as it flows through its course a total of 3,450
kms before discharging into the Indian Ocean. Its entrance at
the ocean is dramatic for it ends in many river channels called
a delta.

The Zambezi passes through changing landscapes and environment.
From the rapids in the notrhwest through the wide river and the
site of the “Likumbi Lya Mize” ceremony of the Luvale people. It
then passes through the Zambezi floodplain where the Ku-omboka
ceremony of the Lozi people takes place. Later the river
traverses a hilly area and becomes wide and tranquil. Suddenly
the river breaks into the world’s most spectacular waterfall.
This is the mystic and awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Before the waterfall the Zambezi passes through a point near
Kazungula where four countries meet; Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
and Zambia. Nowhere else do countries converge on one point in a
manner such as this.

Down stream of the waterfall the Zambezi collects into a lake at
Kariba Dam. Down stream it is joined firstly by the Kafue,
Zambia’s second largest river and secondly by the Luangwa River
at a confluence where three countries meet: Mozambique, Zambia
and Zimbabwe. …And before its mouth at the Indian Ocean the
Zambezi River forms the second and larger lake at Cobara-Basa
Dam in Mozambique.

The Beautiful Victoria Falls

Now the Victoria Falls is something worth talking about. Its
awesome, beautiful and a world heritage site. The Toka-Leya
people of Chief Mukuni who have always lived there have built
many shrines for their deities and ceremonies. Because of the
continuous thunder from the largest curtain of falling water and
the accompanying mist that plumes from the bottom of the gorge
they have called the waterfall “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” meaning the
“smoke that thunders”. But I like the other name. “Shungu wa
Mutitima.”

Little wonder Dr David Lingstone the famous Scottish missionary
doctor and explorer could not resist to write in his dairy,
“…scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in
their flight.” Because the beauty is awesome. Dr Livingstone was
the first European to see the waterfall on November 16, 1855. He
named it after Queen Victoria.

At the bottom of the falls are red Kalahari sands. Opposite the
waterfall it rains 24 hours a day 7 days a week (24/7). This
mist rain nurtures a small rainforest. And two rain bows too.
One is seen during the day and the second occurs at night on a
full moon. These are the popular solar and lunar rainbows of
Victoria Falls …but then that’s another story!

Adventure Centre and the Safaris After the Victoria Falls the
Zambezi River passes through nine gorges it has cut down 122
metres deep. The nine gorges are in fact former waterfalls at
different stages of the development and migration of the falls
up stream. This migration covers the past 150 million years!

Now the gorges are a spectacular sight. They also form part of
the area where adrenaline pumping adventures take place -
whitewater rafting over 22 rapids, bungi jumping through 122
metres, gorge swinging, abseiling, river boarding, jet boating,
etc. It is for this reason that Livingstone town near the
Victoria Falls is now recognized as the Southern Africa
Adventure Centre.

If you have a daredevil spirit take to the air in a microlight
flight. Fly over the Victoria Falls, watch animals in the nearby
Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park…and get really close to the
cascading water of the world’s largest curtain of falling water.
But if you would rather like mundane pastime then you might want
to enjoy the “Flight of Angels.” Hire a helicopter or indeed a
rigid wing airplane. Even this choice will be your life’s
memorable experience.

Where to Stay

The banks of the Zambezi River are dotted with many lodges and
camping sites. A visit to the Zambezi Waterfront might be what
you want. More interesting though is the theme designs of most
lodges. They have a strong African architectural style.

The Sun International resort is the latest inclusion and is
built closest to the Victoria Falls. The resort is a combo of
two hotels: one, the Zambezi Sun is a three star hotel only
minutes from the Victoria Falls and the other the Royal
Livingstone is a five star royal opulence.

The red walls of the Zambezi Sun depict decorative symbols of
prehistoric times. The colour of these African drawings is
similar to the Kalahari sands found at the bottom of the falls.
But the luxury of the Royal Livingstone is all very different.
The ever present butlers and staff wear uniforms reminiscent of
the dress of Dr Livingstone at the time he discovered the
waterfalls one and half centuries ago. He named the waterfalls
in honour of Victoria, then queen of England.

Next to the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is another new hotel.
Chrismar Hotel has just been completed near the 60 sq km
national game park. It’s as if the hotels and lodges are
‘popping’ up everyday!

In Lusaka the capital city of Zambia you’ll find other exciting
hotels and lodges; the 5 star Taj Pamodzi, the 5 star Hotel
Intercontinental, Holiday Inn and other fine hotels.

The private game lodges are all within fifty kms. Popular ones
are the Lilayi Lodge, the Protea Safari Lodge, and Chaminuka.
But Siavonga at Lake Kariba has exciting lakeshore lodges. It’s
only a two-hour drive from Lusaka. My advice…you’ll enjoy the
hospitality of Zambia!

How to Get to Zambia

The choice is wide. You can choose to arrive by air and land at
any of the four international airports that have full custom and
immigration facilities. Mfuwe International Airport is on the
boundary with the Zambian premier game reserve, the South
Laungwa National Park. Another is at Ndola on the Copperbelt of
Zambia. And yet another is the Lusaka International Airport 22
kms from the capital city of Zambia. But Livingstone
International Airport is special. Only 8 kms from the Victoria
Falls whose first sighting you get from the air on approach to
landing.

And then you may choose to arrive by road from any of the eight
neighbouring countries but mainly from Bostwana, Namibia,
Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Get on a plane or car and come to Zambia …And you’ll leave
without ever forgetting Zambia safari!

www.windowbonnets.com And Jan Klatt Present Window Treatment Ideas And Valance Styles With Today’s Topic Window Bonnets Decor Uses Tucknology. For More Information On Topics Like This Go To: www.windowbonnets.com

OMG IF**king love this song. Panic Switch Lyrics time is never worth my time blue shine bleeds into my eyes i still sleep on the right side but white noise can’t leave the scene behind could i be anything you want me to be if so is it meant to be seen when you see yourself in a crowded room do your fingers itch are you pistol whipped will you step in line or release the glitch can you fall asleep with a panic switch when you see yourself in a crowded room do your fingers itch are you pistol whipped will you step in line or release the glitch do you think she’ll sleep with a panic… i’ll try to hold on tight tonight pink slip inviting me inside want to burn skin and brand what once was mine but the red views keep ripping the divide if i go everywhere you want me to go how will i know you’ll still follow when you see yourself in a crowded room do your fingers itch are you pistol whipped will you step in line or release the glitch can you fall asleep with a panic switch when you see yourself in a crowded room do your fingers itch are you pistol whipped will you step in line or release the glitch do you think she’ll sleep with a panic… movements are made slow motion in frame i’m waiting and fading and floating away the curtains are torn and the setting decayed i’m waiting and fading and floating… i’m waiting and fading and floating away i’m waiting and fading and floating away i’m waiting and fading and floating away waiting and fading waiting and fading when you see …

Manufacturer and reseller of room darkening, blackout, and sunscreen systems. Products offered include roll-up shades (blackout and sheerwave), roman shades, wood & aluminum venetian blinds, shutters, as well as cornices, pillows, throws, skirting, and drapery fabric. We are also an authorized distributor for Hunter Douglas window treatment products. Shades & Roller can be reached by phone at (787) 726-4378, and is located in San Juan at: 2300 Soldado Cruz St. Ocean Park, San Juan, PR 00913 Come by today to see everything we manufacture in our workshop!

Whether you’re refurbishing your home or finalizing the interior décor of a new home, you will need to pay special attention to the window treatments. Luckily for modern home owners, contemporary window treatments have something for every taste and style. Whether you want traditional or modernistic, it’s all there. You simply need to choose wisely.

So, what are the latest and the most popular in contemporary window treatments?

At one time, blinds and shutters were very much in vogue. In fact, they ruled the roost, so to speak. The reasons are simple. They looked very stylish, were easy to operate and clean and were quite affordable. If you are attracted by the simple straight lines of window blinds, you can choose from different materials and colors. Shades made from natural materials like bamboo and jute impart a rustic country look while metallic blinds give the room a sophisticated feel. Woven wood shades are also in demand as they look excellent in certain settings.

There are different shades to choose from, namely, roman shades, roller shades, solar shades, cellular and pleated shades. Of these, roman shades are catching on in a big way in contemporary homes.

Window shutters are also an option that you can select from if you are looking for something contemporary in window treatments. Shutters have a control mechanism that allows you to regulate the amount of light to be let into the room.

In spite of these new arrivals, curtains and drapes still figure as the most sought contemporary window treatments. One reason for this could be the availability of unlimited combinations of color, design, prints and fabric. You simply cannot run out of choices when you are selecting curtains.

Among curtains, sheers enjoy a superior place and position. These offer a delightful treat to the eye as they can allow sufficient light while offering a hazy view of the outside. Heavy fabric is commonly used in rooms where plenty of light is not a requirement. By combining sheer curtains with a heavy fabric, you can control the amount of light quite efficiently and beautifully. However, this design is slightly out of vogue these days.

Large prints are back in fashion this season, with geometrical designs and stark colors taking center stage. On the other hand, many modern homes make use of sleek lines and muted colors to get the simplistic look.

Contemporary window treatments allow a lot of flexibility when it comes to accessories. Delightful grommets, valances, shade pulls, cornices and curtain rods can become fitting embellishments for the fabric and the décor of the room.

For the décor of the room to ‘click’, window treatments must be in keeping with the rest of the room. Some people decorate the room sparingly so that they can easily accommodate a striking window treatment. Others may choose to opt for simple window treatments so that the room does not look too busy. Either way, contemporary window treatments offer you enough variety.

There are many reasons why you may not have an e-commerce website for your window blinds business-

Price- One of the biggest reasons for not having an Internet website for your window treatment business would have to be cost. Window Treatment websites can cost anywhere from $40,000 for a basic website up to several hundred thousand dollars and more depending on how comprehensive the website is.

Time- You do not have the time to spend building a website or explaining to someone else what you would like and need to have in a website, you are busy just running your business.

Products- How will I get my products in front of my customers?

Website Knowledge- How can I run my own website, I do not know anything about websites or how to update and run one?

These are all very important considerations. There are many companies that can build a website for your window treatment business, but at a cost that does not fit into most people’s budget. Most of these companies also do not know and understand your business like someone in the window treatment industry would.

You need a website for your business to stay ahead of your competition and it needs to be an e-commerce website. An e-commerce website is very different from a basic static website. Unlike a static (information only) website, with an e-commerce website you will be able to sell your products online which will create an entire new market for you. Instead of just being able to sell in your local area, you will expand your market on a National level and even worldwide if that is what you want.

With an E-commerce website you will be able to showcase your products to millions of people and those people will be able to buy from you no matter where they are. By offering the convenience of a shopping cart on your website you will multiply your sales overnight.

The problem is where can you find someone that knows your business as well as you and can build an e-commerce website for you at an affordable price that allows you to add your own products and have you online fast? Blinds Commerce can accomplish all this and at a price that anyone can afford.

You can have your own manageable e-commerce website complete with shopping cart for only $1400 complete with no monthly fees. At this price there is no reason for you not to get your blinds, shutter or window treatment business online today!

http://www.blindscommerce.com

Roman shades are a great way to add a simple and elegant treatment to your windows. Roman shades can be made from many materials in many different styles and work much like a blind. They site bunched up at the top of your window when not in use and then can be lowered down to cover the window when you want privacy.

Because of their ability to let full sun into the room during the day while blocking peoples view into the room at night, roman shades are a perfect window treatment for the kitchen. You can use roman shades in conjunction with drapes or curtains if you’d like but they also look great by themselves.

There are different types of roman shades, and depending on your kitchen style you might want to explore one or more of these styles of blinds.

Bamboo

Bamboo roman shades are great for a kitchen that has s tropical or plantation style. They also work well in a modern kitchen or with café style décor. Most bamboo shades are made with thin canes of bamboo that have been whittled and dried then “stitched” together to form a shade. These shades add texture to the room and can add a nice look even when they are down as the opaque nature of the shade lets subtle light through.

Fabric

Fabric roman shades can be found to go with almost every kitchen style. You can get a plain fabric, a print or even a toile roman shade for a shabby chic Paris apartment look. If you buy fabric roman shades be sure to get a pattern and color that match with your overall kitchen décor. Fabric roman shades are a single panel of material that has a string running down both sides of the length. The string is pulled and the shade is gathered up. There are different styles of “gather” or pucker you can have depending on if you want a fancy or plan look.

Insulated

Insulated roman shades can be found in many colors and styles and you may want to consider this if you live in a cold climate and have drafty windows. Insulated shades will help reduce loss of heath through the window so your kitchen can be warm and cozy even on the coldest days. This insulation also acts as a noise barrier.

Relaxed

A relaxed roman shade has less formal shape and has a swaged look at the bottom. These are great for informal, cottage country or shabby chic style kitchens. Relaxed roman shades will give you a softer look and should be used with plain and light fabrics.

Roman shades can be combined with other types of window treatments to give your kitchen a complete designer look. If you use neutral colors for your roman shades, this will allow you to change out your drapes or curtains for each season but not have to bother with getting new shades. You can also give your roman shades a finished look by adding a valance in a complimentary fabric on top. To clean your roman shades, vacuum them when they are in the “down” position. If there is soiling, you can try upholstery cleaner (but test on the fabric first).

Roman shades can be a great addition to your kitchen décor no matter what your style, you are sure to find a shade that looks great.

These days, expressing our individual styles and preferences extends beyond what we wear to where we go home to. For example, the dimensions, colors, and lighting in rooms are taken into account when window coverings are being chosen.  Concerns with light control, temperature and privacy are also considered in order to utilize the room’s design to provide the utmost in comfort and design.

Choosing Interior Designers

For homeowners looking for interior designers, there are several key qualifications they should look for. Interior designers should have completed formal training and should have undergone one to three year apprenticeships in architecture or design firms. Interior designers should have passed the licensure exam as well. The licensure exam for interior designers is administered by the National Council and they require applicants to have at least six years’ education and experience in the field of interior design.

For homeowners who want to have a distinct look and feel to their homes and are in need of experts to do it, Artistic Windows can provide both the designers as well as the interior design (including customized beddings, blinds, curtains, shutters, draperies, shades, window treatments and home décor). Artistic Window has been offering customized interior design and accents for several years and is an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer in Tampa. Artistic Windows can design homes in any style, such as French provincial and country, American, Shaker influence, eighteenth century style, eclectic, contemporary or minimalist.

A Stylistic Collaboration between Homeowners and Designers

At Artistic Windows, interior design is really a collaborative effort between homeowners and designers. The designers at Artistic Windows are experts when it comes to bringing the visions of homeowners to life. They understand that each homeowner has a specific idea of what they want their homes to look and feel like, and that it is their job to make this idea into a reality. Homes should provide both comfort and convenience and at the same time show guests the homeowner’s personal style. Clients are kept updated during every step of the way and everything involved with the project will be fully discussed and agreed upon.

Home Décor That Artistic Windows Can Provide

Artistic Windows provides estimates for flooring, wallpaper, curtains, shutters, draperies, shades, window treatments, beddings, blinds, valances and cornices. The blinds at Artistic Windows come in horizontal and vertical blinds and can be made with composite material, premium hardwoods, and aluminum or textured vinyl. Depending on what the clients prefers, colors may range from subdued to intense hues. Draperies at Artistic Windows can be made with silk, cotton, and blends, and in casual or sophisticated styles. The shades available at Artistic Windows are woven wood shades, Roman shades, and honeycomb shades which can be made to appear as sheer, semi-sheer, opaque and semi-opaque. These shades not only bring elegance and uniqueness to the room, but can also be energy efficient as well as sound absorbent. Draperies, blinds and shades can be used in combination with each other to enhance the room’s look and feel. On the other hand, the shutters at Artistic Windows can be made with premium hardwood or poly-satin compound. Due to their durability, they even come with lifetime warranties. Premium hardwood shutters can add elegance to any room whereas poly-satin compound shutters are built for hot and humid climates.

Contacting Artistic Windows
Just go to their office at 4004 W Neptune St #102, Tampa, FL 33629. To schedule consultations, call their phone number at 813-835-8805 or send a fax to 813-805-9371. You can also send an email to awindows@tampabay.rr.com and find out more about their services at www.artisticwindowsinc.com.

Do you want interior design that includes custom-made home décor, bedding, blinds, curtains, shutters, draperies, shades, and window treatments? Artistic Windows, an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer in Tampa, can provide all these accents and more. The designers at Artistic Windows are experts when it comes to styling homes to fit the individual needs of each of their clients. They sit down with clients and really get to know them and what their vision is for their home. Keeping this vision in mind, the designers at Artistic Windows will discuss which colors, styles, and textures will truly make the client’s vision come to life.

Getting to Know Artistic Windows

At Artistic Windows, designers make sure that the clients are the top priority. They understand the importance of expressing one’s individual style through home fashion.  Homes should reveal and showcase one’s own personal style without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Artistic Windows can accommodate any style ranging from contemporary or minimalist, eclectic, French provincial and country, American, eighteenth century style, and Shaker influence. As such, Artistic Windows can provide estimates for home décor (including home accessories), flooring, wallpaper, bedding, blinds, curtains, shutters, draperies, shades, window treatments, valances and cornices, which involve the following:

Blinds

The blinds at Artistic Windows come in many styles, textures, colors and materials. Clients can choose from such materials as aluminum or textured vinyl, composite material, and premium hardwoods. Styles include horizontal and vertical blinds. Colors range from subdued pastel colors to more intense hues, depending on the client’s preferences.

Draperies

Meanwhile, the draperies at Artistic Windows can also be made from a selection of fabrics such as cotton, silk and blends. These draperies can be customized to create different looks, from sophisticated and elegant to casual. The draperies can even be combined with blinds or shades to add more depth to the overall design.

Shades

On the other hand, the shades available at Artistic Windows range from Roman shades to add a bit of elegance to the room, woven wood shades for some unique and natural texture, or even honeycomb shades which are energy efficient. These shades can be made with all sorts of fabrics as well, including opaque, semi-opaque, sheer and semi-sheer. These shades are built to increase sound absorption.

Shutters

An important component of home design is the window coverings, which include the shutters. These shutters even come with lifetime warranties since they are custom-made and built to endure.  These shutters can come in premium hardwood or poly-satin compound. For those who want classic elegance, premium hardwood shutters are a favorite pick. Meanwhile, those who want to lessen heat and humidity can benefit from poly-satin compound shutters.

What to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Interior Design

Home owners should keep balance and its three styles (symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial) in mind when designing their homes. Symmetrical balance refers to the repetition of the same objects in the same positions. A popular style in interior design, asymmetrical balance refers to the placement of dissimilar objects to suggest movement. On the other hand, radial symmetry uses a central area as the focal point in the room. Designers can use spiral staircases or fireplaces to achieve this sort of symmetry.

How to Contact Artistic Windows
To meet with the designers at Artistic Windows, you can just head to their office at 4004 W Neptune St #102, Tampa, FL 33629. You can also schedule an appointment by calling their number at 813-835-8805, sending a fax message to 813-805-9371 or sending them an email message at awindows@tampabay.rr.com. You can also learn more about their services through their website, www.artisticwindowsinc.com.

Any home will benefit from a great-looking bedroom window treatment. It doesn’t only add to the aesthetics, it also helps create the proper ambience. Using just a little bit of inspiration and some thought, you can create a whole new look for your bedroom window.

So whether you’re using blinds, curtains or shutters, here are some ideas you can use to create a picture-perfect window:

1. Consider what you need

Your bedroom window is a very important part of your home. It lets in light and it also provides you with the necessary privacy. Consider these two factors when choosing your window treatment.

Do you want lots of light in your bedroom or do you prefer a semi-dim look that lets you rest and relax more? Is privacy a concern? Will you be seen outside on the street or is your bedroom window the kind that lets you allow full view without worrying about being seen by strangers? Think about these considerations before you choose your window treatment.

2. Consider your bedroom window size

If you have small windows, don’t dwarf them with large or horizontal prints. Use light shades or pastel colors to create more space – dark colors tend to make things look smaller.

If the window is too narrow, use light-colored curtains or panels tied back to the sides. This effect helps bring the vision outward, making the window look wider than it truly is. No matter how unattractive a bare bedroom window is, you can make it look terrific by playing on lines and colors effectively.

3. Use color

Color shouldn’t scare you away from the prospect of creating an effective bedroom window treatment. It’s okay to play it safe, but it will keep you from exploring the different possibilities you can use. Mix one neutral color with another one or if you’re unsure, there’s a kindergarten tool you can use – the color wheel.

Choose a color you like and then refer to the color wheel for another one. If you want another color that is close to the color of your choice, refer to the colors next to your choice. If you want a terrific-looking contrast, use the complementary color located on the opposite side of the color wheel.

A video taken from the fireworks display presented by irotecnica Morsani SRL, representing Italy, at La Ronde in Montreal on June 28th, 2008. The display was titled “Curtains of Light.” The music used in this sequence is “Fantasmic” from a Disney film (or films). Do yourself a favor and visit www.montreal-fireworks.com for more details about this display and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition in general.

The term voile comes from the French word for ‘veil’ and describes a very light weight woven 100% cotton or cotton blend (linen or polyester) fabric. This fabric is durable, easy to cut and sew and also available in a number of different colours. This makes it ideal for soft furnishing projects. In many hot and dry countries voile is used as a lightweight window treatment that offers some privacy and protection from the sun whilst still providing ventilation. This is very similar to net curtains but voile is available in many more colours and patterns. Voile can also be used to provide mosquito netting and drapes around beds.

Patterns and Colours

Voile is made from 100% cotton or cotton blends and so takes dyes well. This means that there are a wide range of different patterns and colours available. Voile can be used as a single, fine dressing for a window and has a semi-transparent quality that can provide privacy without blocking out too much light. Voile can also be layered to create elegant window drapes or can be laid over another fabric to provide more privacy and less light. If you are creating lightweight voile window treatments at home then you will need to use specially manufactured heading tape as the semi-transparent nature of the fabric will mean that standard tape will be too noticeable.

You can mix and match voile fabrics to create a number of stunning effects to enhance different styles of room. Black is a popular colour for voile as it can be paired with another colour/pattern to create different effects. For example black paired with silver can look very elegant and sophisticated and will enhance modern room design. Black paired with red can create a dramatic effect ideal for rooms with strong interior styles.

Designs

Voiles can be created to suit different drops (including full length and sill length) and are versatile and adaptable window treatments. The cotton can be blended with other materials such as linen and by layering the voile or laying it over a second fabric you can create a number of different effects from delicate sheer drapes through to modern minimalist curtains that will enhance any room.

Voiles are easy to measure, cut and sew and can be turned into all kinds of different designs from pencil pleat curtains through to luxurious modern balance drapes that combine a number of different colours and patterns into one beautiful window dressing.

Bring a touch of summer freshness into your home by adding little touches in zesty colours such a citrus orange, sunflower yellow, zingy lemon, lime green and oceanic blues.

These colours may be a little overpowering when used on their own, particularly in small rooms, however, adding an injection of colour by using cushions, throws, rugs or lamps is an affordable way to bring a room back to life.

Each of these colours look great when teamed with brilliant white but for something a little more unusual try mixing them with another vibrant colour for a chic and contemporary look.

Break the ‘colour wheel rules’ and have two colours which in the past were considered unusable together because of the clash of colour. Nowadays these ‘rules’ have been cast aside and colours such as orange and purple, green and blue are being used together, producing some fantastic interior design colour schemes.

While on your holidays make a point of seeing how other countries use colour to brighten their homes and living spaces. Mediterranean countries have a tendency to favour rich blues, sunflower yellows, terracotta and white both inside and outside of their homes.

These countries always have tiled flooring to help keep their homes cool, these are often used as a basis for clever use of picking out the patterns and accent colours to use on soft furnishings and wall colours. Beautifully patterned rugs are also used with great visual effect.

Their colours are predominately inspired by nature as they are fortunate to look at clear brilliant blue skies, fields of sunflowers, orange, lemon and lime groves, while we in the UK, for the most part look at grey skies and industrialisation!

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping folk in the UK from also being inspired with interior design styles and colours whilst they are on holiday or when out walking in the UK. There are many fantastic architectural designs in the UK which can be used effectively in modern homes as well as a plethora of colour inspired buildings to ignite the passion and enthusiasm to try something new or different in our homes.

Take a look at the latest designs in curtain and soft furnishing fabrics, which are widely available on the high street or online curtain fabric suppliers, for inspiration. Choose colours which you adore and feel comfortable with, as obvious as this may sound many people do try and emulate interior design styles purely to be in-vogue and trendy, in reality they actually don’t particularly like the colour of their homes, they merely suffer it for fashion’s sake!

This is not what good interior design is about! Your house is your home as such you should make it as homely and comfortable as is affordably and practically possible! Just by adding some wonderfully coloured objects you can easily inject the latest colour trends without having to completely re-decorate! This type of up-dressing is also a very viable way to keep abreast of current and emerging interior design trends!