24/7talk Interior Design, a blogging page about Interior Design

how to choose woven wood shades for your home

2010-06-03T15:33:22Z

Woven wood shades have gone through a Renaissance and come in a lot of varieties of styles and options.
There are a lot of manufacturers out there, but to make matters simple I will concentrate on Hunter Douglas which is one of the finest manufacturers and provides a great quality product for a fair price.
Step One

Choose a fabric for your woven wood shade

There is a rich assortment of fabrics to choose from, like natural frabric including bamboo, wood, reeds and grasses. Consider a texture that works with the decor of the room so your shade
becomes part of the room, or choose one that stands out and makes the shade a focal point of the room
Step Two

Choose a Lifting System for your woven wood shade

Decide which System is best suited for your needs. The standard cordlock assures smooth operation. The clutch system offers enhanced child and pet safety features. The motorization option makes raising
even a large shade easy with the touch of a button.
Step Three

Choose a Style for your woven wood shade

You can select from a classic, hobbled or the traditional roman style shade. With the classic style, the fabric cascades off the front of the headrail for a clean, contemporary look. A hobbled shade has gentle folds, even when fully lowered, providing more texture and interest. The traditional roman shade raises in five inch folds.
Step Four

Choose Options for your woven wood shade

There are many ways to customize your new Provenance Woven Wood Shade. Select from four styles of edge banding for a coordinated look that is unique to you. Add a liner if you need more privacy and light control.
These are the main options available when choosing a wooven wood shade. It is always advisable to consult a professional window coverings expert which can guide you through all the steps effortlessly and can explain and show all the differences of options.
Take a closer look at the Provenance woven wood shades sold by Final Touch Interiors, a complete Shop at Home Window Shades Retailer and a certified Master Installer by Hunter Douglas WIndow Fashions.

Pirouette window shadings now available with motorization

2010-05-25T23:26:09Z

Pirouette window shadings are now available with the new PowerRise 2.0 Platinum Technology.

Hunter Douglas Power Rise 2.0 with Pirouette Window Shading

The state of the art battery powered motorized system allows you to operate Pirouette window shadings with the touch of a button.No wiring is needed One can control the shadings with the sleek hand held remote or a wireless wall switch. You’ll enjoy the quiet way the motor raises and lowers the shadings, as well as precise control of vane operation for just the right amount of privacy and view through.The window shadings may be operated individually or in groups, and can even be integrated into any home automation system. And because there are no operating cords, motorized Pirouette shadings provide enhanced child and pet safety. If you need help or advise in acquiring Hunter Douglas Pirouette window shadings don’t hesitate, give us a call at 914.299.8160 and talk to our certified Hunter Douglas Master Installer. We will be more than happy to help and support you.

Contemporary Table Base with round Wood Top

2010-05-02T14:32:57Z

Custom round Kitchen Table by Final Touch Interiors - contemporary style

There are a myriad of different Table bases to choose from for a Kitchen or Dining Room Table. Just recently, we designed an octagonal Table base made out of Steel in an hour glass design toped by a round wood Top in a cherry finish. It was quite a challenge to find a metal shop to produce the octagonal steel base and manufacture it accordingly to my drawings.
Another Idea is to use Leather with the Table Base.

Wireless Wall Switch For Platinum Technology Products by Hunter Douglas

2009-05-21T01:21:01Z

On my last training session for the certified Hunter Douglas Installer Program, we were introduced to the new Platinum Technology Wireless Wall Switch by Hunter Douglas Platinum.
I find it is a great add on to use with the wireless Platinum Technology Product Line.

Wireless Wall Switch for Platinum Technology by Hunter Douglas

It works with all PowerRise® and PowerTilt™ systems and also the new PowerGlide™ 2.0 system for both Luminette Privacy Sheers as well as the Skyline Gliding Window Panels.
The wireless wall switch is powered by 2 AAA batteries at the back of the switch, the device sends radio frequency signals (RF) to any Hunter Douglas Platinum-powered system to make the window treatment raise, lower, tilt, or traverse.
The wall switch has an UP/DOWN directional button, four Radio Frequency (RF) Group Buttons (1, 2, 3, 4) and an “ALL” button that are used for RF operation. The RF Group numbers and the ALL button will light up, green of course, when a button is pressed.
The wireless wall switch has other additional features, too. With the wireless wall switch, multiple RF (shades) groups can be selected and operated at the same time. So if you select RF Group 1 and RF Group 3, the 1 and 3 buttons will light up. Then press the up or down button and both groups will operate at the same time. The Platinum Wireless Wall switch also has a built-in memory, so it will remember the last group or groups that were selected. So, if your last operation was to raise groups 1 and 3, you won’t have to push the group buttons to lower them. Just push the down button and all the shades or blinds programmed for these groups will lower. The switch will remember always the last group selection.

Using A Switch And A Remote Together

The wireless wall switch can be cloned with a Platinum remote so that your customers can have the option of controlling their blinds or shades with either the switch or the remote. I find the wireless switch is a great add-on for every PowerRise/PowerTilt or PowerGlide Product from Hunter Douglas and provides an easy way to operate shades and blinds. So even if you misplace your remote control you can use the wireless switch.

Surface or Flush Mount

The Platinum Wireless wall switch was designed with a slim profile for surface mounting directly to a wall. Using the mounting screws provided, the wireless wall switch can be secured to any wall in a room. At less than ¾-inch deep, the switch is unobtrusive.
For a more flush mount, the switch may also be installed in a standard electrical gang box. (Check your local electrical codes before installing the Platinum Wireless Wall Switch into any recessed electrical box.) Should you have any questions, needs or looking for troubleshooting the Platinum Technology Products by Hunter Douglas give us a call at 914.299.8160

Final Touch Interiors has now professional Window Coverings Installers, certified by Hunter Douglas

2009-04-30T23:29:14Z

We at Final Touch Interiors always found that a custom window covering is only as good as its installation.
Hunter Douglas the nations largest window coverings manufacturer has made a significant effort to provide an ongoing installer training program. It serves the purpose to properly educate professional installers on the most effective and up-to-date methods of installing its innovative products, including new Pirouette Window Shades, Luminette® Privacy Sheers, Silhouette® window shadings and Duette® honeycomb shades.
We recently attended the company’s Certified Professional Installer Training Program SM and are now a Certified Hunter Douglas Professional Installer Outfit. Final Touch Interiors, took part in a three-day intensive workshop, the only one of its kind in the industry, giving installers the tools they need to install window coverings more efficiently and meet many of the challenges encountered at the window. In attending the Hunter Douglas Professional Installer Program, it allowed us to work in a hands-on environment and meet with product experts who answered our questions and addressed challenges. We were able to network with other installers to share tips and techniques in the Window Coverings Industry. Our certified installers are the best in the industry, said Andy Irwin, Hunter Douglas Manager of Installer Training. “They are exceptionally well trained and are committed to providing consumers with the highest quality measuring and installation services.” Should your need arise for new Window Shades and or Window Coverings or a professional measure and install, call us at 914.299.8160

Carpet Runners for Stairs and Hallways

2009-03-24T23:41:45Z

Herati Stair Carpet Runner

Aubusson Stair Carpet Runner

Stair Carpet Runners and or Hallway Runners are a great add on to enhance the ambiance of a sometimes dull Hallway or Stairway. They fit perfectly, it does not matter if the home is traditional or a modern House.
The Carpet Runners come in a width of 26inches so they fit most Hallways and Stairs. Constructed with a 100% Wool Pile. These Runners carry also a Five Star rating, so they are qualified for commercial use and they will also perform in a residential home. Several Designs are available, from Oriental to modern. All Carpet Runners are available through Final Touch Interiors, LLC. a fine Interior Designer with quality Products.

Custom Roman Shades

2008-12-06T21:24:17Z

To combat todays economic times, one has to come up with simple Window coverigs solutions and adjust to customers budget needs when offering custom made Window Coverings. So we came up with a custom shade program called Canvas Roman Shades

Advantages of the Canvas Roman Shades Program

Easy to order
It contains four of our most popular Shade Styles
A great Value and perfectly priced
Comes in 12 different Color ways
Four different Lining options

Following below are our Styles listed and a short explanation of each Roman Shade Styles

Pacifica

Our Pacifica Roman Shade style has rear facing pockets which add a simple detail to this shade style. The seams on front of the shade create a tailored look that stacks neatly and requires minimal dressing. Works well in a wide variety of design settings. Used in layered treatments with drapery panels or valances and as stand alone window treatmentL

Soft Roman Shade

This Roman Shade style has a tailored yet soft appearance “Hobbling” the face fabric onto the lining fabric at regular intervals. It creates soft, overlapping folds that cascade from top to bottom. Stays in each pleatto create crisp folds and hold the structure of the shade. Casual or formal in layered treatments or stand-alone, this style is a classic.

Flat Roman Shade

A unique, elegant design with no horizontal seams or stitching. Small tack stitches, visible on the fabric face, create a gentle memory line for the folds and add character to the shade. Can be used in any design scheme. Often used in a layered treatments with draperies and valacnes.

Tahoe

The Tahoe Roman Shade does not have any horizontal stitching or stays. This, combined with spacing the lifting cords further apart, gives this shade a soft, draped “smile” when raised. The relazed look adds casual elegance. Wider shades will have more than one swag. When fully lowered, this style is flat, with a straight bottom edge. When raised, because of the construction, the sides are not completely straight. For this reason it is not recommended for an inside mount.

Additional we offer also several lifting options for the Canvas Roman Shade which all specifically have child safety incorporated. Inquire for any additional info at 914.299.8160 The Final Touch Interiors, LLC.

Wood Pellet Stove purchase

2008-08-05T22:07:45Z

Even though Heating Oil Prices

Freestanding Pellet Stove - contemporary style

have come down the last couple of days, most Homeowners are struggling to find a suitable replacement or add on for heating their home in Winter time, to compat the huge increases in Energy Costs.
Valuable information is hard to come by and many times more like a sales pitch. A product which has been a favorite of mine is the Wood Pellet Stove.The Wood Pellet Stove can be used as a stand alone product or as an insert in your existing Fire Place. When comparing the heating costs of Wood Pellets to Heating Oil one will understand quite quickly how much savings are possible in using a Wood Pellet Stove.
Take a look at this very helpfull and valuable Fuel Calculator: Fuel Calculator

Traditional Cast Iron Pellet Stove Insert

A great Web site to visit with info about Gas-inserts, Wood Stoves and of course Pellet Stoves and Pellet Stove Inserts is the Hearth Forum .
Nevertheless, to get you started I listed below some points which are important when considering the purchase of a

Wood Pellet Stove

Is the wood pellet stove certified by a quality label and a CE compliance label?
Is the efficiency rating of the pellet stove above 85% at maximum load?
Did an independent testing institute in USA test the stove's emissions and efficiency?
What is the noise level from the stove? Is the sound level at low output less than 43dBa?
Does the pellet stove have a convection air fan for good heat distribution?
Is the stove self-modulating according to the heat demand?
Does the stove offer any standby feature for a less pellet fuel consumption?
Does the stove have a large ash pan?
What kind of room temperature regulation (thermostat) does the stove have to avoid overheating?
What kind of safety features has the stove?
Does the stove design allow for easy cleaning of the internal flue passages?
What kind of flame pattern and view does the stove give?

Location of Wood Pellet Stove

Is the stove heat output adequate for the room it is going to be located in?
Is the stove located to allow sufficient clearance with combustible surfaces and materials?
Is there a properly wired outlet for electricity near the stove location?
Is their enough fresh air supply to the stove for a safe and efficient combustion? If not, how can outside air be drawn from an appropriate location?

Venting (chimney or flue pipe) for Pellet Stove

Is there provision for appropriate access to maintain and clean the venting system?
Is the minimum clearance between the vent and combustible materials respected?
Does the existing or proposed vent comply with the stove manufacturer's instructions?
Does the venting system recommended take into consideration local factors like altitude, windy conditions,
internal negative pressure (in very airtight houses or due to strong fans)?

Installation and Building Inspectors approval

Does the dealer offer delivery, installation, local building inspectors approval and after sales service?
Is the floor protected according to the pellet stove manufacturer's instructions?
What training and experience have the professionals involved in the installation?
How long will the installation take?
Who cleans up after the installation work?
Are the joints and seams of the vent pipes properly sealed to avoid exhaust gas leakage in the room?
What are the procedure and tests carried out when commissioning the system?

Operation and maintenance of Wood Pellet Stove

Is full documentation, including the user's manual, provided with the stove?
Is the fire started manually or automatically?
What is the pellet storage capacity of the stove and how long can it operate with one refill at nominal heat
output BTU's?
What kind of wood pellets (quality and size) have to be used with the stove?
What maintenance tasks have to be performed by a professional and how regularly?
What is the range of annual costs (fuel and maintenance) under average conditions?
How often do I have to empty the ash pan?
Does the dealer have spare parts available?

Costs and Payments for Wood Pellet Stove

Does the quotation cover all the costs associated with the installation of the stove (stove, vent)
installation/delivery, floor protection)?
What are the financing options and payment terms?

After-sales services for Wood Pellet Stove

What is the manufacturer's or supplier's warranty for each component of the pellet heating system?
What guarantees / warranties are provided for the installation?
Is an annual service contract available from the Dealer or Pellet Stove Supplier?
How does the Dealer provide emergency service work if required
Does the Dealer help in furnishing Wood Pellets for a reasonable price and deliver to home?

Custom colored Carpet for 40 square yard minimum

2008-06-16T15:16:24Z

When looking for wall to wall carpets, one always faces the issue of colors. Manufacturers mostly run the Style of their Carpet only in six or eight colorways. Sometimes the offered color is acceptable, but mostly it’s just a compromise. It does not have to be that way. One of the best custom programs on the market is called 7/40 Color Select program by GLEN EDEN Wool Carpets. Do you need to change the background color of your choose wool carpet, or maybe it’s only the accent color? It is no problem with the “7/40 Color Select” program by Glen Eden. It is very simply. Take any running line tufted carpet product, pick the colors you want to change and we send them to the Carpet Mill of Glen Eden. Once they receive the desired color requests for your Wall to Wall Carpet, they will send us in return color poms for approvil in seven working days. Approve the pom and up we go. It is that simple. The Color you desire or need is just a simple choice away. So next time you are in need to change colors on your Broadloom Carpet, give Final Touch Interiors a call at 914.299.8160 for special pricing and further details.

Logans Square and Reserve - New Wool Carpet Introductions by Glen Eden

2008-06-03T01:26:36Z

Glen Eden Wool Carpets available at
Final Touch Interiors. LLC.

Logans Square as well as the Reserve Wool Carpet line come in eight Color ranges. The Construction of both Wool Carpets is in a woven wilton (very durable) which gives the Carpet a Location Guide of Heavy Duty Residential. Further Logans Square and Reserve are both Skein dyed and insect resistant. The Primary Backing is Jute and the secondary Backing is Cotton. Again a natural green environmental wool product by Glen Eden. The Reserve Wool Carpet Line comes in the same beautiful subdued Color Range as Logans Square with the same Color Names. Both Carpets Products suit themselves also very well to be used as Area Rugs and can be bound or serged for a professional and sophisticated look.

Econet a new Area Rug Carpet Padding goes Green

2008-04-18T17:11:05Z

As we Consumers all want to become more Earth friendly and are willing to reduce our Carbon Footprint, Manufacturers in the Flooring Industries are continuously working hard in coming up with new improved Products.

another Quality Area Rug Pad available at Final Touch Interiors

Econet, a new earth friendly premium Area Rug Padding was just recently introduced by Jade Industries, a major Carpet Padding Manufacturer. Following are a couple of points what make this Area Rug Padding a little bit different:

Made with natural rubber and jute, a natural plant fiber
Perfect for use over laminated wood, wood flooring, tile and other hard surface floors
The open grid design of the Carpet Padding lets the Area Rug breathe, eases vacuuming, and additional protects your floor as well as the Area Rug
The Econet Area Rug Padding will also not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring
It is easy to cut by the End User, so it can fit any rug any size and form
The Econet Area Rug Padding is also odor, mildew, mold and vermin resistant
As it is important with any good Area Carpet Padding, “Econet” has also great Non-skid properties

So if you are in need of a new Area Rug Padding, take a look at World Premium Rug Pads from Final Touch Interiors, or call us at our Westchester Phone Number: 914.299.8160

Javascript Thumbnail viewer

2008-04-02T19:20:00Z

For quite a while I was using on my blogsite 24/7talk interior design a javascript thumbnail viewer which worked out quite well for me, only a 100% validation with W3C was never possible as some of the used expressions were not XHTML compliant. Something that I personally bothered me quite a bit. So after searching for a replacement, I found a new javascript thumbnail viewer which is similar in its capabilities than what I used. I ended up with Highslide JS an open source JavaScript software, offering a Web 2.0 approach to popup windows. As per the Author Thorstein Hons, it does streamlines the use of thumbnail images and HTML pop-ups on web pages. The library offers these features and advantages

No plug-ins like Flash or Java required.
Pop-up blockers are no problem. The content expands within the active browser window.
Single click. After opening the image or HTML popup, the user can scroll further down or leave the page without closing it.
Compatibility and safe fallback. If the user has disabled JavaScript or is using an old browser, the browser redirects directly to the image itself or to a fallback HTML page.

I started to use some of the code already and except of some small missing necessary CSS adjustments it does perform perfectly and also validates as 100% XHTML. As with any new Software one has to work with it for a while to get used to its strengths and or weaknesses. One reason also that I choose Highslide JS was that the Author has an active Support Forum with great support.

Motorized Sun Shades for Skylights

2008-03-27T21:37:00Z

One effective way in controlling Sunlight and heat in your Home or Office is with Solar Sun Screen fabrics which are used with Roller Shades or Roman Style Window Coverings.

Somfy Sun Sensor - Control Panel

Just last week we tackled an Issue of Sun protection and Heat in one of my Client’s Home. Our Client wanted a atractive protection from heat and solar glare for his Hallway. A couple Issues we had to deal with:

Height of Shade Installation - over 20ft in a narrow Stairway
Length of Shade over 15ft
Depth of Shade – no possible interference with Smoke/Fire Detectors
Visual Attractiveness of Shade – in open as well closed position
automated operation required

installed Solar Skylight in open position

We solved the problem with installing a solar screen skylight shade, controlled by a smart Somfy Sun Sensor and an additional standard Switch control to enable the user to override the opening or closing of the Solar Screen Shade from the smart automated Somfy Sun Sensor.

Solar Skylight Shade in retracted position

Installation went without any problems and after the usual adjustments, the motorized Solar Sun Screen worked like it should. It will close when the Sun rises (as required) and opens at dawn again to let additional light into the Stairwell.

New technology for precise measuring

2008-01-28T20:13:00Z

Having to go out to Clients Homes or Offices and taking exact measurements has always been a time-consuming task.
My solution to this particular issue has been a product called Leica Disto ( a measuring device which measures the distance with a Laserlight - exact to a 1/16" of an inch).

perfect tool for precise measuring

It is a very versatile Product.
Great when measuring Rooms for Floor Covering Products such as Carpets, etc. Very efficient, as one does not have to fiddle along with a long 25' Tape. No Posibility of scratich Furniture or Walls. Specially great when measuring long Hallways of Offices during Business Hours.
Like last week, I was out on a Job, measuring a Room for a Lighting Design Project. In a very quick and fast efficient way, I had measured the import Details one needs to know with no running a long 25' Tape across the Room. Even the Client was surprised how fast it went.
Or another Example: Modern contemporary Home, one has to measure for large Triangular Windows for Shades. A 25' Tape would be cumbersome and probably not exact either as all the Windows are 15' above Floor and difficult to reach.
With the Leica DISTO it was a snap to do. Precise and fast and not time consuming at all. Hunter Douglas Window Fashions now realized the advantages of this Laser Tool now too and just commented in their latest Views Magazine (Magazine for HD Window Fashion Retailers), that they are working on an Interface, which takes the measurements from the Leica DISTO and transfers them into their Ordering System. Something I recommended already several years ago when attending their Training Seminars.

Kitchen Counter Top alternatives

2007-08-29T16:36:52Z

Quartz Surfaces by Caesarstone

In my last discussion about Choices of Kitchen Counter Tops, I talked about the use of Quartz Surface Materials for Counter Tops.
One of the Products, which we have successfully used for some of our Projects, is made by Caesarstone.

Counter Top by CaesarStone

It is comprised of up to 93% natural quartz -one of nature's strongest minerals - and backed by a comprehensive warranty.
CaesarStone's quartz surfaces, with their properties of stain, crack, scratch, chemical and heat resistance, are the perfect choice for carefree kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring, tabletops, wallpaneling and more.
The Caesarstone's quartz surface never need sealing and require very little maintenance to keep them looking like new. The hard nonporous surface makes cleaning simple. In most cases, soap and water or a mild detergent are all thats required to maintain its luster. One item every Customer will like is the a comprehensive and a generous 10-year Residential Limited Warranty so that one can enjoy its beauty and function with an added peace of mind.
CaesarStones quartz surfaces are nontoxic, and in accordance with international NSF 51 safety standards. The nonporous quality of the quartz surface prevents the growth of surface mold and microbes, even while its low-maintenance nature require less detergent use. This combination allows the CaesarStone quartz surfaces easily meet the stringent sanitation requirements of restaurants, hospitals and schools.
Look and Feel: The quartz surface retains the cool, tactile qualities of natural stone. Aggregates range from fine-grained salt and pepper patterns to coarse-grained color blends with a variegated visual texture. Three finishes expand the design possibilities even further: polished, honed (matte) and Viento (textured).
The standard slab dimensions are 120inches by 56.6inches, enabling great design flexibility and maximum utilization of the product. Further there are three thicknesses available: half inch, three quarters inch, and one inch and a quarter which will further help to accommodate a multitude of applications.
To Find Out More information about CaesarStone's quartz surface products, please call us at our Westchester Phone Number: 914.299.8160..