24/7talk Interior Design

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.

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

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. 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.

When selling Window Covering, one question comes always up: How do I clean my Sheer Draperies?  It’s not very complicated rather easy if one follows certain steps. I will try to give some direction for a successful washing. Just before you start make sure that your Sheer Fabric is washable, as many sheers are just suitable for dry cleaning.

1. Remove from your windows, only the number of sheer curtains you can launder at one time. Handle gently so as not to create wrinkles or creases unnecessarily. Remove all hardware (hooks, etc.) from sheer panels. When you remove the hook, make yourself a pencil mark at the hook position or if you don’t want to mark the Curtain, measure the distance of the curtain hook from the heading of the Drapery pleat. It will help you that the Sheer Panels hang the same height as before the washing and you don’t have to take them down to adjust the hook to a different height.
2. Do no overfill the Wash machine; one Drapery Panel at the time is best.
3. Wash on a gentle cycle, lukewarm wash, and cold rinse. Wash Cycle does not need to be that long. Normal Laundry Detergent is sufficient. Just make sure the cold rinse cycle is last when washing.
4. A good idea is to add some fabric softener before the last rinse, as there will be less wrinkles.
5. Remove your sheer drapery panel from the washer. Place curtains in your dryer with 2 or 3 small dry hand towels. Important select ‘cool air’ for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the Sheer Panels from dryer (they are still damp) and spread them flat on floor, or sofa, table, etc., while you put the curtain hooks back in their original position.  Please note also that the heading on the Sheer won’t be entirely dry, but this doesn’t matter. Finger-press the pleats, hems, untwisting the corner weights, or lead band string in the lower hem.
6. Allow to the sheer curtains to dry completely hanging at windows. If hems need ironing, move ironing board in front of window and iron hems after curtains are hung.
7. One other suggestion, just to fluff the drapery panels on a cold cycle in the dryer from time to time. That takes out the dust very efficiently.

I just came back yesterday from an educating as well interesting Window Shades Seminar. Hunter Douglas Window Fashions is starting a major Window Shade Promotion for the time of March, April and May 2007. Under the name Life in a Whole New Light with Silhouette Window Shadings, Customers are offered a $50.—(fifty) rebate for each new Silhouette Window Shade purchase, valid for up to 5 (five) Shades a total up to $250.—In my opinion this is for a long time a real win win promotion for Customers which are in the market for Window Shades. First I would like to point out just a couple of Unique Qualities of Silhouette Window Shades.

• three products in one: the light control of a blind, the softness and light diffusion of a sheer, and the operating ease of a shade
• Silhouette window shadings transform light—they beautifully create a mood in the room simply by tilting the vanes
• Silhouette shadings provide light diffusion with an element of privacy .. that’s something no other window covering offers.
• They provide spectacular view through when down in the open position and a full view when the shading is rolled up into the headrail
• The Silhouette product is the only window covering that provides UV protection when the are tilted either closed or open.
• Silhouette window shadings are versatile, stylish and timeless—they can be used beautifully on their own or as an under treatment
• They are a trouble free product, with one of the lowest return rate for a custom window covering
• Silhouette Window Shades have the highest quality in the industry and are backed by the Hunter Douglas Lifetime Limited Warranty
• And last not least above all, Silhouette shadings have what no other window shading offers: the exclusive Quartette 4” vane size. Available in sizes up to 120inches x 120inches, it offers one of the most expansive views on the market

I guess this should be enough to convince everyone that the Silhouette Window Shades are a superior quality product. More can be read at out our Website under Silhouette Window Gallery Or better, just stop by the Westchester Retail Store - The Final Touch Interiors, in Hawthorne, NY. Should you need Directions, simply click on the link How to find us so you have no trouble to get to our Show Room, where we can introduce you to the exciting Silhouette Window Shades

Windows in our new Homes are getting larger and from a certain size, it was always a problem to cover them accordingly. Even for the commercial market like for offices or conference rooms one had always an issue to cover large windows with one window shade only. Hunter Douglas recognized the issue and introduced for the Window Coverings Market new window shade fabrics to cover large windows: Window Shade Fabric Sizes - new

• width: 192inches
• height:  144inches

Further the new program includes: Window Shade Tube which are available in following sizes

• 2.5inch diameter
• 3inch diameter

To enhance to look of the Designer Screen Shades, Hunter Douglas is offering know a much needed Fascia too. It is used to cover or conceal the Designer Screen Shades and is available in widths up to 156inches. Following are the Fascia colors:

• white - Fascia
• white - Fascia
• vanilla - Fascia
• bronze - Fascia
• anodized - Fascia
• black - Fascia

The optional Fascia is an “L” shaped aluminum extrusion that covers the top and bottom of the roller shade tube for a sleek appearance. The pocket is  “U” shaped extrusion that houses the standard and motorized roller shade. The Pocket can be mounted inside the window framing, as well as recessed into the ceiling or wall by a professional installer from Final Touch Interiors to completely conceal the roller tube mechanism.