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Greetings!
As you can see, this month has brought some really big changes to my monthly E-zine. When the Gap changed their logo a while back the public protested so strongly that they reverted back to the original one. Please share your feedback and let me know what you like and dislike about the change. I write this for you, so your opinion matters. If you would prefer I go back to the previous format, let me know. I am listening...
August is Window Treatment month and I will help you figure out the best options for your windows. Please don't shoot the messenger, but the official "Holiday Entertaining Season" is only 16 weeks away, so if there are any improvements you want to make before your guests start arriving, now is the time to get started on them. As an incentive, I am giving 15% off any window treatment order placed this month.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Best,
Barbara Green
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What Kind of Window Treatments?
Are your windows bare because you are suffering from analysis paralysis, not knowing what to do so you don't do anything? Window treatments add so much warmth, color, and style to a room and they also help you save energy! There are 3 basic window treatment consumers, and once you figure out which you are, you can figure out which style is the right one for you.
1. Don't Block My View, EVER!
The best treatments for this consumer are simple valances and/or side panels. They offer softness and color around the window frame, but do not cover any of the glass.
2. I Want My View (but I'm afraid at night)
The best treatment for this customer is a combination of shades or blinds with drapes or valances. The shades can be made of fabric, wood, bamboo, or other organic materials and the blinds can be made of wood or vinyl. During the day the shades or blinds can be pulled all the way up for the view, and pulled down at night for privacy. 
3. Don't Have a View (but I want the light)
Some homeowners might have an unsightly neighbor they don't want to see, but still want the light to filter into the room. The best option in this instance is a loosely woven shade of wood or organics. The shade can be kept down all the time to block the view, but the room still stay light since the open weave allows the light to filter in. 
A second option for those who want the light but not the view are sheers. Sheers have come a long way since the ones we remember at granny's house. They come in many patterns, colors, and designs. My favorite are the sheers with appliqued flowers or embroidery. 
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Why Choose Custom Drapes?
With so many retailers selling ready-made drapes, you may question the investment in custom. Today, personal style is paramount. Custom window treatments are designed with your exact needs, colors, and style in mind and are as unique as you are. You wouldn't want your friends to be walking around wearing the same clothes as you, why would you want them to have the same window treatments? Here are some details that will set your windows apart:
Appliqued Borders and Custom Header
Color Blocking
Decorative Trims
Nail Head Accents
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Recipe of the Month
No one wants to spend a long time in the kitchen preparing dinner on a hot summer night. Here is a quick and easy dish that can be done in 15 minutes!
Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli
3 oz. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 C broccoli florets
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
3 oz. chicken stock
fresh basil to taste
12 oz. bow tie pasta
Prepare pasta according to directions and drain. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil. Add garlic, shrimp, broccoli, and tomatoes and saute 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock and saute an additional 3 minutes. Add basil to taste, then pour sauce over pasta, toss and serve. |
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Quote of the Month
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.
~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
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Trends Today
Hot off the press from the most recent issue of Window Fashion Vision, I give you one photo that illustrates three hot new trends for window treatments now:
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Trend 1 - Contrast inset at hemline called a "Godet"
Trend 2 - Multiple layers of treatments on one window
Trend 3 - Specialty header instead of standard pinched pleats
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Custom Header Examples
Drapery header refers to the construction method used at the top of the window treatment and determines how they are hung on the rod, post, or board. The standard header is the pinch pleat. Here are some custom options:
Smocked Header
Board-Tacked Header
Goblet Pleat
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Post-Hung Drapes
Ruched Header
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Green Report
Here are three ways you can use window treatments to help save our planet:
- Keep windows covered during summer days to keep your home cooler and reduce air conditioning costs.
- Keep windows covered at night during the winter to keep your home warmer and reduce heating costs.
- Layer your window treatments. The more layers there are, the higher the R-value they provide since multiple layers will trap more air and keep the interior more temperate.
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