Put shades, blinds, shutters on list of window coverings
Dear Debbie: Our new (old) house in town has many windows, not big ones, but there are three windows in the living room that are side by side with an 18-inch space between each window. I’m not really a curtain fan. We are used to living in the country where privacy was not an issue. What would you do here? Suzanne
Window coverings can be a real challenge, but they have important work to do. Think about what your priorities are now that you have moved into an older home located in a busier setting. Do your windows require coverings to keep out drafts in the cool weather, to block sun’s rays in the summer heat? Would you like total privacy or a solution that gives you flexibility? Window fashions make a style statement, so what choice will add to your room’s decorating as well as your lifestyle.
Crossing curtains off your list, there are plenty of options for you in shades, blinds and shutters. Do some research online to discover what styles and shapes appeal to you.
Shades are a versatile choice. Elite Window Fashion’s High-Lite Shades alternate opaque-coloured fabric with sheer inlays in a continuous piece of fabric to allow a balance of natural light and privacy. Lower the shade and the opaque bands overlap the sheer inlays for complete privacy and room darkening. Raise the shades a little to align the opaque bands and filtered light comes through the sheer fabric. Choose the band width, ranging from three feet to 5.5 feet to provide a proportional fit for your windows. Create your own custom look, varying the height to provide your choice of privacy, light filtering and outdoor views.
High-Lite Shades are available in beautiful neutral colours and weaves that range from whites, blues, greys and natural browns. A perk that is becoming more and more popular, these shades can be operated by remote control, a smartphone app, and integrated into a home automation system.
And here's another idea. With Elite’s new V-90 Twin Shade Cassette you build the look of your shades and mix and match with a blackout roller fabric in the back and a sheet of High-Lite or other roller-shade fabric in front. The front sheet gives you your decorating style and can be left down all the time, while the back shade can be pulled down when you want complete darkness and/or privacy.
For more information, go to elitewf.com
Dear Debbie: We are putting down hardwood in the living/dining room, den and long hallway in our new condo. The rule is that the hardwood should run along the sight line from front to back, which makes sense for the living/dining room and den. The hallway runs side to side; can I change directions? Heather
You are right; the sight line is important. When you enter your condo the living area is straight ahead. So yes, run the hardwood from front to back. You could change direction for the long hallway, but it will chop up your layout. You would be looking at one direction, then switching along the hall, then back to front to back for the den. I suggest you stay with one direction, front to back. If the hallway direction bothers you, lay down a runner to partially cover the boards and draw the eye away. Written by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email decorating questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Debbie at debbietravis.com.