Bay Window Decorating

Bay windows can be quite luxurious and are quite popular amongst homeowners these days. This is because bay windows allow quite a bit of light into a home and offer those inside a fantastic view of the outside world. Many homeowners however look for ways to dress up their bay windows not so as to hide them but for reasons like privacy and aesthetics. Keeping prying eyes out as well as direct sunlight is often a priority amongst homeowners with these types of windows. Homeowners interested in in decorating their bay windows need to keep in mind that there are several options available to them and that the choice that's right for them will depend largely on their budget and their own personal tastes.

The first option homeowners have are silk panels. Silk panels are probably the most traditional way that bay windows are decorated due to their elegant look and the atmosphere they create. Homeowners who want a traditional look but we don't want to be too common can actually have a designer tape or braid the insides of silk panels to create something unique for their home. Additionally homeowners now have the option of having their silk panels created using two colors instead of just one as was the case in the past.

Drapery panels are the second option homeowners have to consider. Drapery panels are best placed on the return walls of any bay window though they can be placed virtually anywhere a homeowners desires. With their straight and narrow look drapery panels can create a very streamlined look within a room and will generally not obstruct any view of a bay window nor overshadow it. In contrast to most other types of bay window decor, drapery panels are often hung very high as their length is their elegance and appeal.

Contemporary valances or another great way to decorate they windows. Contemporary valances tend to give rooms they are installed in a very open and inviting feel. Not only are valances eye-catching but they tend to accentuate both the window that they reside above and any decor that hangs from them. Valances can also help shade a room and keep it cool allowing for individuals to sit near or under their bay windows with comfort. Valances can be used in conjunction with shades for privacy or any type of drapery for beauty.

Homeowners who want to decorate their bay windows with something a little bit different can utilize Roman shades. Roman shades with their unique designs and variety of colors can be used to really draw attention and accentuate a bay window. Moreover homeowners can install some type of heavy drapery on the sides of a bay window in conjunction with their Roman shades to create a very old world look. Roman shades are popular amongst homeowners with bay windows because they frame the window but still leave options for colorful accents.

When decorating bay windows homeowners tend to focus only on the actual window decor and not the hardware associated with it. This is a mistake however because utilizing the wrong hardware can detract from the beauty of a bay window and can put a bay window and its new decor in sharp contrast with the room it belongs to. With so many different hardware options for bay windows available it behooves homeowners to seek the advice of a professional interior designer prior to selecting any hardware. This will ensure that the end result will be one that they both desire and one that is pleasing to the eye.

Rounding out the bottom of our list of window decor is the window seat. Sadly this option often goes overlooked or is dismissed by homeowners simply because window seats around the bay window are sometimes thought of as old-fashioned. Being old-fashioned however is what really makes the window seat an option that should be considered for every bay window. As homeowners and their guests often sit near or under a bay window a window seat gives them a comfortable place to do so but also creates a heavy atmosphere within a room and around its window. Window seats can be short or long, low or high, though their length and dimensions are really a matter of personal taste rather than necessity.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in San Diego curtains and San Diego draperies.

Hunter Douglas: Synonymous With Quality

There are a number of different brands sold by window decor vendors though perhaps none are more sought after by homeowners than those manufactured by Hunter Douglas. If there's one word that's constantly associated with Hunter Douglas its quality. Over the years and decades Hunter Douglas has provided homeowners with high-quality sheers, shades, honeycombs, blinds, and of course shutters. Not only has Hunter Douglas offered many different types of window decor but many different construction materials for these items as well. Whether it's fabric, aluminum, faux wood, or window treatments homeowners will find it Hunter Douglas.

Focusing solely on quality however there isn't just one thing that makes Hunter Douglas stand above all its competitors, there are a great many things that make their products a higher quality than any of their competitors. Of course one of the most popular things they give Hunter Douglas products an advantage over that of that their competitors is energy efficiency. With regards to window treatments the company places a heavy focus reducing the amount of hot and cool air that leaves through their clients windows. The company and its talented staff now design windows and window treatments that reduce hot cool air loss by up to 50%. This translates into lower energy consumption and costs for consumers and dramatically reduces the need to run air conditioning and heating units around the year.

Insulation is key in any window treatments/decor that comes from Hunter Douglas. It is their insulation, be it in window treatments or any of their decor, that reduce the loss of air through their windows. The designers working at Hunter Douglas understand that heated objects gradually lose their heat to colder surroundings and have taken special care to design insulated products that make a home much more comfortable to reside in.

In addition to insulation Hunter Douglas products also feature solar heat control. This means that not only are Hunter Douglas products good at reducing heat loss but are excellent as allowing heat to enter a home during the winter and minimize the amount that comes through during the hottest months of the year. This aspect of Hunter Douglas products gives homeowners quite a bit of control over just how hot or cool their home will be during different parts of the year.

Hunter Douglas products are also designed with "daylighting" in mind. What this essentially means is that consumers will have window decor that's diffuses and disperses sunlight deep into room to make for even lighting, regardless of the room or home in question. Not only do they handle sunlight efficiently and illuminate a room better than other window decor products and treatments but they allow homeowners to reduce the usage of lamps, chandeliers, and other products designed for interior illumination.

These are just a few of the things that fall under the category of energy efficiency with regards to Hunter Douglas products. These things should also give homeowners who don't yet own any Hunter Douglas products a good idea of why they been the number one choice among homeowners looking for new window decor in window treatments.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in Hunter Douglas window treatments, San Diego window treatments, and San Diego blinds.

Our Three Services

We often talk about the different types of window decor we offer but is a rare thing for us to discuss the types of services we actually offer here at Raymond Draperies. While it's true that we sell things like shutters, window blinds, and even draperies we offer three distinct services for homeowners to take advantage of.

The first of these services is our design consultation service. Our extremely experienced and knowledgeable staff assists our customers with the selection of their window coverings. Many homeowners find this particular service extremely valuable because they often hit bumps in the road when they realize there's so many different types of window coverings to choose from. Our friendly staff begins by introducing our customers to the many different types of fabric and possibilities that we offer. These include texture, style, and color among other things.

While some homeowners may opt to install new window coverings on their own we actually offer measuring and installation services. We offer these so that homeowners, who may not be as experienced as our staff, won't have to rely on possibly inaccurate measurements. Homeowners can let our experienced hands get precise measurements which will ensure proper creation and installation.

Residents of San Diego who want a first-hand experience can visit our showroom as opposed contacting us via telephone. In our showroom our staff will begin the consultation just as they would via phone but the hands-on experience customers will receive will give them a much clearer idea of what's available and what will and won't work for their home.

Should you have any questions about any of these services, our showroom, or our window decor please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in:

Window Coverings San Diego, San DiegoShutters, Draperies San Diego, and Blind Repair SanDiego

From Inspiration To Installation We Are There For You

Getting good customer service isn't easy these days. This is especially true in the home improvement industry. Here at Raymonde Draperies however we do things a bit differently than do our competitors. We place a heavy emphasis on both customer service and satisfaction to ensure a superior product and service.

We do this in a number of ways but in large part by standing by our customers 100% of the time from the moment they contact us right on through to the end of installation. We're also there for customers after installation has been completed as well! It doesn't matter whether our customers are ordering expensive draperies or less expensive window blinds, we are always available for contact and can not only answer questions our customers may have but provide inspiration as well for those customers who aren't sure which styles or window decor to select for their home. We give every customer's project and home the same love, care, and attention we would give our own.

Should you have any questions about any of our window decor or our customer service please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in:

Curtains San Diego, Window Treatments San Diego, San Diego Shutters, and Draperies San Diego

Carefully Selecting Blinds For A Home Or Office

Choosing blinds for a home or even for an office is a task that leaves many an individual scratching their head and somewhat stressed. The task can be daunting simply because there are so many different options you choose from and questions that must not only be contemplated but answered as well. Homeowners and those individuals looking to make their offices more comfortable must first decide what type of blinds that they want to use or whether or not they want to use blinds at all. While blinds are an effective method for setting atmospheres and even controlling the climate within a home or office, there are those individuals who prefer curtains or even shutters to blinds.

Once an individual has decided what type of blinds they want to utilize they then must turn their attention to the many different architectures and designs that are available. Blinds such as Roman shades, vertical blinds, Supreme Roman shades, and even light blocking unfringed blinds are all available for purchase from a wide variety of retailers. The aforementioned choices are just a small portion of what's actually available. Due to the high number of different types of blinds available many individuals benefit from consulting with a professional contractor in order to ascertain exactly what type of blinds will work best for their home or office.

After an individual decides on which type blinds he/she would like to utilize they then must turn their attention to what their ultimate goal is with these blinds. They must ask themselves whether their blinds are meant to obtain a little privacy, give better control over light flow in and out of a room, help keep a room warm or cool, or even block out light completely. Depending on what an individuals ultimate goal is for their blinds there are very specific types that they'll need to utilize if they wish to achieve those goals. Again homeowners and those looking to install blinds in an office can benefit greatly from consulting with a professional contractor.

After all of these questions have been answered and choices made, individuals must then turn their attention towards retail vendors. There's no shortage of vendors both on and off-line that sell window blinds. Individuals will have no problem finding a local vendor but may have a difficult time ascertaining which company offers the highest quality product at the fairest prices. To help weed through what is sure to be a long list of vendors, individuals will need to spend some time reading reviews, carefully perusing different websites, and even speaking with past clientele online to determine whether or not a company and its blinds are reliable.

While it may seem overwhelming to shop for new window blinds, the process isn't overly difficult; it simply requires careful planning and a critical look at all the companies that sell blinds. Should an individual take the time and do things right they will end up with blinds that serve the purpose for which they were selected. Rushing through the process on the other hand can lead to frustration and even necessitate purchasing another set of blinds to correct the problems found in the first hastily selected set.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in San Diego blinds, hunter douglas blinds, and window blinds.

Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

Whether you choose real wood blinds or faux wood blinds, you should be able to blend them perfectly with the remaining wood in your office. Even if you’re the only person who enters the room, you’ll be happier and more content when you cover your windows with the elegance of wood. Real or faux wood blinds shout success and you will want success in the room where you spend the biggest share of your time.
  
The beauty of wood that shields the light from the heat of the sun, or lets a bit of light to enter is just one more thing that you control. To change your room from a bright glare, that would be welcomed in some instances, but dim it at times when you desire a quiet serene area. Whether you’re studying or resting, you are still in control.
  
 Do you know what faux wood is? Faux wood is made from PVC and is a composite of man-made materials that is then combined with wood particles. The faux wood blinds look like real wood, but they are washable and are unaffected by moisture. They are a lot cheaper too so when you want the look of wood, but don’t want to pay the price, faux wood will fill that bill.
  
Both types of wood blinds help reduce your energy costs. Close them in the summer to keep the heat out and open them in the winter to let the sun shine in. The blinds act as another barrier and helps insulate your windows. We have no power over the weather, and it’s there no matter how hard we try to keep it out of our homes or offices. Windows, as you know, are the biggest culprit where we lose our biggest fight against the weather.
  
However when we add wood blinds, the culprit seems smaller and easier to direct our attention away from the outside world. Check online to find a company that specializes in real wood or faux wood blinds. Most companies will be happy to come to your place of business or home to give you a free quote. Or if you prefer you can always visit their shop to see the many options for your windows.

Many people don’t want to stop with blinds, but want additional window coverings like sheer curtains across the windows, or across the rod at the top of the window. Others want draperies. Everyone wants something unique and different. You’ll be able to pick and choose to find just the wood blind that will blend or contrast with your rooms.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in San Diego blinds, blinds in San Diego and San Diego window shades.

Blackout Curtains

You may not even be aware that anyone would want or need blackout curtains, and no, they don’t have to be black in color. In order to change a room from day to night you may want to invest in blackout curtains.

Before you head out to purchase the curtains, you will want to measure your window or windows and find the exact measurement. You’ll also need to know that the curtains or blinds will have to be larger than the window otherwise light will seep through the curtain’s gap. That alone will defeat your purpose.

In order to entirely blackout your windows you must allow at least two inches outside of the window itself and that is where you’ll have to install the curtain rod. If you aren’t worried how the window will look on the inside of the room, a blackout shade may work as well. But if you want the room to be stylish as well as functional there are a few things you can do in order to achieve that.

You can use an ordinary drape or curtain, with the blackout curtain liner underneath and unseen. The liner can be permanently fixed or have the ability to roll up or pulled to the side and out of the way of the window. When it is in the closed position, the room should be entirely dark with the drape or curtain also closed.

It is also important to have the correct type of window rod. If the blackout curtain will hang on the rod with rings, the rod should extend above the window so no light penetrates under the rod. There are also valances that hang above the curtain or drape on a separate rod. They can also help to block out the light.

Why would it be necessary for anyone to have a blackout curtain? For those that work while the world sleeps will then want to sleep while the world is awake. The blackout curtain will fill that bill. Also there are those that have a theater room when the room must be dark in order to show their films.

There is also another very important reason why blackout curtains would be necessary. During World War II the Americans feared Japan and Germany’s ability to bomb our country. For those old enough to recall the city would call for blackouts. Cars with the authorities driving without headlights drove through the streets to make sure no lights escaped from the windows. It was a scary time especially for small children.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in San Diego drapes, San Diego blinds and San Diego curtains.