April Newsletter - 04.01.06. BlindsOnSale.com

Defining Spaces: Panel Track

	Panel-track systems are a new, old idea that is gaining ground as a product category. "I think the product is greatly improved from its initial concept many years ago," says Miles Joseph, president of Solar Screen co, INC. "The advent of modern extrusions and finishes make it a more durable product than its predecessors." The category itself is unlimited due to the range of fabrics now available, with fabrics that can be changed seasonally or as a room changes without a huge investment in hardware. The appeal of panel tracks is that it is different and different always sells.	Consumers are looking for new ways to use sun-screening materials that are available in a range of openness factors for heat and glare reduction. As a vertical window covering, the panel track represents the most popular and innovative solution. The panel track serves beautifully as a singular design element, but also serves to provide a stylish alternative in rooms that require a combination of small and large window coverings.

Panel-track systems can easily be combined with premium woven-wood shades or classic roller shades on smaller windows to create a seamless interior scheme. A panel track can also be a good substitute for a vertical blind because it can move horizontally for operation. More and more consumers are using panel tracks for the big sliding doors, instead of vertical blinds. Panel tracks can also be great room dividers. The applications of a panel track are limited only to the imagination.	To view the fabrics that we have for panel-track just click on the panel track button on our website and choose the number of panels that you want, then click the colors button. We also have woven wood panel tracks. Just call us and inquire about them, they are not on the website yet. The panel track is revolutionary old, new design. If you are wanting something different or having a problem with a big window, think about the panel track.

Designer Tips and Trade Secrets

Warmer weather calls for a change in your home's decor. Update your home by bringing in sheer fabrics, pretty florals, and garden elements. Browse the "Top 10" ways to make over your decor for Spring!

1) Lighten Up!
Do you have velvet drapes or a heavy corduroy sofa? Spring is the time to change them out for lighter looking alternatives. Remove the drapes and replace them with airy sheers. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with paler tones or florals.


2) Rethink the Rugs Wonderfully cozy area rugs look just right in winter. But when the temperature rises it may be time to roll them up and replace them for summer with sisal or cotton rugs in light, cool colors. (Summer is also be a good time to have heavy rugs cleaned or repaired.) 3) Orient Toward a View If your furniture is centered in front of a fireplace, think about ways to rearrange the look for summer. Change the focal point away from the mantel to a view of a garden, placing the conversation grouping to take advantage of the garden scene just outside. 4) Create an Inviting Porch Summer living often moves out to a porch or deck, but even if your home does not have these amenities you can get the look and feel of	a porch inside. Introduce a few garden chairs, accessories, and floral fabrics into a family room, for example. You'll get the feel of the outdoors every time you're in the room. 5) Store the Silks Remove dusty silk flower arrangements from your rooms and store them away for a few months. Instead, bring in fresh green plants, flowering pots, or elegant orchids. These lively touches can breathe life into winter-weary spaces. 6) Re-Accessorize Time to rework your accessories and makeover your shelves. Clean winter dust off the shelves and begin to replace objects with an eye toward keeping the look light. Bring out your floral china or white ironstone, set up a collection of pitchers or glass, and include plants and picture frames as well.	7) Think Sheer Sheer curtains, sheer tablecloths, sheer bed skirts, and pillows – all of these say "summer" louder than almost any other element. Look for plain, embroidered, or printed sheer designs that complement your interiors. 8) De-Clutter Now Look for organizing solutions for your home. Any spot that is overcrowded or unorganized can drain your energies as it swallows objects and fill your life with clutter. A visit to a home store can yield products to contain clutter wherever it exists. 9) Clean out the Fireplace Now is the perfect time to sweep away the ashes of winter fires and start fresh.	Fill your firebox with silk plants, an arrangement of candles, or an attractive display of beautiful birch logs. Or, cover the box with an attractive folding screen decoupaged with summer florals. 10) Sweep Off the Steps Bring the look of summer to your front door by cleaning up the area. Wash the door and windows and touch up the paint if needed. Hang a silk flower wreath on the front door too. If you have a large porch you may also have room for pots of colorful spring flowers.

The Basic Principles of Storage

Who doesn't love organized storage? Yet, for many, the sight of neat shelves and uncluttered closets is a distant memory. When the time comes to clean out and get organized, it may help to remember some of the basic principles of storage. These include:

• Evaluate potential storage options.

• Plan ahead by assigning specific uses to cupboards, closets, shelves, and drawers. Label them for a week or two until everyone gets used to the new locations.

• Prioritize storage by placing often-used items in the most convenient locations. Infrequently used items should be placed in less accessible spots (such as top shelves or in another room).

• Categorize your stuff. For instance, keep all holiday decorations together, all sports equipment in one corner, and all tools by the workbench.

• Hold a family "clear out" day twice a year where you de-clutter, reorganize, and sell or give away unneeded items. • Hide what's unattractive either behind closed doors or inside something else.

The Growing Range of Roman Shades

While the ancient Romans may be considered the greatest aqueduct builders of the Roman Empire, the epic roman shades have been coined as the most versatile window-treatment option of this era. With material possibilities running the gamut and now including the likes of linens, woven woods, and combinations of natural silk fibers and fine-steel filaments- and function growing to solar screens, with more insulating properties and lining alternatives-the range of roman shades is ever growing, ever changing. "The beauty of a roman shade," says Corina McRee, roman-shade product manager, Comfortex, "is that it can stand alone as a complete window treatment.

It offers the consumer the beauty of a custom-drapery treatment with the benefit of window-treatment technology." On the flip side, roman shades contribute to the overall décor by complementing other window fashions. These days it's all about personal style and anything goes with respect to the multifaceted roman. Depending on the material chosen for the roman shade, it can easily be partnered with drapery side panels and custom drapery hardware for a stunning look.

The fashion industry, environmental interests, and the economy have ways of directly influencing the materials and uses of today's roman shades.

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Myriad materials are being used for roman shades. However the most popular are cottons, linens, grasses, and silks. Silks are popular because of their rich, unique look and the classic luxurious finishing touch that they add to a room. Silks also shimmer with texture, especially when made from hand-woven silk or arrowroot fibers.

The movement toward organic materials has driven more companies to offer woven-wood roman shades of all types. Comfortex offers roman shades fabricated with a variety of solar screens including a phifer line as well as the recently launched Silver Screen. The new product features an aluminized backside for increased energy efficiency.

Roman shades come in so many styles and with so many options that one would be hard pressed not to find a treatment that fit them perfectly. Click on roman shades on the homepage of blindsonsale.com and see what all the fuss is about. As always if you need help just call us at 1-800-919-4301.

Credits

BlindsOnSale.com thanks, Hunter Douglas, Comfortex, Graber, and Better Homes and Gardens.

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About Our Organization

You will enjoy shopping here because, BlindsOnSale.com is a family owned and operated business based in Oklahoma City. We have been in the blind industry for over thirty years, and work with some of the top designers and name brands. We back every product with a limited warranty and guarantee the quality of our products.

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