Not Your Typical, "Run-of-the-Mill" Shutter

The last several years shutters have been all the rage. If you were to call your local shutter provider, here's what you'd probably find...


Nice. Charming.



What a beautiful room. This shutter looks pretty good here.


But... take a look below at a few alternatives to your standard, run-of-the mill style of shutters. I love the colors, different styles of panels, hinges and textures. Notice how beautifully the colors and textures compliment and play off each other to create extraordinary, one of a kind treatments!

I love this turquoise color, the simple style and the wrought iron accents!


The shape, the weathered wood and the metal detailing make this one extraordinary!


I like the iron hinges on these dramatic black shutters.


I like the playfulness of the black and white, with the blood red trim.


What a beautiful color!

I like the carvings on each door and the warm coral color.

These shutters are exquisite! I really like the clean, simple lines and the subtle visual interest of the cut outs in the center of the panel.


You may have noticed that many of the photos show exterior shutters. However, there's absolutely no reason they couldn't be used indoors as well. I think they'd be a fabulous treatment on just about any window! What a unique and beautiful statement they'd make!

Hunter Douglas Shutters are Made in the USA

We’ve been hearing rumors that Hunter Douglas shutter products come from overseas. This simply is not true. When you purchase any Hunter Douglas Shutter it’s important to know you’re getting:

• A product fabricated in the United States of America.

• Happier customers - They don’t have to wait the usual 6 - 8 weeks like most competitors. Production time is a quick 5 - 10 business days.

• GreenGuard Certification - all Hunter Douglas Shutters carry this important indoor air quality certification.

Note: Hunter Douglas is also discontinuing their Alouette & Alustra Light Louver lines.

Discover How to Work with a Contractor or Designer that Saves You Time and Money!

Take a look at these quick and informative videos about how to work with Contractors. I thought they were exceptionally fantastic because the same concept also applies to Interior Designers! Being a well-informed consumer is always your best defense.

• Be prepared
• Arm yourself with knowledge
• Spend your investment wisely
• Protect your time

Watch these videos. They'll help you think through your project... which will help your Contractor / Designer / Service Professional... help you!

Short Contractor Videos from Service Magic

Cool Drapery Hardware

Clients often try the 'do-it-yourself' route when it comes to window treatments. After they've spent a lot of their own time, money and energy, while achieving dismal results, they contact me. One of the biggest mistakes I see has to do with the drapery hardware they've chosen. It's usually skimpy, droopy and entirely too skinny for the window. You can make any window treatment look 1000 times better simply by choosing the right drapery rod, one that is the correct proportion for your window.

Love these square rings.

Beautiful silver finish combined with the warmth of wood.

Wood rod with metal finial



I like the beauty of this 'blonde' look. Light, warm and exquisite.



Another alternative to 'typical' rings.

B&W Window Fashions, United Supply Company, Robert Allen, Gifer, Gif

Sexy Bedrooms and Spa-Like Bathrooms

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd post some of the most beautiful bedding and spa-like bathrooms I've seen. I tell you... it's a good thing my bedroom doesn't look like one of these, because if it did, I don't know if I'd EVER get out of bed!



A couple things to note... stunning bedding can be a simple, white matelasse coverlet, a colorful and detailed comforter, or something subtle and sweet. The real question is... Where do you want your focus to be? The bedding, the view, the bed, an antique mirror, a fireplace in the room? Choosing the right bedding will help draw your eye to the focal point in your room (whatever element that is) and not compete with it.


The window treatments coordinate well with the bedding.


Simple bedding causes the eye to gloss over it, and notice other elements in the room - the brick wall, the shutters, the bed.


A beautiful antique french mirror used as a headboard and simple matlassae coverlet.


Note the crisp white roman shades - I like adding fabric and rugs to a bathroom for softness and warmth.


Simple bedding causes the eye to gloss over it, and notice other elements in the room, like the brick wall and the embedded arch detail.


Bedding can be the focus, with a sunny, colorful and detailed look with another beautiful antique mirror as a headboard.


Note the use of what's called a 'mosaic carpet' around the bath tub. It's an area that's been tiled under the tub, then surrounded by the wood floor. It gives the appearance of an actual rug under the bath tub. Ingenious!


Note the exceptionally long length of this gathered duster. What eye-appeal and drama!

Bedding photos courtesy Country Living
Bathroom photos courtesy of Velvet & Linen

Vintage Inspired Bedding - Bamboo Sheets!

I came across this Vintage Inspired Bedding. I really like the clean lines, the texture and believe it or not, it's eco-friendly. And are you ready for this... it's made from bamboo! Doesn't that seem like it would be scratchy and uncomfortable?



Naturally silky soft and exceptionally comfortable, bamboo sheets and bedding are antibacterial and eco-friendly. The structure of bamboo provides superior ventilation and wicking that keeps the user cool and comfortable when hot and warm when cold. 250 count construction gives bamboo sheets unique high comfort and performance not found in higher count sheets. Coverlets and shams have a brick quilt pattern with 2 ounce polyester fill. Featured in the Wall Street Journal and the TODAY show for Earth Day 2008. Easy care and machine washable.




Also Vintage Inspired - Nice tone on tone




Love this waffle weave set - 100% bamboo fiber. 250 count twill weave




Bamboo sheets! - Naturally silky soft and exceptionally comfortable, bamboo sheets. Top hems and pillowcase cuffs are sewn with a sherry stitch. Sheets and bedding are oversized to fit high loft mattresses. Easy care and machine washable.

HSI ~ Home Source International, Inc

Go Green with Recycled Glass Countertops!

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with window treatments, but when I saw this, the interior designer in me just had to tell you about it.

With all the greening of America going on right now, I thought this was a brilliant! Many people think that when you go green you have to give up on style and performance. These countertops prove that theory wrong and nothing could be further from the truth. They definitely have the star-power we all want in our homes, yet you can feel good about doing your part by living 'green'.
Made of post-consumer recycled bottle glass, these Recycled Glass Countertops from Vetrazzo are not only beautiful, but are very durable as well.

"Georgia Green" bottles are used for a popular soft drink, for several different brands of wine, and for various types of sparking water. This unique pale green glass is unmistakable when you see it on the shelf, and it gives this distinctive mix its lovely soft green color: Hollywood Sage.



Every panel of Vetrazzo^® is unique. Variations in pattern and color will occur - they are an inherent part of Vetrazzo’s beauty.



Find out more at Vetrazzo