Category: Budget Blinds

Pet Friendly Design Tips

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You can have a beautiful house and a pet, too! You don’t need to sacrifice style or the comfort of your animal companion to have a home that you can be proud of, but you do need to make the right design choices. Budget Blinds has put together a list of tips to help make your home stylish and pet-friendly.

Flooring

When it comes to the floors, keep in mind your furry friend’s paws can be quite hard on them with scratching and “accidents.” We recommend you choose hard-surface flooring to keep pet-occupied rooms in tip-top shape! Great options for durable floors that also look stylish include stone, ceramic, concrete or laminate. They are easier to keep clean and stain-free than carpet. Such floors are also cooler in hot weather, an important consideration for pets with thick or long hair.

Area Rugs

You already know that area rugs are a great way to enhance a room and add a pop of texture. However, they also protect floors from claws and stains while providing a cozy spot for your pet to snooze. The best area rugs for pet owners feature patterns with a multitude of colors that draw the eye away from dirt, stains and pet hair. Make sure to include a non-stick pad beneath the rug so your pet can safely run throughout the house!

 

Patterned Furniture

Most people who have pets “avoid white” at all costs, and for good reason. When it comes to upholstery, choose woven fabrics with patterns, textures and darker colors that help camouflage dirt and pet hair. Avoid fabrics that need constant cleaning, like silk and velvet. Don’t invest too much money on furniture pieces you know your pets will be spending a majority of their time on and make sure it’s made of durable material. We suggest buying furniture that uses washable slipcovers, making cleaning up stains or hair quick and easy!

 

Painted Walls

Protect your walls with paint. If your animal likes to rub up against walls or maybe drools a lot, then you’re going to want to use a semi-gloss paint finish on your walls.  Semi-gloss is great for rooms that see a lot of activity and moisture and allows for an easy clean up. Choose from a bold color or keep it simple with a neutral. When your pet makes a mess simply wipe your walls down with a damp paper towel and call it a day, it’s that durable!

Bedding

We all have pets that like to cuddle in our beds, it’s alright to admit it. Help protect your bed from the inevitable dirt, pet hair and accidents with a duvet cover. Duvet covers are perfect for pet-owners because they can easily be removed and washed whenever needed. In addition, choose sturdy cotton sheets in a color or pattern that can hide pet hair between washings.

 

Cordless Window Treatments

Keep your loved ones safe with cordless window treatments in your home. Avoid long drapes that touch the floor since they will only collect pet hair and debris. Look into window treatments that only cover the length of the window and that are easy to clean, like shades, shutters or blinds. You will also have peace of mind knowing your cordless shades prevent your pet from getting tangled (which can lead to strangling or choking).

 

We hope these pet-friendly design tips were helpful! No need to sacrifice style when you are a pet-owner, you just need to make smart choices. If you need help finding the perfect window treatments that are durable and low maintenance or an area rug, schedule your free in-home consultation today!

Stillwater & Lake Elmo | 651-351-7620

HIGH STYLE. EXPERT SERVICE.

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Window treatments are more than just utilitarian objects, they are fashions for your home. Picking the right ones for your home doesn’t need to be a difficult process. Budget Blinds of Stillwater is locally owned and operated by interior decorator, Pamela Brown. Pamela proudly serves local homeowners and businesses by providing the highest quality of name brand window treatments and the largest selection of styles in the industry.

There is more to window décor than just picking a color. The window treatments you choose should be functional, make the right statement, be child and pet-friendly, and help with energy efficiency! To better understand which window treatments are best for each room in your house you must look at the material, functionality, design and overall measurements. With me, you don’t lift a finger. I bring the store to you and take care of it all, measure and install. I believe everyone at every budget deserves style and service. And that’s a beautiful place to be!

As an Interior Designer with over 18 years of experience, I stay relevant with modern industry trends, including innovative products like motorization and smart home automation, and bring valued knowledge to my clients. My expertise is in window treatments and I am passionate about style! I personally work with all my customers and assists them throughout the entire process – from design consultations to measuring, installation and the completed result. I love bringing style and practical, energy efficient window treatments to my clients.

My goal is simple: to provide you with the best products and services to enrich your home environment. Call today to schedule your free in-home consultation! I will bring you the highest quality and most fashionable window coverings in Stillwater and surrounding areas.

Pamela Brown,

651-351-7620

Spring into the Season with A Pop of Green!

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Spring is around the corner and what better way to freshen up your home than by adding a little pop of green to your home décor? Budget Blinds offers a variety of custom window treatments including blinds, shades, shutters and drapes that can bring the vibrant green hues of spring into your home this season.

Draperies create beautiful everyday environments and allow you to color your world in a very personal way! Our Inspired Drapes® collection provides you the widest selection of curtain and drapes and other soft window treatments, custom pillows and bedding, all with luxurious designer touches at an attractive price. Vivid color or calming neutrals – every choice is a statement.  Whether you want draperies to provide light filtration and insulation, or to add amazing aesthetic touches to your favorite spaces, Budget Blinds of Stillwater has got you covered! Our ready-made drapery panels offer you an instant decorating upgrade and color without commitment if you like to follow color and fabric trends. Additionally, your local style consultant can help you design custom drapery, from trendy to modern or traditional, to fully dress your windows making your home uniquely your own. Need help selecting drapery? 

 

More about Inspired Drapes® —Sold exclusively by Budget Blinds®

If you want drapery as a standalone window treatment or if you plan to layer curtains or drapes over window blinds, shades or shutters you can surround yourself with window treatments that enhance the purpose of every room in your home. Our Inspired Drapes collection offers you a unique opportunity to infuse your living spaces with colors and textures you’ll love for everything from decorative drapery hardware and curtain rods to beautiful silk and linen curtain panels! Our exclusive fabrics from Italy provide custom options you will not find elsewhere to fully dress your windows, or start slow, adding custom window treatments a layer at a time. Your Inspired Drapes style consultant, Pamela Brown will be pleased to help you discover window coverings and custom accessories that suit your budget and your lifestyle!
Need help selecting drapery? Get started now, schedule your free in-home consultation today with Budget Blinds of Stillwater.

-Pamela Brown

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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If you need to upgrade your window treatments in time for the holidays, this is the week to start the process! It may seem a little early for holiday preparation. However, the fall and winter seasons are especially busy times for me and other companies in the industry, so to ensure your installation before the family arrives, call me today!

The holidays can be stressful as is. Nothing is worse than having people over to your home when you are less than proud of it. Whether it is the main gathering areas like the kitchen and living room, or your entire home, upgrading your window treatments is an excellent way to take your home décor up a notch! Not only can it improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, but we are partnered with Lutron and can connect your home to your smartphone! Wow guests with your tech-savvy and stylish home!

Don’t try to take on this project yourself. It can turn costly, quickly without the guidance of a professional. It is my goal to help you design a space that you will be elated to show off! I will walk you through each step and help take the stress out of what should be the most wonderful time of the year!

Beginning as soon as possible ensures you will be able to work with me, a credible, skilled and experienced decorator. It also reduces the chances of you having to rush through the project last minute, which can often lead to unnecessary costs. By tackling the home improvement project now, you will get it out of the way and make your life that much easier come the holiday season. Plus, you’ll find comfort in knowing you have carved out enough time to ensure every detail of the project will be up to your standards, and you won’t have to cut corners or glaze over the details.

To schedule your free consultation or to request a design guide, reach out at pbrown@budgetblinds.com or visit my web page budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MOTORIZED BLINDS

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You’ve been hearing about them everywhere lately, appliances going cordless. Vacuums, computer accessories, and more! But what, specifically is the benefit of motorized blinds? Sure, they provide elegance and a certain sophistication to your living space, but are they worth the hype? The answer is YES!

Motorized shades powered by Somfy® are ideal for family rooms, playrooms, kids rooms, and virtually any room in your home. With advances in technology and increased demand for smart and connected living, excitement about motorized blinds has been steadily rising. They provide convenience, safety, and energy efficiency!

First, let’s talk about convenience. Motorized blinds allow you to automate a repetitive task with the touch of a button, located right on your smart phone!

The next benefit is safety. As any new parent knows, cords are dangerous! Most motorized blinds are cordless which takes the danger of choking or accidental strangulation off your mind. Remember, your four-legged fur-babies are susceptible to this as well. The final touch point for today is the benefit of going green.

Maximize your home’s energy efficiency with motorized blinds. According to SomfySystems website, “It may feel counterintuitive to draw the shades on a gorgeous summer afternoon. After all, you suffered through winter just begging for the sun to come out. However, what is actually counterintuitive is to run the air-conditioning or fan at full blast at the same time that you are allowing the sun to stream into your home. Similarly, in the winter, leverage the heat of the sun to warm your home and you may find yourself very happy with the savings! Your motorized blinds provide you with a quick and convenient way to save energy and money, all while creating a more pleasant home environment. Better yet, if you use a sensor or timer with your motorized blinds, you can automate your blinds to do this all for you, so you don’t even have to think about it.”

Explore the many benefits for yourself today! Call Budget Blinds serving Stillwater at 651-351-7620 to schedule your free in-home consultation and I will help you determine which type of motorized blinds make the perfect choice for your home!

 

Cheers!

Budget Blinds – What to Expect!

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What to Expect When You’re Expecting Budget Blinds – Professional Measuring

The number one concern when hiring someone to take control of your next window coverings project is measuring. It can be nerve-racking putting your trust into someone else’s hands, but truthfully, it is the best decision you can make (saves you time, money AND confusion!)

Budget Blinds of Stillwater is an excellent choice for your window treatments because not only will you have window covering professionals who come to you and get the job done right BUT you can also guarantee that your window treatments will be 100% customized, fit and tailored to your specific windows. Seamless, flawless, perfection – and total peace of mind 🙂

Leave it to the Experts

Our Style Consultants at Budget Blinds of Stillwater are not only trained in window coverings, they have the latest knowledge on trending products and are well-trained professionals when it comes to measuring. You might think measuring your windows is a do-it-yourself kind of project (which it totally can be) BUT it requires design experience, measuring skills, installation talent, and more! When you hire Budget Blinds of Stillwater you are hiring an interior designer, a professional advocate and an expert in the field (did I mention peace of mind? ;))  Hiring us will definitely eliminate the costs of first-time mistakes, time spent doing and redoing the job, and ensure a personal level of satisfaction with the final result. Not to mention, it can actually be fun too! We come to you, in the comfort of your home, on your time.

Budget Blinds consultation

Avoid Major Mistakes with Budget Blinds

Hiring Budget Blinds of Stillwater helps you avoid major mistakes that can happen if you try to do it yourself like:

  • Mismeasurements
  • Safety issues
  • Not a custom-fit
  • Incorrect window treatments for the windows
  • Design and color correction/assistance

Avoid Mismeasurements

A mismeasurement is the number one mistake that people make when trying to measure a window themselves. It seems like a simple task to accomplish, but when you are measuring for a certain window treatment there are different techniques that are used to get the correct fit. The Golden Rule when it comes to measuring is to remember not all windows are created equal. Even though all the windows may look the same there is a good chance that they don’t have the exact same measurements. One mismeasurement can throw off the whole window treatment, causing you to have a window shade that doesn’t open or close correctly. With measuring you also have to consider factors like inside or outside mount that can make a huge difference when you get ready to install your treatment.  If you take measurements for an inside mount when you actually wanted an outside mount, you will have to settle for a window covering that is not ideal. Save yourself time and money and hire a Budget Blinds expert to avoid major mistakes.

Woman measuring window

Safety

Safety is key when it comes to measuring your windows because no one wants the pain of being injured or worse, inevitably creating a fire/child hazard! Many measurements require a ladder for proper and accurate measuring. Ladders can cause inconveniences, especially if you don’t have the right size ladder. Typically every household has a step-ladder or a five or six-foot ladder which will not help when you need to reach really tall or higher up windows. In that case, you will have to rent or buy an extension ladder that can be pricey, hard to transport and dangerous if you are inexperienced when it comes to ladder safety.  This is why it is just safer and more convenient for you to call a Budget Blinds professional to measure all your windows, eliminating the possibility of injuries 🙂

Man measuring window

Not a Custom-fit

If you are looking for a truly custom-fit for your window treatment it is crucial for you to hire a professional.

With Budget Blinds you are guaranteed a custom-fit in three ways:

  • Precise measurements mean every window covering will fit perfectly
  • Our design expertise ensures you will have the style that best suits your individual style
  • We can custom-fit any budget with our wide range of high-quality products

What Else to Expect with Budget Blinds

Budget Blinds wants you to have the best experience when it comes to choosing custom window coverings. We strive to provide you with superior service from beginning to end. Budget Blinds will give you an exclusive combination of design-driven products, expert service, no-surprises pricing, and our no-questions-asked warranty*: the best in the business! It seems like a no-brainer right? Remember that we not only work on residential, but also commercial businesses too! We can customize anything!

If you want the best in custom window coverings for your next window project, Budget Blinds of Stillwater is your answer. Call 651-351-7620 today or go online to budgetblinds.com and let’s get in touch!!

Color of the year: GREENERY

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 – Customize with the Color of the Year!

March may seem like the only month we can embrace the color green because, hello to St. Patrick’s Day…But why not celebrate the color green all year long?  I highlighted this in a blog at the beginning of the year for – but just as a refresher, the Pantone color of the year for 2017 –Greenery! To me, green represents a total refresh – it makes people feel good, happy and bright!  I am really excited to see this color incorporated it into our homes and styles, I think will have the same effect of positivity and happiness in people and homes too!

If you haven’t tried to add greenery into your home decor yet, here are some innovative and unique ways to bring different hues of green into your home.

Splash of Green:
Make a statement by having a splash of green on your faux iron. Faux iron is custom-built to fit any shape or size window, including arches and skylights. It can be a full window treatment or installed as a piece of wrought iron artwork for the backyard.

Green Drapery for the Bedroom:
Achieve an airy look for your bedroom with custom, full-length light green drapery. Drapery can be sheer or lined with light-filtering to blackout liners to give you total light control.

Bring nature indoors:
With just a touch of green, wood blinds can make any area feel warm and inviting. Wood blinds are made of 100% eco-friendly hardwood (making them another type of green). They will look beautiful while preserving the environment.

Let the Light In:
Green Trilight shades are pleated shades on the top to let in natural light while maintaining privacy and blackout cellular on the bottom for complete privacy and darkness.

Green for the Bathroom:
Woven wood shades layered with green drapery make for a perfect mix of glamor and rustic. Woven woods are made from renewable resources making them a “green,” eco-friendly window treatment for an organic feel.

Now that you have some great ideas on how to integrate green (and greenery) into your home, let’s get started today! Budget Blinds of Stillwater can help you go green with window coverings, including blinds, shades, shutters, curtains and drapes (and we can make it SUPER green by customizing your treatments to be energy efficient too!)

Call me today and let’s connect ~  651-351-7620 go online to budgetblinds.com to schedule your FREE, in-home consultation! I can’t wait to see green emerge in 2017, so fun!

Five Elements Needed to Create a Cozy Corner

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Our day-to-day life can be extremely stressful and finding “me” time can be difficult. But if you create a small, cozy corner in your apartment or home you could use that space to escape for some relaxing “me” time – and make relaxing in your home a reality! Creating a cozy corner in your house CAN be challenging!  If you are not sure where to start, here are five awesome tips needed to create your cozy corner 🙂

  1. Comfy Chair

The first piece of furniture you need to start with is a comfortable chair or lounge. Think of it as the centerpiece of this area you are creating. Carefully select the color of the chair. If you pick a neutral-colored chair you can add pops of color with other items in your corner for a livelier vibe. Or, if you choose a colorful chair, use neutral colors for your accents, including your window blinds and drapes, for a soothing vibe. But the most important thing about the chair is to make sure it is comfy!

comfy chair

  1. Lighting

The type of lighting can make or break the ambiance of your cozy corner. If you have too much lighting, it can become a space that is uncomfortable. And if you have too soft of lighting, it can be difficult to do any activity in the area. Depending on what type of lighting you prefer, you can start with the natural lighting from the outdoors. If the outdoor lighting is a little too much for activities you are going to do in your area you can cover them with blinds, shades, shutters or drapery to help control and defuse the light. But if there is no window or you prefer a lamp, a great suggestion is to get a light fixture with adjustable levels (like a three-way bulb or a dimmer switch); that way you can find the perfect level of light depending on what you’re doing in the space.

Light fixture with a side table

  1. Side Table

Side tables are essential in any room. They help bring a design element to your space and come in handy when you need to set down anything from a good book to a cup of tea. Also, your side table can be used to hold other items like a picture frame or flowers to add warmth and personality to your space. A great design tip for your room is to find a side table with drawers so you have a little more storage for your home.

side table

  1. Energy-Efficient Window Coverings

Having an energy-efficient window covering near your cozy corner will help out in the winter and summer months. When closed, window coverings keep in the warmth during the winter, keeping your corner nice and cozy. During the summer, window treatments keep you cooler, blocking out heat gain from the sun and blocking harmful UV rays. These types of window coverings, including cellular shades, solar shades and shutters, help with maintaining the temperature in your rooms year round and can reduce your energy bill.

Window treatment

  1. Accents

The accents for your cozy corner will create the inviting part of your area. Your accents are where your fashion sense can come into play. Coordinating items in your area can be easy when you use accents like matching your window valance with custom pillows for a designer look. Also, you can add some drama to the room with decorative hardware in shiny metallics like gold, brass or silver. Lastly don’t forget to have a cozy blanket in your area to keep you bundled up.

blue pillows

Now that you know what items are needed to create your cozy corner you can get started! Remember Budget Blinds® can help you create your cozy corner with our large selection of blinds, shades, shutters and drapes including decorative hardware, custom valances and cornices, even custom pillows and bedding to complete your cozy corner. Lastly, make this space your own with some special touches since you are going to be spending quality time there. If you already have a cozy corner, Budget Blinds would love to see it! Submit a photo in the comments below.

2017 Window Trends

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NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 2017: COMPLETE MY HOME WITH STYLE

Get ahead of the style this year and get IN with Budget Blinds for all your home updating! Adding new window treatments dramatically improves the overall look of ANY room, and sometimes, that is all the updating you need! Guests comment on your new look (trust us!) and you will benefit in savings, privacy, convenience and more!

Here are some of the latest forecasted TRENDING designs for 2017 – can’t wait to hear what you think!! Reach out and connect – pbrown@budgetblinds.com

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CONTEMPORARY ROLLER SHADES

Less is more – right?! We are seeing that design aesthetic a lot in 2016 and going into 2017. Clean lines, contemporary design, custom fit and so many different styles and options to choose from, everyone loves Roller Shades!

 

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LAYERING ROMAN SHADES

If Roller Shades aren’t totally your style, you can achieve the same minimalistic design by going with Roman Shades! These are great as they roll up and create the clean, simple look similar to Roller Shades. They are insulating and great for overall privacy (and style too!)  Add in a simple drapery and voila, you are the envy of every house guest that comes over.

 

 

 

 

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EARTHY HUES

This year, color trends are favoring earthy pastel hues like greenery, Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year. Don’t be afraid to try greenery in your home – a pop of greenery can go a longgg way AND its chic and trendy too, so you know you are in style, right?! 😉