Summer Decorating Ideas

June 12, 2018Leave a comment

Summer is here and I couldn’t be more excited! Summer is all about lazy pool days, soaking in the sunshine, taking out the boat and having a BBQ. There is nothing better than longer warmer days to get you in the decorating spirit. This summer, I have put together a few simple design ideas to help bring a little easy-breezy décor to your home!

Bring the Outdoors In

Summertime reminds me of fresh flowers, ripe fruits and vegetables and wreaths hung on your door to welcome guests to your home. Adding greenery to your style is a simple way to brighten up your space. We recommend a variety of succulents that are low maintenance and beautiful— or take your pick of artificial options that look real so you don’t have to worry about keeping them alive. Hanging a simple green wreath on your front door is another easy and adorable way to incorporate greenery to your home. A small boxwood or magnolia wreath adds the perfect pop of green to your door giving it a fresh new look for the season. Another great option is placing herbs in a planter box— rosemary, sage, basil, thyme to name a few. Place them by a kitchen window and enjoy fresh herbs this summer for salads and family BBQ’s.

Textiles Can Go a Long Way

Give your home an easy-going vibe by using different textiles in your home. Bring summer indoors with colorful textiles that reflect the season. Think wicker baskets, lightweight throw blankets for summer nights, colorful bedding and a fun area rug that will completely change the feel of a room. Add style and flare with a geometric rug from Budget Blinds. All our area rugs are available in the classic shapes you’ve come to expect including circular, rectangular, and runner styles. Even better, many of our area rugs are made to order so you can customize them to the exact size you want! Don’t be afraid to incorporate textiles into your home and to get creative with this trend.

Treat Your Windows

Fresh draperies and shutters can lighten up an entire room, especially if you consider the details. Add a pop of ocean blue to your home with patterned draperies— a perfect combination of color and functionality. Brighten any space and make windows a work of art with patterned sheer shades paired with white wood shutters. Combine with matching throw pillows to create the ultimate look this summer!

Don’t Forget Your Backyard

Welcome summer by entertaining outdoors. With warm weather and a few extra hours of sunlight, enjoy having a picnic in your yard with family and friends. Bring in low tables, floor pillows and strands of twinkle lights to set the summer mood. Add bright colors such as turquoise, orange, red and white to create a festive atmosphere! Consider buying accent dishes to add splashes of color and pattern to your dinner party. Mix floral, tropical and bohemian themed dishes with your everyday plates and bowls. By mixing and matching you will create a look that is perfectly seasonal.

Hopefully these design tips help you to create the ultimate summer oasis in the comfort of your own home. Have fun decorating with patterns and colors and don’t be afraid to take some risks.

-Pamela Brown

Pet Friendly Design Tips

May 9, 2018Leave a comment

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.

April 6, 2018April 6, 2018Leave a comment

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

Window Treatments 101: Discover Your Style

March 27, 2018March 26, 2018Leave a comment

Picking the right window treatments for your home doesn’t need to be a difficult process. At Budget Blinds, our style consultants are here to help you every step of the way! The window treatments you choose should be functional and make the right décor statement. 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. If you are unsure where to begin, try these tips!

Roman Shades

are a popular solution for those who admire the elegant look of draperies, but want the modern conveniences of window shades. They also provide extra insulation, which helps save on energy costs. Choose from a variety of styles including balloon shades, teardrop shades, cascading folds and relaxed folds—all of which can bring your home to life. An extensive variety of light filtering and room darkening fabrics give you the freedom to create just the right look for your home, as well as control incoming light. We love using roman shades in dining and living rooms! You can even pair them with draperies for a more formal look.

Composite Shutters and Faux Wood Blinds

If you are looking for window treatments that are moisture resistant and made from the finest materials that will withstand the test of time, then composite shutters or faux wood blinds are best for you! No matter how humid the environmental conditions may be in your area, Budget Blinds’ moisture resistant blinds will retain their integrity and beauty. Choose from our line of composite shutters that can resist high moisture areas like bathrooms while bestowing timeless elegance, or from our line of faux wood blinds that are well suited for places with high humidity like coastal homes.

Draperies

Drapes create a warm and inviting feel and offer both quality and stylish décor that ties the style of each room and your entire home together. Draperies can be easily and conveniently interchanged to help match the continually changing style and look of your rooms. The ease of functionality for window drapes makes them a great addition to commonly used rooms, where their constant use can require regular cleaning that makes other mounted window treatment options an unnecessary hassle. Offering the utmost in security and privacy, window drapes draw closed to block out views from outside while protecting any room from uncomfortable sun glare. As a general rule, we tend to choose drapes for rooms that we want to soften the overall look, like bedrooms and dining rooms.

Pleated Shades

Pleated shades offer a unique look and are affordable window covering options. The folded accordion pleats add dimension to living spaces. One of the biggest advantages to this type of window covering is how it stacks completely flat when raised to allow a full, open outdoor view. Pleated shades come in sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening fabrics to meet your specific light control preferences. These are great for any room in your home!

Child Safety

Do you have little ones at home? As toddlers grow, so does their curiosity of the world around them. If overlooked, basic household items – including window treatments – can turn into potential hazards. Making window treatments safer for homes with infants, toddlers, children and pets is one of Budget Blinds’ top priorities. That’s why we offer a variety of child safe window treatments to reduce the risk of accidents. Cordless child safe blinds and cordless shades with retractable lift offer added safety for children while making window operation a breeze. Motorized shades are excellent child-friendly window treatments because of their cordless operation and ability to be programmed to open and close at your preferred time of day. Shutters can also be used in kids’ rooms and playrooms to ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.

We hope these window treatment tips were helpful! Whether you are looking for moisture resistant, light filtering, motorization or child safety, Budget Blinds has you covered!

Spring into the Season with A Pop of Green!

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018Leave a comment

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

Four Benefits of Home Automation

February 16, 2018Leave a comment

1. Peace of Mind

With home automation, you can control almost everything in your home from securing your alarm system to controlling your window coverings. Smart home technology can provide a certain level of comfort- after all, your home is the place you should feel the safest. With the help of smart home systems, you’re able to turn lighting on or off and open or close your window coverings at all times to make it seem like someone is home even when you’re not. It is a way for technology to provide peace of mind when it comes to your family and their safety.

2. Convenience

Your household may be chaotic, but smart devices are here to make life a whole lot easier. Having these systems in your home make it easy for you to enjoy automated lights, shades, even music at the touch of a button or with a simple command. This technology was invented to make life easier for you.

3. Energy Efficiency

Did you know that you can save money on your energy bill with home automation? It’s estimated that we lose over 50% of our home’s heating and cooling through the windows. So rather than cranking up your heat or air conditioning to avoid uncomfortable temperatures in your home, consider automated Smart Shades by Budget Blinds. These automated shades can be controlled with the touch of a button or with your favorite smartphone or tablet.

4. Child Safety

As a parent, your number one concern is your child’s safety. It is important to not overlook basic household items such as window coverings when childproofing your home. Smart home technology can be a major benefit for parents. Having automated shades by Budget Blinds can eliminate dangerous dangling cords out of a child’s reach keeping them safe around all windows.

Simply put, smart home technology is life changing. From security and light control to child safety, the benefits are endless.

visit my website to book your FREE in-home design consult, today!
www.budgetblinds.com/stillwater

7 TIPS FOR A SAFER HOME

January 21, 2018January 18, 2018Leave a comment

The Window Covering Manufacturers Association announces historic new window covering safety standard, strengthening window covering safety:

“Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) announced today the approval of a new window covering safety standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that will require a vast majority of window covering products sold in the United States and Canada to be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords. The new safety standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018, strengthens window-covering safety by requiring that all stock products sold in stores and online—which account for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S. and Canada—to be cordless or have inaccessible cords.

There are two unwritten rules in the parent-child relationship: Children will play with and around things they are not supposed to, and parents must do their best to keep their children from getting into danger.

As a help to parents, Budget Blinds encourages parents to look for hidden hazards around window areas, particularly the window cords.

While nothing can replace the careful watch of a loving parent or caregiver, we encourage parents of infants and toddlers to opt for cordless or motorized treatments to eliminate the hazards posed by dangling window cords.

Corded window treatments can pose entanglement and strangulation hazard to small children and pets. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has received reports of nearly 200 strangulation deaths involving window covering cords and chains from 1991-2000. Nearly 10 percent of these deaths involved the inner cords, which run through horizontal blinds.

Budget Blinds encourages new parents to replace window treatments featuring looped cords or treatments manufactured before 2001 with cordless or motorized options to minimize strangulation hazards.

Window treatments manufactured after 2001 have updated safety features like breakaway tassels and inner cord stops.

Budget Blinds offers these seven tips to families with young children:

Keep all cords out of reach from small children and pets.
If your window treatments were purchased before 2001, or you don’t know when they were purchased, it’s a good idea to replace them with updated treatments with enhanced safety features, such as: breakaway tassels, inner-cord stops, retractable pull cords, cordless operation and motorization.
If you move to a new home, ask when the window treatments were purchased and look for safety features like breakaway tassels, cord cleats and cordless operation.
Secure all pull cords out of reach by using a permanent cord cleat.
Retrofit kits are available to enhance the safety of looped pull cord window treatments.
Place cribs and other low-standing furniture (beds, bookshelves, toy boxes, chairs, etc.) away from windows to prevent young ones from accidentally tumbling from windows.
Install window guards. Don’t rely on screens designed to keep bugs out to keep children and pets in.

I offer consumers convenient, free in-home consultations, so busy parents-to-be need not shop from store to store to find the right cordless or motorized window treatments.

Parents don’t have to sacrifice style for safety! We have a variety of options for families to consider.

Thank you,

Pamela Brown

SAFE AT HOME

January 8, 2018January 8, 2018Leave a comment

“There are many items in our homes that can become a hazard to children or pets, including window coverings. As a parent, I understand your concerns and have made window coverings safety a top priority. It is our duty and honor to provide our customers with safety-conscious products that meet today’s standards. We remain current on the latest safety products and features so that we can bring those innovations to you. From cordless products that protect children from potentially harmful dangling cords to security-grade window film that protects your home during destructive weather, Budget Blinds is your source for window coverings that keep you and your family Safe At Home.”

Cordless Operation
The safest window coverings for children are cordless products. They eliminate the use of potentially hazardous dangling cords.

Cordless Lift System
This innovative feature allows you to raise and lower window coverings easily with one hand. Eliminating the need for lift cords provides added safety and a cleaner look.

Motorization
Using a battery-operated remote control, you can raise, lower, tilt or open and close your window coverings at the touch of a button. No hard wiring required.

Spring-assist Clutch
Raise and lower window shades without the use of common cords with this built-in function.

Sliding Track System
Perfect for vertical products with side-to-side openings and sliding glass doors, sliding track systems operate without the use of dangling cords or chains.

Shutters
Shutters are a cord-free product, making it a great option for homes with small children.
Cord Control
You can live safely with window cords. Be sure to add these cord control features to all products with cords.

Break-away Tassels and Cord Stops
Designed to break apart under minimal pressure, these special tassels and cord stops can be a lifesaver should a child or pet become entangled in the cord.

Continuous Cord Loop System
Dangling cords are kept taut and under control to help prevent a child from becoming entangled.

Window coverings not only enhance the look of your windows and provide privacy, they also enhance your life.

24/7 light control and sound absorption to facilitate napping and sleep
Cut glare to make rooms more livable
UV-blocking products keep harsh rays at bay
Window coverings keep your home energy efficient by providing a layer of insulation

Call or email me today to schedule your free consultation, mention this blog and receive a FREE CORDLESS UPGRADE!

-Pamela Brown

Going Cordless for Child Safety

December 20, 2017Leave a comment

Budget Blinds® Reminds Parents that Window Safety is a Critical Consideration

“Going cordless” is a trend across several industries. But the movement in window coverings is not just about modern style and convenience. It is an issue of safety for homes with small children. Budget Blinds® wants to help parents understand the options available that promote safety and consumer education.

Some styles of traditional corded window coverings pose a tempting hazard to infants and toddlers who view dangling cords as playthings. Each year, entanglement by window cords is a serious danger that can cause injury to small children or maybe even death.

While accidents have decreased with changes in industry safety standards, there is still work to be done in spreading awareness. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least one child dies from window cord strangulation every month, and during that one-month period, at least one more child suffers a near strangulation.

There are simple yet critical steps parents can take to increase the safety in their homes.

Choose Safer Window Coverings

Budget Blinds® recommends cordless treatments for homes where small children or pets live or frequently visit. Cordless options include:

Shutters: Offer a classic and inherently cordless window covering option
Motorized shades: Motorized shades can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button using a battery-operated remote control
Cordless cellular shades: A sleek and modern option, cordless cellular shades can be easily raised and lowered with one hand

Add Safety Features to Existing Cords

Existing corded window coverings can be retrofitted with safety features such as:

Spring assisted clutches: Can be raised and lowered without the use of cords
Sliding panel track systems: For vertical products with side to side openings
Break-away tassels: Designed to pull apart under minimal pressure
Cord stops: For horizontal window coverings that restrict how far the internal ladder cords can be pulled from the blind
Cord cleats: Safely tie dangerous cords out of your children’s reach

Place Furniture with Safety in Mind

Be mindful of where furniture is placed within a child’s bedroom or playroom. Moving furniture, such as cribs, changing tables, toy chests and chairs away from the window area prevents access to window coverings. This also minimizes the risk of accidentally falling from the window should the child crawl up and over the wrong end. In the event that the glass breaks, positioning furniture away from the window reduces the risk of injury from broken glass.

If furniture must be placed near a window, consider adding security film, which helps maintain the integrity of windowpanes during a storm or earthquake, and from the impact of flying objects such as wind-driven tree limbs or baseballs from the neighborhood game.

Additional Safety Tips

Window safety is just one of many considerations when decorating a home with small children. For more information and tips on whole home safety, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes.

-Pamela Brown

3 Tips to Decorating with UltraViolet [2018 Pantone Color of the Year]

December 14, 2017Leave a comment

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.” – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

The 2018 Pantone Color of the Year is UltraViolet. The Pantone Color Institute chose Ultra Violet because it is “A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shades [it] communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

If you want to bring the 2018 Color of the Year into your home, make sure you follow these 3 basic, yet essential steps to ensure you have the most stylish home in town!

Step 1: Use the 60-30-10 Rule

When introducing Ultra Violet, or any other color scheme into your home, be sure to use the 60-30-10 Rule. To do this, mentally divide a particular room into 3 different percentage categories. 60% should be a dominant color, 30% should be a secondary color and 10% should be the accent color.

Some throw pillows, a vase or a great piece of art in UltraViolet will give a room that 10% pop of accent color that you need!

Step 2: Create Flow

To create the best look in your home, make sure your UltraViolet décor “flows” from one room to the next. Avoid using the same exact objects in each room, instead create an interesting visual experience with a mix of items, materials, and fabrics from one room to the next.

Step 3: Don’t Play It Too Safe

Go for that UltraViolet accent wall or couch! Sure, it’s less practical, but if you’ve always fantasized about it, do it! Life is short… Letting your home be too boring is the biggest mistake of all.

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

-Pamela Brown