Tag: motorized

📰 LIGHT & LIVING

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Celebrating 20 Years of Helping You Love Where You Live

Outdoor Living Edition

By Pamela Brown | Budget Blinds of Stillwater & Lake Elmo

Twenty years.

It’s hard to believe that what started as a passion for helping homeowners create beautiful spaces has grown into two decades of friendships, countless homes, and thousands of windows throughout Stillwater, Lake Elmo, and the St. Croix Valley.

Over the years, we’ve watched families grow.

We’ve helped decorate first homes, dream homes, lake homes, and forever homes.

We’ve celebrated new babies, retirements, remodels, and everything in between.

And if there’s one thing we’ve learned…

Home is more than four walls.

Especially this time of year.

Summer Happens Outside

Living in Minnesota means we appreciate every beautiful day.

The patio becomes the dining room.

The deck becomes the gathering place.

Morning coffee moves outdoors.

Grandkids run through the backyard.

Friends stay long after dinner.

Outdoor living has become an extension of the home, and we’re seeing more families invest in making those spaces as comfortable as the rooms inside.

Comfort Makes All the Difference

One thing we hear over and over from homeowners is…

“We love our patio—we just can’t use it in the afternoon.”

Maybe it’s the hot western sun.

Maybe it’s glare.

Maybe it’s the lack of privacy.

Or maybe it’s simply too warm to enjoy.

A comfortable outdoor space isn’t about making it fancy.

It’s about creating a place where your family actually wants to spend time together.

Outdoor Shades Are Changing the Way Families Enjoy Their Homes

One of the biggest trends we’re seeing throughout Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Bayport, Mahtomedi, and other areas of the St. Croix Valley is homeowners transforming patios, porches, and decks into true outdoor living spaces.

Outdoor solar shades help create:

• Cooler patios during hot summer afternoons

• Protection from glare while preserving beautiful views

• Additional privacy without feeling closed in

• Better protection for outdoor furniture from damaging UV rays

• More usable hours enjoying your favorite space

It’s amazing how one addition can completely change how often a family uses their backyard.

A Family Business

Budget Blinds of Stillwater & Lake Elmo has always been about relationships.

Today I’m fortunate to work alongside my stepson, Garret, who shares the same commitment to taking care of every homeowner we meet.

Together, we’ve combined years of design experience with today’s newest innovations—including motorized window treatments, custom drapery, energy-efficient shades and outdoor living solutions—to help homeowners create spaces that fit the way they truly live.

Being family-owned means every project matters.

Every customer matters.

Every home matters.

Thank You

As we celebrate 20 years serving the St. Croix Valley, we’re incredibly grateful for every homeowner who has welcomed us into their home.

Many of you have become repeat customers.

Many have referred your family and friends.

Many have become friends with you.

Thank you for trusting us with your homes and allowing us to be part of your story.

Here’s to the next twenty years.

⭐ About Budget Blinds of Stillwater & Lake Elmo

Budget Blinds of Stillwater & Lake Elmo is a family-owned and locally operated business proudly serving Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Bayport, Oak Park Heights, Mahtomedi, Scandia, Marine on St Croix, and other areas of the St. Croix Valley. Led by Pamela Brown and her stepson Garret, the team specializes in custom blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, motorization, outdoor solar shades, and energy-efficient window treatments. Proud recipients of the Readers’ Choice Best in Window Coverings Award for seven consecutive years, they’re committed to helping homeowners create spaces that are beautiful, comfortable, and uniquely their own.

Window Coverings That Are Both Stylish and Safe

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When it comes to deciding on the safest choice in window coverings for a home with children or pets, why take chances? Fortunately, with Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, you don’t have to. I offer both stylish and safe cordless window covering solutions that minimize the risk of accidents or injury.
  • Motorized window coverings are easy to operate and eliminate the dangers of dangling cords.
  • Shutters can be used throughout your home to ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.
  • Our shades can be ordered with a cordless or motorized lift, making them ideal for homes with small children.

Design Studio - Roman Shades

Because Your Child’s Safety Shouldn’t Be a Luxury

When it comes to deciding on the safest choice in window coverings for a home with children or pets, why take chances? Fortunately, with Budget Blinds you don’t have to. From cordless child-safe blinds and cordless shades with retractable lifts, to motorized shades, we have the safe solutions that minimize the risk of accidents or injury.

  • Our cord cleat and wand control options for blinds are easy to operate and eliminate the dangers of dangling cords, reducing hazards for kids and pets.
  • Shutters can be used in kids’ rooms and playrooms to ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.
  • Consider installing window film, especially in kids’ playrooms, as an alternative to those window treatments that may require cords.
  • Our shades, including luxurious pleated shades, can be ordered with a cordless lift or motorized lift, making them an ideal solution for homes with small children.
  • Our decorative window film is an ideal cordless option and lets you select from a wide range of popular designs and character themes that children enjoy.
  • Many of our blinds can be ordered cordless with our cordless Lift & Lock™ or standard cordless lift system.
  • Budget Blinds adheres to the strict guidelines of the Window Covering Safety Council to ensure all of our products meet or exceed all safety requirements.
  • Additionally, all Budget Blinds products meet or exceed the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products.

Have the “Cool” House on the Block with Motorized Window Treatments

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Give your house the WOW factor with motorized window treatments – not only will YOU benefit from the stylish and convenient treatments, but your neighbors and house guests will be impressed too! Trust us, these treatments pour in the compliments – “so modern!”

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Adding motorization to your window coverings is cool and super convenient with a touch of a button and/or remote! Budget Blinds offers motorization powered by Somfy which allows you to control your window treatments for lighting and privacy (and let’s be honest, style is a huge plus too!)

Having motorized window treatments can make your life easier by covering hard-to-reach windows or helping someone with limited mobility effortlessly control their window coverings! Best of all, motorization has SO many wonderful benefits that will improve how you live in your house. Another plus – no matter your window covering preference–blinds, shutters, shades or drapes–we (Budget Blinds) can make it motorized!

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When thinking about motorized window coverings, it’s awesome to be able to open or close them by remote control, BUT there are other aspects of life when motorization can really come to the rescue. It can help in ways that are not commonly thought of – like covering windows to protecting your child (cordless!)

Hard-to-reach windows: Every home has at least one or more windows that are impossible to reach, making life super inconvenient, right?  Covering these windows seemed impossible until motorized window treatments came along. Instead of climbing over a bath tub or kitchen sink (or on top of a counter top!) you can close and open your own privacy without hurting yourself.

Also motorized treatments are ideal for other hard-to-reach windows like:

 

MOTORIZATION BENEFITS: 

  • Security – Somfy provides your security by allowing you to set timers making it appear as someone is home even when you are not.
  • Privacy – Motorized treatments add more privacy to your home when you just don’t have enough time to close your blinds.
  • Convenience – Easy opening and closing with a touch of a button.
  • Energy Saving – You can program your window treatments on timers during peak hours to help reduce your energy bill.
  • UV Protection – Motorization allows you to protect your furnishing by programming your window coverings to close when the sun is brightly shining down.

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Motorized window treatments are as great as they seem – honestly, why wait!?  Let Budget Blinds make your home the cool house on the block with custom blinds, shutters, shades and drapers with one-touch operation. Call 651-351-7620 today or email me directly at pbrown@budgetblinds.com

OCTOBER IS CHILD SAFETY MONTH!

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AND we have a new certification (YAY!)

WCMABudget Blinds just announced that several of our key manufacturing partners are participating to earn certification for selected window covering products known as “Best for Kids.” This new program was launched by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) to help our consumers identify window covering products that are certified as best suited for use in homes with young children.

“Making window treatments safer for homes with children is one of Budget Blinds’ top priorities,” said Chad Hallock, CEO and Co-Founder of Budget Blinds.  “We work with our manufacturers to consistently review and evaluate our products to ensure they are child-friendly, durable, and still look great in the home.”

According to WCMA, criteria to earn the Best for Kids certification requires that a window covering product must either have no cords or the inner cords cannot be accessible. Products must be submitted to a WCMA-recognized third party testing laboratory; and products that meet these criteria will be eligible to be listed and labeled on packaging and materials as “certified .” We are so excited for these awesome products.

“We are already proud to announce that several of our key manufacturing partners will have earned certification by October 1,” said Tracy Christman, Vice-President of Vendor Alliance for Budget Blinds. “It’s exciting to continue to bring homeowners beautiful and stylish window coverings that are also child-friendly and certified as Best for Kids.”

We are so excited that Budget Blinds offers dozens of options for child-friendly window treatments) including cordless blinds and shades with a retractable lift). Not to mention, motorized shades with cordless operation, and shutters too!

The last thing you want is a home that isn’t 100% safe. With Budget Blinds, you can rest assured that you are doing everything you can do to protect your loved ones and while adding style (and benefit) to your overall home! With our new certified program, “Best for Kids” I am positive that you will love the look, feel and value of your child-safe window treatments.

For more child safety window treatment options visit www.BudgetBlinds.com/Stillwater. 

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