Window fashions by themselves can elevate a room, but oftentimes it’s the details that complete your vision. From artisan-inspired decorative grilles, rugs, and premium pillows, to decorative window film, we help you complete the look you’ve always dreamed of with an array of the latest design accents.
| At Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, we’re here to make your dream home a reality. Let us help you put the finishing touches on your space by contacting us today.
-Pamela Brown |
Today, everything is SMART and your home should be no exception. Budget Blinds, North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings and the most established name in smart home technology are the smartest choice out there. Now, opening and closing your shades with the touch of a button is easier than ever— talk about convenience! Automated window coverings offer many benefits. They reduce the wear and tear that comes from manual operation and can be set on timers to open and close at your preferred time of day. With various automated options from Budget Blinds, you can feel confident you are getting the best window coverings available. Here are a few reasons why Smart Shades should be added to your home décor:
Energy Savings
Program your window coverings on timers to open and close at specific times of the day to save on energy costs. Energy-efficient window coverings provide effective insulation, offering your home increased protection against heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer.
Safety
It is important to not overlook basic household items such as window coverings when child proofing your home. Automated window coverings eliminate the need for dangling cords so they are both kid-friendly and pet-safe. Making window treatments safer for homes with infants, toddlers, children, and pets is one of Budget Blinds’ top priorities.
Security and Privacy
Timers allow you to open and close your window coverings on a predetermined schedule when you’re home or on vacation. Giving an outside impression as though someone is home at all times. In addition, privacy is just a click away with Smart Shades. They offer complete privacy even with the hard to reach windows. Control the amount of privacy you want in your home with automated window coverings — you won’t be disappointed!
UV Protection
Automated shades prevent harmful UV rays from entering the room. Program your window coverings to close when the sun is shining bright to keep fabrics, rugs, upholstery and artwork from fading.
Convenience
Finally, what’s better than convenience? Smart Shades transform a room’s lighting and ambiance at the touch of a button. Making it super easy to lower and raise at your leisure. Monitor and control lights from your smart device no matter where you are or create personalized lighting schedules that change with the seasons.
Choose from a wide array of control options such as wireless wall switches, hand-held remotes and timers, and apps that allow you to control from your Smart device. Whether you prefer blinds, shades, or drapes, all popular Budget Blinds window coverings can be automated. To learn more about automated window coverings, reach out today!
-Pamela Brown
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!
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
It’s that special time of year again. The ground is sprinkled with a light layer of snow, you can see your breath outside in the frosty air, and nothing sounds like less fun than worrying about your drafty windows! But with you know that people spend an average of 60% more on their energy bill in the winter, it’s hard to ignore.
There are plenty of DIY options to help with drafty windows, but the winter brings more then the cold with it, it also brings friends and family for the holiday season. The last thing you need to be stressing about are ugly, plastic lined windows with random blankets pinned over them to hold in the heat.
We have a solution for you with energy efficient window treatments – only at Budget Blinds. Budget Blinds offers a variety of energy-saving window coverings that are not only stylish but will help you save money in the winter AND the summer too (note: efficient treatments help in the summer by to regulating indoor temperatures!)
Cellular and Roman Shades
Cellular shades and Roman shades are the TOP energy-saving window coverings. Both of these styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.
Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too! When they are closed, cellular shades will help keep in the heat and make every room pleasant to be in during the winter. For hot summer months, they block intense heat or they roll up all the way allowing for a view. Best of all, cellular shades have a cordless lift or one-touch remote control motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe (every home owners dream, motorized window treatments, right? :))
Roman shades are similar to cellular shades and are one of the most popular windows coverings for energy efficiency. They are stylish and offer plenty of energy-saving qualities. They too come in a variety of colors, prints and textures to add elegance to your home. Due to heavier fabrics, Roman shades can trap in warmth which can save you money on your electric bill as you would ultimatley use your heater less and less. Also, like cellular shades, Roman shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control.
Interior Shutters
Interior shutters add value to your home while protecting it. Investing in shutters can be a major bonus to your home and allow you to keep in the warmth in the winter months or control a summer breeze by adjusting the louvers.
Interior shutters are beautiful window treatments that again help with heat gain and loss for your home. These types of shutters are a window covering that is made to last and save you money (amazing!) Shutters will keep your energy bills low because they work as an insulation shield by preventing cold drafts and unbearable heat from entering your home. They regulate the temperature in your home so you won’t have to use the heater or air conditioner as much (or sometimes at all!) Also, shutters will provide extra security because they fully cover the window when closed but still allow you to have an uninterrupted view when open. Shutters will benefit your home in many ways, making them a great choice for an efficient window treatment.
Drapery
Drapery on your windows is like having your windows wrapped up in a blanket (can you tell I am thinking of the winter!!) Drapes are designed for insulation because their heavier fabrics allow them to keep in the heat. During cold weather, drapery can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%. Closing your draperies at night and during the day can keep in the warmth. Another way drapery is energy saving is by layering it with another window covering!
So this winter, impress your guests with the most stylish and energy efficient window treatments in town!
Contact me today to schedule your free in-home consultation and start getting your home not only stylish for the holidays, but energy-efficient too! 651-351-7620 pbrown@budgetblinds.com
Today marks my ninth year as the owner and operator of Budget Blinds of Stillwater. And truly, I couldn’t be more grateful and happy as we go into the next year of business! Without being too redundant on last weeks post (can you tell I’m proud of my business? :)) I thought it would be interesting to take a look back on the last nine years – Throwback Thursday anyone? I don’t want to bore you with too much detail, but scroll down and check out the timewarp of style.
Pretty cool, right? What style do you prefer – can you see a change in the years? Throughout my professional years with Budget Blinds (nine and counting!) I have definitely seen a change interior style. In the year 2006 there was a heavy emphasis on mahogany, walnut and cherry textures, while in 2015 there is more a focus on stainless steel and the modernistic feel. Bold blues (in modesty) are coming into trends in homes, while in 2006 the trends in homes were pale, mocha and tan palettes!
I love style, and I really enjoy seeing interior decorating evolve over the years. I love sharing my passion of design with all of my clients, friends and supporters and I am honored to be successful with Budget Blinds of Stillwater.
Cheers to the next year of style and success!
– PAMELA BROWN.
blindladystilly 