Interior Decorating | Home Decoration Pro

Home Decoration Pro; Automated Window Blinds?

Is the time right for automated blinds or curtains in your home or office? It depends on your resources and desires, but there have been huge strides made through improved technology and manufacturing upgrades that have resulted in lower pricing and much improved products. “Curtains and blind systems lend themselves easily to automation. The technology is well proven, simple, and more importantly, the price points have come down dramatically over recent years” says Samantha Shervill of Silent Gliss in the UK. They are easily integrated into a C-Bus control system (a complete household control system that’s integration compatible by computer) and even operational by smart phone app if desired.

At lower price points there are battery powered units and one or two battery powered blinds should be fine for smaller windows, but I highly recommend larger blind systems be hard wired instead of plug in or battery mode. They’re more reliable, durable, discreet systems that are usually wired into the ceiling, which eliminates the possibility of a battery failure. The hard wired designs are much more versatile, and powerful enough to operate as many shades as you want with as many custom programs as you need.

Hunter Douglas Concept

If you decide to take the leap after further investigation, extensive planning is necessary since there are so many different options: how will the blinds will be controlled (in groups, individually, all together, combinations), material, textures and colors? I’m assuming a household control system here, so if you don’t have one, then we’re back to simple battery powered systems for your blinds unless you’re planning a new home. Installing a whole new system into an existing home is cost prohibitive because of the destruction and renovation necessary unless you’re already planning a bare bones project. There are some instances where plug in or battery remote control systems make sense: hard to reach windows, remote control, pre-programmed wall timers, no dangerous hanging cords (small children die every year from them).

Once the systems are installed you won’t be able to switch motors in most cases, so be sure you have the right control system, color and style desired. Normally there will be plenty of colors and textures to choose from, and get samples before ordering your selections. Directions need to be explicit when it comes to measuring windows for automated blinds and followed closely. If you’re getting a wired in system, get the directions to your electrician before you place your order and have him survey your wiring scheme. Don’t get caught with an order that’s not even compatible with your wiring capacity and licensed electricians are required for wired installations.

Automated curtain and blinds systems are in a fast growth trend for modern homes, and for plenty of good reasons. A complete wired in system is a big step, but with lots of thought and pre-planning it’s a great investment in added convenience, security, safety, insulation, efficiency and high décor value. Automated blind systems can have warranties from one year up to a lifetime guarantee, so keep that in mind when weighing your options. Don’t forget the value of customer service. One company I reviewed even assigns a representative to each purchaser to help you through the installation, programming and operating phase.

Conversely, the wired in systems have almost no limits in convenience and value to the modern home. So if you’re planning a new home, or a bare bones remodel I highly recommend considering this option if your budget can handle it. There will be a day when up to date homes are expected to have wired in, computer controlled, curtain / blind systems. How would you view the value and convenience of an automobile without power windows? We haven’t always had them!

Battery Powered Shade & Remote

My opinion in regard to the battery powered blind? I’m not sold on the value at present pricing (e.g., 24” x 36,” $301.21 on sale) unless there’s an issue of child safety or hard to reach smaller blinds. If you have a physical challenge and can’t reach a window blind, or have a skylight that needs a blind system it’s going to be a great convenience. The plug-in style would be better if it weren’t for unsightly power cords and outlet requirements. I did find a company that uses a compact 3 year battery which could be very worthwhile for lighter blind systems. It’s illustrated in the professionally done informative video below along with various systems and options available.

Reading this short article about another specific company should be useful as well. Don’t forget the decorative designs that go with a modern decor theme, no matter your style. We have high value decor accents inside and out for the modern home at Silky Flower Store.

My Best, Billy Goldmark

Your Home Decoration Pro

Home Decoration Pro; Virtual Bedroom Decor Ideas Review

How to plan painting that next room can be easy and exciting if you know how to see the results before you even start. Digital is here, so put it to use when planning for that bedroom makeover project, or submit the results to your decorator and know it’s going to be perfect when the job is finished. There’s a well known company offering a virtual design system you’re going to want to know about, and I reveal the details. If you can’t save yourself some time with this system and come up with some great ideas, you’re not even trying. I’ve evaluated the reviews of this particular paint company’s products, but the results are mixed. Their virtual interior paint system however is definitely more than useful, and it’s an up to date web system anyone can use successfully. Here’s how it works: Take digital pictures of each bedroom wall (or any room you’re interested in re-styling) including the ceiling, download to your computer (don’t forget the file name), go to the web site, submit, choose your colors, and you’re on your way to an exciting new bedroom decor.

Who’s the company and what’s the plan? Be patient and learn a little about what I’ve found, and lets not forget the furnishing details for your new décor theme. Nearly all décor themes you ever see will include floral arrangements and greenery to help set an inviting tone.

Comfy & Plush With Added Life

If you have time and money to buy and replace flower arrangements weekly, no one has allergies, and you have people to maintain your house plants while on vacation, go ahead. Otherwise, you will be money ahead using today’s computer designed, realistic silk plants, silk flower arrangements and dried natural arrangements from a reputable company that guarantees your satisfaction.

I invested over an hour registering, reading and watching the tips, taking pictures of our bedroom, “masking” and “painting” with this company’s virtual system. My rating of the system? To be fair, I give the company an over all rating of 7 out of 10, but my experience was about a 5 since I wasn’t able to get the masking system to work. I’m assuming it’s my error, but the ease of use rating is a 6 on my rating scale. The registration is not long, but a bit irritating when in a hurry. The short video tools for using the system are a must, but short and to the point. The video is a bit fast in some areas, but you can keep replaying each step until you retain the info.

The color scheme system works well when planning the colors you’re going to use, and once you pick your primary, three other matching accent colors are offered. This is a great help, and the color shade adjustments work well if you want to tweak them for your style. Overall a great system providing you can overcome the masking step problem. You can even create your own “workbook” and come back to it when needed.

The well known paint company that provides the virtual system is top rated on Consumers Reports. However after reading a dozen reviews by users don’t let Consumers make your decision. Be very careful in choosing your paint brand, and by all means:

Experiment with paint samples on your walls before you purchase your paint.

Do NOT buy 5 gallon containers in this market as paint is getting old.

Do NOT use commercial thinners without carefully experimenting.

Some paints will be ruined if you use a certain commercial thinner according to a review on Consumers Reports who learned the hard way. (See their top rated paint reviews).

To summarize, that new painting project can be a lot of fun planning with the virtual system, as well as effective. Follow the easy steps and you can see how your new room will look (or very close). Next, purchase samples of the paint colors you found in the sheen you want. If you’re doing the project yourself I recommend going to the store and previewing the appropriate color strips to decide which paint samples to try. Don’t be too conservative with this step, as too many paint samples are better than not enough. Save yourself an extra trip to the store. Now try your colors on the surfaces and and let them dry over night. How does it look in the various light sources? Happy with the colors AND the paint performance? If you don’t like the paint’s attributes choose a different brand. Use the color strips from the first source to help you find the right choice, but do some research before you choose.

Be sure to read our previous post about color trends if you don’t know where to start, and don’t miss the tip about skipping the masking step! These tips are in the same post: Exciting Grays Take Over Beige.

See a quick video of the system.

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My Best, Billy Goldmark Silky Flower Store

Home Decoration Pro; Carnival “Breeze” Ship Tropical Decor

Ok, so lets do something a little different today and take a cruise while we’re discussing décor trends (yes, on a cruise ship). We’ll be reviewing the exciting new decor of the yet to cruise Carnival Cruise Ship “Breeze” (maiden voyage, June, 2012). If you’re planning that special relaxing tropical retreat at home or in your specialized business, this will help get those design juices flowing in the right direction. Take a sneak peak and enjoy a sampling of cruise ship pictures and historical background to see what all the excitement is about. Put on your life preserver and here we go! Well that may not be necessary. We’re not cruising on the Titanic.

The biggest problem I see with all of the Carnival Cruise line décor until now is little or no relaxing themes that include plant life or natural flora to promote the vacation aura. Fortunately, on the Breeze I found evidence the designers realized the need for it in their new tropical theme where it’s displayed perfectly. “Created by Germany-based Partner Ship Design, this striking new tropical design theme will be carried out in the ship’s public spaces, as well as staterooms which will offer a combination of bright colors and soothing pastel hues, with iconic images of palm trees and other island-inspired elements adorning hallway corridors,” as mentioned by Cruise Planners.

Previous Carnival Cruise ships have been designed by Joe Farcus since the early 1990’s and his décor themes seemed to have no limits. Bright, glitzy colors, and nothing left unconsidered in flashy designs is what “Carnival” has been all about. Some people prefer all the flashiness and casino style designs of the Las Vegas strip, but it was time to design another theme for clientele who considered all Carnival ships having strictly a party boat atmosphere. You can find the flashy casino theme on the Las Vegas strip whenever you’re ready to go, and you can depart when ready, however I haven’t noticed Las Vegas floating around the Caribbean lately.

Carnival Decor on the "Miracle"

For those who love the glitzy style that’s fine, but for the rest a much more relaxing Caribbean atmosphere is what a vacation is all about. I’m elated to see this theme in the Carnival “Breeze” with its realistic trees and plant life and a tropical design the whole family is going to enjoy. This relaxing style is something anyone can incorporate into their own home or even business where warranted (restaurants, hotel lobbies, offices,etc.). Take a look at how inviting the “Plaza” and “Plaza 2″ is in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. Soft tones and lighting, uncrowded, nice gentle lines, and the use of tropical palms and greenery to add some life to this gentle environment. The result is a greatly enhanced and friendly atmosphere thanks to the understanding and thoughtfulness of Carnival’s new Germany-based Partner Ship Design Team.

Relaxing Caribbean Decor on the "Breeze"

Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to help Carnival recoup some of their invested Italian Lire for this new 14 deck, 360,000 ton ocean liner that departs on its maiden voyage June 3, 2012 (now booking according to Carnival) from Venice, Italy. Better yet, this will help you realize it’s really not all that hard to come up with a great new design for that special area using a tropical theme with a few realistic artificial trees and silk plants that are easy on the maintenance and pocket book.

Caribbean decor on the "Breeze"

In case you’d like to see a video of your chosen Carnival ship here’s a link, but most are advertisements and up to 10 minutes long. (Only a few on the first page have been previewed by us, so we can’t verify their safety). Don’t expect to find tropical designs here……just party atmosphere. Oh well, we all like a party once in awhile.

My Best, Billy Goldmark

Silky Flower Store

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