Paul’s Place

We’re nearing the end of another design project and we’re thrilled with the way its turning out! It all started with Paul stopping by our showroom in search of Hunter Douglas window coverings for his new spec home. Upon walking in he saw that we are not only certified Hunter Douglas specialists, we are full service interior designers. He said to us “this is great! A one stop shop!”

We began the project with the window coverings. He likes softness at the window and has a more casual, transitional style. His biggest concerns were light control and privacy. He also wanted easy operation, functionality and of course style. Our first recommendation was that the operation system be UltraGlide Click and Walk Away because it is an easy to use lift system when PowerView isn’t an option. Our second recommendation was to use Silhouette Shadings because they offer the most light control options and have that softness Paul so wanted. In the closed position we took care of the nighttime privacy concern, in the tilted position we combated daytime privacy while keeping the view, and when he wants a completely unobstructed view he can simply roll the shades all they way up into the headrail. Our final recommendation after getting to know Paul was to use a bold color on the shades and not do a “safe” white. We set out to his new home with samples in hand to find the perfect color. We chose a “greige” with a deeply textured sheer called Brio Basilica from the Alustra Collection of Silhouette. It goes perfectly with the with tile in the kitchen, the trim on the outside of the house, and the texture creates another design demention. Because the home is open concept, we decided to put the Silhouettes in every room. What an amazing look and in complete agreement with Paul’s style.

Our next step was to design the drapery panels to compliment the shades and frame the windows. We found a beautiful fabric with a pattern that was in keeping with the other design elements of the home. These soft treatments really make a point to draw out the colors of the shades and add a flowing pattern that makes a statement.

Then we moved on to finish out the home with a clean, uncluttered look.

In their dining room, we put together a 72”round table that comfortably seats eight. We custom made the upholstered chairs that accompany it. The chairs are simple in design, but the nail heads give a hint of sophistication. We finished off this room with a large mirror and a pair of sconces.

The entry in this home is huge so we used a console table that is unique in design and large enough to fit this space. It can even be used as a buffet if they have a big party. You won’t find this piece just anywhere! We topped it with 3 candle holers and 2 tall lamps. We also put artwork above with neutral colors and hints of gold.

In the study, we found this beautiful bookcase to put behind his desk.

In the living room we pulled together a large rug that has all the neutral colors of the home in it, 2 throw pillows and 3 panel art. We are planning on adding more drapery panels for that added softness in this room as well.

This has been a very fun project and we have enjoyed working with Paul so much! We are so happy everything is pulling together nicely and we love the clean look.

If you are buying a new home or just want to give your home an update, give us a call! We would love to help you create a space that you will love to come home to.

Wake Up Your Windows

We love working on jobs where we can use our imaginatio! This is one project that was a lot of fun and where the window treatments really added to the design of the room. For most of the windows we used Plantation Shutters with 4 1/2” louvers. But for this Family Room we decided that all we would use at the windows would be custom drapery panels. We wanted a light fabric because the patio has a large overhang and not much sun gets in. On the back windows in the Breakfast Room and Study we will be using a simple roller shade with an organic feel made by Hunter Douglas. These shades will give protection from the sun but when the sun moves to the west, up will go the shades. And everything is in a light bright fabric. We all are very happy with how everything looks. And as you can see there are many windows so our customer decided to use the PowerView Motorization Lift system. This will be very convenient once the sun is overhead and then again in the evening.

Stop by one of our Hunter Douglas Gallery’s - one in Plano and one in Southlake. Our Designers can show you all of the newest products along with the lift systems. They can show you and explain the exciting PowerView lift system and explain haw it can connect with “Alexa” and other programs. And if you love the softness of draperies, we can help you can up with a design and fabric selections that will Wake up Your Windows.

You can find Hunter Douglas products and Custom Draperies at Read Design in Plano and in Southlake. We service the following areas- Frisco, Celina, Prosper, Dallas, Highland Village, Richardson, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Fort Worth, Trophy Club, Rockwall, Rowlett, Highland Park, Preston Hollow and everywhere in between.

Stay Warm With Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Stay Warm with Energy Effiecient Window Coverings

It is winter and the cold months are here to stay for a while. During these chilly months being bundled up next to a warm fire while you read a book or watch TV is the best feeling ever. But the worst feeling is trying to keep your energy bill down when on an average we spend 59% more on energy bills. But don't worry - Read Design has a solution for you with energy efficient window treatments from Hunter Douglas.

Cellular Shades and Roman Shades

Cellular Shades and Roman Shades are the top energy-saving window coverings. They both are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bills.

Cellular Shades, also referred to as Duette Honeycomb Shades by Hunter Douglas, are the most energy efficient window coverings. They are designed to have dead-air spaces which increase their insulation by trapping the warm air inside which helps to keep you warm all winter long. With the introduction of Hunter Douglas Architella Duettes, this got even better. The Architella Duette is a honeycomb within a honeycomb which gives 3 air pockets and keeps even more of the warmth inside. Duette Honeycomb Shades are very versatile window coverings with a variety of fabric and colors to choose from. They offer various degrees of light filtering options including sheer, light filtering and room darkening. This also helps with privacy and insulation. Duette Honeycomb can also be made in specialty shapes including arches and skylights. There are a number of lift options including Ultraglide, LiteRise, or can be motorized with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe.

Roman Shades are similar to cellular shades and are one of the most popular window coverings today. They are both functional and beautiful And they offer great energy efficiency. Hunter Douglas has the Vignette Modern Roman Shade and the Solera Soft Shades to choose from. The both come in a variety of colors and textures that add beauty to your home Roman Shades can also trap in the warmth which can save you money on your electric bill. Also, like the Duette Honeycomb Shades, Roman Shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control. They also have a number of lift options to choose from.

Here is one of our recent installation in Prosper, Texas. We used Tierred Vignette Modern Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas. The fabric we choose was Drake. The color of the fabric blended all the colors in this new home together. They have a total of 10 windows in the Family Room so we chose to use PowerView Motorization which will make it easy to open all of the shades at once and with this system the customer can set the shades to raise to their favorite spot. We all were very pleased with the look the Vignette Modern Roman Shades created.

Right Now Hunter Douglas is offering Rebates on these Energy Efficient Window Shades- Duette Honey Comb Shades, Vignette Modern Roman Shades and Sonnette Shades. For every Vignette shade you purchase, you will get $50 back (with a minimum of 2 shades). For every Duette and Sonnette Shades, you will get $25 back (with a minimum purchase of 4 shades).

Custom Drapery

At Read Design Plano and Read Design Southlake, our Designers can also help you with Custom Window Treatments including Draperies, Valances, Cornice Boards and much more. And now we are receiving New Fabrics from all of the manufactures which makes now an exciting time to start thinking about updating your home. Many drapery treatments are designed for insulation which also helps with the energy efficiency of your home during the window but also during those hot summer months in the North Texas area.

Where to find Energy Efficient Shades in the Dallas / Fort Worth Area

Read Design has bed a leader in Hunter Douglas and Custom Window Treatments in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and have 2 convenient locations- one in Plano and one in Southlake. At Read Design you can see our many displays and our designer can help you find a solution just for your windows. And we can help you solve all of your interior design needs. Stop in or give us a call.

Plano. 972-608-4999
Southlake. 817-416-7164

We service all of these areas and more
Irving, Dallas, Grapevine, Plano, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Carrollton, Allen, McKinney, Richardson, Rockwell, Garland, Prosper, Celina, Southlake, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Arlington, Westlake, Northlake, Robson Ranch, Flower Mound, Little Elm, Lewisville, The Colony, North Richland Hills, Mabank, and all areas in between.

We will be having a Window Dressing Event starting in February and will have a number of events running throughout the Spring. Watch for our Blogs and info on Facebook.

Plantation Shutters

Custom Plantation Shutters... and best of all - Made In America!!!!

Yes, Plantation Shutters are still as popular as ever and are still a great way to add value to your home. Shutters for your windows will last for generations and is one window treatment that is seldom changed if you sell your home. This is especially true with Wood Plantation Shutters. The beauty of wood is classic, will add warmth to your home and will last a lifetime. And today their are many different choices you can make including louver size, trim design, hidden or standard front tilt, divider rails, custom paint or stain color, and hinge color.

Introducing Heritance Hardwood Shutters by Hunter Douglas.

The simple elegance of rich, hardwood shutters gives lift to any room. Now, the maximum strength and durability of our Heritance Hardwood Shutters make them a wise investment in many ways. They feature dovetail construction and a vast selection of frame choices, specialty shapes, and louver sizes- and a variety of paint and stain finishes, as well as custom colors. Also available in six Handcrafted Series Techniques to enhance the inherent character and color of the genuine hardwood and making your shutters truly one of a kind.

Six Techniques

The first technique is textured, which enhances the woods natural grain and creates a contrast and depth of the natural wood grain. You can also choose glazed which enhances the richness of the stain finish with a hand rubbed glaze. The Glazed and Burnished technique creates an antique effect. With the Rustic technique the natural characteristics of hardwood are arranged so you will have your own unique shutter. The Heirloom distressed technique will give your shutters an Old World effect with the addition techniques. Including burnishing,, rasping, and flyspecking. An finally the Classic Technique give the wood a beautiful worn finish with the techniques including glaze, dents, cracks and wormholes.

Or you can choose any of our paint selections including Custom Paint Match.

So how does it work? Give Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake a call and schedule an appointment with one of our Designers. We will gladly meet with you at your home and check out the windows where you would like shutters. We will suggest louver size keeping in mind scale of the window and room. We will also help you decide on the trim and which tilt system is best for your look. And finally we will help decide if paint or stain is best for your design and walk you though the different techniques.

Read Design is a leader in Hunter Douglas Window Coverings with 2 Gallery locations, one in Plano and the other one in Southlake. We offer personalized service that you will only find with a locally owned store. This is our family business and we are here to help you personalize your own design. Stop by and see over 60 working displays including PowerView, the latest in home automation. Our designers can also help you with drapery and window treatment selections as well as anything you might need for your home including furniture, rugs, lamps and home decor items.

Here is one of our projects which includes Custom Plantation Shutters. We had the walls painted and then came back and designed drapery panels to finish off the look. Next we will be moving on to the Dining Room.

And at our Plano Store you will see our new displays of our RD Home Collection where you will find anything you might need for you home. New products are coming in weekly! 

Don't miss out on Hunter Douglas rebates going on now (shutters excluded). Give us a call now to learn more about all our different products and features and benefits of each. We look forward to working with you!

Client Work: Britt's Custom Vignette Roman Shades - Allen, TX

View fullsize

Britt and her family bought a new home in Allen, Texas. Most of her windows are covered with wood blinds, but for her family room she wanted something different. Something that would make a statement and shout elegance.

We choose to start the design with Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades. The Earth toned, textured fabric with the soft folds create a crisp, clean look. And because she has two small children, we added the LiteRise (cordless) lift system because of Child Safety. The shades were installed on the French Doors and on the two narrow windows beside the doors. They were the perfect solution because when lifted they give a great view to the backyard letting her to easily watch the children play and they stack elegantly at the top. And when they are closed they cut the glare on the TV and offer privacy and light control.

Then we went on and added drapery panels to the sides to soften the wall of windows and to add color. Come in to Read Design located in Plano, Texas and Southlake, TX to see our working samples of our Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades. They are offered in semi-sheer, translucent and room darkening fabrics, the two styles and three fold sizes help you create warm, inviting, and beautiful windows!

Providing Hunter Douglas Vignettes to all of these areas: Dallas, North Dallas, Plano, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell, Southlake, Denton, Keller, Roanoke, Benbrook,  Westlake, Fort Worth, Lewisville, Grapevine, Trophy Club, The Colony, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Savannah, Aubrey, McKinney, Allen, St. Paul, Wylie, Sachse, Rockwall, Rowlett, Lucas, Parker, Melissa, Anna, Fairview, Heath, Garland, Richardson, Irving, Las Colinas, University Park, Highland Park, Kessler Park, Euless, North Richland Hills, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Corinth, Arlington, Little Elm, Hurst, Saginaw, Haltom City, Bedford, Watauga, Haslet and many more!

Call 817.416.7164 for Read Design Southlake

Call 972.608.4999 for Read Design Plano