Deep Blue Accents

CREATE A FEELING OF POSITIVITY

Deep blue, similar to the color of the night sky or a beautiful sea, suggests a mood of calm and harmony. This beautiful color comes with several names and nuances, including: Cobalt, Royal Blue, Navy, Indigo, Lapis, Mediterranean Blue and Midnight Blue. 

Deep blue complements almost any design plan, from the most modern look to Asian décor to traditional and Victorian styles. 

CONSIDER THESE COLOR COMBINATIONS

Deep blue works as a beautiful accent with neutrals such as grey, ivory, white and beige, and it even pairs well with lighter shades of blue. On the cool side of the color spectrum, deep blue is beautiful when combined with periwinkle, lavender and pink. 

Deep blue can also help to bring attention to other colors in a room, especially complementary warm hues, such as copper, rust, tangerine, lemon, and ochre. 

WHERE TO USE DEEP BLUE ACCENTS

Consider using a deep blue tone in the following ways: 
– In striped, plaid or gingham patterns
– For a dramatic accent wall in your powder room or foyer
– Paired with soft and gauzy white fabrics for a summer décor
– To create a nautical or beachy theme
– To build an Asian look with ceramic stools, lamps and vases
– To invent a Moroccan style with patterned tile, fabrics and rugs 

Create peacefulness in your interior plan this year by adding a touch of deep blue. 

Windows With Bad Views

Here in the Dallas, Texas area new homes are popping up everywhere. It is truly amazing. However, sometimes it seems as though the home building are piling these large homes one of top of the other. It almost feels like you can reach your arm out and touch your neighbor! We recently helped a client in Plano who had exactly this problem. Her home is stunning, but the distance between her home and her neighbors was less than eight feet. The view from her three large dining room windows were a brick wall along with the neighbors air conditioner unit and meters. This was definitely an issue as no one wants to look at that mess while eating a lovely family dinner. What a sore sight!

Our solution for this bad view is simple. We did not want to cover this windows with blinds or shutters as this was the only light entering this room. We still wanted to keep it light and bright. So instead of putting something heavy, we decided to go with a sheer drapery. It is a dining room, after all, so the drapery is a perfect way to dress up the room and solve the visual issue with the view. The sheer fabric we chose has a delicate pattern for added interest and style. The fabric is from a beautiful line in the Kravet Collection. We used a zip rod from Design Elements so they can pull the draperies open if they want to. This window treatment lets light diffuse into the room while hiding the ugly view and dressing up the room. Style and function! What a beautiful combination. If draperies aren't your thing, there are other window treatment options to explore. 

If draperies aren't your thing, there are other window treatment options to explore. 

In a room with more light, you might consider plantation shutters in the 4.5 inch louver. You can tilt the louvers slight to let plenty of light in while still hiding the unwanted view. Keep in mind, shutters will always take away more light because it is a heavy and solid window treatment, so make sure you have plenty of windows and an airy, large room.

Another option would be to look into Pirouette or Silhouette Window Shadings from Hunter Douglas. These two unique products offer the versatility and control most people love. In fact these are my absolute favorite window treatments to use in homes and ten times out of ten, my clients are thrilled. Silhouette shades with the Signature S vane will transform light. Fabric vanes float between two sheers that create a beautiful and functional look. This innovative design will defuse light and soften the view outdoors. They allow for daytime privacy and offer 88% UV blockage in the tilted position. Pirouette shades with its striking design will dramatically filter light in a way you've never seen before. Unless, of course, you're familiar with the product! These shades will give you a softened view to the outdoors along with giving you the look of a traditional fabric shade. Both of these beautiful window coverings come in a variety of fabrics giving you many textures and colors to choose from. It is easy to find the right fabric for your space.

You might even consider the Duette Architella Honeycomb Shade with the Top Down/Bottom Up design feature. This allows you to lower your shade from the top for maximum privacy as well as blocking unsightly views while offering light control. Duette® Honeycomb Shades are the original cellular shades, specifically engineered to provide beauty and energy efficiency at the window in both cold and warm climates. Their honeycomb construction traps air in distinct pockets, which creates insulation that can help lower your energy consumption and energy bills. Duette shades are available in an expansive range of pleat sizes, fabrics, colors, opacities and textures. Innovative operating system design options such as Top-Down/Bottom-Up and Duette Duolite® make these shades a top choice for any window, skylight or even specialty window shapes like arches, sidelights and circles.

The newest option to haze the ugly view would be to use Vignette Modern Roman Shades with the Duolite option. You can use a sheer fabric to distract, but not cut out light. For two opacities in a single shade, consider the revolutionary Duolite® option. Vignette Duolite combines a light-filtering or sheer front shade with a built-in room-darkening back panel both housed on a single roller to easily achieve the perfect level of light and privacy. My favorite fabric in this collection is called Layla and I can't wait to show you!

All of these beautiful shades come in a variety of lift systems including the PowerView Motorization from Hunter Douglas. Control your shades with the touch of a button or use the PowerView App! The PowerView App unlocks the full potential of PowerView Motorization. Using the App, you can control your shades with a swipe of a finger. Or, create customized Scenes that move the shades to positions you set, and automate those Scenes to operate on their own throughout the day.

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.

Fresh Ideas For Your Home - Gray

Add nuance to your design plan with soft shades of gray.

Neutral gray adds elegance and versatility to home decorating.

The most common neutrals used in home design are shades of white, beige, ivory and cream. Gray is a surprising and elegant choice that’s flexible and sensuous, and never drab or mousy, despite its stereotype. And gray isn’t only a neutral; darker and more intense shades of gray can be a focal point of your color scheme rather than a background shade. 

Gray is definitely not one color, and seldom is it a pure mix of black and white. Its range includes cool and warm tones because most shades of gray incorporate touches of yellow, blue, pink, green or other colors. 

Most often, gray is a peaceful, easy color that makes a room feel serene, although it can be edgy and super modern when it’s used for elements like concrete flooring and countertops. Gray plays well with lots of colors because it allows other colors to grab all the notice. Perfect to pair with gray are pink, blue, acid green, gold, black, brown and white. 

If you’d like to start small with a touch of gray, consider throw pillows, table and bed linens, lamps, artwork and wall paint. Larger design features include:   

• Kitchen cabinets or counters 

• Window coverings 

• Rugs and carpeting 

• Upholstered furniture 

• Tile and stone

Want to clear away the drab and mousy in your home decor? Plan on adding gray this year!

Motorization Is Not Just For Shades

Our Motorization Event has been going strong and it continues until September 11, 2017. So if you are building a new home or in the process of a Home Renovation or updating to new window coverings, you might consider using Power.

Introducing PowerView Motorization only from Hunter Douglas.

PowerView Motorization is the Future. With Builders putting in more and more windows and even adding upper windows, PowerView will add ease of operation. These Window Shades are powered by battery or if you are in the building stage, you can add wiring at the windows. We would be happy to give you some insight as to how this can be done and walk you through the process. Or you can also read back through the past few Blogs to learn more about PowerView.

But we are not only adding Power to Shades and Shadings, we can also help you with Motorizated Drapery Treatments.

We recently helped a client in Southlake with their master bedroom. They have 2 windows on the side wall where we installed New Style Shutters made by Hunter Douglas. The back window, though, is where we had more of a challenge. The window is actually a sliding door and the view to the back yard is beautiful so we wanted to open this up with draperies. The client wanted to easily open the draperies so we installed them using a Drapery Rod that is operated with power. They love the ease of operation opening the bedroom to the outdoors!

Where to find Motorization in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area.

Stop in today at Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake. Our Designers can help you with Shades by Hunter Douglas using PowerView Motorization and can also help you with custom Window Treatments and these can be powered as well. There are so many fabrics to choose from and many rod selections too. We can walk you through the steps to help you get acquainted with Motorization.

We service Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Southlake and all areas in between

The Summer PowerView Motorization Event - Part II

Now it is Time to Meet the PowerView Family only from Hunter Douglas

Pebble and Surface Remote

The stylish and colorful handheld Pebble Remote or the Wall-mounted Surface Remote puts direct adjustment at your fingertips. Operate individual or groups of shades with the push of a button. 

PowerView App

Customize your collection of Rooms and Scenes with the App, then use the scheduling feature to operate them whether your are home or away. It is designed for compatibility with Apple, iOS, and Android tablets and mobile devices. 

Pebble and Surface Scene Controller

When your tablet or smartphone isn't handy, the Scene Controller works seamlessly with the PowerView Hub and App to trigger the Scenes you have created, adding even more convenient control. 

PowerView Hub

Our elegantly designed Hub connects wirelessly to your home WiFi network. It is the central point of control for all your home's PowerView window treatments, storing your settings and activating your Scenes.

PowerView Repeater

The Repeater is a small signal enhancer that discreetly plugs into almost any outlet to extend signal range and carry commands throughout your home. It also provides customized lighting day and night via its illumination features. 

Those are the members of the PowerView Family only from Hunter Douglas. So as you wish, choose your level of control. 

Start With The Basics

Use the PowerView Pebble Remote or the small-mounted Surface Remote- to quickly adjust any single, powered window treatment or groups of shades with just a push of a button. 

Upgrade To A Full Smart-Home Solution 

Say goodbye to lost remotes. Instead, conveniently control your window treatments from you tablet or smartphone. With the PowerView App, you can send shades to specific positions with just the swipe of a finger.

Even better? Get the most from your smart shades by creating customized Scenes. Then, use the scheduling feature so your shades move automatically to your preferred positions. PowerView does all the work for you--on the days and timing that perfectly fit your lifestyle. 

Connect With Other Smart-Home Systems. 

The PowerView system is designed for compatibility with most home automation system technologies on the market today, as well as Apple, iOS, and Android tablets and mobile devices to expand the function of your wireless home.

Please be sure to visit the PowerView Compatibility page at hunterdouglas.com for the latest information on compatible systems and devices. 

Soon we will be talking about a Day with PowerView and also Motorized Drapery Treatments. But for now stop in and see all of the displays at Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake.If you are building a New Home or are in the process of redoing the home you live in,give us a call.Our designers can help you find the look that is exactly your style.They are familiar with all of the products, fabrics and colors.If you are interested in going a step further with Drapery Treatments, they can assist you there also.We have fabrics from all of the major companies and more.We would love to help you.Also ask for a copy of the new Art of Window Dressing Book. 

PowerView Motorization in Prosper and Colleyville.We also service Dallas, Plano, Southlake, Grapevine, McKinney, Allen, Keller, Fort Worth, Celina, Lantana, Robson Ranch, Carrollton, Highland Park, Richardson, Trophy Club, North Richland Hills, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and all areas inbetween.

The Summer 2017 PowerView Motorization Event

See our Luminette Privacy Sheers in operation with the PowerView Motorization System from Hunter Douglas. We used the PowerView App on this customers iPhone to open and close these beautiful shades.

From now until September 11, Read Design Plano and Read Design Southlake will host a number of Motorization Events including 2 Thursday "Wine and Design" nights focusing on PowerView Motorization by Hunter Douglas. There will also be Exclusive Promotions, Coupon Giveaways , and a drawing at each Store for the Brand New PowerView Hub. Stop by and you will also receive the New Art of Window Dressing Book!

So lets get in to it......... PowerView Motorization! 

Smart Home, Smart Living

With PowerView Motorization from Hunter Douglas, the worlds most beautiful window treatments are now the most intelligent. This innovative wireless system lets you move any powered Hunter Douglas window treatment according to the schedules you set. Perfect lighting, energy efficiency, everyday convenience - its all delivered automatically with PowerView. It's technology at your service.

Hunter Douglas Duette PowerView Shades Top Down Bottom Up Room Darkening

PRECISE OPERATION

Whether you want to move the shades up or down, or tilt or traverse them, PowerView Motorization gives you precise and convenient control of your beautiful Hunter Douglas window treatments.

AUTOMATED LIVING

With the PowerView App, you can quickly create customized Scenes that control all the shades in your home, operating together or in any combination your desire. Then, just schedule those Scenes to automatically move your shades to your preferred positions.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Use PowerView Motorization to move your shades according to the sun's daily patterns. Having your shades in the right positions can reduce solar heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter, and could help you lower your energy bills.

SECURE

Adjust your shades for added security while you're away via the RemoteConnect feature on your smartphone or tablet.

CHILD FRIENDLY

Simple cord-free operation is aesthetically pleasing and safer for homes with children and pets.

STYLISH

With the widest array of innovative styles, colors, and fabrics in the industry, Hunter Douglas window treatments embody beautiful form and function.

BATTERY POWERED

Most PowerView window treatments are battery powered, so they're easy to install, operate, and maintain. The battery pack is hidden behind the head rail, so there is nothing to mar the beauty of your window treatments. *Wired window treatments are available - ask us how!

This is the Beginning of PowerView. In a few days you will meet the PowerView Family.

But now if you are buying a new home or if you are making improvements to your current home, stop by either Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake and let our qualified designers show you all of the Window Shadings that can be powered. We can show you fabrics that will work with your life style and give you ideas on how to set your scenes. We can show you the latest trends and current styles. We are a Family business and are excited about all that is new with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization.

We service all of these areas.  Plano, Dallas, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Allen, Celina, Prosper, Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Richardson, Carrollton, Frisco, Little Elm, Lewisville, McKinney, Preston Hollow, Trophy Club, Fort Worth, Farmers Branch , Park Cities, Rockwell, Roanoke, Arlington and everywhere inbetween.

Beauty Is In The Layers

Layer The Look

It all begins with Hunter Douglas Silhouette Duolite Shades.

Our Favorite projects are those where we can put together a look designed specifically with you in mind. A look that cannot be repeated because it is unique to your style.

Recently we helped a client in North Dallas who had remodeled her ranch style home. More square footage was added to the master bedroom as well as three extra windows for more light. She wanted a whole new look which included furniture and decor. We decided on a soft contemporary design using neutral fabric colors for versatility and texture for an element of design. She needed privacy during the day and a room darkening option for nightfall without losing her light during the day. The second layer needed to be different and have the best solution to meet all of her design requirements is Silhouette Duolite Window Shading only from Hunter Douglas. The Duolite is a room darkening shade that falls behind the Silhouette making it darken the room and provide complete privacy. This unique product provided a solution to all of our clients window covering and design needs. With so many windows, the window coverings are a very important feature and focal point. There was no other option for this homeowner! And she loves the way they look and function. We decided to use Silhouette in the Alustra Collection Brio fabric for her bedroom because the beautiful textured fabric adds a unique element. She can leave the shades in the opened position during the day while still getting privacy, UV protection and allowing light to cascade into the room. 

For the final layer we added these soft contemporary sheers with a nice texture and modern pattern creating a sophisticated look. This is a soft linen sheer fabric from Kravet. The neutral colors accent the shades and wall paint while providing a softness. It's everything we wanted the finished look to be. It paired very well with the gray velvet chaise and neutral bedding. By mounting the drapery panels at the highest point and letting them flow to the floor, we draw your eyes up and make the room feel larger and maximize out space. It all aligned beautifully and we couldn't be happier! We plan on adding a touch of color using pillows, accessories and art. 

Another feature we added for easy operation and convenience is PowerView Motorization. This exclusive automation system makes raising and lowering your shades a breeze. These are intelligent shades that simplify your life. Particularly convenient in the master bedroom, you can set schedules to have your shades move to any desired position at any particular time of day. Have your shades rise with the sun to get an early start to your day and have them lower with the sunset to ensure privacy. Or simply shout out to Alexa to set your desired position. The PowerView system is so versatile it can be paired with most home automation system including Nest, IFTTT, Amazon Echo, Control 4, Logitech and more!

“The secret to a well-designed room is the selection of truly special products that beautifully weave light and texture together with ultimate functionality and performance.”

Silhouette by Hunter Douglas

Silhouette window shadings are designed to offer a surprising combination of light-diffusing textured sheers and light-controlling soft fabric vanes that enhance the ambiance of a room. In an understated ethereal way, they bring a textural quality that is naturally illuminating, quickly signifying style and subtle sophistication. Undeniable, natural light is one of the most precious elopement of any environment and of good design. These organic textured sheers magically transform light and offer an evolving art that elevates any room with a refined aesthetic. 

The Silhouette Duolite feature gives another layer to an already exclusive product. This feature allows a room darkening liner to lower for more privacy and a darker sleeping environment. Silhouette Duolite shadings seamlessly combine a Silhouette shading together with an independently operated room-darkening roller shade that nestles behind it in the same headrail. The addition of the roller shade enhances the room darkening and privacy benefits of Silhouette, while still allowing you to enjoy the softly diffused light and view through that Silhouette shadings are known for. Once the Silhouette shading is down with the vanes open, the room-darkening roller shade can be positioned in the window at any height to allow maximum flexibility when determining your light control and privacy needs. The shade can even be completely recessed into the headrail and out of sight.

Where To Find Hunter Douglas And Custom Drapery

Find it all here at your one stop shop for all your interior design needs! Read Design in Plano and Southlake have been creating beautiful designs for 30 years! Stop by either of our showrooms to learn how we can transform your home into a unique living space designed just for you. We can walk you through all of the beautiful window fashions Hunter Douglas offers and discuss features and benefits of each one. We will be showcasing our updated fabrics for each product line and introducing our brand new products beginning May 16th! We are very excited about this! 

Areas we service: Southlake, Plano, Dallas, Highland Park, Colleyville, Coppell, Celina, Fort Worth, Prosper, Gunter, Roanoke, Trophy Club, Allen, Frisco, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Robson Ranch, Keller, McKinney, Carrollton, Euless, Arlington, Rockwall, Richardson, Murphy, Lewisville, Anna, Denton, The Colony, Little Elm and every where in between!