Light & Bright

10 years ago we were busy helping a customer in Plano with their new Town Home. They were lucky to have a great view of a creek from a large window in their kitchen , but it was the only window in the living area other than a couple second story skylights. Their design was more of the Old World look. The Kitchen cabinets were dark, the wood floors were dark and the paint was a golden color. The home was pretty… just dark.

A few months ago the new owner called us for a consultation. “What would you do to give this home a more transitional look” was her question. Our answer. “Paint and that includes the trim”. We also wanted her the paint the kitchen cabinets and that included taking off an Old World Appliqué on the vent. Also new paint on the Fireplace , change out the granite in the Kitchen, new lighter rug and change out the Old World lighting fixtures.

Wow what a difference!! We had the trim painted Extra White and used a very light gray on the wall. I think this changed the look of the room the most. She had the cabinets painted the same Sherwin Williams Extra white. And we changed out the back splash and counter tops. Also many of the globes on the lighting fixtures and added a 72” contemporary ceiling fan.

Now for the finishing details. Those include hardware for the Kitchen cabinets. We are also adding a New Roman Shade for the Window and Door. We are using Vignette by Hunter Douglas. The fabric is the new Cascade Fabric in the soft gray fabric and we will use PowerView lift motorization. One reason Vignettes are so good in situations where the patio right on the other side is their clean construction. There are no rings and cords showing to the outside like many Roman Shades. 

We will also be adding a rug from Loloi rugs. It is a contemporary design using grays, whites, and blues.

We were all pleased with the finished look. Let us know what you think. If you are looking to update your home, gives us a call. We would love to help you get a new light and bright design for your home.

We service Dallas to Fort Worth and all areas inbetween including Colleyville, Grapevine, Westlake, Dallas, Highland Park, Prosper etc.

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.

Light & Bright

After

Before

New Fabrics and Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Wood Shades

We recently were asked to help a client in Plano to help her freshen up her home. This is always a fun sort of project. Helen had many pieces that she wanted to keep but was tired of how dark the room looked. I agreed, it was dark! The first thing to go would be the window treatments. She had old Honeycomb Shades that were in bad condition. They were so old and dingy they felt like bounty paper towels. And she had a DARK cornice with a design that dropped down 6” between each window. It was so dark you could not even see the design on the fabric. She said she did want to keep was her breakfast table and chairs because they are a timeless design and the chairs are equipped with a nice cinnamon colored fabric. So this is where we started.

Helen had the walls painted a beige color from Sherwin Williams and had new carpet installed. They are currently in the process of having a built in made for the television.

We found a striped fabric from Fabricut that had a cinnamon color as well as other earthy colors, only they were bright and easy on the eyes. We restyled the cornice making a straight cornice design and reupholstered it with the stripe fabric. We then found a woven shade from Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Woods collection that had an organic feel. We put a liner on it and used it for privacy. Next we reupholstered one of their very comfortable chairs with a solid soft green chenille fabric and add a lumbar pillow for support.

We also added a taller sofa table that hits the sofa closer to the top and selected a taller lamp and floor lamp that is more the style of the new design. Adding height to the room created a new aesthetic that flows well with the new design of the room.

What is left? We will be reupholstering the sofa and adding two throw pillows. Then we will hang a long iron arch with an earthy wreath above the fireplace and we will add just a few finishing accessories. Helen has done some “shopping" in her own home and has found a number of accessories and pictures that will work with this new design. I love this because it is a blend of the old with the new, keeping things that are important to our client. We will add follow up pictures when the room is complete.

Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Shades

You need to stop by Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake to see the new fabrics in the Provenance Woven Woods line up. We are so excited to see so many new fabrics and all the colors there are available. You can motorize these shades using the PowerView motorization and control them from your smart phone or tablet with the PowerView App. Today people want to open up their homes to the outside and using Provenance Woven shades is a perfect way to do that.

Our Designers can help you design a space just for you.

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!

Corradi USA Outdoor Screen Shades

Embrace Your Surroundings with Shade and Protection from Corradi USA’s Outdoor Screen Shades

With spring approaching, now is a great time to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Exterior shading systems is also a great way to extend the time you spend outside.

Read Design is a Dallas area leader in window treatments and we also carry the complete line from Corradi USA Screen Systems and Awnings!!

Corradi’s extensive line of exterior shading systems can solve virtually every outdoor and indoor sun protection need and provides options for wind and rain protection. The shades can be used to provide extra shade from the outside which protects your floor and furniture from dangerous UV rays. Sleek designs and advanced productions process as well as leading technical partners allow Corradi USA to offer the very best in quality and design. Corradi’s versatile shade systems are ideal for all types of commercial and residential applications.

Corradi USA is part of an Italian company dedicated to bringing vitality and funcionality to outdoor spaces. Creating a Corradi outdoor living space becomes an easy reality with our American manufacturing branch, which is located in Carrollton, Texas. Whether you are enhancing the operational charm of the outdoor comforts of home or are expanding the atmosphere of an energetic commercial establishment, Corradi has the creative solution to your outdoor dream space.

We are happy to provide you with this fantastic product. Stop in today to see the samples and let our designers help you design your outdoor dream space.

The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures

Naturally Inspired, Artistically Designed.

The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures....... only from Hunter Douglas.

Drawing inspiration from design trends and natural woven artistry, the Alustra Collection of Woven Textures was developed as a thoughtfully curated assortment of design-forward fabrics that infuse rooms with a soft yet structured beauty. Like the lustrous silk of a smartly cut blouse or the nubby tweed of a classic chair, the texture and feel of these striking materials add depth and interest to Roman shades, roller shades and skyline Gliding Window Panels.

A sophisticated alternative to woven wood shades or solar screens, the evocative constructions and calends in this edited assortment are crafted with techniques as artistic as they are innovative. The dramatic result makes a statement not only on the windows they dress, but throughout the rooms and homes they enrich and elevate.

With Woven Textures fabrics you can create custom Roman Shades, Roller Shades and Skyline Gliding Window Panels.

Roman Shades crafted with Alustra Woven Textures fabrics create a clean, architectural dimensional look - an Organic look. A fresh take on a traditional treatment, the textural characteristics of of Alustra Woven Textures shades pair perfectly with the soft folds and dimensional style of Roman Shades. This classic form is reimagined with intriguing fabrics, sophisticated design options and advanced operating systems that can be raised and lowered from the top or bottom, imparting a bold linear sensibility. Architectural yet elegant, the result is an elevated design treatment that offers the light-filtering beauty of a traditional screen shade, but with the textural appeal and alluring touch of a soft textile.

Truly beautiful rooms unfurl and open up as you experience easy lovely detail.

Simple, Chic, Style.... Roller Shades.
The Tactile nature of The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures lends a sophisticated quality to the simplicity of roller shades, uplifting this classic form with distinct,inspired fabrics. Providing a backdrop. For a beautifully designed room, this uncluttered style fuses form and function- ensuring privacy and light control when in use amd unobstructed views when not . Innovative features and unique design options make it easy to customize this leading edge roller shade into a remarkable number of spectacular combinations.

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.

Refined Style....Skyline Gliding Window Panels
Create a dramatic presence with the inspired Alustra Woven Textures fabrics and innovative design of Skyline Gliding Window Panels. A refined approach well-suited to more expansive spaces, gliding vertical panels create a striking contemporary look to cover both large windows and doors. Easily coordinated with Rodman and Roller Shades, the smooth-Gliding panels transform from a series of sleek fabric panels to a discreet stack that maximizes views.

Stop in Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake to see the exclusive collection of Alustra Woven Textures by Hunter Douglas. You can touch and feel all of the fabrics and test out the different lift systems available including Ultraglide and PowerView Motorization.
Also at our Plano store see all of the new interior design products in our RD Home Collection. We have a display featuring our Favorite Alustra Woven Textures - Retreat color Pure. We love the organic feel of this fabric and we are showing this shade and pairing it with custom drapery panels.
We have a feeling that this look is going to be a show stopper in 2018.

Call Read Design Plano or Southlake today. We would be happy to meet with you to show you all of the fabrics and help you design your room that will fulfill your dreams
 

Turn Your Bedroom Into A Relaxing Sanctuary

Bedrooms just make life better. Full of everything warm and plush, these spaces act as a balm to life’s stresses. They’re the place where you can fall into a cloud of blankets, turn off the lights and unwind at the end of a long day. Hunter Douglas, a manufacturer of window treatments, offers some tips below to help you get the calming, cozy bedroom of your dreams.

Maximize Automation

Imagine you’re tucked into this cozy bed, ready for a lovely sleep, when you realize you’ve left the blinds open and a light on. Now imagine that instead of getting up, you can fix everything with a click. Smart-home systems let you adjust window treatments, lights and temperature using a smartphone or tablet, all from the comfort of your pillows.

Make a scene. Certain systems let you create and schedule ideal “scenes” that shift throughout the day. Motorized bedroom blinds, for example, can slowly let in the morning light or instantly close for a nine-o’clock-sharp bedtime. Some window treatment automation systems even adjust to ever-changing sunrise and sunset times. 

Don’t want to use an app? You can also operate many of these systems with a remote control — perfect for stashing in your nightstand. Combine smart products into a whole-home automation system to create your perfect sleeping environment without lifting a finger at bedtime: lights out, blinds shut and the room an optimal 65 degrees.

Get the Light Right

Light and, perhaps even more important, lack of light are integral parts of any tranquil bedroom. Pay attention to both sunlight and electric light when planning your sleep haven. The bedroom seen here, for example, strikes a pleasing balance with cellular roller shades, drapes and a sleek bedside lamp. Cellular shades gently diffuse light and lend a soft structure to windows.

If you prefer sleeping in complete darkness, try shades with a room-darkening option or pair your blinds with blackout curtains. If you love the morning sun, consider semi-opaque shades, which offer privacy yet let in some light. Also keep color in mind when choosing window treatments; your bedroom will take on a muted version of their hue as the sun filters through.

Layer your illumination. Even if your bedroom has an overhead light, add bedside lamps for a calming ambiance. The perfect partner for late-night readers, a pair of bedside lamps also provides a pleasing symmetry. Keep the switches within arm’s reach and pick a height that won’t blind you when you’re sitting up. Add other lighting where needed, as well as some aromatherapy candles for a softly scented glow.

Focus on Softness and Flow

Up the cozy factor in your bedroom for an irresistibly snuggly space. Take cues from the airy space seen here and add fluffy pillows (but not enough for a leaning tower), a cloud-like duvet, a comfy reading chair and a cushy rug. 

Layering textures in your bedroom creates a plush cocoon. Look for bed linens made of Egyptian or pima cotton — known for its quality — and with a thread count of 400 to 450. Add a luxurious wool rug, invest in a cuddly blanket and bring soft layers to your windows with light-filtering shades and drapes.

The way you move. Keep your sleeping space free of anxiety-inducing clutter and make sure you can easily move around the room. Add a quiet fan, consider a vented door for passive ventilation or bring in an HVAC expert to keep things cool.

Make It Personal

Fill your bedroom with elements that make you smile, whether it’s travel keepsakes or a special spot to do yoga. The cosmopolitan bedroom seen here is a minimalist’s dream (so take notes if that’s your style). Ideal for a reader, it features a delightful reading nook with a sculptural lamp and a curated tablescape. Simple, light gray roller shades finish the look.

Hang that artwork you bought on vacation, spritz your favorite room spray and choose colors that you equate with calm. Look to icy blue or dove gray for a cool palette, or select a brighter hue if that’s what soothes. When your bedroom is brimming with things you love, it puts you at ease — it feels like your room rather than a hotel room. It’s your space, after all, so why not make it all about you?

*taken from Hunter Douglas Houzz

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.