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Common Window Treatment Terminology You Should Know, Part One

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If you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective way to give the rooms in your home a whole new look, you should consider investing in different window treatments. From decorative shutters to glamorous drapes, there are a variety of ways to spruce of your home’s interior. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some common window treatment terminology you should know before you start shopping for new shades, drapes, or shutters.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles, we’re passionate about helping our customers find the perfect window treatment solution for their needs and budget. Whether you’re thinking about installing energy efficient treatments to keep those heating and cooling bills down, or you’re interested in learning more about the motorization of your blinds, our professionals can help. Check out our website to view some of our recent window treatment projects or contact us today to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our specialists!

Window Treatment Terminology

  • Blinds – Blinds are a type of window treatment that is made from horizontal or vertical slats. They are kept in place with a string, cord, or fabric tape. Materials for blinds often include plastic, metal, wood, and heavy fabric.
  • Curtains – Not to be confused with drapes, curtains are unlined, stationery window coverings that can be hung over a window using a curtain rod or decorative pole. Some curtains can be held back with tiebacks or holdbacks to let some light in as well. They are often constructed from lightweight, sheer, or semi-sheer fabric.
  • Draperies – These are window treatments that are often made from heavier fabric. They can be both stationary and mobile, and they can be used with fabric tiebacks or fixed holdbacks mounted on either side of a window. Draperies can be lined for the sole purpose of insulation or light blocking, and they can be used with a variety of curtain rods. They are available in a variety of hanging styles and common materials include brocade, chenille, suede, and velvet. These window treatments often stretch from floor to ceiling, giving them a more formal look for your dining room, family room, or bedroom.
  • Rod Pocket Curtains – Also called pole top curtains, rod pocket curtains have a horizontal sleeve stitched across the top that you can slide a decorative rod through. This allows the curtain or drapery to be arranged in a soft, gathered look.
  • Shades – The term ‘shades’ can refer to a variety of things. From blinds to pleated shades and roller shades, shades are unique window coverings that can be adjusted to fully or partially expose or cover a window.
  • Sheers- Sheers are lightweight, translucent and finely woven fabrics that can be used to obscure a view while letting plenty of light in. They are often used under draperies to create a uniform layered look.

Once you’ve decided whether or not to go with blinds, draperies, shades, or a combination of a few window treatments, it’s time to look at the different styles that are available. Window treatments can range from casual to formal and traditional to modern. You can choose a style based on your unique needs and budget. Let’s look at a few terms to help you understand the different styles available!

  • Ascot Valance – This is a triangular window treatment that is normally used between matching panels. A double rod is often used here, with the panels on the inside of the rod and three ascots on the outside for a finished appearance. You also have the option to insert an ascot between the panels on a single rod.pexels-photo-462197
  • Blackouts – If you’re looking for a way to block out the sunlight in your bedroom, blackout draperies may be a great solution for you. These draperies are lined or coated window hangings that are made from different heavyweight fabrics. Blackout draperies are specifically designed to block out light and insulate windows so that warm and cool air can’t escape the room. Blackout draperies are also a great way to reduce exterior sounds coming from outside your home.
  • Balloon Valance – This is a straight-across valance that is sewn on as a pocket that can be filled with tissue paper for a full and puffy look. If you choose to leave the pocket empty, you can achieve a more tailored appearance.
  • Cafe Curtains – Also called tiered curtains or kitchen tiers, these short and straight curtains often cover the lower half of a window. Cafe curtains are usually paired with some sort of top window treatment, like a swag valance.
  • Cellular Shades – Most known for its distinctive “honeycomb” fabric construction, cellular shades are very popular across the Los Angeles area. These multi-layered, pleated shades are known to trap air, providing the homeowner with a high level of window installation.
  • Grommet-Top Curtains – Also known as eyelets, grommets are metal, plastic, or rubber rings that can be used to reinforce a hole in fabric curtains or draperies. Grommet-top curtains are hung using these grommets, with the help of a decorative rod that can be threaded through the curtain.
  • Pinch Pleats – A pinch pleat is a three-fold, stitched pleat at the top of a formal drapery panel. These drapes are often hung on a traverse rod using hooks that are inserted into the back of the pleat.
  • Roller Shades – These are flat fabric or vinyl shades that roll up into a cylinder. With most roller shades, the shade can be drawn up and down with the help of a spring. Roll-up shades, on the other hand, can be drawn up with cords or a string.
  • Roman Shade – If you’re looking for a window treatment that will give you a tailored, flat look, you’ll love roman shades. The classic roman shade features a flat face fabric that forms to pleats as the shade is raised. The pleats are made with rings that are threaded with cords on the back of the fabric. This allows the shade to be raised or lowered.
  • Swag – Also known as a jabot, a swag is a decorative window top treatment that features a soft, curving semicircle that is centered on the window with fabric that hangs down on both sides. For a highly decorative top treatment, consider using multiple swags at a time. Longer swags offer a simple window embellishment, and they can be made from virtually any fabric.
  • Thermal Backing – Thermal-backed draperies are specially designed to block out light, heat, drafts, and sounds. They offer an extra layer of insulation that most draperies do not have.

In part two of this blog, we’ll discuss some more common window treatment terminology you should be aware of. If you live in Los Angeles and you’re ready to improve your window treatments, contact Arjay’s Window Fashions today!

Drapes: What, When & Why

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Arjay’s Window Fashions is known for having a wide selection of window treatments to choose from. This is always a fantastic situation to run into because the last thing that you want when trying to shop for window treatments are too few of options.

Our blog post today is going to provide a deeper look into a popular window treatment: drapes. Today we’ll be covering that what, the when and the why behind this treatment so that you can move forward with your window treatment pursuit with an overall better idea of what it is that you’re looking for and how to better determine if this is an option that will actually suit your needs.

What

Blinds are one of the few window fashions that will cover more than just the window. These treatments are made from material and, more often than not, will hang below the lowest part of the window; most commonly to the floor. Because of that factor, these window treatments are one of the most frequently chosen window treatments when styling and aesthetic are the top priorities.

As we just mentioned, this window treatment is made from fabric, which is beneficial for more than just one reason. First off, curtains allow for you to throw them in the washer when they’re even the slightest bit dirty. That goes for dusty, too! If you’re tired of having to figure out a logical way to dust off your window treatments, this is absolutely a great alternative. You can still receive the same amount of control over the lighting, benefit from the energy efficiency, and much more, all with this window treatment.

The second reason that we’re going to cover as to why this window treatment is so beneficial, is that since they are made from fabric, there are so many different options that you can choose from. From solid colors to a wide span of prints, you are able to select a set of curtains that best matches your personality, the styling of your home, and the overall look and feel that you’re trying to go for.

Many window treatments will also provide you with fairly low maintenance, energy efficient tributes, and a selection to choose from. That being said, curtains are also a great way to compliment window treatments that you may already have. We love seeing them paired with plantation shutters or some sturdy blinds.

When

Because curtains are made out of material, they offer a very flowing and soft feel to a room. This is one of the reasons that they make for a great window treatment within a home. That’s not to be said that they can’t be used in office spaces or other options of the sort, but it is something that you will want to take into consideration when choosing the final treatment that you’ll go with.

If you are running a business or styling a room where feelings of softness or emotions are not something that you want to be the primary or firstly noted attribute, then sticking with a harder window treatment – like wooden blinds – would be a better option.

Some of the places that we most frequently see these types of window treatments in are bedrooms, living rooms and sliding glass doors. These are all areas where one wants their guests and family to feel welcome, and they’re some of the most vulnerable and most used rooms in a home, so it makes sense that a soft feeling would be the first choice when choosing a window treatment.

Why

If you’re struggling to determine why these are a window treatment that you would be interested in adding to your home, then there are a few different things that you may want to review before taking the plunge. For the most part, you should really focus on what it is that you’re hoping to get out of your window treatments.

If you’re wanting to have window treatments that you don’t have to do much with, and that you don’t really care about the appearance of, then sticking with a standard blind would be plenty for you and your room. However, if you are hoping to create a feeling in your space, add a touch of personality or style, and have something that’s lower maintenance, but not difficult to maintain when needed, then some high-quality curtains are right up your alley!

Ultimately, the why will always come down to what it is that makes window treatments appealing to you in the first place.This is one of the attributes that we as a team can not pin down for you, but we can help you better understand so that you can make the best decision.  If you are struggling between two different styles, a member of our team would be more than happy to help you determine which type of window treatment is really going to meet your needs.

The team at Arjay’s Window Fashions is built on professionalism and knowledge, all so that we have the ability to help our customers find the treatment that they need. If you’re in the market for a new window treatment, or you could use the assistance of a professional to make your final decision, contact Arjay’s Window Fashions in Ventura, today. We would love to be the ones that help you make the final touches on your home.

As always make sure to keep up with our blog, as we will continue to cover topics that will hopefully be beneficial to you and answer any questions that you may have.

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Transitioning Window Treatments to Fall

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As the temperatures slowly start to drop here in Ventura, the type of care that we need to be providing to our windows will shift. Of course, it’s not necessarily much different than what you’d do on a regular basis, however, the change in weather does require you to be aware of slightly different things.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we specialize in window treatments that help you make the most of your home and the beautiful windows that you have installed. Today we’re going to cover some of the things that you should be doing to both your windows and your window treatments as fall sets in.

Go Thicker

For some, window fashions are similar to articles of clothing; when one season ends, the items of clothing get put away and the current season’s clothing is pulled out. Given the functionality aspect of window treatments, this shouldn’t be much different.

Warmer seasons in Ventura require little maintenance with window treatments because we want to enjoy the sunshine. Even during the hot days of summer, we still keep the treatments light. At this point in the year, they serve more as a blockage from the sun in order to protect our furniture and less to keep our home at a certain temperature.

In the cooler seasons, however, window fashions serve as a great tool to maintain temperature and ensure that all of the work your heater is doing stays inside. That being said, one of the things that you may want to do is switch to your thicker stylings of window treatments so that you can enjoy the warmth of your home even more. Another fun aspect of thicker window fashions, like curtains, is that they add to the feel of your room; they seem to give it a feeling of fall and winter by making the room altogether more cozy.

Soft Whites

One of the many tones that are well known for fall color schemes is soft whites. This is a fantastic and easy way to add a relaxing touch to your home, and it’s one that doesn’t have to be difficult to complete. There are probably many soft white tones throughout your home, but something that you can easily do to make to make them more noticeable is to give them a good wipe down.

It’s not quite the same as spring cleaning, but a good cleaning of your home – any dusty walls, off-white blinds, crown molding, cabinets, and the like – can add much more of a touch of fall than you might realize. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your blinds, make sure to check out our blog for a few tips that can make the cleaning process much easier.

Layer Your Treatments

Another trend that we see happening in the fall is layering. This is a great way to keep warm in the fall, but it ultimately adds an extra texture while also giving that cozy feeling that we were talking about before. One of the looks that we’re crazy about is layering.

With how many different treatments are available, there are quite a few ways that you can incorporate a layering style into your home through your window treatments. One of the primary examples that we love to use is a pairing of shutters and curtains. Both offer a very different feel to a space, which makes the combination of the two an incredible look in any home.

You can also try adding blinds and curtains and really play off that cozy feel. As soon as temperatures warm up again, it’s quick and easy to take the curtains down, or switch them out for lighter ones, so that you can enjoy that light and airy feeling again while temperatures are warm enough.

Incorporate Touches of Fall

There are so many things that make fall a fantastic season, and the beginning of it is just a warm welcome to turning your home into the cozy abode that you’ve always wanted. That being said, another great thing that you can do is add touches of fall throughout your home. Some examples of these would be pumpkins, wreaths, soft candles, and the like. Each of these items adds just a hint of cozy to your home, and in doing so can help you sink even deeper into the season.

One of the ways this can affect your window treatments is by looking for themed treatments. We have plenty of color opportunities that you can choose from, but there are also a variety of designs that make for perfect additions to your home during the cooler seasons of the year. If you do have curtains, and you tie them back, switching this piece of material can also make a huge difference. There’s no doubt that switching from a formal cord to a piece of rope, or something more rustic, will add to the feel of your window treatments.

We’re sure there are plenty of other ways that you’ll be able to add to the look and feel of your home in this time of transition, but there’s no doubt about the fact that these tiny transitions to your window treatment can make an incredible difference.

Arjay’s Window Fashions brings high-quality window treatments to the Ventura area. If you’re in the market for new window treatments in your home, make sure to contact us today and we’ll help you find the best fit for your home. As always, thanks for stopping by our blog. We hope that you continue to browse the many topics that we’ll cover in our blog space.

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Cordless Blinds – What’s The Big Deal?

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It seems like more than ever before, the designs that we create are done so with the intentions of removing some of the minor headaches that we receive through older designs. As a homeowner, it’s nearly impossible not to fall in love with the updated designs and functionalities of kitchen features, design elements, and yard maintenance, which are constantly being worked with. One of the features that people didn’t expect to see improvements and functionalities improved on were window treatments. These various window treatments have designs that are old as time but haven’t ever really had issues with functionality, and even when there were improvements to be made, we saw them. Well, there is one recent improvement of functionality that has been made, and we are crazy about it: cordless application.

The pull cord is something that we have had on window treatments for as long as we can remember, and while they haven’t always been a downfall of the treatment themselves, they are definitely something that we have seen a few difficulties and receive some of those headaches from. In fact, this small detail of the window treatment has made news because of the dangers that it is capable of posing to families.

With this recent change, there definitely has been an increase in the cost of the improved treatment, and for this reason, people seem to turn their backs to all of the possibilities that this new design has. Of course, there are always those changes that happen where you immediately start to wonder if it’s truly a necessity that you are investing in, or if it’s simply a luxury addition. We’ve given this some consideration, and we’ve found that there are a few reasons that this new addition is a must, for some families and people in particular, and not just a strange new feature.

Children

We mentioned earlier that the drawstrings of blinds have made the news, and for good reason. These “harmless” looking drawstrings proved to be extremely dangerous when in the hands of a child that was not supervised. Without understanding the functionality of the strings, children were wrapping themselves up in the cord, and some of them were had the misfortune of being strangled by them. While it seemed like a harmless game or just playing with something that was sitting out, these drawstrings took the lives of too many children. Having been the most common option in regards to window treatments, they continued to be the immediate choice of people that were shopping around or construction companies that were building new homes.

Rather than stick with an option that might be more affordable, having an option that leaves your children safe is something that makes sense to us. The chances of it happening to your child may be small, or even impossible in your mind, but the reality is that they exist. At least, they exist until you eliminate the drawstring that is creating the issue in the first place.

Pets

Children aren’t the only ones that have been put in danger because of the drawstring. Cats and dogs are the two most commonly found pets that seem to struggle with drawstrings and the overall safety of them. For cats, these are merely a toy that they can paw at and play with. Once they see that the string moves, and is connected at the top of the blinds, they find the opportunity to jump onto the blinds and ruin the slats. Other issues that happened in regards to pets were similar to those that happened with children. Dogs would wind up wrapping themselves up in the cord until they could no longer breathe.

The chances of you leaving your child unattended may be slim, but think about how many times a day you leave your dog unattended. Are they wandering around the home while you’re at work? Or even when you’re home, how often do you go and check when your dog isn’t right by your side or barking? This is a concern, one that was big enough to be noted when children were being strangled by the same drawstrings.

Damaged & Dropped

Aside from these two main issues, drawstrings provide an opportunity for the window treatment to be pulled down entirely. If you haven’t ever tried to pull down on a drawstring only to look like an idiot that can’t figure out a window treatment, then consider yourself lucky. Such a simple task seems to be pretty difficult for a majority of society, so we’re going to go ahead and say that it isn’t just us on this one.

When people try to pull too hard, the blinds can come with them. This is another thing that you might not feel is a huge deal, but when you’ve installed these window treatments into the interior of your window frame, it can be a pretty big deal. When this treatment is installed with screws and the actual equipment to hold the blinds, a good tug can bring all of that down, leaving more than just the blinds ruined. This could call for some new equipment to hold new blinds in place, as well as some patches on the interior of the window frame. Rather than let this ever be an issue, you could eliminate the drawstring as a whole.

Cordless blinds offer easy functionality, but they also look incredible and allow for the window treatments in your home to remain safe. Now, we aren’t saying that the standard blinds are an inhumane and horrible option, but there are some instances where these updated designs are going to be a better fit and a much safer option. For instance, the families with children; this is a time where safety can easily be prioritized and is a quick switch. This tiny change is one that has made a revolutionary difference for homes across the world, and while it may not seem like much, to those that had the misfortune of being a case where danger became the end result; it’s one that truly can make a difference. This is primarily the reason that we decided that this change was one that truly was for the better. Taking the cord off of the window treatment is not a luxury for some, it’s a necessity.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we tailor your window treatments to your needs. For any questions that you have regarding this new window treatment design, or any of the other options that might be a good fit for you and your home, call us. We would be more than happy to schedule a consultation where we can review your options and get you set up with the perfect treatments.

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Patterns: Why They Aren’t Scary

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Patterns can be intimidating when you first start to look at the various options that you have. When you are looking at putting them into your home, the last thing that you want is a pattern that is going to clash with the rest of your interior and create an overwhelming look for your family while you’re in the space. Now, we aren’t saying that there aren’t busy patterns that can create a clash of aesthetics in your home because there definitely are, but there are a few ways to make them work. Here are a few tips that you can consider while you determine whether patterned drapes are something that will work in your home.

Solid Accents

If you’re nervous that a pattern might be a little bit overwhelming, then you can balance it by adding solid accents to your home that offset it. For example, if there’s a pattern that you love, but you don’t think you can make an entire room work based off of the pattern, break it down to solids. What we mean by that is create a color scheme off of the colors in the pattern, and incorporate these patterns into your space. If you paint the walls in one solid color and add accent pieces to the room that are in the colors of the pattern, your pattern won’t be as overwhelming. In fact, this is one of the best ways to incorporate a pattern into a space, especially a small space, without it being busy.

Personality

A house is only a house until you make it your own, and when you finally do add those unique touches, you have a home. When you sprinkle those touches of unique, and personal taste throughout your house, you are creating a space that represents you. If you really want to add a unique touch to your home, and one that has some personality to it, you should consider adding a pattern to your home. This is a great way to create a home that is all your own. Of course, you can do this with standard colors, and your classic window treatments, but there are some patterns that can add much more voice to a space than simple colors.

If there’s a pattern that you find that really does create a feel to the space that you’re in, then find a way to incorporate into your space. Window fashions are one of the best, and easiest, ways to get the pattern in there without having to go over the top with how much of a pattern you’re putting in the space.

Texture

Now, texture isn’t something that everyone considers adding to a space, but it is one that can make a room all its own. It can add a feel to a room, but also contribute to an overall aesthetic in the space. A lot of people will try and add texture through the paint on the wall, the material that the couches are made of, or even the grain of the wood. If you have a fairly sleek setup for your room, then adding texture through a pattern can be a fantastic way to add some texture to a space, without having to go and get entirely new furniture. It’s a quick and easy fix and one of the more affordable options that you have for adding texture

These aren’t all of the reasons that patterns can be fun to add to your home, but they are some of the more important ones.  We would love for you to take a chance on the various patterns that we carry; we know that you’ll find one that you love and will fit perfectly in your home.  And if you’re simply not sure about a pattern or how to make the most of it, well, we can help.

When you’re looking for window furnishings that you love, you can count on Arjay’s Window Fashions. We have a wide selection to choose from so that you can finally turn your house, into a home. Call our team today so that we can schedule a consultation and provide you with more information on the installation process that will follow. We can’t wait to be an active part of the finishing touches on your home.

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