Top Five Style Ideas for Bathroom Windows

We're smitten with the slideshow of bathroom window treatment suggested at BHG.com, but we have a few suggestions of our own that didn't seem to have a spot in their roundup of ideas and slideshow.

Check out these style ideas from Better Homes and Gardens and Gordon's Window Decor:

1. Simple, Sheer Curtains

Sheer drapes can add a sense of grace and softness that are inviting to an otherwise earthy bathroom. Also consider using sheer window curtains or even sheer blinds to offset the darker tones found throughout the remainder of the area, especially in a rugged bathroom, such as one featuring many natural materials or a log cabin. Curtains offer added privacy while still allowing sunlight to brighten the room.

2. Location, location, location.

Aside from style, it's important to keep in mind where your window treatment will be, and what materials you will have to use to ward off the effects of heat and humidity. Avoid mold or mildew buildup and rusting by investing in bathroom-appropriate shades, such as the lines with rust-proof hardware that are manufactured by Gordon's Window Decor.
3. Pair Top Treatment with Shades

A simple top treatment paired with sheer roller shades can create the perfect frame to the great outdoors. Light colored shades allow for privacy, but permits light to bathe the room in sunlight. A top treatment provides the finishing touch. These dignified stripes go well with the floral pattern on the walls.

4. Natural materials for earthy atmosphere

Roller shade material comes in many options.

Manay Wheat Manay Oatmeal

Woven and wood window shades can add style and privacy to your bathroom while enhancing a sense of peace. The shades in the bathroom pictured create the perfect addition to the mosaic tub, and the colors accent one another to add to the earthy atmosphere. Woven shades in the texture thumbnails are available at Gordon's on chain-driven mechanism roller shades, or try the green line of roller shades available in eco-friendly materials. Also take a look at wood blinds to get the same earthy feel.

5. Simple = Elegant. Simple+Practical = Brilliant.
You don't need to go overboard with fabric treatments to get what you need out of your bathroom decor. The main thing to focus on, aside from privacy, of course, is insulation and lighting needs. With top-down insulated cellular shades, you can acheive stylish elegance that speaks through your decorating tastes alone, and get the light and views you love. No more than you need, and no less, either.

How to Mix Patterns (without making a mess)

You've seen it done before. It's in all the magazines. But you aren't quite sure what makes you qualified to do it, right?

Mixing patterns isn't has hard as it looks, thanks to a recent story in Better Homes and Gardens. Simple tips - like stick to one color and white - make it almost criminally easy to get that high-fashion look in your very own home.

Even more hopeful? The fact that just by adding color you can make a major improvment to your visual space without spending a fortune.

Still insecure about your ability to pick the right scheme? That's what Gordon's Window Decor is for. Swing by our Essex Jct. showroom for help and ideas.

Story:
Learn How To Mix Patterns (Better Homes and Gardens)

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Fancy Fabrics on a Budget - Top Five Ways to Economize Your Decorating

So, it's a recession, right? Which means, among other things, it's almost nauseating to think about splurging big-time on that much-favored but higher end fabric for large scale decorating of your room.

Well, what about using the high-end fashion prints for accents? The interior design writers at About.com came up with some creative and budget-friendly solutions for how to pull out the bling in a room while still saving some cash. (Content courtesy of About.com)

Here were our favorites from their picks:

1. Valance or Cornice: Traditional valances use lots of gathers - and fabric. Nowadays both valances and cornices are simpler, some requiring flat panels of fabric which will generally require minimal yardage.
   
   
2. Drapery Border: The leading edges or center split of a pair of draperies are the vertical edges closest to the center of a window. Dress up this seam with a flat border of expensive fabric, sewn into drapery panels made of less-expensive yardage goods.
   
   
3. Flat Panel Cafe Curtain: Forget all the and measured pinch-pleats. Next time you need to cover the bottom half of a window for privacy or color consider designing a flat panel curtain. It's easier to sew, and won't get lost in the folds.
   
   
4. Pillow Front: A small accent pillow or a larger bed sham allows you to use expensive fabric on the front of the piece and something simple on the rest.
   
   
5. Border or Hem: A contrasting hem for a bed skirt, drapery panel, or a tablecloth, is one way to spread an expensive fabric around the room.
   

5 Tips for Saving a Bundle on Baby's Room

It's that time of year when tummies bulge and families look towards making room for the new addition.

Decorating baby's room may be big project, but it doesn't have to be a major splurge. That can wait for college. A few smart purchases with durability will make the difference in designing with growth spurts in mind.

Here are some tips on designing for the new bundle:

1. Think continuity: Keep all the decorative accessories thematically similar - when picking out items, keep the "big picture" in your head.

Window treatments count for a large amount of space in a little room - once you have a theme, make sure the flooring, bedding and windows follow suit. Have window treatments reflect the crib set - it doesn't need to be identical fabric - professional decorators mix and match prints all the time - but keep the same style.

2. Simple life: Swags, balloon shades, layered drapes and cascades might not be the way to go and could interfere with the activity level of children. The simpler the window treatments, the more likely it can grow along with the child's room and decor.

3. Clean decor: It's important not only to stick with materials that are easy to clean and can stand many scrubbings, but it's also easy to reduce airborne allergens and harmful UV exposure with wise choices. Cellular shades are great at reducing dust and allergens, and roller shades are, too. Both are available at Gordon's Window Decor.

4. Neutral tones: Bright colors are eye catching and window coverings come in almost any color or pattern these days. But staying with neutral tones on the windows and using stronger colors on walls and bedding allows more flexibility to change in time or, in the case of first-timers, for do-overs.

5. Safety, safety: Since 1995, window covering cords have been designed with child safety in mind. Newer technology has brought cordless shades - an excellent option for homes with kids and pets.

How to Decorate with Accents of Color

A dark economy doesn't mean we have to surround our living space with doom and gloom. In fact, recent trends show home decorating tastes are moving towards the more bright and lively these days.

A great article in quotes home design experts weighing in on what seems to be a changing face of home fashion. After decades of "brown, brown brown" they're seeing more bold and colorful paints used in interior design.

"With concerns over the gloomy economy, consumers are looking for a spark of brightness -- something that feels like fun and makes them smile," said Jaclyn C. Hirschhaut, spokeswoman for the American Home Furnishing Alliance.

At Gordon's Window Decor, we couldn't agree more. Our online shopping tools and Virtual Decorator make it easy to play with color and swap out fabric swatches with different colors for your walls, trim, and shades!

Gordon's has a limitless supply of colors for shades, and our experienced design consultants can help you with your questions or choices.

Here are some tips on how to decorate with colorful accents:

• Choose a color that's a personal favorite. You will find a spot for it somewhere because you'll love it unconditionally.

• Use a single bright or fun piece in a room with neutral colors or traditional furnishings. Color and whimsy are most effective when they are unexpected.

• Coordinate accent colors with existing colors. Add bright yellow bar stools to a pale yellow kitchen, for example. Or put a coral dresser in an aqua bedroom.

• Don't take yourself too seriously. It's your home; you should decorate in a way that pleases you.

• Don't be afraid of making mistakes. When all you're adding is a single, inexpensive accent, you can afford an oops! occasionally.

Top Five Affordable Ways to take advantage of Federal Tax Credits

All the home improvement and DIY decor blogs are abuzz with folks chattering about how they want to take advantage of the federal energy efficiency tax credit. Who wouldn't?

But a common theme pervades: All those hot new eco-trends seem too expensive!

The U.S. Dept. of Energy estimates homeowners can save 30% on their heating and cooling bills by adding insulation and air-sealing to their homes.

“The new tax credits can help homeowners defray the cost of several types of energy efficiency upgrades, making them more affordable at this time of economic strain for many” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency for a recent article by RisMedia (rismedia.com).

“By tightening up their homes with added insulation...and sealing of doors and windows, homeowners will enjoy lower heating and cooling costs, too,” Callahan added.

Keeping that in mind, we've compiled the Top 5 Most Affordable Energy Efficient Home Improvements Using the Federal Tax Credit:

1 -Insulate The Roof - up to 25% of heat is lost through the roof. And it doesn't have to involve hiring contractors and major expenses. Check it out - the government has tips on how to do it yourself.

2- Cover windows with Energy Smart coverings.
EcoSmartShades have been certified for the tax credits when used with the energy tracks. We custom cut them to size, and if you're looking to really save we have DIY installation instructions online. Visit our site to learn more about them or order online. Or find stores near you.

3- Replace dying appliances with EnergyStar.
Do make sure they are eligible for tax breaks. Sure, it might not be the time to splurge on just anything, but look for that logo when replacing an old battered appliance that is on its last legs. And do it by Dec. 2010!

4. Insulate Hot-Water Pipes
Wrap all hot-water supply pipes with foam rubber insulation. The dense rubber will keep water that's trapped in the pipe hotter for longer, reducing the time you have to run cold water while you wait for it to heat up. As a bonus, you'll save on fuel to heat the water.

5- Sneaky Leaks: Cover up skylights, sliding doors, and get storm doors!
Cover skylights and sliding glass doors with energy-saving window treatments, and consider adding storm doors. The energy efficiency tax credit includes purchases of storm doors meeting requirements. Skylights and sliding doors can be easily overlooked, but are just as bad culrpits as windows. EcoSmart Shades also provide custom-cut tracked shades for these uses - and as always, we offer free fabric samples.

For more on home improvements with the tax breaks visit:
Alliance to Promote Energy Efficiency
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
The Internal Revenue Service
EnergyStar Tax Credits rundown