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Blinds Inspiration: National Puppy Day

/ Alicia Chan

National Puppy Day is on March 23rd, so we’re sharing which dog breeds remind us of certain window coverings. Let’s dive right in!

Disclaimer: Multiple dogs could have represented the categories below. If you have a suggestion, please tell us in the comments!

Wood Blinds – Chocolate Lab

As American and traditional as apple pie – wooden blinds and chocolate labradors. Reliable, beautiful and family-friendly (especially with our Cordless Lift).

Left: 2″ Select Basswood Wood Blinds in Beaver Brown

Woven Wood Shades – Goldendoodle

The natural frays from woven wood’s reed and bamboo fibers remind us of Goldendoodle’s wispy fur. Woven wood shades also fold over easily, and if you try holding a Goldendoodle pup, you’ll see they flip and flop every which way.

Classic Cordless Woven Wood Shades in Golden Poppy

Vertical Blinds – Great Dane

Great Danes seem to sway whenever they move due to their size, and it reminded us of the vertical blinds’ movement as you draw them open.

Designer Vertical Blinds in Textured Ink

Roman Shades – Corgi

We picture corgis living anywhere from wealthy homes to a secluded English cottage. Same with Roman Shades. They work with various interior design styles, thanks to the fold, pattern and color options!

Lifestyle Roman Shades in Breeze

Curtains/Drapery – Shar Pei

Shar Pei are all rolls (adorable) and drapes have a lot of rolls. Some curtains, like Jewel Tone Drapery, even have 200% fullness.

Jewel Tone Drapery in Velvet Topaz

Mini Blinds – Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are known for being yappy dogs. If you’ve ever bumped into mini aluminum blinds or tried using broken ones, you know they make quite a bit of noise.

1″ Premier Aluminum Blinds in Pure White

Roller Shades – Australian Shepherd

Aussies have so many different color combinations from their fur to their eyes. As working dogs, they’re reliable to get the job done. Rollers are extremely durable with its PVC material, and they come in lots of colors and patterns.

Luxe Modern Light Filtering Roller Shades in Refined Honey

Cellular Shades – Pitbull

Cellular shades are one of the most commonly used window coverings, partly due to their efficiency. When thinking of a common dog, we thought of the beloved pittie. They’re a bit goofy-looking, like cellular shades (in our opinion), and great family dogs.

Designer Sleep Shades in Spanish Brown

Solar Shades – Weimaraner

Solar shades are made with a sleek colored polymer, and the Weimaraner looks so slick that water could roll off it.

Traditional Solar Shades in Vapor Gray 3%

Sheer Shades – Pomeranian

Sheer blinds are so delicate that you might worry you will damage them (you won’t); similarly you have to look down with these pups to make sure you don’t step on them.

3″ Refined Light Filtering Sheer Shades in Linen Creme

Shutters – Golden Retriever

A classic dog for a classic shade. We love how shutters can be versatile in different households, and Goldens fit any family.

White Faux Wood Shutters in Vanilla

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to talk more about shades – or dogs. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Are Room Darkening Shades Worth It?

/ Alicia Chan
Premier Room Darkening Dual Shade in Fossa

If having a private, low-lit room is important to you, then absolutely, they’re worth it! Room darkening shades do exactly what they say – they darken a room.

Because of their vinyl material, they block up to 95% of incoming light. This results in lower energy costs, increased privacy, and increased protection against UV rays.

Room darkening shades are the ideal option for rooms that needs less sunlight, such as theater rooms or nurseries. They also are great for people who want to improve their sleep cycle. Dark rooms have been shown to help people fall asleep faster and even improve their health!

Common Questions About Room Darkening Shades

What’s the difference between room darkening shades and blackout shades?

Room darkening blinds, or shades, block out up to 95 percent of incoming light. Blackout shades can block out up to 99 percent.

What if a shade I like isn’t technically “room darkening”?

Several window shades, like woven wood shades, have an option to upgrade to a room darkening or blackout liner. The liner restricts light from going through the shades’ fabric.

How can I block or limit light coming in from the sides?

Whether you have a room darkening shade or not, you can mount your window covering on the outside to prevent extra light from filtering in through the sides. Another way to accomplish a room darkening effect is to layer curtains over your window treatment.

Here are some we’re loving right now!

Little Adventurer Room Darkening Roller Shades in Charcoal Woodland Traveler

Coastal Curtains in Dusty Teal

Traditional Room Darkening Dual Shades in Oak Brown

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more about room darkening shades. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Three Questions to Ask When Buying Solar Shades

/ Alicia Chan
Traditional Solar Shades in Dark Iron 10%

The six extra weeks of winter are almost over, and we cannot wait for warmer weather. (That’s saying a lot given SelectBlinds is based in Arizona.) As you’re getting ready for more sun, consider incorporating solar shades into your home.

Solar shades operate like roller shades; however, the material is often less dense than rollers. This means solars can be fully lowered and still provide an outside view (more on that later). Other features include:

  • UV Protection: Solar shades reflect light and can block up to 95% of harmful UV rays. They keep furniture from being damaged while also reducing the glare on screens.
  • Energy Efficient: In the hot weather months, interior solar shades can reduce incoming heat by 30 to 70 percent, which will help decrease energy costs.
  • Kid Friendly: All our shades are available with a Cordless Lift, which is the safest style for homes with young children. Some solar shades have an option to upgrade to Motorization.

To match the right shade to your lifestyle, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where is the placement of the shade?

Lifestyle Motorized Solar in Pearl 3%

A basic but important question. Are these shades going inside or outside? That will determine if you need interior or exterior solar shades.

Both are made of durable PVC materials, but exterior solar shades are generally constructed from weather-proof materials. Interior shades are moisture and mold-resistant, so they can be in rooms regardless of humidity.

2. What level of openness do you want?

Left: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 3%; Right: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 14%

Openness refers to the tightness of the fabric weave, which is an indication of the percentage of light that can penetrate through. Our blinds range from 1% to 14%.

A low number, or low openness percentage, means the fabric is tightly woven. The low percentages (i.e. 1-5%) block out more UV rays and offer more privacy. With a low openness, the outward visibility through the shade is limited.

A high openness percentage (i.e. 14%) has a looser fabric weave, which means there’s more visibility and still a decent glare reduction.

Tip: Lighter colors for interior or exterior solar shades can block more glare, and darker colors improve your visibility to the outside.

3. Should you add a layer?

Designer Series Fashion Solar Screen in Balboa 4%

Remember, solar shades reflect light. During the day, it blocks a view into your home from the outside while allowing you to see from the inside out.

The effect is reversed during the evening. The solar shades reflect the lights in your home, which blocks your outward view and allows visibility from outside the home.

So, should you add a layer for privacy? It’s really up to you!

If the solar shade faces your backyard, privacy may not be a big concern. If your solar shade faces a street and you want privacy, consider layering curtains so that you can close them at night and block visibility from the outside.

Now that you know the basics, get ready for the first day of spring and order free Solar Shade samples! Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn which solar shade is best for your home. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

You’ll love us because we’re easy

/ Alicia Chan

Big things are happening at SelectBlinds! We’re kicking off our rebranding campaign today by debuting our new commercial!

When our team brainstormed how to make shopping and installing window coverings easier (and more fun, honestly), we realized buying blinds is kind of like dating. We’ll let the commercial explain the rest.

(A big “thank you” to Raindrop Agency for the transformation!)

What does this mean for our customers? Don’t worry, it’s not a catfish situation. 

We’re still empowering people to create spaces they can be proud of. Even though we are a DIY company, we are there for you every step of the way when you need us! 

You may have noticed our new color palette and refreshed logo have appeared on our website and packaging. What you can expect in the coming months are new brand initiatives, more eye-catching visuals and some flirtatious content. 

We look forward to satisfying more customers with our exceptional customer experience, diverse selection and helpful resources. You’ll love us because we’re easy.

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Light Up Your Life and Home with the Right Window Shades

/ Alicia Chan
Architect Light Filtering Panel Track in Modern Gray

One reason people buy new window coverings is because they’re looking to increase their light control. After all, too much light can eventually fade your furniture or floors if there’s too much exposure to UV rays.

But don’t let that keep you from blocking away all light. Natural light does have its benefits like:

  • Boosting Vitamin D
  • Improving your sleep cycle
  • Producing serotonin and endorphins
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Saving energy and money on electricity

Now that you know the benefits, you can decide exactly how much light you want in your home. Some products are better suited if you’d like more light versus if you want no light at all. We broke down our products into three broad categories based on how well they allow light in.

High Light Filtering

Designer Light Filtering Dual Shade in Coastal Cream

Light is softly diffused through the sheer fabric of these products.

Moderate Light Filtering

2″ Modern Wood Blinds in Fontana

Sunlight flows directly through when the slats are titled open. There is no fabric between the opened slats.

Low Light Filtering

Classic Fabric Light Filtering Roller Shades in Dove

Sunlight comes in when these shades are raised. When they are lowered, light typically does not flow through.

Visit our website for an in-depth look at which shade is best suited for your light control needs, or call our Design Consultant Team at (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Blinds Inspiration: Romantic Comedies

/ Alicia Chan
Credit: Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

Love is in the air, and streaming services are promoting romantic comedies like grocery stores are pushing heart-shaped chocolates. We’re jumping on the bandwagon and choosing window coverings that remind us of popular rom-coms.

Palm Springs

Left: Hulu Credits; Right: Designer Reserve Roman Shades in Palma Sea

This movie is a West Coast take on the classic stuck-in-a-time-loop-until-we-learn-something storyline. Staying in theme, we picked Designer Reserve Roman Shades in Palma Sea with its sketch-like palm fronds.

Crazy Rich Asians

Left: Warner Bros Picture Credit; Right: Cozy Curtains in Green Matte Velour

This was a hard decision given the beautiful, bold color palette. However, we went with one of the most memorable scenes: Colin and Aramint’s wedding. We loved the green hues that surrounded Aramint as she gracefully walked on the water-filled aisle, starting with those light olive green curtains. Hence our Cozy Curtains in Green Matte Velour.

Just Friends

Left: New Line Cinema Credit; Right: Lifestyle Custom Drapes in Anthracite Chandelier over Lifestyle Light Filtering Roller in Ancient Ivory

If you experience secondhand embarrassment easily, then you remember this movie. We wanted to elevate the drab window coverings Chris had in his childhood room – he had a happy ending after all. Instead of aluminum blinds, we went with the Lifestyle Light Filtering Roller in Ancient Ivory layered under Lifestyle Custom Drapes in Anthracite Chandelier. He needed a brighter outlook anyways.

When Harry Met Sally 

Left: Columbia Pictures Credit; Right: Premier Light Filtering Cellular Shades in Pumpkin Spice DC

We could feel the east coast crisp air watching Harry and Sally meet time and time again in New York City. They looked chilly as well with their jackets and sweaters. With that in mind, we went with the double cell Premier Light Filtering Cellulars in Pumpkin Spice. The burnt orange hue reminded us of the leaves changing in Central Park, and they’ll need the double cell construction for extra insulation against the cold.

The Notebook

Left: New Line Cinema Credit; Right: Sheer Curtains in Sheer Pure White Crepe

We know it’s not a comedy, but we had to add it to the list. Noah created Allie’s ideal mansion – blue shutters and all. We love his choice of flowing sheer drapes throughout the house that added to the romance. That’s why we picked our Sheer Curtains in Sheer Pure White Crepe.

*This blog is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the mentioned streaming services or shows.*

Brighten Your Home with Pastels

/ Alicia Chan
William Morris Roller Shade in Willow Bough Mocha

The emergence of pastels in interior design is here to stay. These muted, soft hues have been around for years, and they recently grew in popularity in 2020 when people were looking for a calming presence in their home. Fast forward to today and pastels continue to be the color of choice.

Pastels invoke comforting feelings and can make a room feel brighter. Incorporating these light hues is easy because they don’t compete with bold or deep existing colors in the home; instead, it compliments them.

Create a welcoming, warm atmosphere with our William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. The luxury collection features 28 pastel color combinations across six sophisticated designs in roller shades, drapery and roman shades.

Breakaway from Bland with the V&A William Morris Collection

/ Alicia Chan
William Morris Drapery in Pimpernel French Grey

Bring the natural world indoors with the V&A William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. This luxury collection features 28 color combinations across six sophisticated designs in roller shades, drapery and roman shades. 

William Morris was a great champion of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the 19th century. Morris’ designs interweave flowers, trees, birds, animals and insects influenced by the greenery in his own garden and from walks along the riverbanks.

If you’re exhausted from your monotonous window coverings, it’s time to break away from bland and entertain one of these delightful, renowned patterns.

Marigold – 1875

Marigold Steel Blue

No one did more to turn the Victorian interior into a romantic garden quite like Morris. But Morris’ designs were always subtle, stylized evocations of natural forms rather than literal transcriptions. With a natural eye for pattern, Morris produced furnishing textiles and wallpapers that not only balanced figuration and order, but which were (unusually for the time) distinctive. One of Morris’ most enduring patterns, Marigold demonstrates exuberant scrolling foliage and a gentle color palette. Designed in 1875, Marigold became one of a handful of designs intended for both fabric and wallpaper because Morris thought textiles and wall coverings needed to have different types of patterns.

Honeysuckle and Tulip – 1876

Honeysuckle and Tulip Grey Blue

William Morris’ designs for fabrics, wallpaper and other decorative arts revolutionized Victorian taste and contributed to the revival of traditional textile arts, generating the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain.  Honeysuckle and Tulip, a design from 1876 and one of Morris’ personal favorites, was an experimental block-printed silk fabric produced in collaboration between Thomas Wardle (1831–1909) and Morris. Both men had ambitions to obtain the depth of color from natural, permanent dyes similar to those in Indian textiles.

Pimpernel – 1876

Pimpernel Sage

The pattern’s title refers to the small scarlet pimpernels dotted throughout the design rather than the large poppies entwined with scrolling willow leaves. Created in 1876 by William Morris, Pimpernel demonstrates how time and time again Morris conventionalized naturalistic elements in his patterns, training flowers and leaves into scrolling and curving shapes, embodying the reasons why Morris is the most celebrated 19th century designer with an enduring appeal today. The highly elaborate and symmetrical pattern was originally hung in the dining room of Morris’ own home, Kelmscott House in London.

Sunflower – 1879

Sunflower Honey

William Morris’ Sunflower pattern was first introduced in 1879 and was available in both regular distemper prints and the lacquered, embossed type used to imitate leather wall coverings. Sunflowers were a popular motif and symbol of the Aesthetic Movement and appeared in fashion, architecture and interior design. The concept of ‘art for art’s sake’, also known as the Cult of Beauty, permeated British culture during the latter part of the 19th century and was widely influential. The Movement originally started in the studios and houses of a radical group of artists and designers, including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 

Strawberry Thief – 1883

Strawberry Thief Vintage Blush

One of Morris’ most famous and most popular designs, Strawberry Thief, was intended to be used for curtains or draped around walls (a form of interior decoration advocated by Morris), or for loose covers on furniture. He based the pattern and name on the thrushes which frequently stole the juicy strawberries from the kitchen garden of his countryside home, Kelmscott Manor, in Oxfordshire. Despite the fact that this design was one of the most expensive printed furnishings available from Morris & Co., it became a firm favorite with clients and hasn’t been out of print since 1883.

Willow Bough – 1887

Willow Bough Vine

Many of Morris’ wallpaper designs were based on the natural world which he studied at firsthand. His exuberant designs interweave plants drawn from his own gardens and the wildflowers and trees which he had seen on country walks. This intricate and naturalistic pattern inspired by graceful willow branches was designed by Morris in 1887. Morris also found ideas for his designs in the simple woodcut illustrations in 16th century herbals (books describing plants and their various uses in medicine and cookery). He owned several books of this kind, including a copy of Gerard’s Herball (published 1597) in which a willow branch is illustrated. The willow was one of Morris’ favorite motifs, and he used it in several of his designs for wallpaper and for textiles.

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more about the VA William Morris Collection! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Who was William Morris?

/ Alicia Chan
William Morris Roman Shade in Pimpernel Sage

We are honored to print six designs of 19th-century artist William Morris on SelectBlinds shades and drapery, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Founded in 1852 to make works of art available to all, today the V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance.

Morris was a great champion of the Arts and Crafts Movement and a key figure in British socialism at the end of the 19th century. Designer, poet, novelist, translator and entrepreneur, Morris’ work still has a profound influence on fashion and interiors. This collection of blinds and drapes celebrates that legacy.

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. 

-William Morris

Photo Credit: The Victoria and Albert Museum

Morris’ love of nature was a well-spring for his work. In reaction to the social, moral, and aesthetic chaos created by the Industrial Revolution, he sought to feature English meadows and hedgerows in his floral fabrics and wallpapers. Bringing the natural world indoors, Morris’ designs interweave flowers, trees, birds, animals and insects influenced by the greenery in his own garden and from walks along the riverbanks. ‘Strawberry Thief’, for example, was inspired by the thrushes that stole the juicy strawberries from his kitchen garden.

Left: William Morris Roman Shade in Strawberry Thief Vintage Blush; Right: William Morris Drapery in Willow Bough Vine

Morris’ belief in equality of access to the arts made him a great friend to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the V&A). Today, he remains one of the most famous names in the V&A collection. Morris had an important influence on some of the museum’s earliest collecting policies, but as an artist he was also inspired by its collections. His legacy can still be found all over the V&A, not only in its extensive collections of Morris’ work, but also in the very fabric of the building which Morris helped to design.

William Morris Timeline

1834 – Born in Walthamstow, east London

1855 – Realized he wanted to pursue art as a career

1859 – Married to Jane Burden

1861 – Founded Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.

1862 – Artwork exhibited at the International Exhibition

1865 – Company commissioned for the West Dining Room of the South Kensington Museum (renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1899)

1875 – Became sole director of the renamed and restructured Morris & Company

1876 – Became an examiner at South Kensington Museum’s art school

1877 – Opened an “all under one roof” retail shop

1881 – Production moved to a factory

1884 – “Morrisonian” became a known term. Morris was invited to join the South Kensington Museum’s Committee of Art Referees

1893 – Contributed to the South Kensington Museum’s collections

1896 – Passed away at Hammersmith, near London

Why Skylight Blinds are Worth the Investment

/ Alicia Chan

With skylight blinds, you can control the amount of light in a stylish and functional way. It’s possible to create the perfect home environment with them. You can use skylight blinds to create an atmosphere that’s just right for any occasion and customize the lighting in a room.

Premier Light Filtering Skylights in Pale Winter SC

Why should you even cover your skylight window?

  1. Skylight blinds can help you save money. The energy-efficient cellular construction insulates your home from the heat and cold. As a result, billing costs can be reduced throughout the year.
  1. Skylight blinds can block harmful UV rays and direct UV glare. This is especially useful for rooms with TV or computer screens.
  1. Skylight blinds keep the outside out. They help soften outdoor noise, as well as protect furniture, walls and floors from fading and discoloration.
  1. Skylight blinds can improve aesthetics. No more distractions from outside when you’re hosting. Choose a color that matches your interior design.
  1. Skylight blinds are easy to install and use. Skylight blinds are generally easy to install and can be customized to fit any size window. All of our Skylight Blinds come standard as a manual lift. You can also add a Telescopic Extension Pole to your cart. Check to see if motorization is available as an upgrade. 
Premier Light Filtering Skylights in Barley SC

Check our Skylight Buying Guide for more information, or call or chat with one of our Design Consultants! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!