​French doors make a great statement in any home. They’re a solid choice in a variety of spaces in your home because they add to the natural light while adding architechtural interest. However, window covering choices for French doors can be frustrating. You want something that will offer you the right amount of light and privacy, but you also want a choice that will help draw the room together. What are your choices for French doors?

ROMAN SHADES:  If you’re looking for a transitional/timeless look, Roman shades may be the way to go. You can choose from a variety of fabric options and they can give you the touch of softness you’re looking for. 
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WOVEN WOOD SHADES:  Also called bamboo shades.  ​Woven wood shades for windows are made from natural woods, reeds, bamboo or grasses. They add immediate visual interest to any room’s décor with their rich organic texture.

BLINDS or SHUTTERS:  ​Easily the most common of the window covering solutions, blinds or shutters for French doors are the perfect way to control light and privacy. The biggest problem most people find is that they tend to get in the way of the handles, which can reduce functionality. The solution, though, is a fairly simple one, blinds and shutters can be custom made to allow for the handle.

CELLULAR SHADES: Cellular shades are a great choice for French doors. Small sizes of cellular shades can fit behind your door handles, allowing you to keep your door highly functional and insulated.

​So, which French door window covering option is right for you? Contact LC Window Treatments today at 628-400-1665 to learn more about your options and how we can custom design a window covering to meet your needs.

​Top-down, bottom-up shades are exactly what they sound like — a window treatment that you can raise and lower from both the top or the bottom. 
The goal with a top down, bottom up shade is to provide privacy while still allowing in lots of natural light. 

This style of window shade offers a lot of flexibility. Unlike traditional shades that only open from the bottom, this design allows you to customize the exact position of your shades. It’s the easiest way to achieve your ideal level of privacy, light control, and comfort.
For example, in a bedroom or bathroom, a top down, bottom up shade can be adjusted to allow light in from the top while still maintaining privacy at the bottom.
In your living room, if the evening sun is shining in your eyes or making it difficult to watch TV, you can cover your windows completely. Or raise the shades from the bottom to allow in some light.
Top down, bottom up shades are also an excellent choice for those worried about harmful UV rays damaging floors and furniture. Depending on the time of day, you can position your shades in exactly the right way to block the sun’s harmful rays while still allowing in lots of  natural light.

​Most top down bottom up shades work through a simple cord mechanism and two top rails. 
The first rail is called the mounting rail. The mounting rail is attached to either the inside or the outside your window, depending on your preference and the depth of your window. 
The second rail is called the floating rail. The floating rail clicks into the mounting rail. When you’re ready to lower or lift your blinds, this floating rail can be disengaged by pulling on the cord (or on a tab in cordless options).

If you’re convinced that top down bottom up shades are right for you, the next step is to call LC Window Treatments
You may have determined the type of shade you want, but there are still quite a few decisions ahead, including:

• What type of top down, bottom up shade you want
• Color and design
• Functionality needs (cord vs cordless)

Window treatments like top down bottom up shades are a worthwhile investment, but you’ll get the best return on your money by making sure you get the perfect option for your home. We are passionate about helping you make the right choices.  Schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling LC Window Treatments at 628-400-1665

First, gather up the supplies you’ll need. For a deep clean, gather supplies for both the basic and the deep clean, as you need both. 
For a basic cleaning, you’ll need:

•  A soft, microfiber cloth or Swifter duster
•  A vacuum with an upholstery hose attachment

For a deeper clean, you’ll need:

•  A mild soap
•  Two soft, microfiber cloths (one to apply your solution and one for drying)

For polishing wood blinds, you’ll need:

• Wood polish or oil
• A soft, microfiber cloth

Most of the build-up on your blinds is dust and can be cleaned with a dry cloth, duster or upholstery attachment on your vacuum. 

Metal, Plastic, Faux Wood and Wood Blinds: Close your blinds so that the back side is facing you. Working from the top to the bottom, run your cloth or duster along the slats. Then tilt your blinds closed so the other side is facing you and again wipe the surface of the slats with your cloth. Once you have cleaned all the slats front and back with a cloth, use your upholstery attachment on your vacuum to remove any dust that has fallen and to remove dust from other parts of the blinds. 
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Fabric Blinds: For fabric blinds, you’ll use much the same technique as above; however, instead of running a cloth over the front and back of the slats, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to go back and forth on the front and back of the slats.

To do a deep clean your blinds to first start with a basic cleaning of your blinds to remove as much dust as possible. 

For metal, faux wood, plastic blinds: Create a cleaning solution by mixing mild soap with water. Wet down a soft cloth and squeeze out the excess water until it is damp. First run your cloth along the back side of your blind slats and then along the front side of your blind slats. 

Real wood blinds:  Wood blinds don’t like moisture. This is because any excess moisture is absorbed by the dry wood and can cause real wooden blinds to swell or warp. If your blinds need more than just a dust you should use a very slightly moist (not wet) cloth. Your cloth should be moist enough to remove grime or dirt, but should not leave any standing water or excess moisture on the surface of the blind. You should take particular care of the ends of the real wooden blinds, as usually these are exposed wood and absorb water really quickly. Remember not to rub the slats too hard or aggressively as this could ruin the paint or wood stain used.

Fabric blinds: Avoid washing fabric blinds. To remove stubborn dirt and grime, spot treat with a simple cleaning solution of mild soap and water. Be sure to first test this solution in an inconspicuous spot to make sure that your solution does not discolor or damage the fabric.  Or contact a professional cleaning company.
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​Decorative poles and rings are the most obvious choice for most windows, but there are situations where a traverse rods will be the best choice.

Traverse rods have clips or eyes (aka carriers) that move along a track embedded in a slot in the rod or track The eyes have a small opening for the drapery pins or snaps with the number of carriers dependent on how long the rod is. If the traverse rod is cord controlled then a cord runs through the rod, too, and is attached to a master slide or pulley. The cord extends beyond the rod so that you can use it to open and close the drapes. Traverse rods can also be operated by batons to pull the drapes open and closed. Custom drapery that’s made for traverse rods sometimes comes with the snaps or hooks sewn into the fabric.

Will the drapes be opened and closed frequently? If so, then traverse rods are a good choice. With regular rods and rings you’ll find yourself using your hands to open and close the drapes; which can cause wear and tear on the fabric. Traverse curtain rods with a cord or baton allow you to open and close the drapes easily.
Is your window really wide? Long rods need a center support bracket, which prevents the curtains from closing completely. It can also look messy because when there are many rings the drapes rings don't stack neatly.  Traverse rods can span longer lengths and when a center bracket is needed it sits back behind the rod and allows the drapes to fully close in the middle
Are you layering window treatments? If you’re layering sheers and an outer fabric you’ll need double curtains rods. Rather than stacking two separate rods, which uses up a lot of depth and can look cluttered, a double traverse rod looks cleaner and still gives you the layered look. 

​Are you planning on pinch-pleat curtains or curtains with a complicated header? Use traverse rods and pins to show off the fabric without also showing off the hardware. Do you prefer a clean, minimalist look? Traverse rods can also have a very modern look.

Standard traverse rods, like any of these from Kirsch, Graber or Forest, come in various weights and diameters, depending on how heavy your curtain fabric is. You can choose from a center open traverse rod or one way draw. These rods are not meant to be decorative and none of the hardware will show.
Do you have a bow window or angled bay window and can’t of finding a way to hang those gorgeous curtains? There are bendable traverse tracks for that.  Do you want to hang your drapes from the ceiling?  Ceiling traverse tracks are the perfect solution.
There are also many choices of decorative traverse rods, which are constructed with hidden carriers to give you the best of both worlds. You can choose metal or wooden poles, modern or traditional.

What are banded shades?
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Banded shades (also known as zebra shades or sheer shades) are a hot trend in the window treatment industry. They’re made up of alternate solid and sheer bands that are fused into a single shading system. While most sheer shades only have sheer and room darkening, these dual shades give you light filtering and room darkening all in one!  They offer a layered look and light control but they roll up like a fabric roller shade into the headrail.  These shades can change the lighting, mood, and ambiance of a room at any given point in time.  When the shade is raised, it disappears inside the headrail for a clean, modern look. If you’re looking for stylish, yet functional window treatments or an alternative to traditional blinds, banded shades are the perfect solution.

​What Constitutes a Banded Shade?
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A banded shade consists of two layers of window shading into one. It is made up of alternate solid and sheer bands that are fused into a single shading system. You can match these shades with the décor of any space inside your house. There are many fabric shades for you to choose from in our vast collection.  Coupled with a supreme operational shading system, these dual layer shades are ideal for any area in your home. The shades come with a cassette or square valance wrapped in fabric to cover the roll at the top or choose from a wood valance in a variety of colors.

​Features of Banded Shades
 
• Many different fabric shades to choose from
• Suitable for large windows
• Offers moderate energy efficiency
• Protects flooring, furniture, and artwork from damaging UV rays
• Provides superb flexibility to one single shade
• Offers a chic solution for privacy, view-through and light control
• Available in motorized, remote control and wall switch options

There is no comparison with CONRAD original shades. The meticulous detailing and hours of handwork in the art can only be seen in the extraordinary beauty of the finished product.
Individually woven by hand to customer size specifications CONRAD provides many window covering options, including Roman fold shades, drapery, sliding panel systems, and motorized shades. 
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When light filters through a CONRAD shade, it’s magic.  There are no competitors in the market who match their meticulous attention to the details of their design. They’ve earned a loyal clientele over the decades who refuse to use any other shade. They’re timeless, they’re elegant and they’re forever.

​Along with window treatments, pillows and other soft treatments are the easiest and most effective way to finish a room.  A well-placed pillow in a beautiful fabric can transform a sofa or chair and we love the ability to contrast and layer fabrics, patterns and colors.

For your indoor or outdoor furniture, we provide custom throw pillows, bench and window seat cushions, ottomans and other soft treatments all created to fit perfectly while coordinating with your existing home decor.  We provide a huge selection of fabrics, quality workmanship and have the resources to facilitate beautifully crafted products.
 
Here is a guide of the types of pillows you can choose from:  

​The most basic type of decorative pillow is the “knife edge” pillow.  In its simplest form, a knife edge pillow is simply two pieces of fabric that have been sewn together around the edges, forming a sharp, simple seam.  Knife edge pillows can be square, round or they can be made in a lumbar pillow, which is rectangular in shape and intended to sit at your lower back – or lumbar – area.

​A welted (aka corded) pillow is a knife edge pillow with the addition of a decorative cord or welting at the seam.  The cord or welt can contrast the fabric for more interest, or it can be in a matching color for a more subtle look.  If the welt is made from the same fabric as the body of the pillow, it is called a self-welt pillow.

​A flange pillow has a flat band of fabric at its edges called a flange.  It can be made from a contrasting fabric, and it can also be done in the same fabric as the rest of the pillow.

A bolster pillow is cylindrical in shape.  They come in many sizes, and they can have flat ends or ends that have been gathered. 

​A box pillow has flat sides.  Unlike the knife edge pillow that is flat at the seams, a box pillow has taller edges and is constructed like a box. Box pillows can also be made into cushions, and this type of construction is common as a floor cushion or chair seat when filled with a piece of foam.  The sides of the “box” can be made of flat fabric or gathered fabric, and it can match the top of the pillow or contrast it.
 

We have an endless selection of beautiful fabrics!  We will put our creativity and expertise to work to put the finishing touches on your home decor.  Give LC Window Treatments a call today for a free in home consultation 628-400-1665.

​Window treatments are one of the most important aspects of a home’s decor and are often the focal point.  Many interior decorators and choose window coverings before finalizing furniture and accessories choices for a room.
 
If chosen carefully, high-quality blinds and draperies can last a very long time and not go out of style. Although it may be tempting to save a little bit of money and purchase store bought blinds or shades, you will not get the same durability, quality and style that you would get with custom window treatments.

Here are 4 reasons to choose custom window treatments for your new home:

#1 QUALITY
The majority of big box store window treatments are not high quality. They are often poorly constructed and in the case of draperies and fabric shades are not hemmed and lined properly. If these drapes even have a lining, it is usually thin and made from cheap fabric. Custom window treatments, on the other hand, are of exceptional quality and come with a warranty. Made with premium materials and durable linings, custom window treatments offer exceptional quality and durability compared to blinds, draperies and fabric shades purchased off the rack.

​#2 CUSTOM FIT
Most windows are not perfectly square and also often have some kind of protrusion such as a window lock/opening mechanism.  This makes it challenging when it comes time to select window treatments. Many off the rack blinds, shades and draperies do not offer a perfect fit and it's even more of a challenge to find window treatments for oddly shaped windows when shopping at your local home improvement store or an online budget store. When you choose custom made window treatments, we will come and measure your windows to guarantee a perfect fit for your windows. 

#3 ENERGY EFFICIENT
​Energy efficient window coverings can significantly lower heating and cooling costs in your home. Unfortunately, most budget store bought window treatments do not help much with energy efficiency.
 
A custom window treatment, such solar shades made with Phifer Sheerweave fabric or Graber cellular shades, provide both energy efficiency and style. These custom window treatments have a unique qualities to increase energy efficiency. The cellular construction of the Graber cellular shades hold trapped air and create a barrier between the window surface and the room, thus lessening the transfer of heat.  Solar shades filter out UV rays keeping your home cool in the hot summer months.  

​​#4 PERSONAL DESIGN SERVICE
If you choose blinds, shades or draperies from your local home improvement superstore, you will probably not receive personalized service. The salespeople are generally not experts about products that they sell. When you order custom blinds and drapes, you will work with us personally and we will help you choose the very best product for your home.   

​Custom window treatments offer a number of advantages compared to big box off the shelf window coverings.  Give your home stylish, sophisticated customized window treatments. Schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling LC Window Treatments at 628-400-1665. We’ll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home.

​Vertical blinds may have made their debut in the 1970’s, but with new fabrics, instead of only vinyl, they are far from outdated and they still make for beautiful and affordable window treatments.
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Fabric vertical blinds can look spectacular on large windows, sliding doors and patio doors and offer a unique alternative to drapes and curtains. Made with a wide variety of soft, light filtering or room darkening fabrics, they let diffused natural light into your room without sacrificing your privacy, while sewn-in weights at the bottom of each louver keep the blinds in place.

In this blog, we share with you the reasons to consider fabric vertical blinds.  

​1) Amazingly decorative

This is one of the most important features of fabric vertical blinds. They are available in a variety of colors, designs, and fabrics according to your personal style. They can be custom made according to the kind of look you want in any room. The light-colored fabrics offer diffused light inside, while the heavier, darker fabrics offer high privacy with minimum infiltration. 

2) They last for years

Made to measure with a sturdy finish, aluminum headrails used in vertical blinds are one of the main reasons for their smooth functioning and operation. The controls are out of reach of children and safe to use.  ​They are also very easy to clean and some styles can even be washed in a machine.

​3) Easy to control light

Vertical blinds can be operated with a wand/baton or with a cord and chain. You get maximum control over the amount of light and privacy you have at any given time. While people swear by the positive implications of natural light inside homes, too much of it can disrupt sleep or be too glaring when reading or watching television. However, with fabric vertical blinds, you can be assured of their sturdy panels which can be suitably altered and tilted, letting in only as much sunlight as you desire. 

4)  They’re affordable 
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If you have large windows or doors to cover, that can get expensive. With fabric vertical blinds, you’re able to cover them at a cost that’s much friendlier to your budget.

Fabric vertical blinds are the ideal solution to cover large windows and sliding doors with hundreds of fabrics that you can choose from to coordinate with your home decor. They are durable, easy to operate and a cost-effective.

To learn more about decorative fabric vertical blinds, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665.  We'll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home decor.

​Decorative Fabric Roller Shades are a fabulous way to combine the traditional operation and clean look of a roller shade with the breadth and depth of beauty offered in decorative fabrics. We have hundreds of fabrics to choose from, including solid textures, embroideries, jacquards, prints, linens, silks, and more, so your designer expression is limited only by your imagination. The shades are available either inside or outside mounted, and have multiple valance options available. They look fantastic layered with valances and side panels.

To learn more about decorative fabric roller shades, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665.  We'll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home decor.