Why Go Custom? Because There Really is an Answer for Every Window Problem
BWS Design • June 23, 2016

We’ve been delighted to see homeowners and those building their own homes make use of windows and architecture. There is nothing more stunning than watching a sunset through a bank of windows. Mother Nature in all her glory is best seen through floor-to-ceiling windows. There is just something about the sun lighting up a room that makes people energized and lighter in spirit. That same sun, though, can punish and fade the floors, rugs and furniture if we’re not careful. So why use custom window solutions? That’s where we come in.

Custom Blinds and Shades for Energy Efficiency

Homeowners can always go to any old blind shop to find something to cover the windows. The product will hang about allowing air leakages around the edges along with little in the way of keeping the light where you want it. That is ordinary and the accepted way to do things. With today’s newest technology, however, having your window treatments custom made gives you the edge over the power company. The insulating materials in our window treatments in addition to mounting them flush with the window frame adds a level of energy efficiency you could use. For example, cellular shades offer double-cell construction in a wide selection of colors and fabrics to give you an energy efficient, decorating and interior designing advantage those ordinary blinds and shades can’t deliver.

Custom Window Treatments for Light Control

While those banks of windows we were discussing above allow a magnificent view of many things, they also cause havoc with your rugs and furniture, floors and paint on the walls. Custom made plantation shutters would be a good answer for your window problems. At any given time of day (and any given amount of sun), these can be adjusted to close against the punishing heat and light while at the same time adjusting to allow light so you can see. Custom Roman shades also give the homeowner something to shout about. These, too, can be adjusted to allow light and also block the sun, but with a twist. Roman shades come in all kinds of colors and fabrics, giving homeowners an elegant answer to their window problems. Shutters and shades can be mounted, for example, in the upper part of the windows if that is where the sun is at its most punishing. Shutters and shades in the lower parts of the windows, therefore, can be adjusted to allow light to pour into the room in a manageable amount.

Custom Window Treatments for Custom Windows

We love nothing better than to see architecture at its best while using imaginative windows. We particularly love to see windows folding into a corner of a room, thereby giving its occupant more light in an imaginative setting. We have also approved of using smaller and differently shaped windows to light dark hallways as well as skylights, which give an extra dimension to light. While we might not want to cover up the light to a dark hallway, we definitely would appreciate a chance to help you with your skylight and the differently placed or shaped windows.

We offer homeowners with arched windows custom shades to block the light while the lower arch features fabric or Roman shades, plantation shutters or wood blinds to set off the windows. Got a loft with small windows? We gotcha covered (please pardon the pun). Perhaps the bank of windows is not particularly tall but wide instead. We can custom-make woven wood shades just for your purposes. Our specialty, though, is custom-producing plantation shutters for windows in corners of an A-frame room or house. Perhaps if you’re finishing the attic as an extra bedroom, study or media room, the windows might not be exactly ordinary. We do extraordinary, too, and we do it with fabric shades, valances and vertical blinds.

As you can see, we love windows, and we love dressing them. What we love more, though, is listening to you, the homeowner, in order to learn how we can best help you. Contact us today for a free consultation, professional measuring and installation to discover why going custom is a great idea.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.