Today Patricia writes;
Dear diva, what type of window treatments can I put on oversized windows? They’re both extra wide and extra tall. That and I need something that will protect my furniture because it’s in my formal living room. Thank you
When it comes to finding oversized window treatments, you’ve only got a few options. Because you mentioned they were going in a formal living room, I’m going to assume that the window treatments need to be elegant. If that is the case, I’d suggest going with Hunter Douglas Silhouettes. These window treatments will continue the elegant theme, while giving you protection from the sun’s harmful rays. These window shades can be in the “open” position, while still letting in light and preserving your view all without the worry of fading your furniture.
Hunter Douglas Silhouettes are a unique window treatment because it’s like having a roller shade and a blind, rolled up in one. You have the option to have the shade open completely by rolling it up into its valance and letting light in or having it fully closed by pulling the shade down and blocking most of the light out like a roller shade. The blind function comes when you’ve got the shade fully lowered. You pull the cord just a tad more and instead of the vanes blocking out light, they open up much like the vanes on a mini blind and let light in.
The vanes on the Silhouettes shades come in 2″, 3″ or 4″ wide. These are all great because the wider apart the vanes are from each other the more of your view you maintain while the blinds are lowered but in the open position. Compared to a 1″ mini blind a 2″ shade of any kind dramatically increases the amount of light that is let in and the ease of being able to see outside unobstructed. At or 3″ or 4″ wide the blinds hardly obscure the light being let in or the view. Hunter Douglas Silhouettes are available up to 144″ wide and 126″ in height.
If you need blinds that are even bigger than that, you may want to consider either doing multiple shades in one window or looking at honeycomb shades. A lot of companies make honeycomb or cellular shades in wider widths, but the widest I’ve seen come from Hunter Douglas specifically. The Duette line of honeycomb shades come in widths up to 174″ and heights up to 192″. This is truly impressive, especially when paired with Hunter Douglas’s great warranty. On blinds this large and expensive it’s good to know that the company backs the strings for 7 years and the rest of the components for a lifetime.
Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog