One of the things I love about interior design is the variety of ways that I get to help people.  From color and lighting to flooring and furniture, my job encompasses a great deal for both home and office.  One service I don’t often mention is window treatments.   Whether you are looking for ready-made or customized solutions, I can help.   Of course there are countless scenarios for wanting or needing new window treatments, but here are just a few:

Ugly or naked windows.  I help my clients appropriately dress their windows, functionally as well as fashionably.   Windows may be left naked because of a challenging style or shape.  Sliding glass doors, French doors, bay windows, cathedral windows, Palladium windows, triple hung windows, or corner windows would all fall under this category.  Another explanation for naked or outdated treatments in that the homeowner may simply be at  a loss for a solution.  This is the perfect time to call in for extra support and advice.

The custom treatment.  Some people simply love to have unique, personalized things.  Nothing wrong with that!  I provide custom design solutions and one of a kind creations as well the flexibility from shopping at home.  With an extensive fabric library, my clients are able to touch and feel materials in person.  Custom treatments allow for the freedom and creativity to design with every individual in mind.

Efficiency and control.  In addition to being pretty, window treatments are an easy way to help insulate your home or office in the winter and keep you cool in the summer.  Another primary function of window treatments is light control.  Whether you need to diffuse direct sunlight, reduce glare on your TV or computer screen, or block that pesky street lamp from outside your bedroom window, treatments are the trick.  Light control would also include room darkening options for those who work late shifts.

So regardless of your why, at least you know who.  Lavender & Lotus Interior Design is the place to call for help with windows.

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There are some qualities to a house that really make you just fall in love with it.  Windowseats do that to me for sure.  Check out these fantastic snuggle-up-with-a-book-or-maybe-just-daydream places.

Pinterest Sources:  Nicole Cammaert, Anne Leonard, Laura Wojtys, Rhonda Stephens, Emily Ketchum, Erika Schick, Patrick Moran

When it comes to Art Deco, the word GLAMOUR says it all.   A middle ground for modernism, Art Deco was geometric, streamlined, super sleek and sexy.  This style occurred during the financial boom of the 20s-30s, but was short lived because of WWII.  Examples of Art Deco architecture include the Chrysler Building, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and hotels in NYC as well as Miami.  

Characteristics of Art Deco include:  rounded silouettes, glossy exotic woods, sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags, shiny metals, mirrored furniture, bling, bling, and more bling.  Think Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  Think flapper girls.  Think King Kong.  Think the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.           

… I love to watch British television and movies.  Don’t judge!  There is something wonderful about their accents, the landscape, and the charming villages with cobblestone streets.  I find myself engrossed in studying the architecture, trying to understand the way they think, dress and decorate their homes.  Perhaps it is simply the cumulative experience of witnessing something unknown and exotic that is so fascinating to me.   

At any rate, this weekend I watched the critically acclaimed “The King’s Speech.”  Very good!  But what may have stolen the show for me was the Therapy Room.  The walls, the fireplace, the windows – amazing!!! 

Hello again!  I’m having such a great time with these colorful posts – hopefully you are enjoying them as well.  Next in our series is what I would refer to as Blue-Green or Turquoise.  

Although Pantone may have coined their “Turquoise” as Color of the Year for 2010,  I wouldn’t consider Blue-Green to be out of fashion.  After all Blue-Green encompasses a wide range of colors.  For example,  ”Quarry” is a hot color trend for Fall 2011.

Maybe it’s the soul of summer, but Blue-Green (or Turquoise) is really speaking to me. 

In what will be an exciting series dedicated to color, I have decided to start you off with one of my absolute favorites:  Green. 

Green is known to represent hope, growth, luck, nature, fertility, rebirth, peace, balance, luxury, prosperity, vitality, abundance, and more.  From yellow-green to blue-green, there are more variations of green than any other color in the world.  Green has become associated with environmentalism, and is considered to be Nature’s perfect neutral.  Enjoy!

I need to tell you about a serious problem – a problem that has plagued homes and offices across the State.  Side effects may include nausea, indigestion, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, insomnia, or increase in blood pressure.  Similar to the symptoms of ugly wallpaper, I’m referring to…

UGLY WINDOW TREATMENTS!

Aside from the obvious fact that they are ugly, window treatments in need of replacing may have been damaged from a climbing cat, faded from direct sunlight, or reflect the style of decades past.  I can help homeowners with custom designed window treatments, as well as with selection of ready-made alternatives.  What do YOUR windows look like?

The sun is shining, birds chirp outside my window, and the curtains float up on a gentle breeze.  The smell of lilacs and apple blossoms fill the room.  Green explodes outside.  Spring is a time to celebrate the joy of a new year, starting over, a time for growth.  It’s time for change and your home is a great place to start.

“Home is not just a place to sleep, home is where we house our souls.”                 Alexandra Stoddard

Aimee Leduc of Lavender & Lotus Interior Design is available for projects big and small:  paint color, window treatments, furniture placement, personal organizing, and rennovations including kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, to name a few.  Call or write for a free consultation today!

Spring is just around the corner — and not a moment too soon.  After another dreary New England winter, I have a serious craving for color.  Delicate and subtle shades are all well and good, but right now I want bold, delicious, breath-taking color.  Below are a few designs to help shake those winter blues.  Enjoy!

Shown are images from Domino and desiretoinspire.blogspot.com – love them!