Homes for Our Troops

Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit is proud to partner with Homes for Our Troops to provide window coverings for Marine Sgt Dustin Johns. Visit https://www.hfotusa.org/johns to learn more about this project and how you can donate to this amazing cause.

 

Winter Window Coverings

Coldest day of the year so far in Lee's Summit! One of the best window coverings for beating this cold weather is cellular shades. Cellular shades provide insulation for your windows to help keep your home at an ideal temperature regardless of what's going on outside. We currently have 25% off of our cellular shades so call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation with one of our professional, experienced design consultants.

Use Your Senses!

Sensory Design Can Make Your Home More Inviting

 Think about the last time you had a massage or a facial. Just remembering the experience revives the relaxing feeling you left with, and probably makes you smile. Wistfully. Now you want another massage or facial, don’t you?

It’s no accident that wellness spas and massage therapy centers make you feel so good.  They are purposefully designed to maximize ambient experience by appealing to all of the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Every element of sensory design engages one of the five senses to heighten the experience for the customer:

• Soft lights and relaxing color schemes in comfortable surroundings
• Soothing sounds of nature like gentle waves or nighttime sounds
• Spicy herbal teas or refreshing flavored waters
• Fluffy, luscious towels and robes
• Hands-on treatments by trained professionals
• Aromatherapy oils and wonderfully scented beauty products

Using the Five Senses as Basis for Home Design 
Industrial designers, home decorators and even brand designers believe that the best designs appeal to all (or most) of our senses. Our senses are how we perceive the world, so it‘s logical that the more involved we become with our surroundings, i.e., the more senses we use, the stronger the experience.

Consider this: you smell coffee brewing, you cradle the warm cup in your hands and you slowly drink, savoring the moment. That’s three senses engaged; smell, touch and taste. If it’s got a fancy cream design on top, you can add sight and if it’s a steamed-milk latte, the hissing of the steamer adds hearing. All five senses are engaged in this coffee experience. That pretty much describes Starbucks; they excel at marketing to all the senses. (Now you want a coffee.)

Design that speaks to the senses can evoke comfort and relaxation; the end result is the desire to spend more time in the space. Using the five senses as a basis for whole home design will result in a more personal, warm and inviting home. Here are some decorating ideas for engaging each of the five senses that can be adapted for any room in your home to reflect your own personal taste and style.

Sight
When you walk into a room you form an immediate impression by what you see. You want your home to be interesting, attractive and inviting at first look and every day, so being visually appealing is a big part of that first impression. A room should say, “Glad you’re here; come in and stay awhile!”

• Mix patterns, textures and colors in your furnishings.
• Use interesting artwork and décor as eye candy.
• Capitalize on the best view for each room, whether it’s outside or inside (such as a fireplace) and arrange seating to capture that view.
• Clutter can be unsettling, so de-clutter and have ample, comfortable seating.
• Frame your windows with beautiful window coverings to enhance the view and dress the room.
• Let in natural sunlight, it’s easy on the eyes and a natural mood enhancer.

Hearing
To a degree, sounds are subjective, not everyone likes the same things. The sound of a fountain, children laughing, or tinkling wind chimes can be soothing. Everyday living noises like dishwashers, washing machines, TVs and computers can become overwhelming without some peace and quiet as well. Listen to your home and see if you need to make some auditory adjustments.

• When setting up game rooms, media rooms, or work rooms consider how the sound will impact other areas of the home; you may need to add some sound buffers.
• Be sure a home office or nursery has the availability of quiet.
• Place furniture (big comfy reading chair) by an open window to bring pleasant outside sounds in.
• Layering drapes over blinds or shutters helps block noise from freeways, schools or train tracks.
• Keep your windows closed and create a calming ambiance by using music, a sound machine for sounds of nature (ocean waves or rain), or just enjoy the golden silence.

Taste
You may not have thought of incorporating elements of taste into decorating, but there are ways to utilize the sense of taste in many rooms for an added feeling of enjoyment and belonging.

• Use appetite-inducing red or orange in the kitchen or dining room.
• Fresh fruit in a bowl stimulates the desire to taste it.
• The irresistible allure of chocolate in a decorative candy dish invites a bite in any room.
• Arrange several clear containers on the coffee table filled with appetizing snacks.

Smell
Smell is often considered the strongest sense, and a smell can instantly bring back memories. A distinctive perfume recalls a special person, or a wood fire can transport you to carefree days at camp. There are great comfort smells like cookies baking, popcorn popping and fresh flowers. There are also uncomfortable smells like litter boxes, kitchen trash and smoke. A pleasant smell will obviously make your home more inviting, so consider these tips:

• Place fragrant plants like lavender, rosemary or mint around the house, fresh or dried.
• Potpourri, scented candles or oil burners can lightly scent a room.
• Open the windows to provide a cleansing breath of fresh air.
• If you have a fragrant tree or garden outside, an open window will allow these scents in (orange blossoms or night-blooming jasmine).
• Join the 73.9% of American households that use air fresheners (Statista.com)
• Don’t allow smelly items or areas to get out of control.

Touch
The sense of touch is closely associated with the emotions of belonging and warmth. Add sensory design elements to every room in your home to make it most inviting. Create a balance of same or dissimilar textures that express your own personal style.  For example, if you have an eclectic sense of style, playing off distinctions like a distressed wood dining table with an elegant fringed linen table runner can make quite a statement.

• Use natural materials like woven wood shades  to exude warmth.
• Incorporate interesting textures in various décor items that provoke the desire to touch.
• Shutters, shades and draperies will all enhance the textural experience of a room.
• Contrast textures in your furnishings; layer a soft throw over a wood chair.
• Pillows and rugs in different textures and fabrics add dimension and interest.
• Large and small plants add living texture that brings nature indoors.

Are your senses fully engaged? By now you want a massage and a coffee, and probably some custom window coverings! If you’re ready for some sensory design ideas to customize your living spaces and refashion your home as we move into 2015, your Budget Blinds Style Consultant is ready to help. Call 816.554.7779 or 913.402.1600 today for a free, in-home consultation or go online to www.budgetblinds.com to find your nearest Budget Blinds location. And don’t forget to put the coffee on.

-from www.budgetblinds.com/blog

ENHANCE YOUR HOME’S STYLE WITH CUSTOM SHUTTERS FROM BUDGET BLINDS

One of the most energy efficient and beautiful products you can buy for your windows! No other window treatments are more steeped in history than window shutters. Their style and decorative appeal has become synonymous with high home fashion. Modern shutters are a new age American classic and can be utilized beautifully in any type of home style; whether your home is modern, traditional, or contemporary, there are shutters that are perfect for any style décor.

We have one of the best shutter installers in the Kansas City area! Here are some recent shutter installs from Lee's Summit, Overland Park and surrounding areas -

Shutters offer the best in light control, privacy or protection against the elements, and when you need to make a statement, window shutters can make both subtle and powerful statements all at once. Their clean lines and rich textures frame your outside view beautifully and add an aura of refinement to any room. Shutters are available in a wide assortment of frames, louver and slat sizes, and specialty shapes including arched and round styles that can make every window in your home unique to its décor.

 Shutters can be customized in many different ways. They can fold-up accordion style to one side of the window, they can be made to slide out of the way and stack on the side of the window, and they can be made traditionally, on hinges that swing inward. Window Shutters have garnered a reputation of timeless beauty over the years because many interior designers praise their functional and streamlined design and boast that the shutter complements most any room configuration. However they may have gained their reputation – shutters are here to stay.

Call one of our highly trained design consultants today to schedule a FREE In-Home Consultation to see our shutters for yourself!

816.554.7779
913.402.1600

-Kayla

Information from www.budgetblinds.com/blog - photos from Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit and Overland Park installations by Justin Davis

Budget Blinds Fabulous Faux Wood Blinds Increase Home Value and Sales Appeal on Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers

An all new Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers premiered in the U.S. on September 3rd on HGTV.  The new season of this top-rated home improvement series was filmed in the Atlanta, Georgia area and 10 episodes will feature Budget Blinds' custom window treatments, including fabulous, versatile faux wood blinds.

The Property Brothers are twins, Jonathan and Drew Scot, and they've been called the "dynamic duo of real estate."  Jonathan is a licensed contractor, renovating the current homes to meet top-dollar market standards for selling. Drew is a real estate expert, working with each family to find and secure the ideal new home to accommodate their needs and budget.

Budget Blinds brings over 20 years of expertise in creative design and installation to this exciting collaboration, as well as one of the widest selections of shutters, blinds, draperies and window shades in North America.

One of the most common observations by the brothers about the homes going up for sale is "lackluster unfinished interiors." Buyers need to be inspired when they are looking at houses, excited by the possibilities if they are going to pay asking price for a home. Beautiful window treatments greatly enhance a room's allure by giving it a polished finish and buyers can begin to imagine their own furnishings in the home.

Budget Blinds' faux wood blinds are the ideal complement to any room. Available in a variety of finishes from white to rich wood grains, with smooth or textured finishes, they can match any décor. Faux wood blinds have the beauty of wood blinds with the added durability of composite blinds. They are highly moisture-resistant, making them the perfect choice for areas like kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms, or in any humid climate. Other valuable features include:

• Won't crack, chip, peel, or yellow over time
• Two sizes: 2" or 2.5" slats depending on your style preference
• Blinds can be motorized for ease of use and safety for children and pets
• Compatible with a wide range of fabric valances or draperies
• Less expensive than real wood blinds

Budget Blinds' faux wood blinds can be customized for any room and are available in a variety of colors and textures.

Whether you want to increase your home's value and sales appeal or you just want to banish the "lackluster interiors" of your rooms, your local Budget Blinds Style Consultant can help. It doesn't matter if your personal taste is formal, casual or eclectic, your Style Consultant can bring samples, swatches and style guides right into your living room to help you design window treatments that are truly you. Call 816-554-7779 or 913-402-1600 today to schedule a free, in-home consultation or go online at www.budgetblinds.com to find a Style Consultant near you if you are not in the Missouri or Kansas area.

Check your local TV listings to catch Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers on HGTV and get some exciting design inspiration from the pros!

-Kayla and the Budget Blinds Team

from www.budgetblinds.com/blog

Fourth Fridays!

Thanks to all who came out to our football party during Fourth Fridays - Downtown Lee's Summit! We got in a little photo booth action!

Thanks again for a fun time!! Next Fourth Fridays is October 24th, more details soon! Hope to see you there :)

-Kayla
Budget Blinds

Recent Installs

Today I want to share with you what we have been up to recently! This is typically our busiest time of the year, and this year has been no different! Our installers have been working their butts off to get things installed in a timely manner and to all of our customer's satisfaction. I think they are doing a wonderful job and want to share their work!

 Wood Shutters

 Roller Shades

Solar Shades at Buffalo Lodge in Kingsville, MO

Miscellaneous Draperies

Keep Budget Blinds in mind for your window covering needs! We've got a style to match every point of view, and most importantly, every budget!

Thanks and Happy Tuesday!

-Kayla

Walls Don't Have to be White!

Check out these awesome "black rooms" from Elle Decor! If you aren't following Elle, you should! Always full of great decorating ideas and tips for recreating them on a budget!

ELLE DECOR - BLACK MAGIC

Here is just a small preview! I had to share the first one because I LOVE picture walls! They completely transform the room, and you don't just have to choose one big print/painting to define your style... You can really let your own creativity and personality come to life with multiple frames!

Isn't this just such a classic/rich look? Obsessed with the gray and white stripes on the ceiling. Love!

Currently working on my own picture wall at home and I will post pics when that is complete! Hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing, SAFE, holiday weekend! See our previous post on tips from Budget Blinds for 4th of July Safety.

-Kayla

"A style for every point of view..."

Completing A Room

Do you ever just feel like your room isn't quite complete? Needing something to help tie everything together? We have a solution!

This is from one of our customers, Vickie, in Lee's Summit. She had a bare master bedroom window and although beautiful, a plain white comforter with beige walls. She came to me looking for something to spruce up the neutral tones and add some life to her master bedroom!

Just by adding draperies to her window and coordinating pillows for her bedding, the room was completely transformed!

These tab top draperies, tab top valance and throw pillows were made by Lafayette Interior Fashions, we love them!!

-Kayla

Showroom

We finally have displays!! I have always loved our new building but I was not feeling like it was a true showroom until now!

Thank you SO much to Keith and Jody for making our BEAUTIFUL display units!! I could not be happier with the end result :)

Stop by today to see them for yourself and schedule an appointment with one of our professional design consultants!

-Kayla

816.554.7779 Call us today!

It's Time to Update!

While mini blinds are a great product for special jobs, if you are feeling like it's time to update your windows, here is that last little push that you needed!

10 Uses for Old Mini Blinds

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20681622_21293686,00.html

Now you can revamp your windows without wasting your previous blinds. This website shows you 10 ways mini blinds can be used to help around the house. Also, there are many different craft or art projects that can be done with vinyl, paper, or aluminum blinds.

And as always, mentions this blog post and receive 25% off of your next order with Budget Blinds!

Thanks,

Kayla

Tricky, Tricky

A lot of people call in with questions about specialty shaped windows, curved trim, bay windows etc. These types of windows and areas seem tricky to cover but Budget Blinds has many options for you!

Our shutters come in just about any specialty shape you could imagine...

We can also do specialty cut outs (for door handles and knobs) so you can have the beauty and functionality of a shutter on your doors as well.

Have a bay or bow window causing you some problems? Let us help! Board mounted valances can be constructed to fit any size angle for your bay window! Here is an example of a bay window we did for Patsy from Harrisonville, MO. She has thermal draperies underneath her valance, which still let light in but keep the heat and cold under control and save on energy costs! (See previous posts about more energy efficient options that Budget Blinds has to offer.)

I don't have a great picture from one of our bow window installs but we have curved drapery rods available that are custom measured to fit your angles.

Call us today and we'll find a solution for your tricky windows!

816.554.7779 Kansas City / Lee's Summit
913.402.1600 Overland Park / Leawood

-Kayla