AN AGE-OLD MATERIAL
From the earliest history of mankind, homes have been built using stone for walls and floors. Stone adds texture, quality, weight and long-term value to the look of a home. Stone choices are almost unlimited, and each comes in oh-so-many colors, textures and natural patterns. Choices include marble, granite, onyx, travertine, slate, sandstone, and limestone. Most types of stone can be finished to be smooth and polished, rough and unpolished, or even fire-finished for a rustic look.

WHERE TO ADD STONE 
Because stone carries weight and is bold, it often becomes the focal point of a room, adding drama, substance and interest. 

​So many surfaces lend themselves to stone including:
– Fireplaces, surrounds and mantles
– Walls and floors
– Coffee tables and dining tables
– Counter tops and backsplashes
– Showers and tub surrounds
– Sinks

WORK WITH AN EXPERT
It’s important to work with an expert to select the stone that looks perfect in your house and that works for the functions you need. Some types of stone are more durable than others or can be treated for heavy use. Often, depending where you live, you can even go to a stone yard to select the stone to be used in your rooms. Consider adding stone to your home – it can give your house a sense of nature and permanence.

​© Hunter Douglas 2019

​Too often lamps become an afterthought to a decorating project when we’re exhausted from planning other details. In reality, they’re the perfect finish to a room because they create a feeling of warmth and atmosphere. It’s important to focus on lamps for a beautifully completed room decor.
 
Function is definitely key to selecting lamps since different types of lamps and light bulbs provide various qualities of light. Work with a pro to help plan your entire lighting scheme, which often includes recessed lighting, hanging lights, lamps and more.
 
The style, color, shape and materials of a lamp should complement the style of your décor. Lamps may add a distinctive touch that stands out and becomes a focal point, or they can fit into the background. The choice is yours. A lamp can be traditional or modern, masculine or feminine, and embellished or clean in look.

LAMPS ADD BEAUTY AND FUNCTION
 
Think of all the places you can add a beautiful lamp:
– A dining room buffet
– A foyer console table
– A bedroom nightstand or dresser
– An end table or side table in the living room or great room
– The vanity in a powder room
– The desk in a home office 

​Of course, not all lamps perch on a table-like surface in your home. Floor lamps add a beautiful mix, sitting next to almost any piece of furniture in almost any room. Just remember not to put your floor lamp too close to passageways.
 
Focus on updating your lamps this season to create a brilliant fashion statement and additional lighting.

​Some changes involve major structural renovations, such as:
– Warm wood beams
– Rustic wood slats
– Vaulted ceilings
– Raising the roof to add a row of windows
– Cutting through the roof to install skylights 
For these dramatic changes, you’ll need to hire a contractor (and maybe even an engineer) to advise you and do the work, keeping in mind structural issues in your home.

More ideas for enhancing a room's ceiling.
Other ceiling enhancements are easier to complete such as:
– Crown molding on or near the ceiling
– Coffered ceilings
– Coved ceilings
– Hollow beams that don’t add weight to your home’s structure
– Contrasting paint color, either darker or lighter than wall paint
                                                                       – Stencils or murals
                                                                       – Faux paint finishes
​Take your home environment to a higher level – and don’t forget about the ceilings!

  When you think about adding a vintage piece, think beyond just furniture such as chairs, end tables, dining tables, Bombay chests and desks. 
  Think also about beautiful vintage accessories, including:
– Lamps
– Mirrors
– Rugs
– Posters, and Knick-knacks. 
Don’t be nervous about mixing a vintage piece with your modern décor. A touch of the old will refresh your look!

Adding a glass table will help your room feel larger.
It’s clear – a glass table will add interest to a room, whether it’s a dining table, coffee table, console table or occasional table. Glass is a crystal clear choice for a table because it almost disappears.  Because there’s no opaque surface breaking sight lines, a glass table makes a room seem larger and it emphasizes: 
– The texture and weave of your rugs 
– The beauty of your hardwood or tile floors
– The craftsmanship of table legs or pedestals
– The personality of collectibles you display on the tabletop
– Even how adorable your dogs or cats look sitting under the table! 

Glass tables complement all interior design styles.
Glass tables come in all shapes, sizes and styles – even ones that complement traditional interior design styles.  Instead of a typical square or rectangular table, think round, oval, hexagonal or freeform. And glass doesn’t have to be crystal clear; it can be colored in so many shades.  Also consider a two-level glass table. It’s a beautiful way to display collectibles on the bottom level, yet still have space on top for beverages, snacks and a flower arrangement or two. 
 
What to consider when selecting a glass table.
Make sure you work with a professional to select a glass top table. Tempered glass should be thick enough for your table’s function, and should be beveled or curved on the edges. Also make sure the glass has no nicks or chips.  In terms of practicality, glass tables are easy to clean; however, they do show fingerprints and dust.  Open up your interior living space with a glass table. It’s clearly an excellent choice! 

We all love a beautiful spa bathroom when we’re on a luxury vacation. Why not enjoy that luxury every day of the year while we’re at home too?  You can create a spa experience in any size bathroom although bigger is almost always better! Think neutral colors because they lend themselves to the calmness and serenity you’d like for a spa retreat. Also consider coordinating colors with your master bedroom for a seamless transition from sleep to serenity.

Lighting is one of the most important elements in making your home environment function effectively and look beautiful. A stunning light fixture can create a big impact in a room and, yet, it’s somewhat unique as a design element because it doesn’t take up any of your limited floor or wall space.

Even just a touch makes your home feel festive and warm. A touch of holiday decorating will help get you and your guests into the spirit of the season! But keep it simple so YOU can enjoy the season without stressing about perfection.

Once blinds are installed in your home, the first thing you will notice is you have more control over the sunlight and how it enters your room. For instance, some window blinds have slats that close tighter than others (often referred to as “routeless”), minimizing the amount of light that is able to enter the room. Routeless blinds might be a good option for bedrooms, or a room with a home theater setup where light can reflect off the screen. Routeless blinds are explained in greater detail here.

Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are available in a huge selection of colors, patterns and styles. This allows you to create the perfect look for any room in your home, including your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, dining and living room. A Shade Better offers a wide variety of blinds, including Hunter Douglas’s Parkland, Scenic, Classics, Textures and Weathered lines. We also carry Comfortex, Vista, and American Classic branded blinds.

Parkland Scenic blinds feature 100% basswood, and include a lovely mixture of stains and paints, creating a gorgeous wood grain. The color palette of the Parkland Scenic blinds features neutral whites and grays, which complement modern cabinetry and furniture colors. 

Parkland Classics blinds are also 100% basswood. This collection offers you our biggest selection of slat sizes, paint colors and stains, allowing you to choose the perfect design for your High Point home. 

Did you know that using natural textures in your home is a great way to add contrast to your décor? Our Parkland Textures blinds are created from a species of wood called abachi. This wood has a unique ticking appearance, which lends a modern matte texture to your blinds.

Parkland Weathered wood blinds also feature abachi wood. This collection presents a delicate texture that is wire-brushed onto the wood. This option will bring a lovely surface texture and depth to your windows.

Metal Blinds
When you want the focal point of your windows to be your beautiful view, consider our Reveal with MagnaView aluminum blinds. These aluminum blinds are designed to nest two slats together when tilted to the open position - providing you with double the view of a standard blind. 

Our Natural Elements blinds feature a special combination of aluminum slats with a real wood valance, bottom rail, tassels and tilt wand. These aluminum blinds are available in a wide variety of finishes and colors. They offer you the ultimate amount of privacy and light control, all with a sleek, fashionable appearance. Many of our metal blinds are also available with the routless option.

Faux (or Alternative Wood) Blinds
If you're searching for an alternative to standard wood blinds, then our Everwood Renditions collection is for you. This economical blind collection features wood grain colors and white finishes, which are perfect if you have rooms moisture or large temperature changes (think bathroom or garage). Our Everwood Faux blinds will lend a bright, classic appearance to any area with high traffic. Hunter Douglas backs its entire Everwood line with a written guarantee that they will not warp, bow, fade, or discolor. 

Vertical Window Blinds
Did you know that vertical blinds are perfect for wide window expanses or sliding glass doors. Our Hunter Douglas vertical blinds are available in hundreds of colors, fabrics and materials. We offer four main types of vertical blinds, including Cadence, Somner, Skyline and Vertical Solutions.

A Shade Better has blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies for any color or style of décor. We can’t wait to help you transform your High Point home into a work of art! Call us today for a free estimate!

​So, the time has come to get window coverings for your home in Summerfield. Should you choose curtains or drapes? Maybe shutters are the way to go, or perhaps blinds are your best bet? Before you know it, your head is spinning, and you are beginning to remember the reason why you put window coverings off in the first place. Don’t stress - The experts at A Shade Better understand! Even if you have changed window coverings once or twice before, it’s not something you do every day, and it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed. However, when it comes to choosing the best type of window covering for your windows, it’s really quite simple. A few practical tips will help you get a better understanding of what type of window coverings will serve you best.

The same type of window covering may not work for every room in your home - Any window covering has three main tasks: to provide light control, provide privacy and security (if needed), and be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The trick is to choose the window covering that will provide you with adequate levels of all three for the specific application. Not to mention that certain kinds of window coverings work better in certain rooms. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to install floor-length draperies in your bathroom, or contemporary wood blinds on the window above the kitchen sink. Perhaps the most important thing to remember when choosing window coverings, is to always try to put function before style. It’s helpful to ask yourself two questions: First, how much light do you want coming in through your windows? And second, what level of privacy do you desire? If you’re like most homeowners, you may have a different answer for every room in the house.

Tips for window coverings in the kitchen - When you are installing window coverings in your kitchen, consider taking a minimalistic approach. This means that you should avoid anything that would be too heavy - like draperies. Ideally, the kitchen should be a bright room, with plenty of access to natural lighting. This can be achieved with blinds, pleated shades, or maybe even roman shades.  Any of these will adequately provide light control and privacy, each doing with with a different look and functionality.

A Shade Better provides quality window coverings to meet the needs of your entire home - Are there certain rooms in your home that always seem to be hotter or colder than the rest of the house? Duette or Applause Honeycomb shades are an excellent choice for dealing with insulation issues. By design these shades trap the air and allow it to act as insulation, providing you with superior energy efficiency. 

Our Wood, Poly (Vinyl), or Hybrid shutters can easily turn your home into a work of art! These shutters come in a wide variety of configurations and finishes. Best of all, we have so many colors to choose from, that you won’t have any trouble picking out the perfect finish to match your décor. A Shade Better offers every type of window covering you could desire for your home in Summerfield, NC. We can’t wait to help you create the home of your dreams! Call us today for your free estimate!

One of the simplest and most effective ways to alter the appearance of a room in your home is to install window treatments. When you add a functional window treatment, you suddenly have control over the amount of sunlight allowed in to your home and get a better handle on privacy. Whether your reason for installing window treatments is for aesthetics or practicality, here are some key benefits of adding them to your Greensboro, NC home.  

A Window Treatment is Much More than Just a Window Covering - A window treatment is so much more than simply a covering for your window. Different types of window treatments can be used to boost your windows’ functionality and style. Some common types of window treatments include: blinds, shades, and shutters. While functionally different, they all serve the same basic purpose: to control light, insulate, provide privacy, and pull together a room’s décor. You can use a single treatment or you can combine with different design layers to create a desired effect.

Improved Aesthetics - Premium window treatments come in a plethora of styles.  Using gorgeous, rich materials, there is a window treatment to compliment any design vision.  Whether you taste is traditional, contemporary, or something in-between, you can find a beautiful window covering to add that special touch.
 
Sun Protection - Perhaps the most important advantage of new window treatments is sun protection. Whether you choose blinds, shades, shutters, or draperies, they offer protection from the heat of the sun. Most homeowners know that over a period of time, the sun's UV rays can damage your furniture, walls and carpeting. However, when you install quality window treatments in your home, you can control the amount of sun allowed into your home and prevent this type of damage.

Privacy - We offer many great window treatments that functionally control light through the day and offer the privacy you want or need at night. The ability to keep prying eyes out of your home offers a sense of safety. This could also be useful in confidential business meetings, or to segregate one part of a work area from another.

Energy Savings - Most all window treatments provide insulation around your windows - some are better than others. For instance, when the weather is hot outside, your window treatment will work to prevent heat from coming indoors, and in the winter time, the heat from your home will be trapped inside. This allows you to enjoy comfortable temperatures all year round. Even better, energy consumption from your heating and cooling system will be noticeably reduced. Give us a call or visit our showroom today to learn more about the latest in window fashion and how we can help enhance your home.

Textures are a nice touch in an interior design scheme. They can caress your skin or stimulate the senses with a bit of roughness. Whether the textures you add are soft or hard, dense or airy, pliable or firm, they will add interest and engagement to your décor. Read the full article below.

Wise fabric choices can inspire your entire decorating plan. Fabrics are used on so many surfaces in most homes. In fact, fabric is one of the most important elements as you make
your interior design plans. Fabrics even set the mood for a room and influence the way you feel.

Their beauty is a reflection of your design style. Ever thought about using mirrors as a design element rather than just as a functional tool to check your look before you leave the house? Mirrors look beautiful in almost any room, not just the bathroom or entry way. And sometimes they have no function at all; for example, if they’re composed of lots of small panes or have a distressed surface that’s hard to view a reflection from.

Think outside the box for a refreshing change of decor. When most of us purchase home elements, we tend to focus on square and rectangular shapes and surfaces. ​Maybe now’s the
time for a refresher course in high school geometry to spice up your home décor.