We DARE you to ask us a question we can't answer ! ! 

Problem solving is what we know and love! Please read on to read some interesting questions our customers have asked as well as our recommendations.

Have a question of your own? We'd love to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to give us a call or, if you prefer, send us an email.

BALANCE AND HARMONY:  Creating a look that flows

Q.  Now that we have had you create a fabulous window treatment for our bedroom window, the rest of the room looks too plain. What can we do to restore the visual balance?

A. In order to prevent your window treatment from standing out from the rest be found elsewhere in the room’s decor.

At right, Dolores tied the look of this bedroom together by combining an outline-quilted bedspread, pillow shams and padded headboard, all created with the same print used for the draped swag and custom laminated vertical blinds. Touches of the fabric are also found in accent pillows.

Often, the same fabric used for your window treatment can also be used for lightweight upholstery. Whether you choose a single fabric or mix coordinates, you will create a look that flows.

FIX OR REPLACE:  One of Life's Easier Dilemmas

Q. Now that our nest is empty, it’s time to deal with our worn upholstery, sun-damaged drapery linings, and a few blinds and shades in various states of disrepair... What do you think -fix or replace?

A. The question really is: do you like these things? If you like your draperies, they can be repaired and relined and, with a few creative touches, maybe a new valance or swag, they will look freshly up-to-date. If you like the comfort of your older sofa, re-upholstering lets you update the style, choose fabric to match your taste and maintain the quality of construction you originally invested in. If you like your blinds and shades, Roy’s the man to fix them!  

Still unsure? One of our Design Consultants will happily pay you a visit to help find your best solution.

SOLARIUMS & SKYLIGHTS:  Curves, slopes and high places

Q. What product would best cover the solarium window that rises over our jaccuzzi tub. We would like to be able to open it from the top down as well as from the bottom up, however, the skylight portion at the top is very awkward to reach.

A. The attractive cellular, or "honeycomb" style of  shades are perfect for these types of windows because they have a flexible tracking system that can be tightly fitted to any curve or corner. Height is not a barrier either. They can be easily manouevred, whether manually with a long wand, by remote control or with a custom wall switch.

Assuming you didn’t put your jacuzzi window where you are likely to be peeped at, you would probably enjoy the translucent version which gently filters in natural light rather than the "blackout" shade which is ideal for complete room darkening.

Finally, you’ll appreciate the added insulation cellular shades offer as air trapped within the cellsforms a barrier against summer heat or winter cold.

A FRESH NEW LOOK:  Small ideas for big results

Q. We are moving into a new home which has a lot of character.  How can I arrange my decor so it feels spacious and  also exudes character?

A.  One of the most enjoyable aspects of moving into your new home can be the challenge of decorating your new space. 

The first stage in the process is incorporating your possessions into an existing colour and design scheme. Just getting things into some semblance of order can help you feel at home. Following a few basic design guidelines can help you determine what goes where.

First, if you want a more spacious feeling, try moving large furnishings such as sofas and loveseats  4-8" from the walls. The shadow created by this space obscures the hard-edged line where the wall and floor meet, creating the illusion that the walls start farther back than they do and that the room is larger than it is.  This is a particularly useful trick for small rooms in spite of the slight loss of floor space.  You’ll find that when everything is pushed close together, your room will shrink visually and tend to look cluttered.   

Items placed in corners should never be squared off with the corner; instead they should be placed at an angle.  Pictures, on the other hand, should be arranged in groups so that the edges line up either horizontally or vertically with only two or three inches between frames in a group. Artwork is arranged in the same way and does not have to match the décor of your room. Art is typically purchased for the statement it makes. The overall look will seem too contrived if everything matches.  When arranging items on a flat surface, such as a tabletop or mantle, arrange them in groups of odd numbers and varied heights.

Once your budget has recovered from moving expenses, you can start to make some more definite changes.  Paint makes probably the biggest impact in the look of a space and there are now paints for almost any surface. We'd love to show you some of the brilliant techniques you can use to add fanciful  designs to your cabinets, counter tops or walls.  Here's one easy idea:  

How about putting 2-inch strips of masking tape 2 inches apart and covering the wall with a water base high gloss varnish?  When you remove the tape (with a warm hair dryer to soften the glue) you’re left with an elegant regency stripe effect.

Floor coverings also make a definite statement but may not need to be replaced. For example, if the carpet is in good condition, you can have the colour changed with dyes.

Windows are often the focal point in a room as they provide a major source of daylight illumination and frame the view. The style of the window treatment can date your look or modernize it.  We’ll show how to create really jazzy window coverings either with gorgeous new fabrics or by restyling the fabrics you already have. Drapery hardware such as scarf holders, finials and brackets come in some really funky designs that will delight - even amuse- with their character. 

Besides being decorative, nowadays window fashions also fulfill a variety of functional roles. You can increase the insulation value of your windows with thermal linings, insulating shades or low-E solar film. There is also new technology for privacy concerns, light control and difficult windows.

 With a little know-how and imagination, you’ll find yourself with a wonderful new décor that gives you the sense that it's wrapping its arms around you!

CELEBRATE THE SUN... but protect your furnishings!

Q. Now that we’ve had you design beautiful draperies and a bedding ensemble for our new home, how can we keep the sun from damaging it all without having to keep the blinds down all the time. We really enjoy the sun shining in.

A. Unless you protect them, the sun can damage your new fabrics in two ways. One is fading caused, primarily, by the sun’s ultraviolet rays and also by the heat it generates.

The other type of damage you need to be aware of is the dryness and brittleness that the sun’s heat can cause. Once this happens, dreadful tears to the fabric can occur very easily.

To safeguard your investment, we recommend that you have solar film installed. When expertly installed, you’ll barely notice it, yet it will block out up to 99% of UV rays and significantly reduce the heat in your home. You’ll also find that solar film cuts annoying glare from reflective surfaces.

Where security and safety are concerned, solar film’s toughness guards against vandalism and will keep glass from flying in the event of breakage.

FUNCTIONAL CREATIVITY SOLVES PRACTICAL OFFICE DRABNESS

Q. What suggestions can you offer to add warmth and pizzazz to a rather bland and unimaginative looking workplace while taking into consideration practical matters such as glare and excess heat from the windows?

A. Windows tend to be dominant, so it makes sense to plan your decor

around them. If covered simply with blinds, you can create a warmer and quieter atmosphere by adding fabrics - stylish toppers or side panels. And, with all the fabulous fabrics to choose from, both for your window coverings and upholstered pieces, you’ll be able to choose colours, textures and designs that express the unique personality of your business.

To reduce glare and up to 40% of the heat generated by the sun, we would recommend applying solar film to your windows.

Taking security and safety into consideration, solar film is also tough enough to help safeguard your business from vandalism and its adhesive properties will keep glass from flying in the event of accidental breakage or a major earthquake.

LET THE SUN SHINE IN ... but reduce heat by up to 70%

Q. During the summer, the heat in our sunroom gets quite uncomfortable. Keeping the blinds closed definitely helps but defeats the purpose of the room - we want to enjoy our view. Can you offer any other solutions?

Exterior sunscreen

A. We can offer you two. For maximum comfort, we recommend recommend the installation of exterior-mounted sunscreens which will cut the heat in your sunroom by up to 70%.

An alternate solution would be to apply solar film to the interior side of your windows. Depending on the grade you choose, solar film can reduce heat by up to 40%.

Available in several tints as well as clear

Additional benefits of solar film are that it blocks out 99% of the UV rays which fade your fabrics and, during the winter, it provides added insulation to reduce energy costs. Solar film’s adhesive properties also offer added protection in the event of breakage.

One of our Design Consultants will be happy to show you a variety of samples, and help you decide on the best product to meet your needs.

GRANDPA DOESN'T HAVE TO KEEP DRAPES CLOSED ALL SUMMER

Q. We’ve recently moved our Grandpa into a retirement villa where he has a large, west-facing window with a lovely view. We’re concerned that the summer sun will heat the room up too much, even with the drapes closed. Is there a way to reduce the heat and still let Grandpa enjoy his view?

A. In situations such as this, where it likely isn’t possible to hang exterior sunscreens or to apply solar film, the best solution would be to hang a see-through, sun-filtering roller blind. Both Shearweave, which is available in a variety of decorator colours, and tinted Mylar blinds will reduce the heat by up to 40%. They are alsoeasy for elderly hands to adjust.

One of our Design Consultants would be delighted to pay you and your Grandpa a visit to show you a variety of different samples. They’ll also fill you in on the details of Pacific Blinds and Drapes’ recently introduced financing options which we’re whichfinancing options which which we’re sure you’ll find convenient and flexible.

Stay tuned for new Questions and Answers which will be added at the top of the page.