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Bamboo Lives On

submitted by: Jennifer 08/04/10

Designers have been decorating with bamboo for years and with good reason. It looks great, lasts forever and is an eco-friendly material. Below are some of my favorite ways of incorporating this hard-working friend of nature into my clients’ homes:

bunny-williams-curtain-rod

1) Curtain Rods. Ditch the metal rods and hang your window panels on rings and a bamoo rod. Because this isn’t commonly found in stores you will have to locate and cut your desired length on your own. The result is an unexpected focal point and where better to put a natural beauty like bamboo than in a place where it can frame the beauty outside?

bamboo-floor2 

2) Flooring. Bamboo flooring is catching on and your options aren’t as limited as you might think. Designing Diva Interiors has access to every style of bamboo available in today’s market and the looks are as varied as the clients’ personalities. Its soft on the feet and looks amazing, not to mention that it cuts down on household allergens.  **DDI also offers discounts up to 40% off on flooring for clients.

scrapile-table

3) Tables. Bamboo tables rock my world and I can’t give you a better reason than this: they last forever and stand up to daily wear-and-tear like no other. Plus, the pricing is usually pretty fabulous. Not sure what your style is? Bamboo fits in wherever its needed!

If you would like to work bamboo into your decor but need a little nudge, allow Designing Diva Interiors LLC to show you the way! Contact DDI today to book your initial consultation.

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Posted in DIY, Green Design/Living, Home staging, Remodeling/Renovation, home improvement | No Comments »

Window Treatments 101

submitted by: Jennifer 02/23/10

Need window treatments but don’t know where to start? Read on as I break down the  basics of some of the most in-demand window covering options from off-the-shelf to custom.

drapes

1. Flowing draperies. These tend to look more formal and graze if not puddle on the floor. Leave parted to one side, both sides or tie back. May be hung on a rod with rings, a rod pocket top or grommets for more casual styles. Expect to pay $135 or more per panel. Available in many fabrics. May be lined or unlined. Usually not energy efficient unless lined.

2. Panels. Similar to draperies but typically more casual. Also hung on a drapery rod with rings, rod pocket top, grommet  or clips. May be found on store shelves starting at $25 and 85″ long (standard). Available in many fabrics, most unlined. Not energy efficient unless specified. Available in limited room-darkening fabrics.

valance

3). Valance. Valances can be very formal, playfully trendy or uber casual depending upon the design. Custom valances can be mounted on a board or drapery rod. You can find ready-made valances at stores like JC Penney starting at 12.00 each for sheers, more for solids. May be combined with panels, shutters or shades.

4. Shutters. A more clean-cut look in my opinion and more masculine when shown in wood stains. Also available in whites/creams. Expect to pay upwards of $400 per window for this custom window covering. Perfect for allowing natural sunlight to filter in. Cheaper versions may bow with temperature changes over time. Usually left alone (i.e. not paired with another window treatment).

sheers

5.  Sheers. May be layered with other sheer or solid panels. Hung on drapery rod with rod pocket top. Available in stores starting at $10 and 85″ long. Available in custom colors/patterns/sizes as well. Not ideal for privacy unless paired with solid panels. Not energy efficient.

6.  Honeycomb shades. Usually a custom design. Many colors available. Various levels of energy efficiency available. Ideal for protecting wood flooring and furniture from sun exposure. Ideal for privacy.

sihlouettes

7. Sihlouette by Hunter Douglas. The best of both draperies and shades. Can be paired with another window treatment or left alone. Available in various colors and vein sizes. www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=33 A high-end treatment with unlimited possibilities. May be installed with remote control. Allows for privacy and natural sunlight filtering. Ideal for maintaining exterior view.

romanshades

8. Roman Shades. Available in a flat fold or more full shape. Available in nearly any fabric/pattern. Ideal for privacy.  May be raised for full sun exposure. Not typically energy efficient.

Ready to see some samples?

For custom orders contact Patti Wommer of Edmond, OK at 405.615.3086.

For shutters and Sihlouettes, contact David of Blind Alley, Oklahoma City, OK at 405.848.0099.

For all other window needs please contact Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D. of Designing Diva Interiors, LLC at 405.816.9716!

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Posted in General, Home staging, home improvement | No Comments »

Need window treatments but don’t know where to start? Read on as I break down the  basics of some of the most in-demand window covering options from off-the-shelf to custom.

drapes

1. Flowing draperies. These tend to look more formal and graze if not puddle on the floor. Leave parted to one side, both sides or tie back. May be hung on a rod with rings, a rod pocket top or grommets for more casual styles. Expect to pay $135 or more per panel. Available in many fabrics. May be lined or unlined. Usually not energy efficient unless lined.

2. Panels. Similar to draperies but typically more casual. Also hung on a drapery rod with rings, rod pocket top, grommet  or clips. May be found on store shelves starting at $25 and 85″ long (standard). Available in many fabrics, most unlined. Not energy efficient unless specified. Available in limited room-darkening fabrics.

valance

3). Valance. Valances can be very formal, playfully trendy or uber casual depending upon the design. Custom valances can be mounted on a board or drapery rod. You can find ready-made valances at stores like JC Penney starting at 12.00 each for sheers, more for solids. May be combined with panels, shutters or shades.

4. Shutters. A more clean-cut look in my opinion and more masculine when shown in wood stains. Also available in whites/creams. Expect to pay upwards of $400 per window for this custom window covering. Perfect for allowing natural sunlight to filter in. Cheaper versions may bow with temperature changes over time. Usually left alone (i.e. not paired with another window treatment).

sheers

5.  Sheers. May be layered with other sheer or solid panels. Hung on drapery rod with rod pocket top. Available in stores starting at $10 and 85″ long. Available in custom colors/patterns/sizes as well. Not ideal for privacy unless paired with solid panels. Not energy efficient.

6.  Honeycomb shades. Usually a custom design. Many colors available. Various levels of energy efficiency available. Ideal for protecting wood flooring and furniture from sun exposure. Ideal for privacy.

sihlouettes

7. Sihlouette by Hunter Douglas. The best of both draperies and shades. Can be paired with another window treatment or left alone. Available in various colors and vein sizes. www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=33 A high-end treatment with unlimited possibilities. May be installed with remote control. Allows for privacy and natural sunlight filtering. Ideal for maintaining exterior view.

romanshades

8. Roman Shades. Available in a flat fold or more full shape. Available in nearly any fabric/pattern. Ideal for privacy.  May be raised for full sun exposure. Not typically energy efficient.

Ready to see some samples?

For custom orders contact Patti Wommer of Edmond, OK at 405.615.3086.

For shutters and Sihlouettes, contact David of Blind Alley, Oklahoma City, OK at 405.848.0099.

For all other window needs please contact Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D. of Designing Diva Interiors, LLC at 405.816.9716!

405.816.9716 • P.O. Box 850155 Yukon, OK 73085 © 2009 Designing Diva Interiors, LLC