Central Oregon Interior Design | Window Treatments

Window Shopping

WHEN IT COMES TO WINDOW COVERINGS, we Central Oregonians want it all. We’d like full access to our views—but we want privacy. We want our rooms sheltered from the cold—but we also want them warmed by the sun. We want sturdy blinds—but we want them to be attractive.

In short, f nding shades or draperies that meet the demands of Bend’s environment, as well as our own preferences, can be a bit of a test. Luckily, there are many lovely, state-of-the-art solutions to this blinding conundrum.

Kimo Dejon of Aloha Blinds and Designs says dressing the perfect window requires a combination of practicality and style. One of his favorite products, faux-wood blinds, provides the perfect balance of both. Not only are these blinds nice-looking, he says; they stand up to the myriad of environmental tests the High Desert generates.

“Faux wood is made of petroleum and won’t splinter, crack or lose color integrity over time,” Dejon says. “I’ve been installing these blinds for 18 years and have never seen them fail.” Seventy percent of Aloha clients choose faux wood for these reasons, he says.

For those who seek extra insulation— whether from heat or cold—Dejon recommends Aloha’s second most popular window covering: honeycomb, or cellular, blinds. “The honeycombs are very credible because they contain cells full of air, which provide the highest resistance rating to heat or cold loss in the industry,” he says.

Room for a View

Appropriately framing one’s view often requires considerations beyond the practical. “Bend has a lot of view windows, and they can be very difficult to treat,” says designer Kay Thompson with Cascade Design Center. “Treatments that provide light and sun control, as well as privacy, but then tuck up out of the way so that the view is preserved, are the most popular.”

While blinds can meet those parameters, shutters are becoming increasingly popular in Central Oregon—especially if they are included in construction plans, she says.

Even if they have a great view, some people just prefer draperies. Thompson suggests avoiding  distracting swags, cascades, stripes and bright colors: “Choose something quieter, calmer, with perhaps a solar screen or pleated shade beneath to provide sun control,” she says.

In fact, no matter what the primary purpose or placement of window coverings, the minimal look is in.

“Window treatments are no longer wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling focal points,” explains Thompson. “They are simpler today.”

Straightforward blackout blinds, often with a softening cover or top accent, are a great option for bedrooms and children’s rooms—but be sure they do not contain formaldehyde, to which many people have allergies. In the bathroom, shutters can sit inside the window frame to avoid accumulating moisture or dirt. Woven wood shades are back in fashion, too.

Final Considerations

If you are building a new home or plan to remodel, take some time to think about window treatments early in the game. This can make a big difference when it comes to installation. “If you want recessed linds or shutters, you can tell your contractor o make space for proper clearances nd tolerances,” says Thompson. And ay attention to the choice you make for he windows themselves, advises Dejon: Double-paned windows increase insulation y 70 percent over single panes.”

Two final thoughts to keep in mind as you prepare to adorn your windows:

First, despite the constraints of climate and trend, there really are no rules when it comes to window coverings. “Everything is custom these days,” says Thompson. “It’s really about what you want.” Finally, according to Dejon, homeowners typically invest 1 to 2 percent of the purchase value of their home in window coverings—“but those coverings add 5 to 7 percent in resale value because of the enhancement they bring to the house,” he explains.