{window treatment wednesday}

Simple. Durable. Environmentally friendly. Not your mother’s blinds!

Natural Elements is the latest introduction from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions.  This new collection of precious metals blinds is now available at Hirshfield’s stores. The 2″ slats are a spring-tempered alloy offering superior resiliency. This alloy is made from 95% recyclable aluminum. It is lightweight, easy to lift, with minimal stack. Another cool feature is called MagnaView. Even though the slat is 2″, the view-through is comparable to a 4″ slat. When tilted open, the slats nest together, doubling your viewing pleasure.

This is an example of MagnaView™ where the slats nest together.

Hunter Douglas offers 22 different slat finishes in three collections:

• Riverstone™ Collection – Earthy and natural, works well with organic materials.
• Metallic™ Collection – Shimmery and fashionable, accents furnishings and fixtures.
• Matte™ Collection – Sophisticated and classic, blends with any decor.

Three different lift systems are available. Topping off the treatment is a wood valance in 12 popular colors and finishes. Decorative tapes are also an option.  Natural Element blinds are a great complement to granite, brick, and marble. Windows, especially above a kitchen sink, can be a challenge due to splashing and dirt accumulation. However, this blind is easy to wipe down as it bounces back to shape after handling. I can also see the Natural Elements Metallics used in lofts giving the space an edgy vibe. You can control your light and privacy needs and still pull them up if you want a completely unobstructed view. These blinds will make a striking statement at your windows.

Come and check out these not-so heavy metals at one of our Hirshfield’s locations or have one of the Shop at Home designers out to your home.

Guest post by Bonnie West, designer with Hirshfield’s Shop at Home

651-366-696

I think all window treatment posts need a Gladys Kravitz ending!

{beach inspiration}

As June turns into July, it seems the lazy days of summer are all too quickly passing us by. If you haven’t already, now is the time to fully embrace summer and draw inspiration from all it’s warmth and beauty to help carry you through that dreaded season that starts with a “W.”

Nothing says summer quite like a day spent at the beach, so for this post we wanted to highlight all the ways you can recreate a sunny day at the beach in your home.

We always like to start with color when designing a room. Warm, natural and muted colors all work well for creating a weathered beach look.

Pebbles & Cream Palette from Hirshfield's Devine

Natural elements like wood, grasscloth and stone all have comfortable, easy-going feel perfectly suited for a beach theme.

Thibaut Grasscloth

Erin Paige Pitts

In a recent article in the Washington Post, designer Erin Paige Pitts explains what colors work well when going for a coastal look:

Neutral colors, especially ones with a gray base. All of Benjamin Moore’s OC colors are neutrals with gray undertones. Neutral doesn’t always mean white.