I get lots of questions about what to put on sliders. Here is the latest installment in the blog about the topic. Today’s video shows a newish category to the industry. Known as panel track systems, gliding panels or other proprietary names, they are making a pretty large dent in the market. They are made in two specific ways. Most of the industry has multiple track systems at the top that hold as many panels. For example, a 5 panel system will use 5 tracks in the headrail. Each panel of fabric is attached at the headrail and passes the other panels while a catch is employed to “grab” the next panel. If you watch the video, you will see the general idea.

Skyline Panels use 2 tracks

The type of panel system used in the video is the Hunter Douglas Skyline Panel. It uses a different type of system. Only two rails are used no matter how wide the unit. Each panel is attached at the front and rear rail. This way, as each panel is stacked back, it stacks on top of every other panel. With the Hunter Douglas system, the size of the overlap changes as different panel configurations are used, whereas with the traditional panel systems the panel overlap is very consistent.
Here is how that works: With a traditional panel track system they take the overall width and divide by the number of panels and add the overlap width to each panel. With the Hunter Douglas Skyline system, the customer chooses one of two panel sizes, either 11 1/2″ or 17″ and then they compute the amount of overlap needed to make it all fit in the track size. Which one is a better system is a subject for debate. I have that conversation with all my clients prior to ordering these panel track systems.

The video shows a solar screen as the material choice, but keep in mind that you can also use a very large assortment of sheer, semi-opaque or completely opaque (blackout) fabrics. Also available are those popular natural woven materials, like bamboo, matchstick, grasscloth and other attractive materials.

Natural Woven Patterns

Hunter Douglas Architella Trielle Honeycomb Shade

With the cost of energy skyrocketing, many people are looking for the best insulating window coverings. The Hunter Douglas brand has led the market for many years with exceptionally efficient window shades. The product that leads the field is the Duette. They have different cell options to deal with almost any variation in insulation needs. For example, with the extreme heat and cold of northern Nevada, many people choose to go with the double or triple cell configurations that have been available. But, look closely at the photo above. You will notice that there are more than three layers of fabric. By doing a cell, inside a cell, inside a cell, they have made it possible to have 6 total layers of insulation between you and the outside world. You get five layers in the shade itself, and one more layer between the shade and the glass. Hunter Douglas has changed the way that they offer insulation numbers. They used to offer R-Values, (a recognized determination of insulative value), but they have changed this due to the inconsistencies in the actual windows they were insulating. Now they have a chart of temperatures that makes a very valid point. By using a heat lamp on the other side of some shades providing a temperature of 140 degrees, they measured a temperature on the opposite side of the shade at only 85 degrees using the Trielle fabric. This represents a 20% more efficient window shade than the previous generation of Architella fabrics.

Hunter Douglas Trielle Info

Not to be too salesy, but, there are two pricing things you should know about, regardless of where you purchase from. First, there is a $500 Federal Tax Credit that will give you money back on these insulative shadings, and there is a money back credit for buying a certain number of the following products. Hunter Douglas Duette Architella, Silhouette, Luminette or Pirouette. Of course, these have time restrictions, so give us a call to get details.

Certificate of Completion- Hunter Douglas Residential Motorization Specialist Training

Paul Kempler, (Me!) attended a special 3 day training in Denver Colorado last month which further trained him in the Motorization field to provide window coverings for full home automation systems. The training involved programming, technology and future trends. This training has made Kempler Design even more qualified to work with homeowners, integrators, architects, residential designers, home automators and others that service the home automation world. There are many choices when it comes to shadings for wired window coverings, but the world leader, Hunter Douglas offers better designer choices for the discriminating buyer. Kempler Design is happy to be the ONLY retailer in Reno, as of now, that has completed this training and is authorized to offer the full line of Hunter Douglas motorized product.

Simple answer, no.

The definition of blackout is simple. NO LIGHT passes through or around the window covering. With the Hunter Douglas Pirouette shade, there is a certain amount of light that comes around the shade at the edges as well as between the fabric panels. If you watch the video, you will see that clearly. 

The main focus of the video was to compare the light blocking ability of the Pirouette shade versus that of the Silhouette shade. Hunter Douglas has changed the way that they provide light blocking information, but they USED to say that their Bon Soir fabric, which is the most opaque that they make, would block 70% of the light. I don’t have a specific number, but the Pirouette shade blocks noticeably more.

So, in the end, if you want a shading that provides a slatted look and includes a sheer facing, both products will give you this effect. But, if you need the shade in a media room or bedroom where you need more darkness, then I think the Pirouette is a better choice.

Silhouette Shades

Hunter Douglas Pirouette Shades

Click here to view the embedded video.

There are specifics that can make your automation either a smooth and easy part of every day life or a complete nightmare. We have spent a lot of time receiving training that helps us help you. Feel free to contact us, no matter where you are if you are planning a home automation system in your custom home. We would be happy to help.

Finding The Right Interior Decorator To Work With It has been said that finding the right interior decorator to work with is like finding the right pair of shoes. Of the hundreds of styles of shoes on the market, there are very few that will meet your personal taste, your needs, or your budget. You may not want to spend several hundred dollars on a pair of Jimmy Choo Slingback Pumps, but at the same time the combat boots from the Army-Navy store might not be what you are looking for either. Before going any further, it is important to note that (as we discussed previously) there is a difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer. But for the purposes of this discussion, let us assume that the two terms are interchangeable. No offense to any of the designers & decorators who read this blog. What do you look for when looking for someone to help decorate your home? Obviously you can ask friends or family for referrals – decorators LOVE referrals. But only ask if the results that your friends got matches something you think you might be comfortable with. It does you no good to get a referral for a decorator that has a “traditional” style if you love a more contemporary decor. Make sure that the decorator can work with your personal tastes and your personality. You are the one that has to live there after the decorator is long gone. Understand the money side of the equation before you commit to using their services. If possible have everything spelled out in advance. Does the decorator bill you incrementally as work progresses? Are you required to put a good faith deposit down first? Or is everything billed upon completion of the job? Nail down a completion date. It’s bad enough to have your home in disarray for a short amount of time but if you don’t know when it is likely to be returned to normal it can lead to an increased level of stress. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate with your decorator. You need to know what she is doing, but she needs to know what your thoughts are as well. Ask for references and then check them. This is just smart business. And you have to remember to think about it as a business transaction. Don’t get emotional during the process. You can fall in love with the finished product after everything is completed. Link to original article here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here is what Hunter Douglas has to say about their new Parkland Wood Blinds-

New Parkland™ wood blinds feature the beauty of natural hardwoods and custom, multi-step finishes for the ultimate in richness and depth.
– New finishes:
– Classics™
– Eight new wood stains and paints are modern takes on traditional colors that blend effortlessly into a kaleidoscope of interiors.
– Available in 2″ and 2½” flat slat sizes.
– Light, fresh finishes bring warmth and texture to the home.
– Mid-tones add layering and depth at the windows while marrying with the other designer touches in any room.
– Deeper dramatic, luxurious options heighten the drama and contrast of a space.
– Genuine Woods™
– New oak finishes that capitalize on the contrasting grain inherent in furniture grade oak slats.
– Three new wood stains.
– Available in 2″ slat size.
• LiteRise® cordless lifting system is now available on 2½” Reflections® beveled slats, in addition to 2″ and 2½”
flat slat options.
– Enhances child and pet safety by removing lift cords.
– The blind lifts and lowers with the touch of a finger.
• New Decorative Tapes
– Enhancements to decorative tape choices gives sixty choices for unmatched customization potential.

There is much more to see, so give us holler if you want to see them in person.

Pass-Through Drapes

This is a non-operating drapery. Why would someone do this type of a treatment? The most often used reason is that they want to soften the harshness of the walls and pillars and offer a more relaxed view as you enter the next room. When doing this treatment there were a few considerations.

• The shape of the arch had to be cut into the header of the drapery.
• The pleating had to match on both sides of the drapery.
• Special side hems had to be created to avoid the look of a “lining” on the back side. It is called “knife edge”.
• Choices need to be made to determine whether the face fabrics would match or complement each other.
• Mounting method needed to hidden since it would be visible from both sides.

” />

So, here I was tonight trying to figure out what to write about this week. I clicked on Spotify to enjoy my workout playlist, which helps my mind get active, and the shuffle feature brought up The Crystal Method, Busy Child. At the same time as I looked through photos of my work, I happened upon the above picture. OK, it happens to be of a beautiful drapery rod with a crystal finial. Would I have picked it without the musical inspiration? Who knows, and it will remain a question for all time, but in the meantime, we get to see a really great addition to a room treatment.

” /> Crystal Chandelier

There are so many choices when it comes to drapery rods and finials. I enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect combination of size of rod, finish of rod/rings/brackets and finials, as well as some intangibles that become obvious as the client and I work on the project. On this drapery treatments, we used drapery rods from IronArt by Orion. We chose from the Italian Collection, which is all modern metal finishes, but the chandelier called out for a complementary finish. The brushed nickel finish on the rods and rings work really well with the Bavarian Crystal finials. If you look closely at the fabric used, it has a bit of a metallic thread running through it as well, adding to the overall window treatment. My personal take on almost everything design is to take a bit of a chance on your choices. Something drew you to it in the first place, so if your only drawback is that you aren’t sure about your choice, then go for it! If you hire a good consultant, they should encourage you to make a good, if a bit scary, choice. Years down the road, when you are looking at your selections, you will be happy you went with the exciting one.

So, to close this out, the song, “Life From a Window” by The Jam is playing. How fitting.