Displaying posts labeled "Support"

Custom window treatments, including motorized shades, blinds, and drapes, are more than just functional – they’re a statement of style and convenience. If you’ve chosen window treatments NYC to elevate your space, keeping them pristine and operating smoothly requires consistent maintenance and smart usage. Here are some practical and fun tips to ensure your custom shades remain as stunning and functional as the day you installed them.

1. Start with Regular Cleaning Routines

Dust and dirt can accumulate over time, affecting the appearance and performance of your custom window treatments. A regular cleaning schedule keeps them in top shape and prevents wear and tear.

How to Clean Different Types of Window Treatments:

• Motorized Shades: Use a microfiber cloth or a soft brush attachment on your vacuum to remove dust. Avoid spraying cleaning solutions directly on the fabric to prevent motor damage.
• Blinds: Close the blinds and clean each slat with a damp cloth, flipping them to clean the other side. For wooden blinds, avoid excess moisture, which can cause warping.
• Drapes: Check the care label for washing instructions. Many drapes are safe for gentle machine washing, while delicate materials may require dry cleaning.

A study found that clean windows and treatments can improve natural light penetration by up to 30%, boosting the brightness of your home.

2. Handle with Care

Custom window treatments are an investment, so treat them delicately to avoid unnecessary damage.

Best Practices for Handling:

• Adjust Gently: Use the remote or smart home app to operate motorized shades smoothly. Manually tugging on the shades can strain the motor.
• Secure Cords and Chains: For traditional blinds and shades, keep cords out of reach of pets and children. Use cord cleats or tensioners for added safety.
• Avoid Sharp Objects: Be cautious when cleaning or moving furniture near your treatments to prevent tears or scratches.

3. Perform Routine Inspections

Spotting issues early can save you costly repairs. Routine inspections of your shades, blinds, and drapes ensure everything stays in working order.

What to Look For:

• Motorized Shades: Listen for unusual noises when operating them. A quiet motor indicates smooth functioning, while grinding sounds may signal the need for lubrication or a professional check.
• Blinds: Inspect for bent or misaligned slats and address them promptly to maintain their appearance.
• Drapes: Check for loose threads or stains that might worsen if left unattended.

4. Protect from Sun Damage

While window treatments are designed to manage sunlight, prolonged exposure can fade fabrics or damage certain materials.

How to Prevent Sun Damage:

• Use UV-Resistant Materials: When selecting your custom shades, opt for UV-blocking fabrics that maintain color vibrancy.
• Rotate Drapes: If your drapes have a reversible design, rotate them occasionally to distribute sun exposure evenly.
• Smart Scheduling: Program motorized shades to lower during peak sunlight hours for optimal protection.

Modern UV-blocking shades can reduce heat gain by up to 77%, helping you save on energy bills while protecting your interiors.

5. Make the Most of Smart Features

Motorized shades offer cutting-edge technology that makes everyday living more convenient. Fully embracing these features can enhance your experience.

Smart Usage Ideas:

• Automated Scheduling: Program shades to rise and lower at specific times for better energy efficiency and privacy.
• Voice Control: Pair your motorized shades with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Home for effortless operation.
• Scene Setting: Create customized scenes for different times of day, like “morning light” or “movie night.”

The global smart shades market is projected to grow by over 15% annually, showing how quickly homeowners are adopting this technology.

6. Address Stains Promptly

Accidents happen, but the key to maintaining your window treatments is to act quickly when spills or stains occur.

Quick Stain Removal Tips:

• Blot, Don’t Rub: For fabric shades or drapes, gently blot stains with a clean, damp cloth to prevent spreading.
• Use Mild Detergents: A diluted mixture of water and dish soap works well for most materials. Test on a small, hidden area first.
• Consult Professionals: For stubborn stains or delicate fabrics, consider professional cleaning services to avoid damage.

7. Optimize Placement for Functionality

Where you install your window treatments can impact their longevity and usability.

Placement Tips:

• Avoid Heat Sources: Keep shades and drapes away from radiators, heaters, or stoves to prevent warping or fabric damage.
• Consider Moisture Levels: In humid areas like bathrooms, choose materials resistant to mildew, such as vinyl or treated fabrics.
• Match Function to Room: Motorized blackout shades work great in bedrooms, while light-filtering options suit living spaces.

8. Partner with Professionals for Maintenance

Sometimes, professional care is the best way to keep your custom window treatments in peak condition.

When to Call Experts:

• Motor Issues: If motorized shades aren’t functioning correctly, professional technicians can diagnose and fix the problem.
• Deep Cleaning Needs: For intricate or large-scale treatments, professional cleaning ensures a thorough job without the risk of damage.
• Repairs: Cracked slats, broken cords, or torn fabrics often require specialized tools and expertise.

Many manufacturers offer maintenance plans for custom treatments, so check your warranty to see if repairs are covered.

Enjoying the Benefits of Custom Window Treatments

Proper care and maintenance not only preserve the beauty and functionality of your custom shades, blinds, and drapes but also maximize your investment. With these tips, your window treatments can remain a source of style, comfort, and innovation in your home.

Treat your custom window treatments as you would any high-quality piece of furniture or décor. A little care goes a long way in ensuring they remain a beloved feature of your home for years to come.

BREAKING NEWS! The World Design Rankings have been announced for 2024. Who do you think topped the list? Where did your country come? What are World Design Rankings? WDR ranks all the countries based on the number of designers granted an A’ Design Award. This year China beat the United States to the top spot among the 113 represented countries, followed by Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Taiwan, Turkey, Germany and Portugal rounding out the top 10. (Australia made it in at 11 and Canada is at 19.) You can check out the complete list here and when you’re there you can even zoom into a country level, click on the country name in the rankings table and you will be able to see top designers from that country. The best designers in that country will be displayed first.

The ultimate aim of the World Design Rankings is to contribute to global design culture by advocating and highlighting good design. The rankings provide a snapshot of the state-of-the-art and design potentials of countries worldwide by highlighting their creative strengths, design weaknesses and available opportunities. With the best of the best showcased in hundreds of design fields and categories the Design Classifications allow you to choose the top-ranking designers, artists and architects for your next project be it in architecture, interior design, furniture design, fashion design, graphics design, packaging design and more.

For several years Desire to Inspire has partnered with the A’ Design Award & Competition, the world’s largest annual juried design competition that honors the best designers, architects, and design-oriented companies worldwide to provide them publicity, fame and recognition. Such an exciting competition. Such a prestigious award. If you think you have what it takes to enter you can do so here.

In the meantime here are some of my favourite winners from 2023-2024.

Tau Murano Small Table by Tulczinsky

Luar Armchair by Lattoog

Infinity Console by Cesare Arosio

Cenear Bench by Christine Xiang

Hone Shelf by Pablo Vidiella

Alskar Lounge Chair by Danwei Zhao

Marche Vison Market by Tomoya Akasaka

CC House Residential Single Dwelling by Muhammed Naseem M

One Line Studio Architectural Office by Tim Politis

Villa A Weekend House by Eitaro Satake and Miki Okuno – teamSTAR

Infinity Mobile Architecture by A.L.P.S.

Spirito Table Lamp by Alexey Danilin

Flatiron Lamp by Mr Smith Studio

Meland Club Indoor Playground by Li Xiang

Arcteryx Sanlitun Flagship Store by Arcteryx and Still Young

Guangzhou Serene Villa by Shenzhen Plus Architectural Design Co., Ltd

Over the years Desire to Inspire has proudly partnered with the A’ Design Award & Competition, the world’s largest annual juried design competition with over 100 categories (you can learn more about some of the super categories: Good Industrial Design Award, Good Architecture Design Award, Good Product Design Award, Good Communication Design Award, Good Service Design Award, Good Fashion Design Award). It honors the best designers, architects, and design-oriented companies worldwide to provide them publicity, fame and recognition. it is such an exciting competition, and an incredibly prestigious award!  A’ Design Award & Competition is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, with your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries are judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award & Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure. There is still time to get entries in for this year’s awards. Register today!

Let’s get started and have a peek at some of the talented winners of last year’s Furniture Design category (one of MANY categories that are included in the competition).

Golf Folding Chair by Miguel Arruda

Well’s Lounge Chair by Emre Oner

Tiramisu Pouf by Ruya Akyol

Arkhe Furniture Collection by Fulden Topaloglu

Stagione Transformative Chair by Nikolaos Karintzaidis

Hone Shelf by Pablo Vidiella

Cenear Bench by Christine Xiang

Alskar Lounge Chair by Danwei Zhao

Infinity Console by Cesare Arosio

Luar Armchair by Lattoog

Hanoi Detachable Sofa by Yuqi Wang

Accent Item Lighting Furniture by Yu Ren

Ariu Armchair by Research and Development Design Italia Srl

Oco Armchair by Mauricio Coelho

Tau Murano Small Table by Tulczinsky

Do you think you have what it takes to take on the best of the best design from around the world? You can register for the 2023-2024 A’ Design Award and Competition here but time is short so get your entries in now. And to see more award winning designs you can check them all out here.

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This post is brought to you in collaboration with A’ Design Award & Competition.

This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism. The projects range from a contemporary beach house in East Hampton to a Moroccan-influenced Mallorca escape, as well as two of Michael’s own homes, including his extraordinary apartment in a nineteenth-century palace in Madrid. Smith shares his inspirations and design process, and explores what makes a room truly comfortable: Can people relax on the seating? Is the furniture arranged to encourage conversation? Is there enough light, and is it flattering?
Classic by Design by Michael S. Smith, published by Rizzoli, is a book full of delicious spaces that will inspire you. His designs are so unique and really picture perfect, which makes wonderful content for a coffee table book! A must-add to your collection.

Next up is Nicole Hollis: Artistry of Home with photographs by Douglas Friedman and also published by Rizzoli. I’ve been a fan of Nicole Hollis’ work for years so this one is also a must-have in my ‘book’ ;). Speaking of creativity, hers is off the charts and seeing some of these spaces in print (that I have featured here on the blog in the past) makes them even more magical. Put this one on your Christmas list for sure!
Celebrated for her “delightfully elegant, understated interiors” (House Beautiful), and her fusing of artisanal elements into a contemporary approach to spaces, Nicole Hollis’s second book presents an inspirational look at the role of art and craft in interior design. Focusing on the profound effect that art, craft, and color can play in any interior, this book presents Hollis’s masterful new residential projects, in which the curation of art, objects, and custom furnishings are key to the character of the spaces. Spanning homes in New York, California, and Hawaii, each interior reveals a new lesson in the creative and playful juxtaposition of artistic elements.

And lastly I received Holly Hunt: Fearless in the World of Design. The cover is gorgeous, and if you are a fan of her high-end furniture and interior designs pick this one up. If you aren’t already a fan maybe skip this one. It’s a bit bland otherwise.
An influential figure on the design scene since the 1980s, Hunt is recognized for being the first to design gallerylike showrooms with a mix of high-end furnishings and art. Hunt’s signature design line, with its focus on craftsmanship, exacting proportions, and impeccable materials, is credited with elevating standards across the design world. This momentous volume showcases Hunt’s nearly forty years of collections of furniture, lighting, and textiles, as well as her partnerships with the designers she championed, such as the French minimalist Christian Liaigre, whom she introduced to an American audience. Also included are Hunt’s homes—from her Chicago apartment overlooking Lake Michigan to her never-before-published modernist masterpiece in Aspen—as well as her acclaimed renovation of The Little Nell boutique hotel in Aspen.

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Time for the best and brightest designers from around the world to enter the A’ Design Award and Competition and that means you. Register your design here. The deadline for entries is fast approaching and now is the time to submit your best work. With 114 categories the A’ Design Award and Competition is the world’s largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, bringing your design front and centre before design companies and professionals.

From the Furniture, Homeware and Decor Items Design Award to the Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award, the Lighting Products and Projects Design Award to the Interior Space and Exhibition Design Award, the Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Award to the Landscape Architecture, Planning and Garden Design Award and so many more. (You can find all the design categories here.) With the competition highlighting, advertising & advocating good design, taking part will provide recognition, publicity and international peer review. Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, the Design Award Winner Logo, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly Result Book but even more importantly press and PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure. The fame, the prestige, the recognition and so much more.

Are you inspired? Excited? Believe you’ve got what it takes to take on the best of the best design from around the world? You can register for the A’ Design Award and Competition 2024 –2025 now. But you better be quick. The deadline for regular submissions is September 30. Results will be announced to the public on May 1 and you will find full coverage of the results here on Desire to Inspire. Can’t wait to share the winners with you! Maybe we’ll be sharing your work.

In the meantime here are some inspiring winners from last year …

Spirito Table Lamp by Alexey Danilin

Meland Club Indoor Playground by Li Xiang

Znong Shu Ge Book Store by Masato Kure

Changi Terminal 2 New Airport Langage by Basile Boiffils

Skyline Bay Community Center by ZHOYU

Lotus Guest Chair by Ming-Li Chang

DC 3 Stool by Sergio Fahrer

Grampo Lamp by Bruno De Lazzari

La Espresso Espresso Maker for Travel by YUN-YUN HUNG

Formation 01 Bathroom Faucet by Kohler Internal Design Team

Omni Multifunctional Chair by Xinyi Huang and Chenyang Yu

Black House by Oliver Schütte

Clickat Diy Cat Furniture by Ziel Home Furnishing Technology Co., Ltd

Alskar Lounge Chair by Cassily Danwei Zhao

Tau Murano Small Table by Reflex Spa

Believe you’ve got what it takes to take on the best of the best design from around the world? You can register for the 2024 – 2025 A’ Design Award and Competition here but time is short so get your entries in now.

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This post is in collaboration with A’ Design Award & Competition.