Mini Blinds with Two Colors

Q: I want to buy new mini blinds for my daughter's apartment at college but her neighborhood requires all street-facing blinds to be white. Do I have any options besides getting her plain white mini blinds?

A: Thankfully, Hunter Douglas and Levolor make blinds that are colored on the inside and white on the outside. Like most other mini blinds, both of these blinds are made with aluminum slats that are great for creating quality shade and light control on a budget.

The Hunter Douglas lines of two-tone blinds are called Duotone and Lightlines. The Duotone blinds are standard 1” aluminum blinds with color on one side of the slat and white on the other. Lightlines are identical to Duotones except they give even more light control by eliminating the route holes in the slats. This can be especially useful for preventing unwanted glare on computer screens during late night study sessions.

Much like Lightlines, Levolor's Tiltone uses routleess slats that prevent unwanted light from entering the room. And, like their alternatives, Tiltone gives you a choice in colors for the inside of the room while still conforming to neighborhood regulations on the outside.

With Hunter Douglas and Levolor you can follow the rules and still have style!

A Different Kind of Cellular Blind

Q: I like the energy saving function of cellular blinds, but I'm not all that excited about the appearance. I have a more traditional décor and I'd like to find something that insulates like cellular but looks more conventional. Any suggestions?

A: Comfortex makes a blind that looks like a traditional blind but expands to work like cellular shades. The Odysee has soft blades that function much like a conventional blinds, but, instead of tilting, they expand to help block light. The blades (or slats) lay flat when not in use, but as soon as you want to increase your shade, light control, or privacy, simply use the appropriate controls to expand the blades to create a single-layer cellular shade.

Normal cellular shades are made from layers of fabric that create air pockets, or cells, when you expand the blind. The Odysee, however, has isolated each cell and collapsed them into slats for a more conventional appearance. Instead of tilting the slats, the Comfortex Odysee allows you to expand the cells, interlocking them to create an insulating layer between your room and the window. This way you get the look of a traditional blind and still reap the rewards of cellular shades!

Ideal Blinds for Kitchen and Bath

Q: I'm remodelling my kitchen and guest bathroom and want to coordinate the blinds in both. Any ideas for something that looks great but also resists moisture?

A: You might want to consider faux wood blinds. These blinds look and function like normal wood blinds but are made from synthetic materials that are easy to clean and resist humidity and water. Unlike older styles of faux wood blinds, manufacturers now make blinds that look and feel so close to real wood it's difficult to tell the difference!

You also have the ability to choose the stain and style of your faux wood blinds which makes them an ideal choice for coordinating with existing cabinets and fixtures. This means that you have more flexibility with choosing blinds that either match or compliment the wood in your kitchen or bath.

They're easy to clean, too. Simply dust or wipe down with a wet rag and your blinds are clean! With faux wood blinds you won't have to worry about food stains, water damage, or grease. They're easy to clean and continue to resist water for the lifetime of the blinds.