YOUR HOME YOUR WAY n THE BRANDON SUN n APRIL 2026
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Melanie Maslaniec, creative consultant at Interior Images, likes the versatility of blinds and shades for window coverings. (Interior Images).
“Most blinds will help with some temperature control, especially if you’ve got the sun beating in. If you choose room darkening or a one per cent opacity, that will block out a lot of the sun to help control the temperature of your room,” Maslaniec says. Motorization is another option where the blinds can be opened or closed with the touch of a button.This is an especially good option for people who may have is- sues with mobility or grip strength. “We have remotes and we can do a motorized wand, which is a switch that’s on a wand attached to the line. For peo- ple who can’t lift blinds, I like the wand,” she says. The wand is charged just as you would a phone. Maintenance for blinds is straight- forward. The lift systems are designed to work efficiently so there’s no need for a
heavy hand when opening and closing blinds — too much force can do damage and repairs would be necessary. And for the most part, cleaning will also take a light hand with a gentle wipe with a bit of soapy water, Maslaniec says. “Mostly it’s just vacuuming and spot cleaning. We have a service where we can clean blinds. People would just bring the blinds in for cleaning as well as repairs,” she says. Blinds can be combined with full draperies or highlighted with some drap- ery fabric. “It’s nice to have a little bit of fabric, which also provides some insulation from the weather. Even just having some side panels around your blinds in a fabric that you love is nice as a great option to just soften the look of the blinds,” she says. Blinds are going to be an enhancement to your decor, so if you have swatches of
paint or fabrics, it is helpful to have them in hand when selecting the type of blind you want. Photos of your room can also help to guide selection. “I think that there is a general trend towards warmer tones and even the whites and greys are a little bit warmer, including mid-tone browns,” Masla- niec says. “Botanical patterns are always very popular and tropical is still popular. We’re seeing a trend towards geometric, but more in soft lines and soft colours.” Hardware is also moving to a warmer look with brass, gold and cream colours. Whether it’s time for a contempo- rary “spruce-up” or a whole new look for your home, choosing the right blinds can be the functional finishing touch you’re looking for.
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