The Blind Guys and Designing Women

National Child Safety Month!

sabrina — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:34:18 +0000

November is National Child Safety Month! Are Your Window Coverings Safe for Your Children?

By Sabrina Phillips-Garrison

Since 1990 more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidental strangulation by window cords. For the months of October and November, The Blind Guys are offering a free in-home visit to see if your window coverings are up to latest safety control standards for your children. For more information, visit the WCSC website and get help child proofing your home.

Many functional window treatments involve unsafe cords. Cords can be a choking hazard. Many people have blinds or shades installed near a crib or a child’s bed. If these shades or blinds have dangling cords that are not tied down they can be extremely dangerous to a toddler or small child. We do not recommend that any shade or blind be installed in a toddler or child’s room.

Here are some safety tips regarding cords and window treatments from the Window Coverings Safety Council.

Install only cordless window coverings in young children’s bedrooms and play areas. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today’s safer products.
Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.

Hunter Douglas offers numerous alternatives to double or loop cords on window treatments. PowerRise is a motorized lifting system that is battery operated. LiteRise is a cordless lifting system in which a shade can be raised simply by lifting the bottomrail. Ultraglide is a lifting system which has only a single cord in which the shade is lifted by using a pumping action on the cord. Visit Hunter Douglas website to read more details regarding these innovative lifting systems.

Ask about our free cordless specials going on October 1- November 30, 2011!

Download this brochure for more information.

Sell Your Home with Home Staging

admin — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:10:06 +0000

Home staging is imperative in any market if you are trying to sell your home. Although you may live in a very neat and tidy manner, the setting you are selling in has to be a step above. Your home must be visually and aesthetically pleasing at all times in case a buyer wants to drop by. Here at The Blind Guys and Designing Women we have someone who will come in on a weekly basis and take care of your home and daily chores that you are unable to perform. We can even accessorize, update, clean and stage your …

Thanksgiving Decor Inspiration

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:17:35 +0000

The Blind Guys and Designing Women are taking the day off to spend quality time with our loved ones. We hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family. As we relax on our day off we want to share some gorgeously designed tablescapes that immediately put us in the Thanksgiving mood. We hope you enjoy the designs and your day even more! Images… [Read more...]

Playing with Paisley

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:16:56 +0000

Paisley has been around for awhile, the swirling shapes immediately draw the eyes in no matter where it’s place in a room. And although it’s a seasoned vet it can bring something new to your room. Because it is such a bold print it is usually used on small accessories to add contrast and texture. If you are looking to bring something bold and new into your room… [Read more...]

Our Blog Has New Updates!

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:15:50 +0000

We’ve been hard at work trying to figure out ways to make your experience with our blog more enjoyable and we finally settled on some new updates. The new updates to our blog allow you to see more content about interior design and window treatments directly on the homepage with easier access to social media sites. If you haven’t had the chance to experience our… [Read more...]

The Dos of Window Treatments

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:15:01 +0000

Picking out the perfect window treatments for your home can be a very challenging experience. People are constantly advising you of the don’ts of window treatments- don’t do this, don’t install those. Between the ever-growing mound of don’ts no one ever gives good advice on what to do. Only knowing what not to do concerning window treatments can be frustrating… [Read more...]

Powerful Purple Interior Design

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:14:18 +0000

Are you looking to make a powerful statement with your interior design that is worthy of royalty? If so then you may want to consider adding the power of purple to your interior design. Purple has long been a color associated with royalty, strength and power. By decorating with purple you will be able to bring these things into your design, as well as a sense… [Read more...]

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Opens

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:13:27 +0000

Nothing was able to stand in the way of the Kips Bay Boy’s and Girl’s club annual fundraiser, not even a six month delay. The April debut of the decorator show house was put on hold because the original home that was set to host the even was sold. The charity had to take away from its program and endowment in order to find a new home for the event that provides… [Read more...]

Swing into Retail Therapy

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:10:18 +0000

Now that the week is over do you need a little retail therapy? If so you have just enough time to partake in the 8th Annual Back in the Swing Retail Therapy Week. The event that benefits breast cancer survivorship began Monday and will end Sunday the 17th. With the purchase of a Back in the Swing Retail Therapy card you can receive 20% off at participating retailers and restaurants in the Kansas City area. All proceeds from the sale of the $25 cards stays right here in the greater Kansas City metro area to benefit survivorship centers and organizations. For more information on where to buy a card visit the Back in the Swing website, and for more information on Kansas City retailers visit the Kansas City Homes and Gardens blog.

Our Fall 2010 Specials!

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:08:31 +0000

We have Fall 2010 specials on shutters and Hunter Douglas here at The Blind Guys and Designing Women! Call us today at 816-380-6333 or 913-897-6555 for further information on how you can save.

Decorating with Pumpkins

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:07:25 +0000

Are your kids begging and pleading with you to take them to the pumpkin patch? Picking out pumpkins can be enjoyable for you as well as your kids. As your kids pick out pumpkins to carve scary faces into for Halloween, you can pick some to add to your decor. Using pumpkins as decoration is not strictly for Halloween. You can create pumpkin vignettes throughout your rooms to add the feeling of fall. The trick is to leave pumpkins plain, or use minimal design that is unrelated to the spooky holiday. Place a few pumpkins by the fireplace, on the mantle, or in the center of the table for warm, autumn decor.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up any pumpkins this season head out to the farmer’s market this weekend. The City Market Farmer’s Market Pumpkin Patch will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 8am t0 3pm until the end of the month.

The Oval Office Redesigned

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:36:36 +0000

Big news in the interior design world and our country is the redesign of the Oval Office. Each president usually redecorates to an extent to accommodate his taste and President Obama has made a few changes. The interior decorator Michael Smith added new striped wall paper, 2 new sofas, a new coffee table, and a new rug among other things. The custom rug replaces the sun burst design used by former President Bush and features 5 quotes surrounding the seal chosen by President Obama. The room gives off a more comfortable, relaxing feel with the use of neutral colors. What do you think of the President’s new office?

The Oval Office before

The Oval Office after

Images from the New York Times

Gray: The New Neutral

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:06:24 +0000

When you think of neutral colors do shades of gray come to mind? More than likely they don’t, but they should. Various shades of gray are easing into the neutral category, because like their predecessors, they go with everything. Gray can makes colors spring to life and if light enough bring a hint of shimmer to a room. Not sold on gray being neutral? Take a… [Read more...]

31st Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:05:22 +0000

This weekend Kansas City will host its annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival. As the longest running festival it will feature the heritage and traditions of over 50 countries. As always there will be food, drinks, dancing and crafts particular to each country. If you need something to do this weekend bring your family our for international fun and education!

2010 Ethnic Enrichment Festival Flyer

Put It On the Walls

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:03:26 +0000

Ever been so completely enamored with a print that you wanted it everywhere? Well maybe not everywhere literally, but in a few places. One way to reuse a print from a fabric for example, is to have it recreated on the walls of your home. We found these images of London designer Cath Kidston’s home where she has the same print from her fabrics on the walls. You… [Read more...]

Back to School Blinds

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:02:14 +0000

Your little ones have already started school and your teens are up next. In addition to getting new bookbags, notebooks, pens and pencils consider new blinds. Providing your child with a good space to study and sleep will ultimately be beneficial to their learning. Blinds play a major role because of their ability to block light and let enough in. Consider these tips when buying back to school blinds for your children.

Consider blinds that block glare from the sun. Glare makes it difficult for a child to see his or her computer screen. It can also damage the child’s eyes if he or she has to strain through it.
Choose top down/bottom up options on the blinds nearest to your child’s study area. It is important to block glare, but sunlight easily affects moods. Allowing a little sunshine to come can make a big difference in helping a child concentrate more.
Blinds can prevent distractions and interruptions when lowered during homework time.
Put blackout shades in a child’s bedroom to make it easier for them to sleep at a reasonable hour by blocking out all light.

Tips adapted from blinds.com

Bookshelf Color

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:01:12 +0000

A little color can go a long way, and so can wall paper. If you are looking to breathe life into your bookshelf paint or wallpaper the back of the shelves. Putting the color behind draws attention to the shelves, bringing the eye to what you have on display. We found some bright inspiration over at Color Sizzle and fell in love. Want to incorporate your favorite color or print in your bookshelf? Call us today at 913-897-6555 if you are in Kansas or at 816-380-633 if you are in Missouri.

Playful Office Elegance

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:59:17 +0000

It’s kind of dull, but you get work done in there. Well, most it. Looking to bring a touch of something to your home office? Try to lighten things up with a little playful elegance. We found this office on casasugar and immediately took a trip down memory lane and became inspired. This office combines playful and elegant elements. The black tutu around the desk screams little girls doing ballet or a fun dress with tulle, while the white walls say something else. The bright walls along with the small pops of color and chandelier bring an air of elegance to the office. Although it looks playful, we think this office is the perfect mix to inspire creativity and get the job done. What do you think about the desk tutu, would you like one around your desk?

Eloise’s Suite at The Plaza

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:54:55 +0000

Her name is Eloise. She is six. She is a city child. She lives at the Plaza. Do you remember the children’s book Eloise? The famous hotel resident recently had an actual suite at The Plaza designed in her honor. The Eloise Suite located on the 18th floor was designed by fashion designer Betsey Johnson and is every little girl’s dream. It consists of Eloise’s room, and an adjoining room for parents. The decor of the room features the signature Plaza chandelier and pink candy stripped wall panels outlined in gold leaf molding. The king size bed boosts custom bedding with Eloise’s picture and the headboard is padded, sparkly, fuchsia pink. The suite is also filled with Eloise DVDs, dolls and other paraphernalia. For more information on the Eloise Suite and booking prices visit the New York Times or The Plaza Hotel.

Images from The New York Times and The Plaza.

How do I add cloth tapes to my wood blinds?

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:26:24 +0000

Please be sure to tell us at the time of consultation or when ordering your blinds. Tapes cannot be added to the blinds once they are made!