How to Create a Greenhouse Window

Do you wish your windows overlooked a park instead of an alley? Fantasy Blinds to the rescue! By creating a window into mini-greenhouse, you can stare at greenery when your custom curtains are open. Choose a large, inset window that receives ample light and follow the rest of the steps below:

1. Measure the depth and width of the window frame and subtract ½ inch from the width to determine the dimensions of the shelves.

2. Ask a glazier to cut a ½ inch thick piece of glass to size for each shelf (you can even have the edges sanded if you’d like). Make pencil marks where each shelf support should go using a level and a ruler, beginning at the top of the window frame.

3. Pick up molding at the hardware store and make supports by cutting two lengths of molding for each shelf using a hand saw. Sand the ends.

4. Drill three evenly spaced holes in each support and insert the bit of an electric drill through one of the holes. Drill a starter spot into the frame and repeat for the other holes. Next, countersink screws so the heads don’t show and repeat for the remaining supports. Use wood putty to fill the holes, sand smooth and paint the supports. After the paint dries, attach a felt dot or plastic guide to each support end and place your glass shelves there.

5. Hang plants and enjoy your windows more than ever before.

Do You Have Cord Anchors?

Do the cords of the venetian blinds in your Brooklyn apartment just hang to the ground? Whether you have children who could get their little hands on the cords or pets who love to paw them, you’ll want to keep them off the ground. Keeping the cords of your vertical blinds tidy is also aesthetically pleasing too, so read our tips for creating cord anchors that are stylish and budget-friendly.

Drawer pulls are much prettier than the usual blind hardware, so try using them as window-shade and blind cords. Pick up ½ inch diameter pulls at a home supply or hardware store and place them 2 ½ inches apart at the base of the window frame. Then, wind cords in a figure eight for a strong hold and nice look.
Voila, easy and pretty cord pulls!

Summer Energy-Saving Tips

Going green may be trendy, but it can also help you save money on your energy bills, especially during the warm weather months, when you’re running your air conditioning! Read M & R Vertical Blinds’ tips and cut your bills this summer.

• Window units should be used in contained areas only, as they can’t compete with the efficiency of central air. Keep the fan speed on high most of the time, but on humid days keep it on low (it will remove more moisture).

• Even if you’re only going to be away for a few hours, turn off the AC. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to turn on 30 minutes before you return home. Note: don’t do this if you have pets!

• Replace high-use bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Incandescent bulbs put more energy into generating heat than light, while CFLs, burn cool and bright with 1/3 of the power.

• Avoid peak energy rates by running appliances like dishwashers at night. They emit humid heat as well.

• Whenever you can, unplug small appliances like computers and cell phone chargers. They use power and radiate heat even when turned off.

Check back for more tips and tricks about window treatments, home solutions and more.

How to Detect a Draft

Eliminating drafts in your home can improve heating efficiency in the winter months, and during the summer when you’re blaring the A/C it can ensure that the cold air isn’t wasted. So how do you detect drafts? Follow http://verticalblinds4you.com/’s tips and never deal with drafts again.

1. Light a candle and move it along the faces and edges of your windows, moldings, doors, light switches and sockets.

2. You’ll know there is a draft nearby if the flame flickers. Make note of the spot and continue your search.

3. Go back to the trouble spots and seal the gap that is letting air in.

4. This can mean reglazing a window, caulking around your baseboards and moldings to even phoning a chimney sweep! The solution might even be as easy as hanging custom curtains in your New York home.