How To: Create a Wallpaper Window Shade

Transform the window shades in your New York City home into a bona fide work of art. How? By creating a wallpaper window shade.
You’ll need:
• Wallpaper
• Nonskid metal ruler
• Roller shade
• Craft knife
• Wallpaper adhesive and brush
• Uncoated lining paper
• Rolling pin
• Matte finish protectant
Steps to turning your window treatments into something more:
1. Pick wallpaper that is similar in thickness to the shade.
2. Measure and cut wallpaper to fit the shade (with extra to wrap around the bottom of the shade and roller at top).
3. Some adhesive papers come pre-glued, so you only need to dampen them, while others require paste (when using paste, work from one end to another). If working with delicate paper, back it with uncoated lining paper beforehand.
4. Lay the shade flat on your work surface to mount the paper on the shade. Work from one end to the other, smoothing bubbles with the rolling pin. Let the adhesive dry. If working with delicate papers, spray with a matte finish for papers prior to installing the shade.

An Easy DIY Project for Your Window Shades!

You love your Fantasy window shades, right? Then why not follow our tips for silk screening them? See below:
You’ll need:
• Ironing cloth
• Screen
• Pigment
• Foam core with adhesive backing
• Clamps or tape
• Fabric
• Squeegee (about two inches larger than the image size)
Steps:
1. Use clamps or tape to secure the foam core to your work surface, ensuring that the foam should be large enough to provide a base on which to work. Lay the fabric onto the foam core and make sure that it is taught.
2. Pour pigment in a line across the end of the screen and place the screen on top of the fabric in the place where you want the image transferred. Once the screen in held in place, use the squeegee to pull the pigment evenly from one end to another and back again. To make sure the image is transferred completely, make several passes.
3. Allow the pigment to dry—a heat setting isn’t required because, unlike a canvas bag or another item, the Fantasy shade won’t endure much wear and tear.

An Easy DIY Project for Your Window Shades!

You love your Fantasy window shades, right? Then why not follow our tips for silk screening them? See below:
You’ll need:
• Ironing cloth
• Screen
• Pigment
• Foam core with adhesive backing
• Clamps or tape
• Fabric
• Squeegee (about two inches larger than the image size)
Steps:
1. Use clamps or tape to secure the foam core to your work surface, ensuring that the foam should be large enough to provide a base on which to work. Lay the fabric onto the foam core and make sure that it is taught.
2. Pour pigment in a line across the end of the screen and place the screen on top of the fabric in the place where you want the image transferred. Once the screen in held in place, use the squeegee to pull the pigment evenly from one end to another and back again. To make sure the image is transferred completely, make several passes.
3. Allow the pigment to dry—a heat setting isn’t required because, unlike a canvas bag or another item, the Fantasy shade won’t endure much wear and tear.

The Four Types of Window Glass You Need to Know About

Before you can even think about shades of window tint, you need to figure out which type of window glass you want to choose for your home.
1. Dual Pane: Two panes separated by metal spacers at the edges and air in the center. Dual pane windows provide noise reduction and energy-efficiency.
2. Hurricane-Resistant: This reinforced glass features two panes surrounded by a tough fiberglass core. Hurricane-Resistant windows come in frosted, stained glass, textured and other decorative styles.
3. Low Emissivity: Also called Low-E, these windows will keep your house warm during the winter months and cool during the summer months. Infra-red radiation is reflected by a metallic oxide coating or thin, transparent metal.
4. Decorative: Styles include textured, stained glass, frosted and more.
Check back for more tips and tricks from Blinds 4 U!

Deep Clean Your Window Treatments in Three Easy Steps

When was the last time you deep cleaned the custom curtains in your NY apartment? Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if it’s been awhile! Follow M&R Fantasy Blinds’ tips for cleaning your drapes, fabric shades and wooden blinds in three easy steps!

Fabric Shades

1. Before you begin cleaning, check the tags to see if the shade is made of cotton, canvas or a treated fabric (which can usually be cleaned using water). If your shades are made of linen, silk or wool, you’ll have to dry clean them. First, vacuum the shade. Next, submerge it in a bathtub (leaving the wood or metal mounts exposed) filled with a few inches of cool water and a few capfuls of Woolite.

2. Once the shades have soaked for 5-10 minutes, gently agitate the shade to lift the dust and drain the tub. Refill it with clean water and swish the shade around to rinse it.

3. After blotting any excess water with a towel (make sure it’s colorfast!), use a clothespin to slip the fully extended shade to the shower rod to dry.

Drapes

1. Open pleats by gently tugging on the drapes. Use the brush attachment to vacuum each panel on a low setting. If your drapes are made of loosely woven or delicate fabrics, hold the brush a few inches away.

2. Dust and dirt tend to gather on the lower foot and hem of drapes, so pay special attention to these areas.

3. Apply baby powder to a clean toothbrush and gently brush the spot to get rid of smudges (often caused by pets).

Wooden Blinds

1. Dust or vacuum the blinds.

2. Angle the blinds downward and prepare a solution of water and a few capfuls of dishwashing liquid. Wash each slate with a damp rag, using a dry rag to sop up excess liquid. Flip the blind and repeat on the other side.

3. Pull the shade all the way up to fully extend the cord and run a damp rag up and down it once. Use a dry towel to catch any water.