The Shade Store, which opened last fall at Fashion Island, has a spare, elegant feel. Different types of window coverings line the walls, and wooden cabinets hold shallow drawers with hundreds of fabric swatches.
Determining what type of covering to use for each room and size of window in your home can be daunting. The baby needs black-out shades to nap during the day. The husband wants the sliding glass doors in the den to let in as much light as possible, except when he is watching TV. For privacy, the wife wants Roman shades in the office that faces the street to pull down from the top, letting in light while keeping prying eyes out. And that view window needs larger panels on motorized tracks so they can be opened and closed at will.
Designers at The Shade Store can walk customers through the options and help determine what works where.
Ian Gibbs, co-founder and chief creative officer, answered some of our questions about choosing shades and about the store.
Q. Do Southern Californians have particular challenges with window coverings?
A. As much as Californians may love the sunlight and warmer temperatures, there is no denying that these factors provide challenges to homeowners – especially when they have large windows to let in all that extra light. The sun’s UV rays can be damaging to artwork and furnishings, and temperature control is also challenging.
Q. What are some solutions?
A. We designed our line of Solar Shades to absorb heat, provide UV protection and reduce glare all while keeping your view intact and making the sun more manageable. Additionally, our cellular shades can trap air and help maintain interior temperatures, while Roman shades and drapery can be outfitted with a cotton flannel interlining designed to improve insulation and make homes more energy-efficient.
Q. How do you advise people whether to choose blinds or Roman shades, or woven or fabric coverings?
A. Every window and every room has different needs; window treatments are unique to the individual needs of the homeowner in that specific space. For those looking to make a statement, we recommend drapery with ornate pleating or a Roman shade in a bold color or pattern. For a more organic look, wood blinds or woven wood shades can add that touch.
Q. What works best where?
A. For wide windows or glass doors that span a room, vertical systems are a great option. We also carry a variety of exclusive designer collections developed with our partner, Kravet, so whether you’re a fan of Kate Spade New York or Ralph Lauren, we will have a fabric pattern you will know and love.
Q. Since window coverings stay in a room for years, what do you advise when it comes to trends? Or colors?
A. Layering window treatments is a trend that we don’t see going away. Incorporating multiple window treatments allows for privacy and light control while simultaneously adding a beautiful, distinguished design element to any room.
Q. What do you recommend for opening and closing the window coverings?
A. Our clients love motorized window treatments – they offer more convenience than ever. At The Shade Store, our motors are incredibly powerful, quiet and adaptable for use with our entire product line, using both battery and plug-in options. You can even set your channels to raise and lower to a favorite position. Or put them on a timer.
Q. What are the main things to keep in mind when coordinating with furnishings?
A. You don’t have to sacrifice pattern even when you want neutral window treatments. A subtle stripe or print can add dimension even in an eggshell or taupe color. We are also launching trim collections for the first time this spring – a subtle border in a color that pops can add flair without making too strong of a statement.
Q. How do customers choose among all your options?
A. Our expert design consultants can walk you through the process of choosing the best window treatments to match your space and furnishings – and customers can take home unlimited swatch options so the perfect match of color, pattern and style can be made.
Q. Why should a homeowner pick The Shade Store?
A.Window treatments can really make or break a room – and the process of shopping for them in the past has been historically daunting. We make selecting custom window treatments simple and fun, walking you through the process from inspiration to installation. The Shade Store offers more than 1,000 different fabrics for our customers to choose from, with product options ranging from basic roller shades and wood blinds to Roman shades, pleated shades, drapery, cellular shades, decorative cornices and more, so you can be sure we have something perfect for your specific needs and design goals. We even offer free professional measurements, leaving the fun part – selecting patterns and designs, trying out swatches, and enjoying the finished product – entirely to the customer.
Q. Your company plants a tree for each purchase?
A. We work with the Arbor Day Foundation to place trees in various places around the country where there is specific need.
Q. You have “green” fabrics?
A.We care deeply about the environment – in addition to using azo-free dye stuff for many of our fabrics, we’ve obtained Greenguard, Microban and Oeko-Tex certifications for our roller and solar shade collections. All materials are tested for harmful substances and vetted for environmentally friendly production. With The Shade Store, you will know your treatments are low-impact, handcrafted in the USA and completely custom for you.
