Fresh Ideas For Your Home - Complementary Colors

Complementary colors beautifully finish almost any design plan

Use them for harmony and a sense of calm.

The old adage that opposites attract is often true; and especially in selecting the colors for decorating your home. Using opposite colors (also known as complementary colors) adds energy to a room, yet at the same time, makes us feel comfortable and complete.

Complementary colors are the shades that are opposite on a color wheel:

• Red and green

• Orange and blue

• Purple and yellow

Nature is full of complementary colors, such as dramatic red roses on stems with bright green leaves, delicate pansies with their purple and yellow color combination, and bright blue sky and sea positioned near golden sand.

For a more modern take on complementary colors, you can use shades that are not exactly across the color wheel, or you can be a bit creative with the complementary color concept. Think about innovative hues like:

• Sky blue and terra cotta

• Pink grapefruit and acid green

• Burnt orange and sage green

• Soft aqua blue and tomato red

If you feel cautious about adding complementary colors, start small with elements like a painted wall, sofa pillows, throws, flower arrangements or slip covers. Then, as you become more confident, you can ratchet up your color scheme with larger and more permanent items like upholstery fabrics and window fashions.

Balance your interior design plans beautifully by selecting complementary colors.

Stay Warm With Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Stay Warm with Energy Effiecient Window Coverings

It is winter and the cold months are here to stay for a while. During these chilly months being bundled up next to a warm fire while you read a book or watch TV is the best feeling ever. But the worst feeling is trying to keep your energy bill down when on an average we spend 59% more on energy bills. But don't worry - Read Design has a solution for you with energy efficient window treatments from Hunter Douglas.

Cellular Shades and Roman Shades

Cellular Shades and Roman Shades are the top energy-saving window coverings. They both are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bills.

Cellular Shades, also referred to as Duette Honeycomb Shades by Hunter Douglas, are the most energy efficient window coverings. They are designed to have dead-air spaces which increase their insulation by trapping the warm air inside which helps to keep you warm all winter long. With the introduction of Hunter Douglas Architella Duettes, this got even better. The Architella Duette is a honeycomb within a honeycomb which gives 3 air pockets and keeps even more of the warmth inside. Duette Honeycomb Shades are very versatile window coverings with a variety of fabric and colors to choose from. They offer various degrees of light filtering options including sheer, light filtering and room darkening. This also helps with privacy and insulation. Duette Honeycomb can also be made in specialty shapes including arches and skylights. There are a number of lift options including Ultraglide, LiteRise, or can be motorized with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe.

Roman Shades are similar to cellular shades and are one of the most popular window coverings today. They are both functional and beautiful And they offer great energy efficiency. Hunter Douglas has the Vignette Modern Roman Shade and the Solera Soft Shades to choose from. The both come in a variety of colors and textures that add beauty to your home Roman Shades can also trap in the warmth which can save you money on your electric bill. Also, like the Duette Honeycomb Shades, Roman Shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control. They also have a number of lift options to choose from.

Here is one of our recent installation in Prosper, Texas. We used Tierred Vignette Modern Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas. The fabric we choose was Drake. The color of the fabric blended all the colors in this new home together. They have a total of 10 windows in the Family Room so we chose to use PowerView Motorization which will make it easy to open all of the shades at once and with this system the customer can set the shades to raise to their favorite spot. We all were very pleased with the look the Vignette Modern Roman Shades created.

Right Now Hunter Douglas is offering Rebates on these Energy Efficient Window Shades- Duette Honey Comb Shades, Vignette Modern Roman Shades and Sonnette Shades. For every Vignette shade you purchase, you will get $50 back (with a minimum of 2 shades). For every Duette and Sonnette Shades, you will get $25 back (with a minimum purchase of 4 shades).

Custom Drapery

At Read Design Plano and Read Design Southlake, our Designers can also help you with Custom Window Treatments including Draperies, Valances, Cornice Boards and much more. And now we are receiving New Fabrics from all of the manufactures which makes now an exciting time to start thinking about updating your home. Many drapery treatments are designed for insulation which also helps with the energy efficiency of your home during the window but also during those hot summer months in the North Texas area.

Where to find Energy Efficient Shades in the Dallas / Fort Worth Area

Read Design has bed a leader in Hunter Douglas and Custom Window Treatments in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and have 2 convenient locations- one in Plano and one in Southlake. At Read Design you can see our many displays and our designer can help you find a solution just for your windows. And we can help you solve all of your interior design needs. Stop in or give us a call.

Plano. 972-608-4999
Southlake. 817-416-7164

We service all of these areas and more
Irving, Dallas, Grapevine, Plano, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Carrollton, Allen, McKinney, Richardson, Rockwell, Garland, Prosper, Celina, Southlake, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Arlington, Westlake, Northlake, Robson Ranch, Flower Mound, Little Elm, Lewisville, The Colony, North Richland Hills, Mabank, and all areas in between.

We will be having a Window Dressing Event starting in February and will have a number of events running throughout the Spring. Watch for our Blogs and info on Facebook.

Plantation Shutters

Custom Plantation Shutters... and best of all - Made In America!!!!

Yes, Plantation Shutters are still as popular as ever and are still a great way to add value to your home. Shutters for your windows will last for generations and is one window treatment that is seldom changed if you sell your home. This is especially true with Wood Plantation Shutters. The beauty of wood is classic, will add warmth to your home and will last a lifetime. And today their are many different choices you can make including louver size, trim design, hidden or standard front tilt, divider rails, custom paint or stain color, and hinge color.

Introducing Heritance Hardwood Shutters by Hunter Douglas.

The simple elegance of rich, hardwood shutters gives lift to any room. Now, the maximum strength and durability of our Heritance Hardwood Shutters make them a wise investment in many ways. They feature dovetail construction and a vast selection of frame choices, specialty shapes, and louver sizes- and a variety of paint and stain finishes, as well as custom colors. Also available in six Handcrafted Series Techniques to enhance the inherent character and color of the genuine hardwood and making your shutters truly one of a kind.

Six Techniques

The first technique is textured, which enhances the woods natural grain and creates a contrast and depth of the natural wood grain. You can also choose glazed which enhances the richness of the stain finish with a hand rubbed glaze. The Glazed and Burnished technique creates an antique effect. With the Rustic technique the natural characteristics of hardwood are arranged so you will have your own unique shutter. The Heirloom distressed technique will give your shutters an Old World effect with the addition techniques. Including burnishing,, rasping, and flyspecking. An finally the Classic Technique give the wood a beautiful worn finish with the techniques including glaze, dents, cracks and wormholes.

Or you can choose any of our paint selections including Custom Paint Match.

So how does it work? Give Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake a call and schedule an appointment with one of our Designers. We will gladly meet with you at your home and check out the windows where you would like shutters. We will suggest louver size keeping in mind scale of the window and room. We will also help you decide on the trim and which tilt system is best for your look. And finally we will help decide if paint or stain is best for your design and walk you though the different techniques.

Read Design is a leader in Hunter Douglas Window Coverings with 2 Gallery locations, one in Plano and the other one in Southlake. We offer personalized service that you will only find with a locally owned store. This is our family business and we are here to help you personalize your own design. Stop by and see over 60 working displays including PowerView, the latest in home automation. Our designers can also help you with drapery and window treatment selections as well as anything you might need for your home including furniture, rugs, lamps and home decor items.

Here is one of our projects which includes Custom Plantation Shutters. We had the walls painted and then came back and designed drapery panels to finish off the look. Next we will be moving on to the Dining Room.

And at our Plano Store you will see our new displays of our RD Home Collection where you will find anything you might need for you home. New products are coming in weekly! 

Don't miss out on Hunter Douglas rebates going on now (shutters excluded). Give us a call now to learn more about all our different products and features and benefits of each. We look forward to working with you!

Corradi USA Outdoor Screen Shades

Embrace Your Surroundings with Shade and Protection from Corradi USA’s Outdoor Screen Shades

With spring approaching, now is a great time to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Exterior shading systems is also a great way to extend the time you spend outside.

Read Design is a Dallas area leader in window treatments and we also carry the complete line from Corradi USA Screen Systems and Awnings!!

Corradi’s extensive line of exterior shading systems can solve virtually every outdoor and indoor sun protection need and provides options for wind and rain protection. The shades can be used to provide extra shade from the outside which protects your floor and furniture from dangerous UV rays. Sleek designs and advanced productions process as well as leading technical partners allow Corradi USA to offer the very best in quality and design. Corradi’s versatile shade systems are ideal for all types of commercial and residential applications.

Corradi USA is part of an Italian company dedicated to bringing vitality and funcionality to outdoor spaces. Creating a Corradi outdoor living space becomes an easy reality with our American manufacturing branch, which is located in Carrollton, Texas. Whether you are enhancing the operational charm of the outdoor comforts of home or are expanding the atmosphere of an energetic commercial establishment, Corradi has the creative solution to your outdoor dream space.

We are happy to provide you with this fantastic product. Stop in today to see the samples and let our designers help you design your outdoor dream space.

Fresh Ideas For Your Home - Bathtubs

A beautiful bathtub can change the way you think about your bathroom.

A bathtub marries function and fashion in a unique way.

Bathtubs mix aesthetics and purpose more than almost any other bathroom element. Many people include a bathtub in their design plans just for the look, but think about how a bathtub can transform your bathroom into a relaxing, stress-relieving retreat where you can have a long soak with candles, music and a soothing beverage.

Be creative as well as practical when selecting a bathtub for your home. You can select from many styles of tubs from the most traditional – even a refinished antique tub! – to the most contemporary, and everything in between. And you’ll want to focus on the fixtures, which come in a variety of beautiful styles and finishes.

Functionality plays a part in your selection process too. Does someone in your home have mobility issues, needing help to get in and out of the tub? Does your tub also need to function as a shower? Would you like a whirlpool feature to soothe aching muscles or arthritic joints? 

In terms of beauty, bathtubs give you a unique opportunity to mix surfaces – porcelain, metal, stone, tile, wood and more. Tubs can be freestanding or have a surround of various materials. And plan for plenty of towel racks so towels are convenient to access and dry quickly.

As far as additions to your bathtub design:

• Position a tray across your bathtub to hold your soap, loofah, a book and a beverage.

• Display potted plants around the tub; many of them like the moisture.

• Add warmers in towel bars and under the floor.

Enhance your relationship with your bathroom with a fabulous new tub!

The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures

Naturally Inspired, Artistically Designed.

The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures....... only from Hunter Douglas.

Drawing inspiration from design trends and natural woven artistry, the Alustra Collection of Woven Textures was developed as a thoughtfully curated assortment of design-forward fabrics that infuse rooms with a soft yet structured beauty. Like the lustrous silk of a smartly cut blouse or the nubby tweed of a classic chair, the texture and feel of these striking materials add depth and interest to Roman shades, roller shades and skyline Gliding Window Panels.

A sophisticated alternative to woven wood shades or solar screens, the evocative constructions and calends in this edited assortment are crafted with techniques as artistic as they are innovative. The dramatic result makes a statement not only on the windows they dress, but throughout the rooms and homes they enrich and elevate.

With Woven Textures fabrics you can create custom Roman Shades, Roller Shades and Skyline Gliding Window Panels.

Roman Shades crafted with Alustra Woven Textures fabrics create a clean, architectural dimensional look - an Organic look. A fresh take on a traditional treatment, the textural characteristics of of Alustra Woven Textures shades pair perfectly with the soft folds and dimensional style of Roman Shades. This classic form is reimagined with intriguing fabrics, sophisticated design options and advanced operating systems that can be raised and lowered from the top or bottom, imparting a bold linear sensibility. Architectural yet elegant, the result is an elevated design treatment that offers the light-filtering beauty of a traditional screen shade, but with the textural appeal and alluring touch of a soft textile.

Truly beautiful rooms unfurl and open up as you experience easy lovely detail.

Simple, Chic, Style.... Roller Shades.
The Tactile nature of The Alustra Collection of Woven Textures lends a sophisticated quality to the simplicity of roller shades, uplifting this classic form with distinct,inspired fabrics. Providing a backdrop. For a beautifully designed room, this uncluttered style fuses form and function- ensuring privacy and light control when in use amd unobstructed views when not . Innovative features and unique design options make it easy to customize this leading edge roller shade into a remarkable number of spectacular combinations.

The secret to a well-designed room is the selection of truly special products that beautifully weave light and texture together with ultimate functionality and performance.

Refined Style....Skyline Gliding Window Panels
Create a dramatic presence with the inspired Alustra Woven Textures fabrics and innovative design of Skyline Gliding Window Panels. A refined approach well-suited to more expansive spaces, gliding vertical panels create a striking contemporary look to cover both large windows and doors. Easily coordinated with Rodman and Roller Shades, the smooth-Gliding panels transform from a series of sleek fabric panels to a discreet stack that maximizes views.

Stop in Read Design Plano or Read Design Southlake to see the exclusive collection of Alustra Woven Textures by Hunter Douglas. You can touch and feel all of the fabrics and test out the different lift systems available including Ultraglide and PowerView Motorization.
Also at our Plano store see all of the new interior design products in our RD Home Collection. We have a display featuring our Favorite Alustra Woven Textures - Retreat color Pure. We love the organic feel of this fabric and we are showing this shade and pairing it with custom drapery panels.
We have a feeling that this look is going to be a show stopper in 2018.

Call Read Design Plano or Southlake today. We would be happy to meet with you to show you all of the fabrics and help you design your room that will fulfill your dreams
 

Fresh Ideas For Your Home - Holiday Decor

Just a dash of holiday detailing can create a merry room.

Add a pinch of festive trim to get you in the holiday mood.

It doesn’t take much ornamentation to embellish your rooms beautifully and get you, your family and friends into the holiday spirit. It’s like adding garnish to a dish to make all the difference in how it looks and tastes.

You may be the type of person that goes all out for the holidays – and that’s great. But don’t despair if you want a holiday feeling in your home, but also want to keep it simple. There are lots of small ways to decorate your home for the holidays, with a minimum of cost and effort, and a maximum of enjoyment!

First prioritize which rooms have the biggest impact in creating a feeling of holiday cheer in your house. This might include:

• Living room or great room

• Dining room

• Kitchen

• The front door, entry and outside the house

Then consider small ways to make your home festive:

• A holiday tree, poinsettias or Christmas cacti

• Holiday scented candles scattered around the house

• Bowls of sparkly ornaments

• Wreaths and sprays of fresh, fragrant pine

• Scented logs for your fireplace

• Dining room centerpieces and linens

• Garlands of holiday lights, for outdoors or in

• Holiday throws and pillows

• Sweet smelling fresh-baked desserts and mulled ciders and wines

Select a consistent color scheme so your holiday look has continuity. Red, green, gold, silver, blue and white are traditional holiday colors. Or you can be creative and update these traditional colors toward hues of fuchsia or pink, lime or acid green, copper or brass.

Add just a few holiday accents this season to make your home feel festive and warm. Then sit back, relax and enjoy the season!

Why Hunter Douglas

BETTER WINDOW TREATMENTS, BY DESIGN

We believe that the perfect window treatment should do more than just cover a window.

For almost 100 years we have dedicated ourselves to studying the properties of light at the window, discovering new ways to manage the daily illumination, privacy and energy management needs of a home, and pioneering innovative window treatment designs that add value and style to any room.

We invented many of the window treatment designs that lead the industry today, including the iconic Duette® Honeycomb Shade, whose shape and revolutionary energy-efficiency benefits have become a design standard. Our most recent products have even gotten their own intelligence, with smart-home operating systems that move the shades automatically to their perfect positions throughout the day.

By constantly innovating and pairing our designs with the most elegant performance fabrics, we create long-lasting window treatments whose beauty, functionality and durability are simply like no other.

Imagine what our window treatments can do in your home:

LIGHT CONTROL & PRIVACY

Harsh light at the window? Our products feature innovative fabric designs that transform sunlight into a wonderful soft glow and help protect your furnishings from damaging UV rays. Want more light? Our products can help channel light deeper into your room, filling dark corners and reducing your need for electrical lighting. Want daytime or nighttime privacy? Our products and operating systems provide clever ways for giving you the privacy you want while maintaining your view-through to the outside.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Keep your rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer thanks to our energy-efficient products—specially engineered with cellular air pockets that can block up to 50% of the heat transfer at the window. At Hunter Douglas, we're an industry leader in making a big energy savings difference at the window. In 1985, we invented the highly energy-efficient Duette® honeycomb shades in response to the energy crisis of the late 1970s. Our latest innovation is the Duette Architella® honeycomb fabric featuring a honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design for even greater energy efficiency. Today, we continue to think about the impact all of our window fashions can make. Without energy-efficient window treatments, as much as 50% of a home's heating and cooling energy can be lost through its windows.

SMART-HOME SHADE AUTOMATION

Imagine your shades moving automatically to the exact position you prefer—to achieve the specific lighting effect you love or adjusting themselves for the optimal energy efficiency throughout the day. Our revolutionary PowerView® Motorization system automatically moves your shades according to schedules you set. Your shades will always be in their perfect positions 24/7—no hands required​. The PowerView App unlocks the full potential of PowerView Motorization. Using the App, you can control your shades with a swipe of a finger. Or, create customized Scenes that move the shades to positions you set, and automate those Scenes to operate on their own throughout the day.

BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE DESIGNS

Whatever your aesthetic style or home lighting need, Hunter Douglas has a visually stunning and functionally amazing window treatment solution designed to wow you. We offer the broadest selection of innovative product types, elegant performance fabrics and intelligent shade operating systems​. Everything we do at Hunter Douglas is inspired by a passion for beautiful, highly functional design. And nothing illustrates this enthusiasm quite like our extraordinary collection of over 2,400 unique fabrics, thoughtfully and practically designed to help you express the spirit of your home.

SAFETY

Create a safer home environment for children and pets with advanced, cordless operating systems from Hunter Douglas. ​From cordless and motorized operating systems, retractable lift cords, cord tensioners and wand controls, we offer a wide array of operating system options for enhanced child and pet safety. The window coverings industry uses warning tags, labels, and other methods to communicate the potential hazards of corded window coverings. The warning shown here, for example, communicates the important message about cords being a potential strangulation hazard and suggests choosing cordless or inaccessible-cord alternatives.

LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY

Your stylish additions to your room also become sound long-term investments for your home. Our long heritage and passion for craftsmanship helps deliver window treatments with the highest quality and construction, and the lifetime limited warranty helps ensure beauty that endures.

Give us a call or visit our showroom for an in-depth consultation about all of our products. Our experienced designers can tell you the features and benefits of each product, while narrowing it down for the perfect window treatment for your unique style. We appreciate that every consumer has their own special needs and work hard to create a look that is both functional and beautiful. 

We serve all of Dallas Forth Worth from Celina to Dallas, Wylie to Grapevine, Denton to Benbrook and everywhere in between.