Face it, your little babies are getting older. Soon they will be driving, starting their first job and getting into college. It seems like every day they’re asserting their independence and becoming more grown up. Or at least, that’s what they tell you.

When some people think of using wood in interior design, they may think of a rustic cabin filled with antlers or the paneling in your grandmother’s basement rec room from 1976.  However, wood can be an essential element to design. By strategically placing wood throughout a space, you can make a small room look bigger, add needed contrast, and divert the eye exactly where it should go.  The key is to embrace wood accents like wainscoting, flooring, furniture, and window treatments without overindulging.

During the remodeling process, you can spend days pouring over floor plans, room uses, and lighting schemes. It takes considerable patience and coordination to get every design element just the way you like. And while you think you have everything in its place, don't make the mistake of overlooking some essential items in your remodel. After all, getting things right the first time is much easier than going back and adding window treatments or outlets after everything is built.

In the design world, there are two types of window treatments: common coverings and luxury window treatments.  Common coverings include many of your “off-the-shelf” shades and blinds, usually made with subpar materials like vinyl or particleboard.  They may block out some light and provide a modicum of privacy, but they usually need to be replaced every few years due to cracking, chipping, yellowing, or warping.  Basically, they’ll cover your windows, but not well. 

After you made the decision to cover your windows with plantation shutters, it may be tempting to drive to the nearest home improvement store and grab the nicest ready-made shutter available. After all, you may have a free weekend where you can install the shutters yourself.  You may even be able to save yourself a few bucks.  Scheduling an in-home consultation to get your windows measured seems like a hassle, and then you will have to wait until they are custom-made at the factory before they’re installed on your windows.