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Dress Up Your Windows In Baltimore

If you are a homeowner in Baltimore looking for a way to spruce up your home, window treatments are an affordable, elegant way to make a room look interesting and inviting. Whether you prefer curtains, shades, drapes, blinds or dressings, you can find window décor to fit any style. Since Baltimore is known to skip seasons and go right from winter to summer, window treatments can also make the home more energy efficient by deflecting sun in the summer months and helping the room maintain heat during the winter.

Curtains Versus Blinds
Make curtains stand out in swag, velvet, lace or pleated styles with a fancy curtain rods and tie-backs. Choose drapes that are heavy to keep cool air in and cold air out to compensate for Baltimore's unpredictable temperatures. If you're not a fan of curtains, replace living room window treatments with blinds such as bamboo or natural wood for a rustic look. The functionality of slot blinds gives you the same brightness or darkness as traditional window coverings, but offers a more welcoming feel.

Do-It-Yourself Window Coverings
For a more modern look, create your own window treatments by making a whimsical pattern to add personal flair to any room. Use different colored laminated paper and hole-punch them to connect with large paper clips. Attach it to a curtain rod to create a conversation piece.

Another idea is to do something to the windows themselves to make improvements. Using a stencil or a patterned welcome mat, spray permanent paint for glass on the window for a new glossy look, or try the temporary snow spray that wipes off for the holiday to see if you like it first. These ideas are perfect for bathroom or basement windows where it can become damp. If you are more of an artist, try your hand at painting a scenic design onto a screen. Remove debris from window screens using a large paintbrush and make a decoration for every season.

Get Colorful
Gone are the days of plain white shades that used to be pulled down to use as a projector screen. Now you can buy them in all colors, patterns and fabrics. Try room-darkening shades with a Roman design for an elegant look in the living room, or pastel colors with black out backings used in a baby's room to make nap time easier.

The following stores have many styles of fabrics, trims and window fashions to choose from. Be prepared to spend time choosing, since the combination of ideas and looks are endless.

DeBois Textiles Inc.
1835 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, Md. 21230
(410) 837-8081
www.deboistextiles.com

Hours: Mon to Sat - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Alexander Blank Fabrics & Design
Timonium Square Shopping Center
2151 A York Rd.
Timonium, Md. 21093-5112
(410) 561-2331
www.alexblankfabrics.com

Hours: Mon to Wed - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs - 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fri - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Mill End Shops
Yorkridge Shopping Center
#2 West Ridgely Rd.
Lutherville, Md. 21093
(410) 308-2330
www.millendshops.com

Hours: Mon to Sat, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Thurs. open until 7 p.m.), closed on Sunday

Related
: How To Turn Your Tax Refund Into Home Energy Savings
Related: How to Effectively Use Window Treatments

Gloria Dietz is a freelance writer and Baltimore native. She is somewhat of a local celebrity in her own right who has appeared on TV shows throughout the years. Pop culture is her thing, as well as style and bargain hunting. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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