Importance of Window Treatments

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Window treatments are the least expensive way to transform a room.

Window treatments can create an illusion. For instance, by installing draperies above the window frame, the window will appear taller and the ceiling higher. To make a small window look larger, the window treatment should be installed outside the frame of the window, thus exposing the entire window.

"Dressing a window gives a room a warm appeal, absorbs sound, provides privacy, acts as insulation, cuts down on UV rays that fade carpets, fabrics,and furniture. Shades, blinds, and shutters control the sunlight and artificial light to eliminate glare from computer monitors and television screens.

Green Design Tips

Do you know that by putting certain shades on your windows you can eliminate the heat of the summer and keep out the cold winter air, therefore saving energy.

The federal government is also allowing a tax credit for some of these products.

Contact Monique St. Germain at Monique@interiorsbymonique.com or 781-239-3410

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HOME DESIGN QUIZ

Feel like your home could use some changes, but don’t know where to start or what to do? Take this quick quiz to help you find some direction for your interior design projects.


1. What colors do you gravitate toward?

2. Do you want to display your hobbies, interests, or collections?

3. Do you have possessions with sentimental value you want to show off?

4. If you could make any changes to your home, what would they be?

5. Does your home look tired? Could it use a transformation?

6. Do you need a home office or a work area for your computer and paperwork?

7. Is an updated kitchen or bath on your wish list?


Interiors by Monique can help you get a grip on your home design needs, from deciding what small changes could perk up your décor to planning and overseeing a major renovation.

Contemporary Bedroom

Angie's List Customer Review

Report Date: January 15, 2009

Work Done:Yes

Hire Again:Yes

Description Of Work:I have worked with Monique for the past sixteen years. Over the years, she has helped me redecorate and renovate our entire home (four bedrooms, three full baths, two powder rooms, living room, family room, dining room, study, sun porch and basement). Selecting furniture, window treatments, paint colors, wallpaper, fabrics, carpentry, floor tiles, and lighting fixtures. And as the years have passed and rooms became "tired" (and our daughter's bedroom needed to change from a nursery to a "teen" room to young adult room, three redecorations!), Monique has updated and redecorated them. Our most recent project was a major kitchen renovation in the spring of 2008. Monique assisted in the design, colors, window treatments & fabrics. Like the other rooms she has redecorated, our kitchen is beautiful!

Member Comments:The fact that I have had a continuous business relationship with Monique for the past sixteen years, working with her almost every year on small and large projects and plan to continue working with her in the future redecorating "tired" rooms, which were some of the first rooms she helped me with sixteen year ago, indicates my overall experience with her. She is always professional, very attentive, timely, makes good choices, and always stays within our understood budget. She is pleasant to deal with! I highly recommend Monique as an outstanding interior decorator. Concerns? Please tell us!

Breakfast Room... After

Breakfast Room... Before

DESIGN IDEAS

DESIGN IDEAS

Thinking of sprucing up your home? Here are some design suggestions from Interiors by Monique.

· What does your foyer or entrance say about you? Does it reflect your personal lifestyle? The entrance area creates the first impression visitors have of your home, so be sure to make the most of this space. When you walk through your door, there should be an immediate connection.

· If you need a home office, but aren’t sure you have room, take heart. It’s possible to create an effective and practical work area even if limited to a very small space.

· Don’t forget basic design. Transform your home’s scale with color. Create conversation areas with just the right furniture placement. Personalize your home with sentimental treasures collected over a lifetime.

· Window treatments can be both practical – eliminating glare, creating warmth, reducing drafts, adding privacy, and reducing echoes – and aesthetic – adding color, texture, and beauty.

· Lighting can do wonders for a room. Accent lighting, ceiling lights, and dimmers that control intensity will warm an area and set a mood. Task lighting adds functionality and style.

· Each room should complement the others. Colors and style should flow from room to room. Good design can blend different periods of furniture in pleasing and original ways to create an environment all can enjoy.

· There are a wide variety of flooring options available today, including wood, tile, stone, and cork. Carpeting choices include area rugs or wall-to-wall, Oriental or contemporary styles. Keep in mind that if your carpet is bold in color or design, start your design with the carpet, and balance the rest of the room with harmonizing fabrics for upholstered furniture and draperies as well as placement of art objects.

· Proceed carefully with choices for kitchen and bath renovations – these are more permanent than other design projects, and may affect the resale value of your home. Avoid making costly mistakes in placing and selecting appliances, cabinets, countertop materials, work spaces, and lighting.

· What can be more pleasurable than dining in a lovely room? You can make your dining room or eating area a delightful place that makes meals social and happy experiences, whether dining alone or with family or guests. Good color choices, accents, mirrors, and art are just as important as your furniture.

· Make bedrooms cozy and inviting with just the right wall color, bedding, pillows, and chairs, all designed for warmth and privacy.

· Take the exterior of your home into account with your interior design. The outside should relate with the interior, including your front door, shutters, potted plants, columns, and porch furniture.

Interiors by Monique can help you make good home design decisions, from choosing a window treatment to managing a major renovation.

The following three photos are of a suburban home designed in "Beacon Hill" style.

French Country Kitchen

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Dining room before picture

Dining room bay window

Updated Living Room in Chestnut Hill

Kitchen...Before

Renovation project of a 1960's kitchen.

Kitchen... After

This is the updated, transformed, new kitchen.

Kitchen...Before

Eating area of the 1960's kitchen.

Kitchen...After

This is the transformed eating area.

Dining Room...Before

We transformed this space with stylish window treatments.

Dining Room...After

This dining room, which had bare windows, now looks elegant with new embroidered silk drapery panels. Sheer flat roman shades were added, which provide privacy as well as soften the large expanse of glass. This newly updated contemporary dining room is ready for entertaining and family gatherings.

Article Published in the Boston Globe

Window treatments are the least expensive way to transform a room. They can create an illusion. For instance, by installing draperies above the window frame the window will appear taller and the cieling higher. To make a small window look larger the window should be installed outside the frame of the window, thus exposing the entire window. Dressing a window gives a room a warm appeal, absorbs sounds, echos, provides privacy, acts as insulation, and eliminates reflections caused by artificial and natural light.

Kitchen Renovation... Before

This dark Mediterranean kitchen was in a Georgian colonial style home, located in Wellesley, MA.

Kitchen Renovation... After

We changed the dark cabinets to off-white painted cabinets. We installed a bow window to give more light to the space. The refrigerator was repositioned to the opposite wall because it was an overpowering focal point as you entered the kitchen. New granite countertops, and a new decorative tile backsplash were installed.

The home owner of this new kitchen stated that Monique: "is always professional, very attentive, timely, makes good choices, and always stays within our understood budget. She is pleasant to deal with! I highly recommend Monique as an outstanding interior decorator."

Shower...Before

This Victorian house had a 1980's bathroom, with a tub and shower unit.

Vanity...Before

This is the vanity in the 1980's bathroom.

Vanity...After

The new vanity is more appropriate for the era of the house. This vanity has a furniture look and is on legs. The same decorative boarder that was used in the shower was mounted on the wall as a frame for the mirror.

Shower...After

This is the completed tile stall shower with bench, frameless shower doors, and duel shower heads. This shower has a decorative tile border, and the shower floor is blue marble tile which coordinates with the vanity top.

This is a close up of the double vanity.

Vanity Marble Top...After

This is the blue marble countertop that matches the marble tiles in the shower floor.

Family Room Renovation...Before

Family Room Renovation... After

This is the adjoining family room to the Newton MA kitchen below.

Kitchen Renovation... Before

This house is in Newton MA. This house was built in 1980 by a builder. It's layout was not working for the family. The kitchen cabinets were replaced, and all of the hardware was updated. The flat unatractive window was replaced with an angular bay window. The refridgerator was moved to the other side of the island, in order to break through the den wall to make a kitchen/ family room combination. A hardwood floor was installed replacing the outdated linoleum. A new tile backsplash was designed, and the granite countertops replaced the formica ones. I got rid of the track lighting and put in recessed lighting. I replaced the popcorn cielings with a smooth finish.

Kitchen Renovation... After

The complete Newton MA kitchen. The cabintes are lighter, there is more lighting fom the window and new fixtures, and the kitchen is more functional.

Bathroom...Before

This is an all white bathroom with a Corian counter top and a ceramic tile floor.

Bathroom...After

New window treatments were added for decor as well as shutters for privacy. Ceramic wall tile was installed with a ceramic base molding at the bottom and a ceramic chairrail at the top of the wall.

Bathroom...After

The outdated vanity was replaced with a new painted vanity and a Costa Esmerelda granite top. A matching mosaic floor was also installed. The mosaic pattern was carried through as a border on the shower walls.