Next Day Blinds - Think Twice

All of our furniture in the Midwest was from Ethan Allen. We had the best interior designer and he knew our taste well. All the products that were delivered remained top notch as long as we had them - including all the window treatments, many from Hunter Douglas. When we got our studio apartment, we went to Next Day Blinds for honeycomb shades for six very large windows. We wanted the ability to open the shades from the top or bottom, and anything else in between. For the most part they have lasted, but they do collect a lot of dust that can’t be cleaned. And the plastic cord holders break and require maintenance in spite of treating them gently. Because the studio is used by guests when they visit, we needed to add black out shades in front of the honeycomb shades because there is too much light from the street lights out front. Plus, the blackout shades provide a valence of sorts at the top of the window where there was none, and also add another layer of protection from the north wind that blows right through the cheap windows in winter. Since we don’t use the black out shades on a daily basis, it is irritating when they don’t roll up and down with ease. The cheap material frays and gets caught in the roller mechanism - jamming it. So we need to climb up on a ladder to try to “un jam” it. But that leaves the shade looking worse every time we pull it up and down. This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Next Day Blinds does replace items, but I do not want to take that route because it’s really getting monotonous. I would prefer a better product that lasts rather than a cheap product that requires constant repair - and these blinds weren’t cheap! I am disappointed compared to what we were used to and dream of the times we had windows that kept the cold air out and window treatments that not only looked good, but actually functioned. Maybe one of these days we will switch them out with remote switches, but that won’t work if the shades are frayed. 

Next Day Blinds Blackout Shades Replacement

We had honeycomb blinds installed in our condo about nine years ago. Over time, the pull cords break. So we recently had all of our shades updated with new cords and to fix a broken one. The white cords just couldn’t be cleaned, so this was the only solution. That circumstance required one trip out to remove all the shades so the exchange could be done. On top of that, we had blackout shades installed two years ago on the same five windows. One of the shades never hung correctly. Since those shades are under warranty, we wanted to have that crooked shade replaced while we were at it. Unfortunately the fabric we used for the blackout shade was discontinued, so we had to go to the showroom and select another fabric  - which meant all the shades would then need to be replaced. We were told both the honeycomb and blackout shades would be reinstalled at the same time -  which made sense - for them and for us. But, things never work out as planned. When the appointment was made, only the honeycomb shades were brought, even though the blackout shades were ready. That meant there would be another trip for them and another afternoon waiting at home for us. In the end it didn’t really matter because we are usually at home. But it still changes the flavor of the day. The blackout shades look fine, but instead of hanging straight the same shade still hangs crooked - but in the other direction. This house is old and crooked and requires very careful measuring and installation. I’m just too tired to deal with it anymore. Thank goodness we don’t need to use those shades very often. 

Next Day Blinds Service

Two years ago we had blackout shades installed in our condo windows by Next Day Blinds to help shut out the light at night, add insulation, and provide a nice decorative header. Nine years ago we had honeycomb shades installed on those same windows by the same company. Over time the white pull cords on the honeycomb shades are pretty dirty - and we have tried everything to clean them. And, one of the pull cords broke. So I requested a service call to have the one pull cord repaired, but also to replace all the white cords to freshen them up. Additionally, one of the blackout shades never hung right, so I also requested that it be rehung and straightened. So the service technician came and took down all the honeycomb shades and contacted the service center to see how to address the blackout shade because it was measured incorrectly in the first place - which is why it hung crooked. Usually, they just remake the shade, but the meterial we had is now out of stock. What that meant was that all five shades would now need to be replaced with a new fabric. After the tech left, we got a call yesterday from Edith who told us to go down to the showroom, find an alternate option, call her back, and keep the appointment we made next week to have everything rehung on the same day. So today we went to the showroom, got the color and pattern name and numbers, called Edith back, and are keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes as planned. Although it is an inconvenience, I’d like to say we have had positive experiences with Next Day Blinds. I’ll let you know if that changes next week. 

Next Day Blinds Not Quite Right

We turned our 70x76 inch storage closet in to a tiny bedroom, making our studio apartment in to a one bedroom! It has a huge window in it that really brightens up the space and makes it so much larger than it is. The wall of mirrors and high ceilings also adds to the size. The window already has honeycomb shades that provide privacy, but the window also faces the outside streetlight that brings in much too much light to sleep in. Additionally, the blackout shade provides extra insulation in winter and a decorative trim on the top of the window. So we revisited Next Day Blinds to install the same black out shades we have on all the other wondows. The only difference is that this window would have a dark shade rather than the lighter neutral which they no longer have in stock. When the technician came yesterday to install the shade, the cord was too long for the space, so it needs to be replaced. It was also hung not quite level because the blind doesn't hang right when pulled down. He also left a part of the equipment. He promised they would call us in the morning about a re do. We haven't heard anything yet. All that means is another day wasted sitting around for someone to arrive. Thank goodness we aren't working anymore and can schedule the inconvenience. But this sort of thing should be done right the first time.

Next Day Blinds Blackout Roller Shades Installed - Aesthetic, Functional, Insulating

It's taken awhile to finally decide what we needed on our very large windows. We had white honeycomb shades put in about seven years ago. But since this unit is a studio, and it is the unit where our guests sleep, the honeycomb shades do not keep out the bright streetlight. So we visited Next Day blinds last summer to get some ideas, and finally decided to get the order in once we could determine the best color. Of course, the patterns and material I really wanted were Hunter Douglass - like the kind we had in Milwaukee. The criteria for these shades was that they keep out the light, add a bit of aesthetic value by covering the top of the honeycomb shades, perhaps provide additional insulation during the winter when the cold wind blows though this horrible windows, and not break the bank. Being the most decorative pattern was not a priority. So we decided on a linen color that matched the wall paint, rather then put in big white sheets. The blinds were finally installed last week. Unfortunately, one of them had a flaw and will need to be replaced this week.  But all in all they meet the criteria. Too bad they weren't perfect the first time around. But in this town, nothing ever is. 

Next Day Blinds Decision

When we moved to DC from the Midwest, we left everything behind. Nothing we had would fit in to a tiny 500 square foot space. Since then, we have an additional tiny space to live in, across the hall from our original one bedroom apartment, making a total of almost 1,000 square feet. It sounds odd, but actually works out well - especially when we have visitors. Each has their own place. We used to have a huge king size sofa bed in it and have spent the last six years trying to reconfigure the area to accommodate a wall bed. We had a wonderful designer in Milwaukee who helped us redecorate, renovate, and completely redo our entire house there. We are pretty much left to our own devices here - and I miss him a lot! So now the wall bed is installed, and we now have a bedroom, dining room, living, and exercise room all in one space. One of the last things we need to do is get some black out shades for six large windows because the honeycombs don't function well at night - the light comes right in. Plus they will add another layer of insulation from the winter drafts in this very old buikding. A few months back we checked out available options at Next Day Blinds in Alexandria, and decided to take a ride over yesterday to see the samples and make a decision. Of course, a decision can't be made until I actually get the samples in the house and compare the colors. We are expecting friends from the Midwest in April so I am hoping we can get this done sooner than later. We are finally feeling good about the space - and it's taken six years to get there. 

Next Day Blinds Cord Repair

We've had honeycomb shades on our windows for six years. They came from Next Day Blinds and we have had relatively good luck with them. However, a couple weeks ago, one of the cords snapped and we were not able to pull the shade completely up, and knew if we brought it completely down it would never go back up. And of course, it was on the biggest window, and we were having out of town guests visiting to boot. My husband was able to at least close them completely using some maneuver, but it kept the house darker during the day time than we liked. Since we were told the blinds are on a lifetime warrenty, I went on line and requested service. Since they didn't readily get back to us after we received an email response that they received our request, we called and scheduled an appointment, which would be a couple weeks out. On the day before the service, we received a phone call to remind us of the date and time, followed by an email with information about the service and the name of the technician. On the day of the service, we received another phone call that the time was still on track followed by a second call to inform us the technician was en route. When he arrived, it took a few minutes to replace the cords. I asked him if we should expect all of the shades to eventually break. His response was most likely, but not to forget about the lifetime warrenty. As for cleaning the cords? No good solution. But at least now we can go back to opening the windows and enjoying the view. That means a lot when you live in such a tiny place.