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 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.