Interior Design Today

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 24th episode, Mary talks about the lessons we've learned from Hurricane Sandy. I have noticed that in many instances, contractors have not been quite as honest as they should be with clients. One of my clients had a roof problem, and they were referred to a contractor who was doing other rooves in the area. They asked for a quotation, and they were told $22,000. Another person came to look at the roof from quite a distance, they looked over the situation, didn't take any notes, and the client never heard back from them. The client called me, and I recommended someone we've used before, and they came and quoted them less than $12,000, just about half of the previous quote. The part that is so disturbing is that when we were children, we were taught that things were good or bad, black or white. As we mature, we really realize that everything is pretty grey. When we see this type of situation, this type of a scene, we find that people can be wonderful and they can also be almost evil. Fortunately, as a designer, we get to see and know these contractors. We know who they are, how they work, and what they do. In so many instances, we can be of great assistance to our clients and make sure they get to the right people and that their money is invested appropriately. In my own practice, I do so much of this work. It is quite true, I really didn't get paid for most of those services, but when I think of the invaluable contribution we've made to our clients, it is just amazing. Use your designer to their fullest. Make sure they are giving you the very best and the latest, and use them as a consultant on other building issues because very often they have information that can be very valuable to you in whatever your situation. -- I've given you a copy of an article I wrote for the local paper and which has been passed on to a number of publications throughout the country. We need to realize that building codes and standards are really there for a reason. Take a look at the article below and realize that you are in a position to use your voice to encourage better action in your community. View the Patriot News article here. View the Central Penn Business Journal article here or here. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 23rd episode, Mary talks about Hurricane Sandy. What did we learn from Sandy, a natural disaster that has changed many people's lives? Almost everyone in the northeast knows of someone or a situation that has been devastated by this natural disaster. Now, we look at things like building codes, and we say, 'Well, what if things were not designed the way they were? What if the wind load had been stronger on these buildings so that they would not have diminished or disappeared? What if the construction systems that were used were more supportive?" Think of all the problems that could have been eliminated. In Harrisburg, there was a very serious flood in 1972, which caused many of the building codes to be changed. Yes, of course, it was a federal regulation, but not every community adopted those standards. Some of them just pushed it aside saying, "This doesn't happen here. This is not our climate or our problem." I'm wondering whether, now that we've looked at this serious devastation, people will be much more concerned about building construction and the standards and ways we do things. How much of this will affect our business and our industry and the way we buy all types of building processses. After the flood in Harrisburg, we were told that we may not have any electric panels, generators, or any major systems in basements. As a result, you'll walk into a home and see the electrical panel high on the first, second, or third floor, but not in the basement. Not anywhere where it could be in jeopardy of flooding. If this were the situation in some of the New York hospitals, we could have saved a lot of trouble. They tell us that these storms are going to be with us. We've had three, the last three years, and this is more than we've had in 100 years. If this is the case, it really does demand our attention. Whether you are in the design world or whether you are a consumer, consider how the standards should affect whatever you are doing. Be it a small remodel or a revision you're doing to your property or a major new construction. The other thing that I see happening out of this situation is, for example, in Pennsylvania, we have a lot of companies doing factory built construction. For example, I had a client who wanted 76 motel rooms with bathrooms and storage and so on, and they wanted them in less than 90 days. The only way that I knew to accomplish this, especially since their decision was made in January/February and they wanted them occupied by May, was to factory build them. The first thing we had to check out was, could you deliver them? There are many situations where you simply can't make the delivery due to highways or wires or whatever. After we formulated that they could be delivered, we started the design and created marble bathrooms, beautiful quality appointments in every respect. Everything was completed in the factory, and by the way, these rooms were less than 1/32nd of an inch off. Look at your building. See how square it is. I doubt very much that you're living in any spaces which are this accurate in measurement. What they did is they built a model for us, and after we approved it and determined that every light switch, outlet, plumbing detail, etc... were just the way we wanted them, they went on to build the additional 75. They were delivered on-time. The foundations were prepared, and they lifted the rooves and put the singles on, on-site. A very sleek operation. As we look at the capabilities of Pennsylvania's manufacturers today, it is very likely that they could deliver 10,000 or more to New York City within a period of 60 days. There is another wonderful part. With all of these units, there is a state regulation that requires a warranty of 20 years on electrical, plumbing, and all basic components. This means that if you install one of these facilities, you don't have to worry about repairs or maintenance for quite a long time. This of what this could save the city's public housing situation. They're telling us that they need between 30 and 40,000 units. Just imagine the maintenance cost and what it could save the city. It isn't really the cost because very often the cost is less to factory build than to stick build in the field. It is also the issue of what is the long term cost. Even if you are spending 10% more or so, that is nothing compared to your overall costs over a period of 5-10 or more years. Will this situation bring forward many different building opportunities and many different demands? That's a question that I have and I feel it will be answered very soon. I feel that the average person will be looking at, why aren't we doing it? Is it a political issue that's holding us back? If so, we won't tolerate this. We want good building standards. I hope that we do get something positive out of all the suffering and problems that have been caused by this natural disaster. It's unfortunate but yet, in many cases, it is wonderful the things that do result from this type of situation. Let's make something out of it. Let's say that this changed our quality of life and our building standards. We all look forward to these better buildings of the future. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 22nd episode, Mary talks about lighting. When you're lighting a room or a particular feature, there are now so many opportunities. I was looking at some LED lamps which I'm going to use on a desk, and it's amazing because their lifespan is probably 15 years. You really don't need to worry about light bulbs, and the beautiful part is that you can lift the lamp off, head it in different directions, it'll never get warm, it's really just a pleasant type of light to enhance a work area. Do I want this type of lighting everywhere in my room? No, not really. Nor do I want cans, coming from the ceiling, as one of my clients called it, a swiss cheese ceiling. Aren't we tired of these? There are so many other ways to interestingly light a room and give you a much more enhancing and beautiful effect. I was taught that you never use a highlight or a spot on people. Terriffic on a sculpture, plants, or other object, but definitely not on people's heads. I think so often when I look at kitchens and see all of these down lights, with the heat coming off of them. Here you are cooking, with this light coming down on your head, adding to the heat created by cooking. Not the right way to light a kitchen, but how many different ways are there? We're doing a bathroom right now where we've added a small light underneath the vanity. Here, we have the benefit of simply having that on while entertaining guests. As they walk in, they can see where they're going. In that same bathroom, we're making sure that there are variations in lighting. If you happen to come in and don't want a lot of light glaring at you, you can have a soft light. If you happen to be doing makeup or contacts, you can have a lot of light. We also look at our surfaces and reflection of light to determine that type of lamping that we want to use. It isn't just dropping lights into a room. How do they reflect? How do our eyes pickup the details of that space or the functions of that space. What color eyes do you have? What age are the people? What is their height? Are they standing, sitting, or just how do they expect to need light for the subject that goes on there. You see, it's a material which has wonderful opportunities. It can be our friend or it can be a problem. When we walk into a room, the first thing we notice is a light source. Windows or lighting. The second, of course, is color. Since lighting is so primary, look at your lighting. Is it really what you want it to be? Mixing lighting is where we go today. Look at your rooms. Do you have all one kind of lighting? If so, review it. You probably want to add a few others. I like lighting coming from different lights and directions to enhance and show the dimension of the space. Lighting is a tool. Use it with skill an pleasure. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 21st episode, Mary talks about glass. Glass everywhere! It seems that glass has become an important material, but why are we surprised? Don't we realize that the main material of our time is silicon. We went through the brass age, the iron age, and all the other materials, and now we are supposed to be mining glass, or silicon. It's the strongest material we have. It's hard to imagine, but glass is stronger than steel. When we're building with fiberglass and using some of those materials in our automobiles and other items, it really is an item of strength. Now we're seeing it become so fashionable in all types of furniture items and finishes. We are now doing some beautiful tiling in glass. We haven't seen this type of thing done for many years. Now it's not just one type of glass tile, but many many others. We have to look at where is the appropriate place to use it. Perfect for a shower wall, a bathroom wall, or a decorative wall. I saw someone putting it on a kitchen floor; no, it doesn't belong there. On the whole, it's very fragile. It will crack, it will break. I've used it on countertops. One of my favorite countertops for kitchens today is a very nice thick glass with a slightly textured finish so that it shows no marks. It is totally kosher, and it is the cleanest countertop you could have. The beautiful thing is that you have options of underlining it with different colors, textures, or patterns. It is so easy to take care of and work with. The edges and details are all quite important. One makes it practical, the wrong one makes it a problem. Obviously, it depends upon knowing your materials. Installing glass on shower walls or other areas that don't mark or spot. There is no longer a need for a squeegee because now we have glass that doesn't sport or mark. We are also seeing this used in high rises and other places where it won't collect dirt or spots. Isn't it wonderful the innovations that we have today and the opportunities that we have to work it into our designs? As you consider your material, just think of the many opportunities. Of course your glass can be treated if it's being used for windows so that it reduces the heat or light impact, but when it comes to light, it doesn't totally reduce fading. Any type of light will cause textiles to fade, whether it's your lamp or something coming from the exterior. This is something that we do need to consider. Look at glass with a very different light and consider some of the opportunities of where you can use it to enhance your interior in a very practical way. Yes, of course, there are safety issues. I've noticed at the Barnes Foundation museum, the way they did the door design. They had a thin glass panel from the top of the door to the bottom. Of course, taking care of ADA and other safety measures, but adding a very interesting decorative effect. Really wonderful how we can use glass, and it can be very safe and most affective. Not just fiberglass draperies, not necessarily, although there are a few being used. Look at it as a building material, an architectural material, and a decorative material. You'll see more of it, and fortunately, in so many different ways. We're using a laminated glass right now in a project. It is two layers of glass with a pattern infused in the center of it. It's very practical and very beautiful. Think about the way you can use glass in your interior to really enhance some of the details of your space. It's a new material, an old material, but it's out there everywhere. It's different, and it's beautiful. Look at its opportunities, and I'm sure you'll find a spot where you would like to add glass as one of your features. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 20th episode, Mary talks about acoustics. It isn't just what we can see, but what we can hear. One of the most important things that we all appreciate is a good conversation; one in which we truly understand what the other person is saying and what is really meant. This takes in many components. We do need to be able to hear what they are saying, and then, of course, if we are fortunate enough to be in the same room as them, we're interested in their body language and how they respond; their persona. What I find to be a major issue in almost every interior space that I see is that so often we are not considering acoustics. It isn't just in the theatre, to be able to hear the wonderful symphony or theatrical production, but it is also a question of sitting in a restaurant and being able to hear what is being said by the others at your table. It is also frankly about not hearing what is being said by those at another table. I think it is the responsibility of everyone, whether doing a family room or an office, a restaurant, or any space where communication to consider acoustics. Even in our offices, we're looking at what works with this piece of equipment. There are some types of environments which are really destructive to every bit of sound. In our residence, we seriously want to hear 'what we want to hear' and we don't want to hear 'what we don't want to hear.' Often, when families are very young, parents are very sensitive to hearing what is happening in the nursery, so they'll mic it so that they can be sitting in another room and be totally aware of whether the child is in any form of distress. As the children grow older, they tend to make a lot more noise, we then reach the position where we would really prefer not to hear the noise quite as often. Drumming, television programs, etc... are things that we really don't need to hear. As children age, or as we share our spaces with other adults, we all have things which are for us to hear and not for the rest of the group. It is critical that we understand this. After all, this is part of our life. We want to share some things, but other things are really just for our use. This is part of designing interiors. Let's look at the acoustical aspects of design. We have seen wonderful designs of open entrance areas, up into the bedroom area. Families turn on the television in the family room, and children can hear it in their bedrooms just you can in the family room. This is not an appropriate design considering this space may be shared by people of various age. If there are one or two people in the house, it may not be a problem, but it can quickly grow to be a major consideration. I was interested in a conversation today where someone said in a restaurant, 'It's so noisy, I'm really disturbed by this.' They had a bit of a hearing problem. They suggested putting acoustical tile on the ceiling. I said, well, that would help some, but the reality is we need acoustical absorbing material closer to the level where voices are used. When seated, the voice area is somewhere between 3 and 5 feet, not at 10 feet. For the sound to get up there and to come back, it really is reverberating and causing a lot of other issues that we don't necessarily want or need. As you look at what you want to hear and do not want to hear, consider that we know a lot about acoustical control. Whether it's broadcasting or blocking, we know how to encourage the right volume. We have wonderful materials today that don't necessarily look strange, but they're very decorative and appropriate and can be incorporated into any type of space to make it more comfortable. When looking at the design of your space, it isn't just furniture or materials, but it's also: how will the space work for us? Acoustics need to be a consideration from the very beginning. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 19th episode, Mary talks about tabletops. Are you using a tabletop specialist? It was very interesting, but last week, I had a gathering in my apartment in New York. Fortunately, I had a specialist helping me. It was really exciting to see the way I did things and the little touches that Jay could add. He knew how to put some magic into that table. It was really fun to see some of the pieces that I had used in so many different ways being presented with just a touch of artistry which was something that I hadn't thought of. Fortunately, we had some nice pieces to work with, but he also added a few that enhanced the overall presentation. As I think about entertaining today, we all have many things that we can use. We don't want to use them in a boring style, we want something that's just a bit exciting and different. Especially if we are entertaining, often the same people, you feel like you don't want to put out the same food in the same way. Yet, you know that there are certain things that are healthy or well liked, and you obviously want to present them in an attractive way so that they just look a bit special. As you look around your space, whether it is your office where you are working with a few clients, or whether it's your residence or a picnic you're doing, you really want to make it a bit special. After all, you want your friends to feel that they are special and that you've put a bit of effort into it. With my lifestyle, unfortunately I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to these things. I need shortcuts. Fortunately, I've found ways of being able to put together a dinner or small affair within a matter of a half an hour in many cases. Yet, it is appealing. I admit I am not the most creative chef in the community, but I do have a way of finding and preparing a certain amount myself. I try to make sure it is presented in an attractive way. I find that even the simplest food is most appealing and exciting if it is presented properly. Look in your closets. See what you have. How can it be used in a different way? How can you, perhaps, add a piece or two that really makes a difference? The old China that you received as a wedding gift, it can still be presented in a different way. Make it up to date and make sure it's exciting. We aren't eating the types of food that we did so many years ago. So often, we need to change and adjust. Check out your tabletops, make sure they're beautiful. Whether it is for a buffet or a sit-down dinner or even a simple breakfast, design is part of our lifestyle. Use it to its advantage. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 18th episode, Mary talks about storage. Are things where you use them? There's no point in storing things in the basement or the third floor if you're using it in the dining room or the living room. Are your cabinets properly designed for what you're keeping in them? Is it a matter that I have to move everything in and out of the cabinet in order to reach something that I use rather often? Look carefully at your storage. Just remember, the things that were important to you last year or last month may not be the items that you're using today. Things change according to season, but more than that, they change according to our interests and the types of things we're doing and the people that are around us. There are times when games are very important, yet there are other times when we have no guests around and we don't play games for months or years. There are certain things we use as part of our desk, but if we have the same type of containers that we had a few years ago, it doesn't make sense because so much of it is done on our computers. A lot of it is stored there. I see many people who do not have a file cabinet or drawer. I have to admit that this is not completely my style because I still like a certain amount of paper and reference books, and I haven't yet put it all on my iPad or Kindle. Maybe I will at some point. There's something about a book that I really like. If you ever saw the way I live, you would know that books are really important to me. Maybe a little bit too important. I really enjoy reading and having books, but again, I must admit that they require constant weeding and reorganizing because my taste or interests change. Something that is an important topic to me, which I'm working with intensely, perhaps a month from now, I may not touch that item for many months. Still, I want them where I can find them. The same thing is true when looking at our china, our silver, and things we use for our table or kitchen. I used to often laugh, I had someone who helped me in my home. Every Monday morning, she rearranged everything in the kitchen cabinets, and every Friday when she left, I rearranged them back the way I wanted them. This is often the case with many people.  Look at your bathroom. Is that hair dryer where you use it? Is it really convenient? Is it also out of the way when you're not using it? Each particular part of our house has its specific needs. One of the things I have found that is so important is accommodating what we use, where we use it. We want to be able to reach for it conveniently. We want to be able to access it without any form of destruction, either to ourselves or in the sense to the item. I often laugh when I look at our showroom. I'm not very tall, and those that have worked here that are quite tall always put things on the top shelf. Of course, that doesn't work for me. Another thing that one should consider is: what is convenient for you? How high should your cabinets be? How should your book cases and other storage units be designed? Consider not only the item but also the people using them. When I walk into a child's room and the parents exclaim, "My child is such a mess; never hangs up their clothing!" The child is 3 feet high and the clothing rod is 5 feet high. When the closets are designed for their convenience, often their behavior patterns change. It's really not a lot different with adults. When something works, we enjoy it. It all fits and it all meshes. When it gets slightly out of order, that's quite another thing. Some of my friends who are organizational specialists, especially Barbara Hemphill, often says that once you reach a certain point where things are so chaotic and out of order, you really can't fix it yourself. You often think of all the items and how special they are. Maybe, in reality, they are not so special. Look at the spaces you're living in. Do they really compliment the behaviors that you want to be happening in those spaces. The question is, "How much does the storage and the organizational process relate to the functions of that room?" I find that it is really key. Before we begin any design, we look at how does it work? What do I need to really perform all the tasks that I want to happen in this space appropriately? Storage needs to be reviewed on a regular basis because what you are using is constantly changing as much as your lifestyle is changing. You're spending a lot for the cost of the space that you occupy, whether you purchased it or are renting it, it is an expensive investment. Let's make sure it works for you, and your storage is a major part of it. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 17th episode, Mary talks about the benefits of having a global team of designers who are able to work together. Mary was recently interviewed for a piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer about this very topic. They asked Mary if this was common, and she said "Definitely!" Our field has become so complex that no one person can know everything. Each of us have particular specialties. When doing a project, we're looking to produce it at the very highest level which often means we won't have all of the required talent on staff. Yes, we do have people on staff who are very good at supporting us, but when we're looking for the real experts, we have to go outside and find people that are truly knowledgeable in that particular discipline. We are so fortunate with today's technology that we can interact with people anywhere in the world. I'm finding that my consultants are often a continent away, not just downstairs or in the next building. Often they are in another country, state, or an entirely different part of the world. I just think this is the most wonderful thing about modern day design.  We can now do the very best work and have the very best team to produce a job very efficiently and very economically. When you give someone who is truly knowledgeable a project, they produce it very rapidly with very low cost. If you ask someone who is maybe not an expert, they make the project  a very involved and complex thing. At the end, you often don't have the very best result. Our clients today want something better, something better than they can do themselves. Often clients come to me and say, "I've been doing my own work for many years. I've been very happy with it, but now I want something that is better than I can do." With that type of request, it means that I must give them something that is truly excellent. With their background, they have learned a lot about the field, and they want something that is of great quality. When you're doing a project, who is going to work with you? It will be interesting to see the team that creates your project, and, from where they come. This global policy of working today is most exciting. I'm delighted at what I've learned from these many specialists. Years ago, I was very interested in lighting, and I would do the things that I knew on a project. At that time, Jim Knuckles was one of the world's outstanding lighting specialists. Unfortunately, we have lost him long ago. I would take the project in and sit down with him, because he was in New York, it was easy for me to do that. He would help me with the complex parts of the project and review what I had done in order to spot different areas where there might be some improvement. At the time, this worked logistically because he was only a few hundred miles away. Now, with Skype and other methods, I am able to do this same kind of thing with every type of specialist. We are able to see the finest details from around the world. As you look at your next interest in design, consider the team that your designer will put together to give you that level of excellence. We can have the best today, and it can come from any part of the world. Fortunately, it is easy to make happen and very affordable. Enjoy the opportunities... Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 16th episode, Mary talks about needs analysis.What does this really mean? Often we have a building or a space that has been used for many functions, but those functions change. We run into the dilemma where the space no longer services the changing needs of the organization. We also may be considering moving to a different facility. What should we be looking for? Where should we put our investment? We know that our buildings are a very expensive part of our investment. Since I specialize in proxemics, I realize that interiors are really a tool with which we work and with which we live. They direct human behavior, but let's be sure that it's the correct behavior. A number of the designers that I work with specialize in doing nothing but needs analysis work. They sit down with clients and look at their preferred functions. What should be happening here? If you happen to be working at home, obviously you need a different facility. Maybe you need a certain degree of privacy because there are other activities taking place throughout your home at the same time.  We really don't want the outside public to be aware of exactly how we live. It is so great that we can Skype, we can see and work with other people. I also understand that there are many people who are not appropriately/professionally dressed at all times. Perhaps they don't want that type of visibility, but at other times, they may want to use Skype to share the professionalism of their space with their clients. When it comes to how we live with our family or companions, that is also quite another issue. We want to participate with certain types of activities, yet in other cases, we want to eliminate other people when we're doing certain things. What is really important to you? How should your spaces be worked? Where are you spending most of your time? What are you doing within these spaces? We have a rather complex form that we use, and it's really quite interesting. When a designer asks you the questions, you know the answers, but so often, when you're not reminded of certain things, you may skip over them. They may be the most important parts of what that particular space should be doing or performing. As you look forward into planning your future, consider how your interior spaces should be working for you. Take the time to sit down with someone. If often doesn't take very long. It can be a matter of a few hours. Review what your priorities are, and see if there are ways that you can enhance what you have or if you are considering purchasing something new, exactly what you should be requesting and what you want in those spaces. Let's make sure that the investments we're making in our interior design work are being spent appropriately. You'll find that you get much use and pleasure out of your interior spaces if they really meet your needs. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.

Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt. In our 15th episode, Mary talks about Window Treatments. What kind should you have or do you want? Today, our windows are being treated in many different ways. They say that we'll have no fading, but it is interesting that many furniture and textiles do fade. Any amount of light that you have, whether it is coming from an electrical fixture or the sun, it causes some degree of fading. If we want to protect our textiles, it is probably best to use a window treatment that will provide us with some type of protection, especially when you're not in the room. We have many different types of treatments today. It isn't just venetian blinds or verticals or traverse draperies, but so many other combinations; treatments that become invisible when you have them open, others that are really a beautiful embellishment which soften and detail a room. Some of our larger spaces really need a wonderful window treatment to finish the room. They add a lot of elegance, and also, soft materials help the acoustics in your room. If you have removed the carpet in the room and have a hard-surfaced floor, and if most of your furniture is hard-surfaced, you'll really want to consider bringing some soft material into the space for balance. Window treatments can be one of those options. Fortunately, today, we have a lot of window treatments which are very easy care. At one time, everyone had two sets of window treatments; one for the summer and one for the winter. A lot of people enjoy that option in spaces where they spend 12 months of the year. Sometimes, we really want a change because of the way the outside is coming into our space. Sometimes the leaves on the trees or the amount of sun exposure can affect this. There are a lot of beautiful options today. As you look through the various magazines and come up with ideas for treatments that you love, the question is: does it fit with your window style? We're fortunate to have a lot of windows which are much easier maintenance. Often they can be tipped and washed from the interior. Sometimes they are opened differently than they were in the past. Window treatments need to work with these styles. Look at your windows. Are they really contributing to the enjoyment, the pleasure, and the use of your room? Is the glare controlled? Is the sunlight and fading controlled? Do you need a touch of embellishment or enhancement. Consider appropriately designing your windows to compliment the rest of your interior. Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.