From the design desk

Ideas & advice

Notes on rooms, light and living with your choices — from people who’ve been advising Michigan homes since 1952.

Window treatments

Hunter Douglas vs. Alta Window Fashions: prices, motorization, fabrics and energy efficiency

We carry both brands, so we can be straight about the trade-offs: where Alta saves you real money, and where Hunter Douglas earns its premium.

Motorization

Motorized shades: the real pros, cons, and good-to-know details

Motorized shades are the upgrade people wonder why they waited for — but they’re not for everyone. A no-hype rundown of what’s great and what to check first.

Window treatments

How to clean Hunter Douglas shades and blinds, by product type

“How do I clean my shades?” is the question we hear most. The answer depends entirely on which shade you own — here’s the product-by-product guide.

Mattresses

How to choose the right mattress for you

Cut through the mattress noise: your sleep position, your comfort preference, and the support your body needs — plus how to actually test one in a showroom.

Window treatments

How much do Hunter Douglas shades cost?

For a typical 36″ × 72″ window, Hunter Douglas shades run from about $300 to $2,300. Here’s what moves the number — and how to find where your windows land.

Motorization

Building or remodeling? Pre-wire now for motorized shades

A homeowner-and-builder guide: what to wire during framing so your shades never need a ladder or a battery — including the spec your electrician can copy.

Furniture

Why investing in quality furniture matters

Price is the tempting number; cost-per-year is the honest one. What well-made furniture actually buys you, and the two makers we trust most.

Window treatments

The most energy-efficient window coverings for a Michigan home

Up to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy can escape through its windows. Here’s the shade construction that actually fights back — and what pairs with it.

Motorization

Building a new home? Plan for motorized shades before drywall

PowerView® runs on a simple low-voltage wire — if it goes in during construction. Skip it, and batteries are your only option later.

Flooring

Why wool is the gold standard of natural-fiber flooring

Renewable, resilient, naturally stain- and flame-resistant — wool carpet earns its reputation. Here’s the case for it, and the two things to know first.

Window treatments

Selecting the right Hunter Douglas window treatments for your home

Privacy, light, insulation, safety, style — five questions that narrow the whole Hunter Douglas line down to the shade your room actually needs.

Flooring

Which flooring best complements oak cabinets?

Match the wood, or contrast it? Oak cabinets are forgiving either way — the real question is which finished look you want to live with.

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