It’s one of our most beloved window shades: Hunter Douglas Silhouette. Did you ever stop to wonder how this window covering got its name? Or why it’s considered one of those window coverings that can increase the value of your home? Have you been thinking about inviting these shades into your home? We’ve got the answers and so much more information for you as we walk through the customization of Silhouette Shade features for your Denver home.
How Did Silhouette Shades Get Their Name?
You’ll know the answer to this question if you’ve ever passed by someone’s home at night with these in the window. With the vanes closed, there is a solid fabric layer preventing you from a clear view into the home. But, when the lights are on, and it’s dark outside, what you’ll see is the silhouette of what’s going on inside.
Open or Closed? That Is the Question.
We know there are varying opinions on whether homeowners keep their Silhouette Shades open or closed. And, let’s clarify: When we say open, we mean that the vanes are adjusted open, letting you see the landscape through the sheer layers of fabric. When we say closed, we mean that the shades are still in the lowered position, but the vanes are adjusted to close off the light and view. What would you do? Would you prefer them to be open most of the time? Or would you have them closed?
It can be a very personal choice. It’s dependent on so many factors. Even within the same home, the answers can be different. For homes that receive in-direct light and face a private yard, the chances are higher that they could be left open more often than closed. For others, receiving direct sunshine or heavy foot traffic at certain times of day can push you to adjust them closed more often.
Customize the Entering Light
To begin with, entering light is already transformed as it enters your home through sheer shades. The sheer fabrics allow you to see through the window shades, but diffuse the harsh glare and direct sunshine, also adding UV protection to the mix. Now, with the latest innovation added to Silhouette Shade features, you can get Halo. This means you can adjust the fabric vanes to direct the light up toward the ceiling. This keeps direct rays out of your eyes, and the sheers still soften the glare. However, the room is illuminated with light, and you maintain privacy.
What About the View?
We’re so glad you asked! Silhouette Shade features are all about the view, and you should see the latest innovations! We highlighted this collection recently in talking about the top window shades to show off your view. And, while the traditional sheer fabrics offer a hazy, glowing view of the landscape, now you can customize your window shades with ClearView, which is an enhanced fabric option. ClearView offers black sheer fabrics that sharpen the view for a crisp, clear capture of your outdoor space.
Now, sometimes this might not be considered the best option. You might love the idea of the golden, hazy look positioned as the backdrop of your home. Maybe you want glowing light entering, but you don’t need the sharpness. This is why features like this are customizable–we want everyone to create their very own idea of perfection.
The Color Scheme
Aside from the sheer fabrics, did you know that Hunter Douglas Silhouette fabric vanes are available in a range of colors? This is often a subtle feature that really comes to life in the home, when surrounded by other design elements that create the overall look.
From the samples shown here, you’ll see that neutrals are a popular choice among clients. But, what about bold–or darker–selections?
Dark fabric vanes are also a beautiful choice! It can depend heavily on your windows, what color tones you have in your home, or whether you like contrasting tones. It’s just another way to customize the look for your home.
A Popular Problem: Windows & Doors
Many homeowners face the same issue when choosing window treatments for their homes. You have doors in the same shared space as windows. Maybe it’s a sliding glass door near your kitchen windows. Or, you could have a patio door that leads to the back of your home by your living room. You have so many choices, but with Silhouette shades, the decisions just got easier. You can absolutely put horizontal Silhouette shades on a patio door. They look stunning.
But, there’s another choice if you love the look of sheer shades, but you want a vertical shade option. Silhouette Shades share the same fabric collections as Luminette Privacy Sheers. That means that you can feature horizontal sheers on the windows, and then when you cover the sliding door, you can have a vertical shade option.
Which Silhouette Shade Features Are Right for You?
When it comes to choosing window coverings for your home, there are a lot of decisions to make. This is one of the reasons why we encourage clients to get started with us. For our team of experts, we can guide you just based on a few questions to get to know you and your home. We know what works for Denver homes, and we can present you with the ideal products and features to enhance the beauty and atmosphere of your home. Come visit one of our area showrooms to see everything up close! Then, schedule your free in-home design consult. We can’t wait to get started with you!
