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This post is sponsored by Bali Blinds. All opinions are my own.
The last few weeks have really felt like spring around here, and I am lovvvving it. Not only is the sunshine a mood lifter, but it also means I can let Ian run around in the backyard. That's been a lifesaver for me, as I get adjusted to life with two kids. I've been thoroughly enjoying sitting on our deck with a popsicle in my hand, the sun on my face, and Emmett in my arms, watching Ian play. We're working on getting our backyard ready for summer (we just got these outdoor chairs, and are making more plans for the deck), and we're also making a few tweaks inside the house. I recently updated our family room for spring...no major changes since this post, but I added some storage for toys, new decor for spring, and (finally!) some window treatments. These windows had been naked since we moved in, so it was about time we got them decent! I went with Roman shades again, but this time I decided to get the Tailored Roman style, with a thermal liner for energy efficiency. I was fed up with how much heat we lost through these windows over the winter! I love how they look, and I'm looking forward to smaller utility bills in the future too.
I feel like my tastes have gotten simpler over the years, at least with things like window treatments that I don't want to switch out anytime soon. When I was ordering swatches to consider, I skipped right over the patterned fabrics (even though there are some pretty ones!) and scrolled right past the deep colors...straight to the neutral solids. I ended up choosing the Colletti Blizzard fabric. It's the one on the bottom right below: a polyester/linen blend in a pretty ivory color.
You get ten free swatches with Bali Blinds, and I would recommend using all of them. It's so hard to tell whether you'll like a fabric from the tiny photo on screen. You really need to get a physical swatch in your home and into your hands, so you can feel the texture and compare the color to other elements in the room (your furniture, the rug, etc.). I actually picked out some other options first, and this was one of the last fabrics I added just in case, since I had a few more slots in my swatch allowance. Surprisingly, it ended up being my favorite for this room! So you never know.
Besides the new shades, I also added some decor for spring...like these flowering branches I clipped from the trees in our yard. This is our first spring in this house, so it has been fun seeing what's blooming and budding out there!
I also organized some toys to keep on that bookshelf. Right now, we have toys all over the house so there's something for Ian to play with no matter where we are. Eventually, as he gets older and can entertain himself, I want this room to evolve into more of a playroom. But for now, it's kind of scattered. A little here and a little there.
The quote on the letterboard says, "Spring cleaning with a toddler is like brushing your teeth with Oreos in your mouth." I saw that somewhere and it made me laugh...too true. But we're still gonna try! We've been focusing on the yard over the past few weeks, but next weekend we're turning our attention indoors. I want to wash all the windows, and clean the window treatments too. Not these ones since they're new, but all the rest!
Cleaning window treatments isn't as straightforward as washing windows, though. Depending on what you have, there are different methods you should use. Bali Blinds has a great guide on how to clean blinds & shades, with a chart to reference and thorough instructions for products that require special care.
Basically, there are three types of cleaning that will take care of most window treatments: vacuuming with an upholstery attachment (ok for all types), dusting with a feather duster (ok for most), and spot cleaning with a soft cloth, mild detergent, and warm water (check the chart to see if your window treatments can handle it).
Do you clean your window treatments regularly? I have to admit, it's not part of my normal routine. It's a great task for spring cleaning though, especially if you're already going to be washing your windows!
I'd love to hear what projects you're working on this spring, whether it's spring cleaning, redecorating, renovating, etc. What's going on at your house??
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This is a fun post! That room is big, bright and airy. It is going to be an awesome play room! And I am loving that chair with the blue cushion.
We have tackled a lot the past two weekends, I have been trying to clean and get all the dust out of house. I've been reading a couple books on minimalism and am starting to purge all the things!!
My husband has cleaned and set up our deck with new cushions for the wicker furniture and fun little side tables.
Now we are trying to figure out if we want to put a half pergola on our deck or use shade sails in certain areas. Our deck is huge and it is set up as a pergola base (without the slats running across), so there are anchoring points.
ALSO, we built a sandbox last fall and it is out in the back of our yard, which gets 100% sun, so we need to come up with a shade solution for that to.
Thank you! That chair was a Goodwill find (but the old cushion was nasty). I love it too. :)
Your projects sound awesome! I've been wanting to purge & sell some things also. And I'm jealous of your huge deck!!! We're hoping to expand ours sometime but it's not cheap...
I love the rug! Where is it from?
It's the Heirloom Tamur rug from Mohawk Home! Super affordable and soft, we love it!
These blinds look great! Did you order these with or without a valence?