Do you remember what it feels like to sit in the cool shade of a tree while a gentle breeze caresses your face? I do. It can be the most wonderful feeling on earth, that heady sensation of being one with nature and at peace with the world. And with the emerging trend of using earthy, sustainable, eco-friendly materials in home decorating, such as with bamboo window treatments, you can now you can recapture that feeling.
The growing awareness of environmental and health issues has spawned a welcome new development. The term “organic” no longer solely refers to the food choices made by health-conscious eaters; it has also become a byword among ecologically savvy homeowners. Nowadays, you can have your pick of organic home furnishings – including organic bamboo window treatments that shade and cool our bodies in the same way that trees do for us.
Why are the right window treatments so important? Due to the discovery of the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, window shades are no longer viewed merely as optional accessories for an environmentally safe home. They are its first line of defense. They protect our homes in much the same way as sunglasses shield our eyes and sunscreen lotions safeguard our skin from UV rays.
Adequate and efficient ventilation is just as important. Energy conservation requires minimal use of electrical appliances such as electric fans and air conditioning units to cool our homes. Moreover, it is much healthier to keep our windows open for proper air circulation so that the carbon dioxide we breathe out finds its way outdoors and the plant oxygen we need makes its way indoors.
Interior designer and home stylist Danny Seo is an avid environmentalist who recommends environmentally friendly window treatments, such as bamboo shades, and using curtains made from tropical plant materials like cotton, kapok, soybean – and of course, bamboo. His TV show and book series, Simply Green, detail window treatment projects that save time, money, and the environment. A video on his website www.lime.com (its signature slogan is “healthy living with a twist”) reveals one of the secret weapons he endorses to his celebrity clients: bamboo blinds.
Bamboo window treatments, such as blinds and shades, provide both excellent ventilation and powerful sun protection, as well as the same coolness and shade we get from trees. After all, what better source could there be than a tree itself? Technically, the bamboo plant is a species of grass, but it possesses the tree-like qualities of a sturdy woody stem and great height. Like trees, bamboo plants provide lumber strong enough to build houses that can withstand extreme tropical temperatures and furniture that can endure decades of wear and tear. Bamboo shades and blinds last for years, whether they are used indoors or outdoors.
They come in so many different styles and colors that shopping for bamboo window treatments can become a major source of entertainment. Never before have there been so many choices available. There are even showrooms that specialize exclusively in bamboo blinds. Online, the marketplace takes on global dimensions. At the click of a mouse button, you can order bamboo shades, curtains, furniture, and more – from almost anywhere in the world.
Bamboo window coverings can be customized to fit your windows, so that all it takes is two long screws to hold them in place. Keeping them clean is just as easy: simply wipe the slats with a moist cloth, or sponge them with soap and water. Since you don’t have to take them down to clean them, they are more convenient to maintain than cloth curtains.
Since they are made of a natural, organic material, bamboo blinds do not come with the hazards associated with plastic blinds and other PVC window treatments. Bamboo shades and blinds are also pesticide-free because the bamboo plant produces a substance that acts as a natural pest repellent. So, you can breathe easy – literally!
Whether you’re relaxing with friends in your patio outdoors or sitting down to a family dinner indoors, you can relive those memories of sitting under the cool, friendly shade of a tree. Feel the breeze rushing through your beautifully natural bamboo window treatments, reawakening your senses to the splendor and serenity of nature.
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