Conference 7.286::home_work

My wife has made Warm Windows brand roman shades.  You buy the warm 
window material (several layers of insulation material) and cover it.  
It uses magnets to seal in place.

All the materials and information is available at Fabrictown in Reading, 
Mass.  I hope that's near you.

Alex

  Not sure that this is the proper place to post this but...

  We're looking for alternatives to window curtains and blinds.  The problem
  with curtains is that they cover up the woodwork.  The problem with normal
  blinds (or venetian blinds) is that they work from the top down.  More
  often than not, we'd like to have the bottom of the window blocked off.
  (Blocking off the bottom half of the window rather than the top lets
  more light in, lets us see out while standing up, and keeps passers-by
  from looking in.)

  Some of the things we've considered are:

   - bi-fold shutters on the inside bottom of the windows 
  
   - stained or frosted glass overlaying the bottom of the window

  Information about the pros/cons of these or any other alternative
  gratefully accepted...

  JP

    I've seen people hang "half-curtains" on the bottom part of the
    window.  It usually consists of a fairly simple and thin curtain
    rod across the middle and the curtains only hang down to the window
    sill so that the woodwork can still show.  The rod can be fastened
    to the innermost portion of the window trim (wood) so that as much
    of the woodwork can be seen.

    -al

    
    We had front windows at street level.  We used bifold shutters on
    the bottom, stained to the color of the woodwork, then put up regular
    tie back curtains.
    
    We found them to be the optimal solution, could look out the top,
    could open the slats for light/air or could open the shutters for
    full view.  But overall, no one could could see in while walking
    by.
    
    If you are in the Maynard area, check out the condos on Sudbury
    St.  You will see 10 different owners' reaction to this situation,
    including split curtains, blinds, and ignoring it.  The one with
    the shutters is our old one.  The new owner must have thought it
    a good enough idea to keep, and we got many comments on their
    usefullness.

    In my old house we used curtains on the bottom half of the windows.
     They were made of muslin and had tabs at the top.  I made a rod
    out of a piece of closet pole and cut 2 wooden brackets out of some
    leftover wood.  It looked real nice.  In our new house, the views
    out of the windows are nice and privacy isn't a big issue, but the
    windows looked naked without curtains.  So we went to Bradlees and
    got some victorian-looking lace curtains for the bottom half of
    the windows.  We have nice stained woodwork so rather than nailing
    brackets into the window moulding, we used curtain rods that have
    springs in them and mount on the inner edge of the window frame.
    They stay in place by pressing against the wood frame.
    You can still see through the lace but it dresses up the windows.
     We left the tops of the windows uncovered.

    I guess the answer is BE CREATIVE .

    
    Stained or frosted glass.. They can be designed to fit your own
    personal. Initial investment can be very high but the payback at
    sale time is well worth it. they afford privacy with only a minimal
    sacrafice of available light.
    
    for specifics call me at dtn 276-8009
    
    steve
    

    
    I also did the spring rod thing.  My last house had big and low
    windows. The kitchen was all natural wood and the windows were 
    beautiful so I didn't want to ruin them. However, I wanted privacy
    yet light.  The solution for me was buying some white muslin, cutting
    enough to fit the bottom half of the windows, making  seams for the top
    and bottom ends that were big enough to stick spring rods
    through (either by sewing on machine or getting tape that will stick
    when ironed).  They worked terrific for that house cause of the
    style of house and window.  I personally don't like the looks of this
    for casement type windows.  You could also use vinyl/wood slat roll
    ups and inside or outside mount them mid way on window for the lower
    half covering.
    
    K

    We put shutters on both the top and bottom of the window. They were
    stained to match the woodwork and they look GREAT! Having shutters
    on both makes for a very different look, it's quite cozy at night.
     During the day we open up the top and leave bottom shut with the
    slats open for the plants.  It's a bit of work sanding, staining
    and polyeurethaning, but it was worth it.  How about shutters with
    "stained glass" inserts?  I've seen these at Somerville lumber.
     You get a basic shutter, but instead of slats there is an open
    panel where you insert a piece of "glass".  They have several different
    styles of glass to pick from, too.  Good luck.
    
    Susan

       It has been said that I have strange taste but just for my $.02
    worth. You might try mounting a standard shade half way down the
    window frame. leaving the top half open and the bottom half closed.
    If you can mount the shade inside the window frame far enough you
    can the install vertical blinds. (wich I personally love the looks_of)
    over the standard shade so that it will not look bare and still
    give you the effect that you desire.
    
                                               Just a Thought
                                                      John c.
    

  Great suggestions, folks.  I thank you and Spouse thanks you.

  JP

Anyone had experience with 'roll-up' fabric shades - these are 
basically a large piece of knit material with a cord going 
top-to-bottom on the front, and back up on the back, when the cord is 
pulled (via a pulley at the top) the shade rolls up.  I am thinking of 
this for a large (6' x 8') glass sliding door - I don't want to use 
drapes because I don't want them there in the summer.  This would hank 
on hooks from the top, and I could raise it totally out of the way, 
and even remove it.  Its (as you might guess) primarily for 
insulation. Where could I buy these (or the components thereof?)

All ideas appreciated.  How have others solved this problem?

    A friend of mine had a small company (sounded like a mom 'n pop
    outfit) called Decora in West Boylston outfit their house with some
    of these.
    
    He recommended them very highly and when I finish painting/papering
    (sometime during the '90s) I'll have them over for a consult.
    
    Pete

    re .10
    
    How about a levelor type of curtain.  We put one on our slider and
    it sounds just like what you were looking for.  The levelor is split
    in the middle for each side of the slider, that is, is each side
    has its own controls and can be worked independently. They also
    can be pulled up completely out of your way.  We got ours at Sears for about
    $45. They had a lot of different colors available.  We also put
    a valance over the top of the levelor to dress it up a little. 
    I was pleased with the affect and they insulate well.

    Calico Corners in Acton has all sorts of drapery/curtain fabrics
    and all the hardware necessary to make all kinds of shades.  They
    have instruction sheets on how to make various types of shades.
    They also do custom work.

    They are located on 2A in Acton between Talbots and Carroll Reed
    - just west of the interesection of 2A and Route 27.

    Carol    
   

My wife got a brochure about things called "window quilts" that are 
decorative/insulative window coverings designed for skylights and 
large windows. They are made, I believe, of a heavy backing of some 
sort, a foil-like liner, and then a decorative fabric that faces the 
room. They can be ordered from a bunch of standard fabrics or they 
will make them to order from your fabric.

I'll get the address and post it, if you're interested.

John H.

 re: .-1
    
  Lots of places sell Window Quilts (tm). I got some from what used
    to be (still is?) called Solar Use Now on Rt. 101A in Amherst, NH.
    All the houses in my development got them standard. They aren't
    cheap, but then neither are custom drapes. Their insulation factor
    is about R4, if I remember correctly.
    
    					Trace

    
    I have seen a fabric shade used for this purpose that was very
    unusual and an excellent insulator.  The shade was someshat wider
    that the width of the sliding door (outside mounted), and went
    from ceiling to floor.  When the shade (or whatever it was
    called) was down it blended right into the wall, which was the
    same color as the shade.  The shade folded up rather than rolled
    up (the folds were about 10-12 inches, and each fold went in back
    of the previous fold so the folds did not show when the shade was
    up).
    
    Unfortunately, I don't know where they can be purchased. 
    
    TM 
    

>The shade folded up rather than rolled
>    up (the folds were about 10-12 inches, and each fold went in back
>    of the previous fold so the folds did not show when the shade was
>    up).
    

This is called a Roman shade - can be bought at window stores

I glanced at note 1111.1 and couldn't decide where this belonged so I am
starting a new topic.

The purpose is to recommend custom fitters of blinds, shades, curtains and 
drapes that will come out to your house/condo to give you an estimatre and make 
the measurements.

Can anybody recommend any outfits that will come out to a house/condo and 
measure, estimate, etc. for blinds, drapes, curtains, shades?

I live in Nashua.

    Any recommendation for window treatment in the Marlboro area?  We
    tried The Fabric Place in Framingham for Roman Shades.  They wanted
    $215 for labor for each window.  A local wallpaper store had someone
    that quoted $175.  Is this reasonable?
    
    Marc

    Sounds pretty reasonable to me.  We paid $1400 for 5 family room
    romans, $1300 for 4 + 1 smaller bath balloons.  Part of it is the
    cost of the fabric you choose.  It can get expensive.  We used Norman's
    Paint and Wallpaper in Marblehead.  They are good but, as you will
    note, not cheap.  We have become a little less satisified with Norman's
    as they don't seem to be as concerned with us (and we were spending
    a lot of money on wallpaper, etc. too!) as they should be.  We may
    use someone else for the next hit.
    
    Stan

    BTW - not many places do this themselves.  They all send it out
    to a couple of places that do the work.  Does anyone know a way
    to circumvent the middle man and get rid of their mark-up????
    I think you have to be a licensed interior designer unfortunately.
    
    Stan

Good topic!
Unfortunately, looks like we've got more questions than answers!

Here's my problem. I have a new house (just built), therefore I need
lots of stuff (furniture, drapes, decorating stuff). My plan of attack
is to decorate one room at a time. Right now, I'm concentrating on the 
family room. I want to buy drapes for both a large bay window and
sliding patio doors. 
Now, I know I can find some fairly inexpensively in the Sears or JC
Penney catalogs, if I want a solid color. But I WANT and NEED a 
print fabric! So, I had JC Penney come in for a consultation and 
estimate on custom drapes. It came to $2,000! And that price was a sale price
(40% off!). Of course, that include the rods and installation.
                                   
I was thinking of calling someone else to get another estimate, but I suspect
I wouldn't get a drastic reduction in price. Last year, I called a small
place in Lowell and got an estimate for a wide bedroom window in our old
house. Even that came to $500 and they weren't even floor-length drapes.

So, what now?! Is there any place I can go where they have ready-made 
drapes in a good selection of prints, so that I don't have to get custom-made
ones? I'm perfectly willing to do my own measuring and installation
to save on that aspect of it. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Unacceptable solutions are:
paying $2,000 to put drapes up in one room 
making them ourselves

thanks for any ideas,
Carol

re: 1778.5

Actually, I think that there is a similar topic that I started in 
alien::Consumer, or is this alien::Consumer (I forget what conference I am in 
now!), in which case, check joet::home_work (this conference?).

I am going thru the same thing now, but as I am in no hurry, here is what I have 
done so far:

1. Sears came out and quoted me $1700-1800.

2. Jordan Marsh came out and quoted me $1500+, however, it was that low
   only because they then had a 50% off sale.

   As I didn't place the order that week, I can only get that price if I wait
   for the next sale, which they told me they have often.

   PS: It must be in te other conference, but somebody stated that Jordan Marsh
       ALWAYS gives 50% on home vists. The Jordan Marsh person told me that is
       not true, you only get discounts if there are current sales.

3. On 3 Feb, this Wednesday, I will be visited by Mr. Shiepe of
   Shiepe's Window Decorating (since 1900) of Salem, NH.

   I went to the store and they quoted, unofficially, $700-800, but I then 
   decided to add another window. In any case, I do not yet have a firm quote 
   from them, so it isn't yet fair to compare to the othe 2.

   I will get said quote on Wed. and, unless it is out of line, will go with
   Shiepe's. I've good things about them from a few people. After all, it is
   a family business and they have managed to stay in business since 1900.

   I know someone at DEC, who has a sister who knows one of Shiepe's daughters
   and really swears by them.

   Perhaps they back logged because of Xmas or vacations, but my only complaint
   is that when I made the appointment the week before Xmas, they told me that
   Mr. Shiepe could not make it til 3 Feb. I guess they insist on the personal 
   touch, that's good, but I didn't really want to wait that long.

   However, now that Wed is almost here, if you send me MAIL to remind me, I'll
   let you know what they bid.

It is well known that Sears really hits you up for installation, be it 
appliances, or anything else, and I sure that Sears, Jordan marsh, etc. hide
a significant charge for the custom decorator. Well, this was the first time
for me so I learned a lot.
  
These conferences sure save DEC employees a lot of time, especially this one.

    I just added a Jordan Marsh reply to CONSUMER.  Please check there
    so I don't have to reenter it.
    
    Elaine

    
    There's a place in Worcester called Swiss Fabric Outlet. The carry
    all different kinds of drapery material and they custom make drapes.
    They have rolls of material right there (left over from other orders)
    that are 50% off the price they bought it at. If they order you
    material, they still order it at a discount since they order in
    bulk. If you go in with the measurements of your window, they will
    calculate how much material will be needed and then you'll have
    an idea how much it would cost. Through them it would have cost
    me ~$500 to have drapes made for a 9 foot wide picture window. Compared
    to other estimates I had gotten this was cheap. I ended up not using
    them just because the material I ordered ended up being discontinued.
    I ended up making my own.
    
    Patty

Well, here's my latest attempts on this.

For comparison sake, I'm looking at the bay window estimates only,
(lined and with a valance) then extrapolating from there. Although
Penney's gave me a quote for the whole room, I can figure that
the big window was $1150 based on the relative sizes of the windows.

I looked in Jordan Marsh. They have a bunch of sample fabrics that
you can order custom drapes for (without having the decorator come
to your house). Price for the big window for correct width and a valance
was $770 for one fabric, $970 for another one. I guess you place the order
through Jordan's, but the stuff gets shipped directly to you via UPS.
So, you're stuck paying for another layer of middle-men.
I won't bother getting Jordan's or Sears to come to my house for custom
decorating service. I expect the prices to be in the same ballpark. 

I checked out 1 custom window store, and one fabric store. Evidence
points to the fabric store as being BY FAR the best prices.
I went to George's Textile Store in downtown Lowell. He gave me a ballpark
figure of $367, which includes tax and valance and assumes $9 per square
yard of fabric. I extrapolated that up to $470 or so, since he didn't 
include "stackback" (is that the correct term?).  So far, that's less
than half of Penney's. He pointed out that although they have many fabrics
in the price range, they have many others less than that. I spent a while
looking through LOTS of bolts of fabric and guess what I found? The exact
same fabric I had picked from JC Penny! And it was less than $9 a yard,
so I know my comparison was valid. I was really happy to find this 
place! I saw many fabrics I liked, some as low as $4.95 a yard on sale!!
I told him about my Penney estimate and he couldn't understand why it was
so high. I mentioned that it included hardware and installation and he
said "so what? hardware should run you $75 at the most for Kirsch rods
and we do installations too, for $30-$50 depending upon the number of windows
etc.". 
If anyone has any knowledge of this place (good or bad!) please let me know.
They've been in business since 1944, and the place was just packed full
of fabrics, laces, ribbons, yarn etc. The selection of fabrics was wonderful
as were the prices. 

I also went to Beautiful Windows in Westford. I saw a fabric there
that I had seen in George's (for either $7 or $8 a yard) and it 
was $17.98 in this window store! Of course, it was on sale, this month
for about $14, but the price differential on this fabric told me
I wasn't going to do better in this place. I did get a figure for the
window, but the number was based on $14 a yard so It's harder to compare.
It was about $450, not including tax or a valance or enough material for
stack-back.

Bottom line:
unless I hear some bad reports about their quality, I'm likely
to go with George's Textile. I will have them come to the house for
accurate measurements and once I've picked fabrics I'll let you know
what the complete estimate is. Stay tuned...

-cg

    Re .6
    
    We've had vertical blinds custom made by Shiepe's; they also have
    some off-the-shelf stuff.  We were pleased with their products and
    their service: the fellow who came to our house to measure the
    windows and doors was Mr. Shiepe.
    
    They're not the cheapest.  They are reasonable.
    
    pbm
    

Here's the latest. After much running around, I determined
the George's Textiles was the least expensive place around.
I've ordered the drapes  and am anxiously waiting their arrival!
I did hear from a friend of my aunt's that she had done business
with them before and found them to be very good.
The fabric we chose was $9.49 per square yard though they did
have other fabrics for as low as $5. Naturally, the one we liked
the best was not the cheapest! I went back to "Beautiful Windows"
in Westford, found the same fabric (Liberty Stencil by Waverly) and asked
how much it cost per yard. The answer was $23 !!! (That made my day).

When my drapes come in, I'll post a reply letting people know how they
turned out.

-Carol G                        

Well, the drapes came in several weeks ago (within the quoted time!)
and they are now up in my family room! I'm pleased to report
that I'm *completely happy* with the job that George's Textile
did! The workmanship looks very good to me, although I can't claim
to be an expert on such things. But I examined the stitching, especially
at the ends and on the pleats and it looks very sturdy. 
They weigh a ton though! When we installed the rods we made sure the brackets'
screws were sunk into the studs. 

While we were in the store picking the drapes up, we overhead two women
talking. One of them mentioned that she drives all the way from Hamilton
(Mass) to buy fabrics at George's. I was impressed, since Hamilton is quite
a drive from Lowell.
Also, I saw the same fabric in the Lowell Window Fashions store. I was quoted
a price of $26.45 a square yard for it, compared to the $9.49 I paid at
George's! It pleased me to think how much money I saved by buying them at
George's. The only disadvantage that I could see is that George's had only
one Liberty Stencil material, while Lowell windows had 4 or 5 Liberty Stencil
materials (i.e. different colors). It turned out that of the 4 or 5, the
one I had picked at George's was my favorite anyway, so it didn't really
matter.

BTW- If you need custom blinds, Roman shades, awnings , vertical blinds
or whatever for your windows, Lowell Window Fashions *seems* like a great
place. I say "seems" because I haven't done any business with them yet.
But their showroom has anything you could possibly imagine that relates
to windows. The staff seems very knowledgeable and they do home decorating
consultations also. They are located in Foundry Park on Plain St. Lowell.
                                                                      
-Carol

    
    I need some advise and recommendations:
    
    I have a bow/bay window (what's the difference? I never knew which
    was which) which measures ~100 inch in width and I forgot the height.
    My question is what kind of curtains/drapes would look good for
    this? and where do I get good prices.  I don't want to spend more
    than $150 (boy does this sound low compared to other notes I've
    read).  Is that price way out? I saw in the JP penney catalogue
    that I can get something nice for that price.  Have I mistaken???
    everyone else in here talk in the thousands!  I can't decide whether
    to cover the outside or to go inward into the bow window with the
    type of curtains that's like:
    
    
    		|    |     |     |
    		|    |     |     |
    		|    |     |     |
    		\    /\    /\    /
    		 ----  ----  ----
                                 
                                  
    this way you could still see the bow window with the drapes down!
    The other type that goes outside it like:
    
    
    	\        \          /
         \        \        /
          \       /\      /
    	   -------  ------
    
                    
    with the above type valence? (I think that's what its called!)
    
    Any help or advise welcomed (set me straight please :-))
                                                   

         When we bought our house, we had the same challenge. We needed
    lots of curtain for lots of window for minimum dollars. We were
    pleased to find that Montgomery Ward & Co. suited our needs for less
    than $100.00 not including brackets, etc... They stocked the curtains
    right in the store! Selection may be limited, but for the price
    who could complain.

    
    re: .1
    
    where is Montgomery Ward located? I'm in the Framingham area!
    Thanks

    Does anyone have a pattern for a shower/window curtain.  Also
    I am looking for a pattern for balloon/swag & jabot and anything
    else anyone has.
    
    Thanks
    

    Singer has two books called something like "Sewing for the Home" and
    "More Sewing For the Home" which are filled with directions (and
    step-by-step color photos) for making all kinds of curtains, drapes,
    shades, shower curtians, tablecloths and bedding accessories.  I made a
    shower curtain using the directions in one of the books.
    
    I got the books at Ralph Jordans on 2A in Acton, Mass.  I have also
    seen them at Calico Corners also on 2A in Acton.
    
    Carol

    You might get a better response in the Threads conference.......
    
    
    Add entry ERIS::THREADS
    
    Sorry don't know how to do keypad 7 setup for adding a conference......

    I don't know about the Framingham area, but there is one on Colleseum
    Road in Nashua -- off Rt 3, Exit 5 -- roughly next to the state
    liquor store.
    

    One easy way to make a shower curtain, depending on how fancy you
    want it, is as follows:
    
    buy 1 double bed sheet (irregulars cost about $4.50 or so...)
    buy 1 shower curtain liner (about $3)
    match the liner bottom to the wide hem of the sheet
    use a pencil and mark the sheet at each point there is a hanging
      hole in the liner
    If necessary, cut off and hem (by machine) the extra fabric from
      the top of the sheet, leaving the pencil marks visible
    Make button holes (by machine, of course) at each pencil mark
    Match button holes and hanging holes and voila, you've got it...
      no pattern!
    
    (I'm sure you can see places and ways to fancy this idea up if you
    want to...ruffles and all that.)
    
    Sherry

    Correction -- that's off route 3, exit *6*, next to the State Licquor
    store and "behind" the Nashua Mall.

    Another suggestion is to check the THREADS note. There are lots
    of people with ideas/sources of information in that note.

    
    The "George's Textile" in Lowell has a great price in Warm
    Window insulation.
    
    i shopped all places and they have the lowest price: 10.99 (something
    like that) per yard as of today 3/3/89.
    

    
    My house was built around 1890something.  Not much in the way of
    updating has been done to it.  Which is nice...in my opinion.  I'm not
    an expert on things Victorian but I'm starting to learn and pick out
    what is original what is 1920's and what is 1950's (the two main updating
    time periods for the interior).
    
    I checked the keyword directory for a topic on Curtain Hardware and
    didn't see anything I could stick this question in.....so here goes.
    
    The curtain rods on the living room windows aren't really rods.  At the
    top of each window on each side there is a bar that goes almost to the
    middle.  The clearest way I can think to describe it is to say that they
    look like hinges...they swing open. 
        
    Also on the windows there are "tie-backs" made of metal that look like
    fancy feathers.  The metal on the "rods" and "tie-backs" is very
    tarnished (like the lamps in the house) so I think they must be brass
    "coated".  
    
    Here's my question,  where can I look to "date" this hardware?                      
                           
        
    
    
    
     

MOMAX1::ANTIQUE_COLLECTIBLE

    My grandmothers circa ~1910 kit house has the same drapery hardware.  It
    was oripinal to the house.

    

A very likely place to find information on old house hardware, is 'The Old 
House Journal' magazine (see note 10 and replies).

It is a monthly issue, and back isues can be purchased as Yearbooks, which 
are a year's worth bound in one volume.  There is an annual index of topics 
which is useful for tracking down articles and features on any topic.

Many libraries have these.  

They also publish an annual 'Old House Journal Catalog' with listings of 
supplies and services for old houses.  It is listed by topic and by company.

Good luck.

Jim_who_has_an_1885_Queen_Anne_Victorian

    Is there an easy way to clean Blinds?
    
    Thanks, Pam

    My wife cleaned ours over the weekend. She dipped them in the pool and
    used a scrub brush and hung them on a temperary clothes line. Probally
    not in that order though. :-)

    Put them in the bathtub with warm, soapy water. Let them soak, and then
    just wipe them down and rinse. You will have to find a place to hang
    them up to dry, however.

    The soaking part is easy. The wiping down part is a pain. Each little
    slat, top and bottom, must be handled. A thorough job takes about
    5 minutes per blind. Each time we do the blinds, I always swear I'll
    dust them once a week which would be quicker then going through this
    ritual once a year!
    
    John

    My wife does this same exact "ritual".  I might add that she uses
    Murphy's Oil Soap as the cleaning agent...
    
    Also, I saw a utility van on Rt. 495 recently with a business logo
    and slogan pertaining to venetian blind/shades/etc. cleaning, so they
    are out there...
    
    John

Got a pickup? Take 'em to the coin-op car wash.

    I saw on ad on the tube (Nashua cable TV) for a company in, I
    believe, Hudson, which dips blinds in an ultrasonic cleaner to
    clean them.  Sorry, but I didn't catch the name.

    .19 - I briefly caught that ad too.  Has anyone tried them?  Any idea
    how much they cost?
    
    I could fit the blinds from two windows in the tub but I have 3
    window's (side by side) and one huge blind that covers the 3.  It
    wouldn't come close to fitting in the tub.
    
    Thanks for the ideas so far.  Does murphy's oil soap do a better job
    than 409 or simple green?
    
    Thanks, Pam

    I thought Murphy's was for wood? I suspect the others would work
    better.
    
    John

    Well, Murphy's is not strictly for wood.  According to the label, it's
    multi-purpose stuff.  I believe the reason my wife chose to use it was
    because it's mild, and probably because it was there...  :-)  I also use
    Murphy's to wash my car.  I believe that's on the label too!  :-)
    
    Simple Green would probably work well to.  However, I'd be cautious. 
    It did a great job degreasing my car's engine.  Don't know how/if it
    would react with your tub's finish...
    
    John

    Re .19:
    
    Company name is "Shine A Blind", Nashua number is 886-4921.
    They have "bring it in" and "at home" service.

    I am looking for plastic window curtains that match shower curtains.
    I need to protect the woodwork around a window that is part of the
    bathtub unit.
    
    I know Sears used to sell them in their catalogue, but I don't see them
    now.  Anyone have any ideas?  

    I think it is pretty silly to have a window inside the bathtub, but my
    house has this "feature" too.  What I do is buy a shower curtain, cut
    it to the right length (doesn't need to be hemmed unless you want to),
    turn the top over and sew it down for a rod pocket.  I used to cut it
    in half and attach velcro so the the curtain could be opened and closed
    (overlapping the two pieces to that the opening faced away from the
    shower, of course), but about the only time enyone wants to open that
    curtain is when we are putting in or taking out the storm window, so to
    do that I just take the curtain rod down and that gets the whole thing
    completely out of the way.  Of course, to do this you will want a
    fairly opaque shower curtain to start with...  I actually have a door
    on the tub, so the window treatment doesn't need to match a shower
    curtain anyhow, but you might prefer to have it match the walls.
    
    The architect who puts a window inside the bathtub has never had to
    keep a window in such a location in repair!
    
    /Charlotte
                                    

Spag's Schoolhouse has curtains that match their shower curtains.  I don't think
they are any special brand.  I imagine you could also find them at any department
store or discount place.

Elaine

    I just buy a shower curtain liner at Spag's and use that.

    
    My wife used to find the matching ones in department stores.  She never
    seemed to have a problem finding them, but we haven't had the need
    anymore for ~5 years now, so who knows!
    
    Chris D.

I have seen them at K-Mart, WalMart and the less expensive department stores.

I came up with something that I am quite happy with.  First, you have
to forget about the usual sort of window curtain and think "shower
curtain"!

What I did was to go to Somerville lumber and buy one of those tension
rod shower curtain rods ($9.95).  Then get any shower curtain you want.
Cut it however you want to give enough width and length to protect the
window.  Install the tension rod and put the shower curtain on with
ordinary shower curtain rings (~$4).

This has been working beautifully.  I had done hand-painted shower
curtains and so just bought a clear plain shower curtain for the
window (about $8) that I can also paint to match.  [If you've never
done it, acrylic paint sticks pretty well to plastic film -- roughen
the surface a little with sand paper if it isn't sticking.  Install
the curtain with the painted side away from the water.]

    What is the easiest way to clean MICRO blinds ( 1/2" size ). I have
    seen a brush for MINI blinds, but they are very inconvenient when used
    on MICRO blinds.
    
    Any suggestions ???

>    What is the easiest way to clean MICRO blinds ( 1/2" size ). I have
>    seen a brush for MINI blinds, but they are very inconvenient when used
>    on MICRO blinds.
    

	I fill my tub with soapy water and immerse them repeatedly also
	wiping them while underwater, being somewhat weightless its easy.
	I then rinse them with cold water, shake the water off and put
	them back up to dry the rest of the way. Works excellent !

    After looking through several notes, I didn't find one that really
    suited my needs. 
    
    My husband and I are renting out a condo. The condo has very tall
    windows (nylon clad). Needless to say, with the cold weather we've been
    having our tenant has been a bit cold.
    
    Several folks in this notesfile have suggested insulated quilts/drapes.
    The problem - we don't want to spend alot of money plus we need to find
    someone who will do everything (we could buy the material but the
    person would need to sew everything including the magnetic strips that
    I've seen mentioned here.
    
    We can't use the plastic because it wrecks the woodwork at the base of
    the windows.
    
    If you know of anyone who is handy with the sewing machine and has done
    stuff like this (insulating drapes/quilts), please let me know. The
    condo is in the Leominster, Ma. area.
    
    Thanks.		
    		Cindy

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