Our new window shades are an EXPERIENCE

This post is sponsored by Blinds.com.

It's a little mind boggling to most (including us!) that we've been without blinds since we moved in. We knew we were replacing windows so we didn't want to invest in window coverings until the sizes were right and so we've been waking up with the sun (or before the sun) this whole time--even earlier than our toddler who has blackout curtains in her room. It's not a bad way to live, really. But now I see the light, which is actually the dark. Last week we installed motorized blackout shades in our bedroom and as much fun as it was waking up to the sun and falling asleep to the moonlight, falling asleep in a cocoon of a bedroom with no light to wake us up this past weekend was INCREDIBLE!

For our bedroom, Chris and I went with the motorized Premium Blackout Roller Shades in "Charlotte Iron." They disguise really nicely into the top of our french doors and come with a remote or you can tug the chain once to close them. Chris installed them midday, and when he rolled them closed — it looked like midnight in our bedroom! "We're going to sleep so well!" we kept saying to each other.

I'm loving that I can roll the shades up in the morning and let the light in before even getting out of bed. It's also very soothing to use the remote to block all of the light OUT at the end of the night. Motorized blinds feel like a luxury, and the remote feels like a true gift.

It's dreamy and I definitely feel like that scene with Kate Winslet in The Holiday every night. Thank YOU, Blinds.com. Motorized blinds are definitely game changers. It's worth mentioning that you don't need to order black shades for the blackout effect. In fact, these come in 60 colors, including the very light (and pretty) "Rainer Snowfall." We just went with black so they would blend in with the doors when open.

We also added blinds in Greta's room at the same time. For hers, we went with woven shades! I've been preaching the gospel of woven wood shades since before we ever bought a house. I love adding this natural touch and additional texture to a window treatment. We added Premium Woven Wood Shades in "Kula Coconut" from Blinds.com to Greta's room. I love the color because it's so clean and warm, a natural compliment to her blush curtains.

There are two layers to her blinds that she can pull down together or separately. The privacy blackout shade is behind the woven shade so at night she can close both and if during the day, she just wants to cut some light, she can just pull the woven wood shade. These have a cordless lift, which is a safer choice for kids' rooms. We shop Blinds.com because there are SO MANY woven wood options (240, to be exact), and I strongly recommend ordering the sample pack. Gone are the days where you have to choose between "dark, medium, or light" woven blinds. Blinds.com has the largest selection of exotic grasses, reeds, and woods, which truly allows us to design specifically for our rooms and pick up on all of the color and nuances that we were hoping for.

Now, we almost have a tape measure in every room, but everyone makes mistakes on measurements. Since these are truly custom blinds, Chris and I breathe easy that Blinds.com offers their SureFit™ Guarantee — If you made a mistake measuring your blind, they'll remake it at no cost to you and even pay for the return shipping of your old blind. Whew!

It's also worth mentioning that a real designer called and emailed us to consult about these blinds — and not because we're Chris Loves Julia. Design services are offered to all Blinds.com customers, and it was reassuring to go back and forth, even over email, about the various color options, liner options, etc. My advice is to take advantage of the design services! These pros know blinds!

Now that the dust has settled in other areas, we're excited to add window coverings to Faye's room and the breakfast nook (which gets so much sun we have to choose our seats wisely during the day) next!