OK, I’ve had an idea runnin’ around in my head for a while now. I think about it EVERY. lately and can’t shake the thought of it. Every time I walk by our foyer, especially during the day, I think of how awesome it would be: (That’s an old pic from last summer, the latest full shot I could find of our foyer!) For years now, I’ve been wanting a screen or storm door on our front door. The desire for one intensifies 100 fold this time of year, when spring has sprung and I have this overwhelming desire to have light pouring in everywhere. Our foyer is the darkest spot in our house – we’re north facing so the front gets zero direct light. Even before the interior side of the door was painted black, it was always a dark spot. Sooo…for years I’ve figured I can rectify that with a screen door of sorts. But I’ve found I don’t care for how they look from the outside. I don’t particularly like most storm doors I see either. I haven’t looked a whole lot, mind you, but I love our front door and don’t really want to block it.

So HOW do I get this light pouring in that I so desperately want and NEED? (OK need is a little much, I know.) We had a chance to have sidelights put in when we built the house, but you see…I have a problem that is causing a major internal struggle when it comes to my idea. I didn’t do sidelights because they give me the HEEBY JEEBIES. I do not like to answer the door if I don't want to. (For random strangers, not people I like. As far as they know.) The thought of someone being able to see inside my house creeps me out. And if I want to sneak up to the door to see who’s on the other side without answering, well, that’s my prerogative (they say I’m crazy, I really don’t care…). But now, for some reason, I can’t get the idea of a front door with glass out of my stinkin’ head: Can you even imagine all the glorious light shining in that house? I’m positively drooling at the thought of it: I love my black interior door, but this blue door is totally fun: People, WHAT is wrong with me?

I can’t stop thinking about glass doors!! Sarah had a door company put a glass insert in her front door and it’s gorgeous!: Lucky for me, I have a contact for glass inserts. So I could totally do this. Bi Fold Doors OttawaBut the full glass door…well, as much as I love it, I just don’t know if I could. Vogue Tires For BuickI ask you, how do you hide from people with that?! Bully Pitbulls For Sale IowaMaybe normal people don’t hide? So now I’m thinkin’. I wonder if the door company could just do a smaller insert? Something like this perhaps?: Or this? (Check out this gorgeous house from the inside too!): I think I could handle that. This shot is what I imagine ours would look like from the inside: Although I’d probably only do six panes, not nine.

Or maybe I could frost them like I did the pantry door?: So the light would still come in, but it would offer a bit of privacy? Cause I’m totally in the one percent here: I’m just saying. At least I recognize my insanity. Do you have sidelights? Glass in your front door? A FULL glass front door like (brave!) If you a ninja like me, could you do it? For the sake of natural light? I think I may at least call my contact to see what the possibilities are and what the cost is…It doesn’t hurt to call…right? How to Install Front Door Sidelight Blinds How to Install Front Door Sidelight Blinds There are many ways to provide not only shade, but also keep out sunlight during the day and street light during the night. While many people prefer curtains or drapes, another sound option is to install sidelight blinds. Sidelight blinds are a good idea not only for practical purposes, but also for decorative ones. If you install sidelight blinds to your front door, you can control the amount of sunlight that comes through the glass panels.

Besides you can complement the blinds' color and style with the remaining accessories in the vicinity of the front door. Let us describe the procedure involved to install sidelight blinds. Step 1 - Ordering the Blinds First of all, you have to measure the sidelight windows, so as to order the blinds accordingly. Use a tape measure to carefully record the dimensions of your window. Write them down and either take them with you to the home improvement store or keep them at your side while you shop online for the sidelight blinds that suit both your personal taste and budget. Step 2 - Marking and Drilling the Holes Next, mark the points where the brackets will be installed. Make the mark in pencil rather than ink in order to avoid permanently tarnishing the surface of your wall. Drill holes on either side using your power drill and an appropriate size drill bit. Step 3 - Installing the Brackets The sidelight blinds will come with all of the necessary hardware, including the brackets.

Once the holes have been made, install the brackets. Align the bracket to the hole, and then insert the screws to fasten each of them. Step 4 - Installing the Blinds Once the brackets have been fixed, insert the headrail through them. Snap it into place, and you are done. Enjoy your new sidelight blinds. Add Color to Any Room by Painting a Window BlindBrowse by Opening Type Having trouble figuring out what to do with those sliding doors?  Need help with that big arch?  Here’s a list of common window types and some recommendations of window treatments that work best. Home » Design Help » Sliding Glass Door Design Ideas One of the most common questions we hear is, “What can I put on my sliding glass doors?”  The answer is, “Many, many, many things!”  Almost any window treatment can be used on sliding glass doors. For doors that are used frequently, a sliding (side-to-side) treatment makes the most sense for ease of use.  Many of these treatments can span very wide openings.

Horizontal treatments such as Cellular Shades or Roller Shades can be used on sliding glass doors.  The benefit to these treatments is that they can be rolled or pulled up and concealed under a Valance or Cornice for a clean, uncluttered look. One of the most popular treatments for Sliding Glass Doors, the Woven Wood Averte gives you the casual style of Woven Woods with the ease of use of a hand drawn drapery. Many styles of Draperies are available to fit almost any style and any size opening. Vertical Blinds are a simple and economical way to cover large sliding glass doors. All of our Verticals are crafted in our local factory for a quick delivery. Cellular Slider and Shades Cellular Sliders (operated side-to-side) are a compact and easy way to cover sliding glass doors. Cellular Shades (pulled up) can be concealed beneath a Valance or Cornice for a seamless look. French Doors Design Ideas The right window treatment for a French Door is either permanently fixed to the door or a treatment that is light weight and able to move with the door.  

Hold down brackets should be used with Cellular, Sheer Shades or Roller Shades. Silhouettes look great on any opening but are nice on French Doors because they are relatively light weight and give you flexibility in privacy and light. Plantation Shutters, when used on French Doors, are permanently attached to the door. Cut-outs are used when the door has swing-style knobs. Transom / High Window Design Ideas Transom windows or openings that are high and out-of-reach are tricky to cover.  Usually, these openings need to be covered due to light or heat issues and privacy is not typically a concern.  To avoid long set of operation cords, motorization should be considered for these window treatments. Almost any window treatment can be motorized to become the perfect solution for transom windows. Solar Shades are great for reducing the amount of sun coming in an opening but not sacrificing too much light or view. Arched Window Design Ideas Arched and Eyebrow openings can be tricky.  

Perfect arches are arched openings where the width is exactly double the height.  These openings may not require a template to custom create a window treatment.  Openings that are irregular in shape will require a template and possibly special installation details. Shutters can be crafted in two distinct ways to fit an arched opening. Arch-top panels look like standard Shutters with a curved top. Starburst Shutters have fan-shaped louvers and do not hinge open. For a purely decorative treatment, Tableaux Faux Iron Traceries are a great way to accent any arched opening. Skylights are a great feature in homes to bring in natural daylight.  However, that often brings along a huge source of heat in many homes.  A great treatment for skylights will reduce the heat but also let the light still filter through. Additionally, skylight treatments should be either motorized or be able to be operated with a wand or extension pole. Cellular Shades are great for reducing heat yet letting some light through.