POINT-OF-VIEW: New & Noteworthy

AERC MEMBER HUNTER DOUGLAS CERTIFIES FIRST ROMAN SHADES

The Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) has certified Hunter Douglas’ roman shades under the AERC energy improvement rating. Hunter Douglas is the first manufacturer to get certified. AERC’s Energy Improvement rating and certification program, developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), offers independent and accurate information about the energy performance of window attachment products. AERC-certified roman shades can be identified by the AERC Energy Improvement rating label, which highlights the product’s energy savings potential in both warm and cool climates, making it easier for consumers to compare and select the most suitable energy-efficient roman shades for their homes.

“AERC is pleased to add roman shade products as part of the growing list of available certified products for manufacturers to showcase their product’s energy performance in the exact climates where the consumer lives,” AERC Executive Director Ralph Vasami said. “More than ever, consumers are concerned about their energy bills and whether the products they buy are energy efficient. The addition of a vast category such as roman shades will expand their options exponentially.” According to Hunter Douglas Energy Efficiency Program Manager Stacy Lambright, Hunter Douglas is the first to rate and certify roman shades with its Vignette Modern Roman Shades. The AERC energy ratings provide consumers with credible data on the energy-saving potential of a window attachment product. A sophisticated process of material testing and window modeling is used to gauge the degree to which a window attachment—such as a shade, blind or storm window—will improve the performance of that window in reducing heating and cooling usage.

SETTING A NEW STANDARD: SONESSE 30 DCT 24V DC

Somfy launched a new and improved version of its Sonesse 30 DCT 24V DC motor. The Sonesse 30 motor can be used with a variety of window coverings. It has an even quieter sound, a new style of motor head, the same robust quality and performance, and many improvements and benefits: ■ Improved sound level that meets the company's Designed for

Silence criteria ■ Fully UL-listed motor meets safety and inspection requirements ■ Ergonomically friendly manual programming button on the motor head ■ Easy access ■ Local control without a remote ■ LED lights provide visual feedback to confirm communication ■ Interchangeable head cover available in three different colors (white, gray and black) ■ Thin motor head minimizes the light gap ■ Recessed, interchangeable metal adaptor plates are compatible with industry-leading hardware and maintain the reduced light gap ■ Independent stop wire for easier integration

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES COLOR OF THE YEAR

Sherwin-Williams introduced its 2023 Color of the Year as Redend Point SW 9081, a calming blush-beige that inspires expanded horizons and eyeopening discoveries. “Redend Point was inspired by the idea of finding beauty beyond ourselves,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at SherwinWilliams. “It is a heartening hue that invites compassion and connection into any space. The color is a natural choice for those looking for a warm and joyful neutral in both interiors and exteriors.”

According to the company, it said in exploring “beauty beyond ourselves,” the hue provides a grounding reminder to stay curious and empathetic toward ourselves and our communities.

As neutrals continue to warm up, Wadden expects this blush-beige to be a versatile shade seen across residential and commercial spaces in the years to come. “Redend Point’s subtle pink undertones make it easy to incorporate into any space. It delivers an enveloping warmth that instantly makes you feel at home,” Wadden said. “Build on its earthiness by utilizing the hue alongside natural-looking textiles and wood accents or create a desert oasis by layering terra-cotta shades and clay materials.” The intriguing hue is part of the Nexus palette in the Sherwin-Williams 2023 Colormix Forecast. Wadden recommends pairing the hue with grounding neutrals— like Urbane Bronze SW 7048, Pure White SW 7005, Cool Beige SW 9086 and Foothills SW 7514—or tonal clays such as Hushed Auburn SW 9080, Toile Red SW 0006, Carnelian SW 7580 and Malted Milk SW 6057.

Led by Wadden, the Sherwin-Williams global color and design team researches and identifies key trends that influence the way people interact with color. From those findings, the team turns emerging themes into the annual Colormix Forecast, which for 2023 features 40 colors and four palettes.

Legrand Shading Systems’ new line of alluring, runway-inspired fabrics are now available.

LEGRAND SHADING SYSTEMS DEBUTS NEW DESIGNER SHADE FABRICS FROM COULISSE AND MORE

Legrand Shading Systems launched its new fabrics featuring designer collections from Coulisse, Twitchell, Phifer and more. The curated collections feature new decorative, solar screen, sustainable and room-darkening options. “Windows are one of the most distinct design elements of any home or business, and they should be outfitted that way,” said Charlie Derk, director of product marketing, shading and residential controls, Legrand North America. “Our latest collections have been expanded and curated to reflect today’s style trends, delivering many decorative window covering options that can pair with blackout fabrics to create the most functional yet beautiful window treatments available.”

The Coulisse line reflects European style with textures and colors inspired by nature. Legrand Shading Systems added several Coulisse collections that provide many light-filtering levels to create attractive, elegant finishes, including Como, Hampton, Mexico, Mombassa, Salvador and Santiago styles. The Twitchell fabric line encapsulates laid-back luxury to achieve the allAmerican boho feel with meticulously designed, high-quality woven fabrics. Twitchell’s EarthTex and Shadeview solar screen collections are made in the U.S.

Legrand’s Phifer fabric line features stylish, high-performance fabrics with several certified sustainable selections. It includes more colors and light filtering and blackout choices, including an aluminum-back-performance-plus option. Legrand’s Blackout collection continues to grow. The new collection also offers a variety of blackout styles and shades. Legrand has several matching light-filtering and blackout fabrics available, which utilize one set of brackets for two shades.

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:

MONIQUE HOLLAND OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

Monique Holland was selected by interior design journalists from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Celebrating more than 50 years of great design, Decorating Den Interiors’ Annual Dream Room Design Contest received more than 300 annual entries from designers and decorators across North America. Their design work is voted on by national journalists, editors and design professionals, as well as the general public, in a special segment called the People’s Choice Awards.

Holland’s design was a modern and industrial dining room brought together with bold wallpaper and mustard yellow velvet draperies. A stunning live edge table makes the space one of a kind. Holland Custom Designs is a full-service interior design firm in the Washington, D.C., area. The design firm is owned by Holland, who works with her team to create award-winning interiors. The client, Sandi Rockwell, said: “I knew that I wanted a beautiful and unique space. I also knew the color scheme I wanted; however, I had no idea where to start. From the time I contacted Monique, through the installation, I felt at ease. Not only was she patient and took time to listen to my ideas, she contacted us weekly with the status of our project. The final design reflected the feel I wanted in my space. I had no idea how refreshing a room and adding custom draperies would warm up my space. Thank you so much. We love our space.”

CEO OF SCARLET THREAD CONSULTING LAUNCHES METRIQUE SOLUTIONS

For decades, Michele Williams, CEO and founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting, has been teaching and coaching servicebased businesses about how to make better decisions. “Financial information reflects the health of your company, just like your blood pressure and blood sugar reflect the health of your body,” Williams said. “Yet, business owners are so busy running the day-to-day aspects of their business, they often ignore the indicators of business health and get overwhelmed by the numbers.” Williams decided the best way to teach business owners and finances was to create a tool for them to use. With this vision, Metrique Solutions was born. She began developing her methods, spreadsheets and visual aids into an easy-to-use platform. Metrique Solutions is the ultimate money dashboard for service-based businesses.

Users get analytical feedback in a form that is beautiful, as well as easy to read and understand. With this instant snapshot of the health and trajectory of their company, business owners can make wise and confident decisions.

Metrique Solutions is a software application that helps you measure what matters. The goal was to allow business owners to see at a glance the information needed to know where they are and where they are going. This application is not a client project or product management system and it is not a financial accounting system. Metrique Solutions sits between the two. It uses the data captured and assimilates it together so that users can see the entire picture, then show it to you on a visual dashboard. V