Sophia Bennett, Editor in Chief of Window Fashion VISIONDoes discovering the latest and greatest window fashion fabrics, hardware, motorization solutions, and other products get your blood racing and your imagination revving? The International Window Coverings Expo is the place for you! To kick-start excitement about the expo, nine of our exhibitors shared information about the products and services you’ll find at their booths, including many new and exciting goods. These could include products for tinting the windows of your commercial building to motorised window blinds for a home. Visit them and all of our exhibitors from March 8 to 10 in Nashville.
Alta
Alta will be showcasing its extensive collection of honeycomb fabrics in solids, textured prints, linen looks and fire-retardant fabrics. The honeycomb line includes four opacities and five cell styles, including two-inch Hybrid Pleat products for larger windows and sliding glass doors. The company will also have its SoftStyle Cellular shades, featuring soft-spun lace fabric in semiopaque and blackout, for homes and commercial buildings that would like to add Motorised blinds by Smart Blinds and other blind companies to their windows.
Be sure to ask about the company’s Elite Partner Program, which rewards customer loyalty with a wide range of benefits that can include product discount promotions, credits such as no-fault “oops” and rush freight, and merchandising credits that apply toward collateral purchases. Elite Partners are eligible to earn a coveted incentive trip that brings dealers together for a luxurious vacation and idea sharing.
Anderson Fabrics
Anderson Fabrics is a commercial workroom that specializes in providing custom window treatments, bedding, roman shades and pillows. Stop by to see what they can do for you and your clients.
KAMA Technology
KAMA Technology is making its U.S. debut at this year’s International Window Coverings Expo! The company, which is based in Poland, specializes in the production of components for all types of window shade systems, including venetian blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds, pleated shades and mosquito nets. Their innovative KTOOLS system can be used to construct ready-made window shades precisely and efficiently.
The first product entering the U.S. market is the company’s multisystem roller blinds, which come on 25 to 36mm tubes and are available in a variety of fabrics. The basis of the system is a highly reliable chain/cord mechanism. The company will also be sharing information about its forthcoming cork window coverings, an eco-friendly product with an interesting finish that will be available in a variety of colors.
Morgik Metal Designs
We’re also excited to have Morgik Metal Designs attending the International Window Coverings Expo for the first time. They will be showcasing their custom drapery hardware, including several new products. Highlights include rods in nine diameters and three materials (steel, brass and stainless steel); hundreds of finials, rings and brackets; and over 50 different types of finishes.
Phifer Incorporated
In response to a growing demand for lower-cost options where commercial fire certifications are not required, Phifer Incorporated is now offering three new non-FR blackout and two new light-filtering SheerWeave fabrics for residential use. SheerWeave Style 7200R combines total light blockage with a neutral yet subtly variegated pattern. Style 7250R, an accompanying light-filtering option, uses the same face fabric and pattern of Style 7200R to allow natural light to brighten interior spaces.
SheerWeave Style 7700R offers a PVC-free blackout option for total light blockage and features a soft, textured pattern, evoking the look of grass cloth. Its counterpart, Style 7750R, filters natural light while maintaining the look of the face fabric of Style 7700R. A color-coordinated backing ensures the same neutral fabric color is shown toward both the interior of the room and glass.
New Style 7500R, a companion to the Style 7500 range, is an attractive and unique PVC-free coated polyester blackout fabric that maintains high quality at an economical price. Ideal for dual shades, these new fabric options strike the perfect balance between managing natural light and privacy.
Tableaux
Tableaux keeps a close eye on interior design trends as well as what their own resellers from all over the country are asking for. The new standard patterns and finish colors were added to further enable resellers to present a unique design product custom-made to match virtually any design style. “In recent years, we’ve seen window treatment resellers search for ways to expand their offerings and increase margins,” says Diane Belvin, the company’s managing director for residential. “Incorporating Tableaux decorative grilles into your window treatments can help you do that.” Savvy window treatment resellers are seeing opportunities beyond just windows, increasing their margins by installing Tableaux decorative grilles in ceiling treatments, decorative accents and partitions. On a general note, many home and office spaces are remodeling and changing their interior to match with the modern style; hence there is a demand for custom window installations and acoustic ceiling products.
Vako U.S.
Vako‘s unique EASYLOCK cord drums are available for roman shade systems. The drums have 20 percent faster assembly than similar models, are adjustable with one click, require no screws, and have a removable cord and conical shape inside so the square rod glides in easily. All products are designed with ease of assembly in mind.
Vista Products
Vista Products has three new sample collections coming in 2019: TwinLight Shades, Sheer Shadings and Cellular Shades. Browse their sample books for new patterns, colors and options for these and other shade lines. Company representatives will also be showing off a new vertical sheer and new options for motorized products.
ZMC Window Covering Supplies
With ZMC‘s new EZ-Adjustable Coupler and EZ-Retractable Coupler, there’s no need to disconnect shades to adjust an uneven bottom bar. In addition, the coupler’s retractable shaft makes for easy window covering installation. The company will also have their 3.25-inch smart cassette, which adds more options for sleek-looking cassettes to their current line.
