General
The experience is totally different! To begin with, with a “big box” store you have to go to them and choose from whatever they have on their shelf. When you work with The Shady Lady, we ask questions to learn your specific needs and will make recommendations according to exactly what our expertise tells us will be your best solution. We believe that you should be comfortable in every room in your home, at any time of day. For an outline of our process, see How We Work.
We love working directly with homeowners and also partnering with interior designers as part of a larger project. Both avenues often end up feeling the same, because when an interior designer brings us in on a project, we partner closely with the end user as much as possible. This ensures that what we offer answers all window treatment needs and integrates seamlessly with the elevated look of the overall project.
The Shady Lady maintains relationships with many trusted brands. Our focus is on superior quality and long-lasting treatments. We believe these are best for our clients, as well as the environment. Having multiple brands to select from means that whatever unique situation we uncover, we will have an excellent solution to address it.
For inside the home, we can provide all varieties of shades, blinds, interior shutters, and custom draperies. We also offer solar and insect screens for patios, as well as retractable awnings. We also keep up-to-date on technology and have solutions other window treatment companies may not.
The Shady Lady can provide guidance on many eco-friendly and/or energy-efficient options. This is a very important matter to us, so we research trends and new technologies to stay current. If you share what features are important to you, we will take care to offer treatments that meet your criteria.
While most of our clients are within the Houston Metroplex (and may we say, that is A LARGE area!), we have traveled as far as Austin, Galveston, and even Louisiana for projects. As a rule, these have been vacation or new homes for our clients who want to entrust their new spaces to us. We know their personal style and what is most important to them, so for them it makes sense to continue working with us.
We have multiple financing options, including deferred interest so you can pay over time and pay no interest if paid in full prior to the special financing term. We always provide a recommended monthly payment amount, so there is no confusion about the amount you will need to plan for to avoid interest.
Process
To make the most efficient use of your time, we always start with a call. This allows us to learn about your specific needs and any problems we will address. It also helps to narrow down our product offerings to what makes sense for you. We offer too many choices to look at all in one day, let alone an hour-long meeting in your home.
All of our window treatments are custom manufactured to the exact specifications and size you need, and many of them are installed within 4 weeks. There can be exceptions, which is why as part of our normal procedure, we provide an expected lead time with your quote. We also send weekly updates after your order is placed, so you never need to wonder what is going on with your order.
We offer complete turn-key service, from your initial consultation to installation and any post-installation services you may need. If you purchase from The Shady Lady today, and need warranty service in the future, you call us and we will guide you through.
We insist on it! The only way to ensure that your custom window treatments are going to be spot-on is to envision them in the space they will be used. In most cases, we can also have swatches sent to you so you have the time you need to select the perfect materials.
We believe strongly that the only way for our clients to make an informed decision is by understanding the benefits of a solution. You can count on straight talk, not jargon, as we guide you through your options. Houston homeowners have trusted us to help them for many years, and we believe this is a big reason why they do.
Design & Customization
When you order custom window treatments, every component is selected so that the result is unique not only to your home, but to the exact window that it will be installed in. At the beginning this can feel intimidating, so we are there every step of the way to explain your options. Most of the time we will also have a strong opinion about which ones will work great for you!
We are happy to help with any size project. In fact, some of our clients like us to create a whole-home plan and then split it into multiple orders for cash flow purposes. Due to minimum installation fees, we normally recommend ordering at least four shades at a time to get the best return on your investment.
Most of what we sell may be automated (or motorized). A brief note about the difference: motorized means the shade may be operated remotely. When we use the term automated, that simply means extra features such as scheduling opening and closing at certain times, or tying in to Smart Home devices. Almost every motorized treatment may be automated.
We carry Hunter Douglas (residential and architectural), Insolroll, Sunbrella, Lafayette, Horizons, Crown Shade, Carole, Fabricut, RM Coco, Greenhouse and Anna Elizabeth, Shade Revolution, Tableaux Faux Iron Grills, and many more.
We have innovative solutions for even the trickiest windows! We even have shades that turn corners.
The Shady Lady began talking about child and pet-safe options in 2004, when we first opened for business. Most custom window treatments these days are very safe, but if there is ever a question it will be thoroughly discussed.
Working Together
We shine when you come to us with an open mind about the possibilities. All you need to do is help us understand what you want to accomplish, and rely on our expertise to guide you.
Absolutely. The Shady Lady has been operating in the luxury market for a long time. Interior designers count on us for excellent communication and the finest quality treatments, to ensure their vision for each space is realized.
We cannot put a generic number to this, because the variables are practically endless. It is very similar to asking what new car will cost: there are a lot of decisions to make that will affect the final number. However, we provide ballpark ranges to many of our clients before we even begin the full consultation. This way, our clients know that the options we demonstrate will fall within an anticipated range.
