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Shades of Summer — Fine Finishes for Your Home

Window Coverings Add Style and Protection

Window treatments serve many purposes, from providing privacy and enhancing style to improving energy efficiencies and controlling the amount of light entering a room. Given their significance and potential investment, they shouldn’t be overlooked during home construction or renovation. After all, residents will likely live with them for a long time.

“The best time to consider window treatments is during the design phase of the home,” said Carrie Steele, lead design consultant and motorization expert at Classic Window Coverings and Shade on Demand in Bend. “Clients who have the highest level of satisfaction at the conclusion of their project are the ones we started working within the design stage, in partnership with the architect and designer.”

Family eating with sun coming through shades

DESIGN FOR THE REGION

Big picture items that need to be considered when choosing how to enhance windows are: how much privacy or light is needed in a room; what window treatments would complement the overall style and decor of the home; how well window coverings block heat in summer and reduce heat loss in winter for comfort and energy efficiencies; ease of maintenance and care; and finally the price, which can vary widely depending on style.

For most homeowners, aesthetics are the main driver in determining the type of window treatment. “From an aesthetics perspective, natural tones and fibers remain popular in Central Oregon,” Steele said. “Homeowners tend to lean toward neutral tones which complement the natural views.”

Window treatments serve other purposes as well. Homeowners often have to balance the desire to take advantage of Central Oregon’s natural beauty with the unavoidable impacts of the high desert sun. For west-facing windows, it’s best to choose window treatments that can effectively control light and heat, while also helping to prevent the fading of furniture, wood, rugs and artwork.

INNOVATIVE PROTECTION

For the greatest energy efficiency, Steele suggests starting on the outside of the home to prevent the sun from penetrating windows.

Exterior roller screen shades are an effective solution. Mounted on the outside, they roll up and down on tracks, and are motorized to conveniently operate from inside the home. Fabrics have varying levels of “openness” or weave density, which directly impacts the shade’s opacity, affecting both outward visibility and the amount of sunlight permitted through. Steele says a density of 97% is popular in the high desert to retain clear visibility outside while also keeping a home significantly cooler and protecting belongings.

Retractable awnings are another good choice when seeking to block direct sunlight. When not in use, these awnings have minimal exterior visibility while offering the option to allow sun in when occupants wish. Adding tinted window film is another possibility.

Exterior of home with sunshades

SMART AND SAVVY

Inside a home, honeycomb cellular shades remain a top contender for the best protection against heat and insulation when it’s cold. They’ve come a long way since their introduction, and manufacturers now offer a wide selection of fabrics and textures. Honeycomb shades provide enough energy efficiency to qualify for federal tax energy credits as part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress in 2023. Applicants may qualify for a $1,200 tax credit annually for up to 10 years on certain products.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is active in keeping window coverings safe, especially for small children and pets, and manufacturers are starting to eliminate cords on many designs. However, there is a limit to how large a manually operated blind can be. According to Steele, this is one reason why more motorized options are hitting the market and gaining in popularity.

Window coverings are getting smarter, too. A wide variety of window treatments integrate with a third-party vendor, such as Alexa, to operate by voice command similar to the way a thermostat is adjusted. Additionally, manufacturers are developing their own apps to facilitate operating blinds when you’re away. This option provides increased home security by giving the appearance of someone raising and lowering shades from within the home.

LED lighting embedded within window shades is another advance in window coverings, Steele noted. “This backlighting can set the mood and illuminate a room.”

Window coverings are the ultimate combination of form and function. Ideally, the best window treatments marry beauty, energy efficiency, tailored functionality and cost-effectiveness. With today’s array of options, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Juanita Perdomo Turns Walls into Art with Custom Finishes

Bend has seen a surge in custom home builds in recent years, bringing a new level of design sophistication to Central Oregon. One way to personalize and upgrade a high-end build or remodel is to incorporate custom wall finishes in the home, including lime and Venetian plasters and a wide array of decorative finishes. Juanita Perdomo, owner of WallsArt, Inc., has mastered the craft of turning walls into works of art. She launched her company in 2000 after working for years as both an interior designer and in industrial design.

“I walked into a building where Juanita hand-applied plaster on a two-story wall and my jaw dropped,” said Bend interior designer PJ Hurst. “It looked like brick and had so much depth and movement. It was the most beautiful thing. I feel that whatever Juanita touches turns into gold.”

A native of Colombia, Perdomo has worked across the United States and in Central and South America. While most of her work is residential, she still does some commercial design, including several luxury brand cosmetic shops on the Eastern Seaboard. She relocated to Oregon from Florida and settled in Bend during the pandemic after spending a few years in Hood River. “My market is custom homes, so the growth of that market in Bend is a good fit for my services,” she said. “Plus, it’s obviously an amazing place to live.”

Bringing Walls to Life

Perdomo uses a variety of techniques and materials including Italian plasters and an array of specialized materials to create trendsetting decorative finishes.

Perdomo’s work can be nuanced for subtle, elevated sophistication or bold for impactful designs. Finishes range from fun to formal, or from modern to traditional. As an inhabitant of the high desert, she finds ample inspiration from Central Oregon’s natural environment for bringing the outside themes into each home.

Decorative plaster is a favorite material of Perdomo’s for making an upscale, sophisticated statement. Walls and fireplace features can be made to look like concrete, stone and even wallpaper. She can also create accent work in places such as a primary bedroom or fireplace surround.

Her work is best showcased when a homeowner incorporates custom walls throughout. “It takes the home to a whole new level,” she said, adding that it allows both her and her clients to get more playful with smaller spaces, such as a powder room or an accent wall. Unconventional designs are some of her favorites because they allow her to showcase her artistic skills and create visual impact for her clients.

More typical projects take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks, or up to a month for a whole-house custom plaster finish.

Wallpaper design in the bathroom — Photo by Riley Visuals

Beyond custom decorative plaster work with an infinite number of finishes, she can create any design with paint, including murals. She mocks up samples to guarantee she has captured the client’s vision. Once she and her client finalize design and finishes, it’s a matter of getting to work and making magic happen.

Perdomo made magic happen in the Bend westside home of Ann Peck who hired her to finish two fireplace surrounds, two bathrooms, a laundry room and a stairwell feature. “She’s a plaster worker who can do anything with color and texture,” Peck said. “The wallpaper design she put in the bathroom was so intricate and detailed that everyone assumes it’s wallpaper. You’d never guess someone could do that by hand.”

For Perdomo, walls are like a blank canvas, and the possibilities are endless.

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Latin Dance Brings the Heat to Central Oregon

Viva La Salsa — Tango originated in Argentina and Uruguay during the late nineteenth century.

Winter nights may seem cold and dark, but there’s a sultry dance movement bringing heat to Bend. Latin dancing has ignited in Central Oregon with partners spinning and grooving to the salsa beat in clubs across town; it’s a sizzling scene.

The term Latin dance is used to refer to any type of dance that originated out of Latin America, and includes salsa, mambo and cha-cha-cha. The most popular Latin dances found in Bend are salsa and bachata. While both are of the same genre, origins of the two dances are different. Salsa dancing was imported to the U.S. from Cuba largely by immigrant populations in Miami and New York City, yet the dance has far-reaching roots to Africa, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Then, bachata is a direct export from the Dominican Republic. The word “bachata” means party or good time, and this dance became popular through social gathering as it is largely danced in a festive, group atmosphere. While both dances are Latin in origin and performed with partners, the steps are quite different and each dance has its own type of music.

The word “salsa” translates to sauce, which is a good place to start when describing the dance. The salsa dancing style popular in the U.S. originated in New York during the 1960s. It’s fast, with partners dancing front to back, while bachata is performed in a circular motion using side-to-side steps. Bachata is a bit more sultry or romantic to match slower-paced music. Partners dance close to one another, often hip to hip.

Salsa with Victoria

Victoria Tolonen started salsa dancing in Eugene in 1993. She led a small performance group teaching classes and hosting competitions. There wasn’t anyone else in the area doing organized Latin dance at the time. A move in 2002 brought her salsa lessons to Central Oregon when she opened the studio, Bend Dance. Early on, she organized salsa nights at any bar or nightclub in town that had even the tiniest bit of dance floor space. This was the start of the Latin dance community in Bend. Having a community is essential for Latin dance to thrive, Tolonen said. She offers a four-week salsa dance series in her home studio each month, with skills progressing over the course of the class. Both couples and singles are encouraged to attend lessons as partners rotate continuously. The classes include all ages and abilities and private lessons are available as well. “Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary,” said Tolonen. “You just need a willingness to learn and a desire to have fun.”

See fb.com/benddancevictoria.

Latin dance night at The Capitol. Photo by Kai Dunn.

Latin Dance Bend

Andres “Andy” Garcia sees an opportunity to grow the Latin dance community with the influx of new residents who have relocated to Bend from bigger cities. Andy, originally from Mexico, is the founder of Latin Dance Bend. As a kid, he had a lot of Puerto Rican friends who helped shape his love for dancing. “Growing up, at our family gatherings, you eat and you dance,” said Garcia. When Andy graduated from high school, his parents gifted him a trip to New York City. During the weeks he visited, he and his friends danced frequently. In 2008, while going through some personal transitions, Garcia reimmersed himself in dance here in Bend as an outlet. As his passion grew, he took lessons and attended Latin dance congresses, or dance competitions. He eventually started teaching in 2012 part time. In addition to teaching salsa and bachata classes, he also hosted socials open to the public, where he was DJ and gave dance lessons.

Andres “Andy” Garcia, Photo by Kai Dunn.

After a couple of years, Garcia took the plunge and started teaching Latin dance full time. The demand for his classes grew to two classes a night, three days a week. This lasted until the 2020 pandemic. Today, Garcia has a full-time job and young family, but dance—especially bachata—remains his passion. In 2022, he started hosting monthly Latin dance socials
at Campfire Hotel.

When asked about the positive impact of Latin dance in Bend, both Gary and Tolonen accentuate the community it builds. Tolonen said her entire circle of friends came through teaching salsa, and Garcia met his wife dancing. “Even if you don’t want to participate, watching the dancers’ show is a fun night out,” said Tolonen. Latin dance is a way to learn a new skill, keep active, and expand a social network. Now, that’s pretty saucy.

See latindancebend.com.