
There's a new game in town. For those of you who might have grown tired of Smith & Noble's domination of the online shade market, here's The Shade Store. Looking remarkably similar, though a bit more modern (and with a smaller selection), The Shade Store specializes in custom shades, blinds, hardware, and a few mod curtains.
They're completely online, but recently opened one showroom at the Conran Shop in NYC, which is a high compliment. Solar shades, our favorite, are prominently featured up front, and we are eager to hear from readers what their experiences are.










i've ordered from the shade store twice, and have been very very pleased with the speed and quality. in fact, the speed was almost shocking - the two absolutely enormous solar shades (like, 12 feet high) i ordered arrived maybe 3-4 days after i ordered them.
i can also recommend the panel system, which i've used to cover my closets. i think the price is a little better than smith & noble, and the fabric choices are generally more modern.
view sara's profile
Forget the shades- where is that couch from? I am loving that couch.
view Trumystique's profile
Me too! I love that couch!
view GothamTomato's profile
Couch Couch Couch!!
view sekine's profile
Blinds.com has a great selection of neutral shades of all types. Their patterned options are not really my taste, but if you are looking for something very basic, I can highly recommend them. I've ordered very large and very small blinds from them with excellent results. Very quick, well measured and very affordable.
view pointeclaire222's profile
Shades shmades, couch smouch (okay, I do like the couch). Get me those boxes and pillows. (Yes, I know those patterns are everywhere these days but those boxes are *just* the right size and I can't seem to find anywhere that has them....)
view Cassis's profile
one of the best customer service experiences i've ever had! i had problems installing their shades and they could not have been more accomodating, helpful and efficient in delivering replacement shades. and yes, that image is yummy - the couch, the table, the pillows, the boxes, the lamp ...and oh yes, the shades!
view BB's profile
I ordered some of their solar shades and was most pleased with the service (made up and delivered in under a week - pretty good for a custom order) and the product. Highly recommended.
view Dilla's profile
Forgetta bout the shades n couch- love the lamp!
view right angle's profile
Cassis-I'm with you! And those exact pillows.
Just right.
view kate's profile
The site is pretty; wish I would have known about it before now.
view Curtis's profile
I used the Shade Store -- ordered online (with some trepidation since I'm near Washington and they're in New York) -- they were super. Answered all my questions promptly & pleasantly, the shades were exactly as advertised, well-made, etc. etc. I'm planning to use them again for bedroom shades & bedroom closet (a curtain), and hope that success doesn't spoil them.
view Deborah's profile
Another comment -- the shades I got were the solar shades, for the living room which faces west and gets too much sun quite often in the late afternoon. I opted for the black, since the windows have black metal frames (1960s construction), with max visibility, and the shades really do cut the glare while giving a pretty clear view -- even at night if I've forgotten to put them up.
view Deborah's profile
i've seen similar boxes in Bo Concept store. i have one in red
view liuba's profile
right here: http://www.boconcept.us/default.aspx?id=63256&ImageID=2393
view liuba's profile
I found the Shade Store online after seeing an ad in the back of a magazine. They were great, and produced the exact look I was looking for, in just a week, and ordering it through the site was extremely simple and efficient. I highly recommend them - great customer service, and amazing packaging!
Oh, and the lamp is called the Switch On Floor Lamp. I'd been hunting down the tri-arm version for two years after seeing it in the Conran catalog in 2004 (when it was only available in the UK), and finally got at 2006's ICFF. FYI, the tri-arm is now available at Conran in the US:
http://www.conranusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=8587&cid=Floor&language=en-US
view GeorgeG's profile
I'm going to place my order for roller shades this afternoon. I found their site by accident when searching for silent gliss. I'm glad I found shadestore instead because they are much more affordable. Their prices are just about the same as S & N but they are definately ahead of the game because their roller solar shades can be custom made in widths greater than S & N's which is great if you have a big wall of windows like me.
The quality and presentation of their sample materials is the most impressive out of the other companies I have researched.
I'm in Chicago so distance is not an issue with this company. I have been dealing with Damon whose service has been prompt and courteous.
view art's profile
Thank you, liuba!
view Cassis's profile
Never would have dreamed that an online consultant could know so much about the product.Impressed with the way that The Shade Store people were able to guide me through the entire ordering process.........incredibly patient with a novice at do it yourself home decorating and installing window treatments!
view bruce g's profile
Such a great company! The staff was wonderful at answering questions before I ordered. I think they're a small company with a big future, and the staff seem like they really are into their future success. My roman shades are wonderful, and they were so easy to install. I wish I had more windows!
view brogan.sully's profile
I've purchased from The Shade Store several times now, and their customer service has gone quite downhill. Twice now I've received shades with hardware missing, and black greasy handprints all over my shades. Very disappointed in their quality, and getting an answer from anyone has become impossible.
view chidanni's profile
I'd also like to add that there customer svc isnt' what it was earlier this year. My 4th order from them is missing brackets and screws and I get no response from cs. My contact there that was wonderful isn't in cs anymore (I guess excellence gets promoted!) and now I can't get any help.
view misplacedsw's profile
Overpriced garbage. Don't be fooled by their slick catalog with photoshopped pictures. The actual products are complete shite.
view rewalled's profile
The Shade Store's service is wonderful and thorough.
We were at their store in SoHo this weekend and placed our third order with them as we are doing our apartement in stages. The roller shades and woven wood shades that we have all look beautiful and were delivered right on time.
The measure and installation service that was recommended was also timely and friendly.
Check out their website! It's really user friendly...
view Jacks56's profile