The household (design) help that does windows

Consumers shopping for window blinds can’t yet order them online from brands Graber and Bali. But they’re getting a preview of how the products might look in their own homes with a new visualization tool just launched on Baliblinds.com and Graberblinds.com, two branded sites of leading window treatment manufacturer Springs Window Fashions.

Site visitors can deploy the tool to design and visualize the two product lines in interactive room scenes. Based on Scene7 Inc.’s imaging platform technology, the tool lets visitors choose from six room settings on either site, select a window treatment product, then see it layered into the room. Users can swap out different treatments according to the desired privacy level or style. To get closer to the look of their own rooms, users decorate the online room setting with different complementary items and details such as furniture, wall color and accessories.

The tool’s goal is to shorten the sales cycle while helping customers research and visualize their choices before going to a designer or a retail outlet to buy, according to manufacturer Springs. “This will allow our customers to better educate themselves when purchasing window treatments, all from the convenience of their own homes,” says George Egon, vice president of brand marketing. “Customers can then visit their favorite decorator, designer or retailer to view actual samples and make their purchase.” Egon terms feedback on the new tool from designers and consumers “extremely positive” and says Spring already is planning to extend the feature to more product lines next year.