Motorized Curtains in the Formal Living Room
Motorized curtains are a practical solution for tall, inaccessible, or multiple windows. They transform daily living from frustrating and burdensome to easy and functional with the push of a button. 
This is a post I've been dying to share with you for months, but had to wait for the right timing. It is sponsored by Somfy, but all opinions are my own. First, let me introduce you to Somfy (pronounced SUM-fee), a wonderful company that specializes in smart window treatments, such as the new motorized curtain rod in our formal living room. They are based out of France, but work with Somfy Expert dealers all over the world. When I reached out to them several months ago to inquire about a motorized curtain rod, I was at my breaking point with these windows. They connected me with E-Motion Shade, a local dealer, and we discussed how they could solve the problem of our giant, difficult-to-cover windows.
Up until this point, I had tried everything to cover these windows in a way that made sense for us, but nothing worked. If I only used roman shades on the lower windows, people could still see into our second story at night. But when I hung drapes long enough to cover both the upper and lower windows, we had to climb on the couch at least twice a day to operate them. And, because they were so hard to open and close, we left them open a lot, which meant our dogs were on the couch looking out the window at every opportunity. I even considered placing a curtain rod in between the upper and lower windows, but that's a design no-no, and it still didn't solve the privacy issue with the upper windows. This went on for two years. Like I said, I was at my breaking point when Somfy entered the picture. 
Ordering the Motorized Curtain Rod
Working with Somfy on these motorized curtains was easy and painless. I had new pleated drapes made by a local workroom, and put E-Motion Shade in touch with them for precise measurements as well as pleat spacing. You don't need special curtains for a motorized rod; they can work with existing window treatments. Having new curtains made was a personal choice based on my formal living room design plans. When ordering the motorized curtain rod, I found it was best to leave the measurements up to the professionals who do this for a living. I only needed to provide the desired width and height of the curtains to the workroom, and Somfy figured out the rest. If you have existing window treatments for them to motorize, you'll just need to give them those measurements. Otherwise, put your local dealer in touch with whoever is making your window treatments. 
Installation of Motorized Curtains
A few weeks after they received the measurements, they arrived to install the new motorized rod. The guys at E-Motion Shade were incredible. They took our old curtain rod down, patched holes, carefully installed the new rod, and even re-trained the curtains so they would open and close properly. The whole process was smooth, and it was honestly a pleasure having them in my home. 
We decided on a location for the wall-mount remote, and the rest is pretty much history. As soon as I pressed that button for the first time, I knew daily life would never be the same. I know it sounds dramatic, but when you've been stepping on your sofa for two years, slinging each curtain panel open and closed, the change is dramatic. With one product, we have privacy when we want it, and our sofa is no longer a step stool or a dog lookout. Hallelujah! 
The Cost of Motorized Curtains
Here at Wildflower Home Blog, I'm all about doing it yourself, saving money when and where you can, and using a mix of bargain and investment pieces to achieve a home that's collected, classic, and full of character. Motorized curtains and window treatments in general are definitely an investment. And though it may not seem like a fun purchase or something you'd want to save up for and invest in, trust me, this one's worth it.
It has not only changed our daily lives for the better, but it has increased the value of our home. If and when we ever decide to sell this home, the new homeowners won't even have to think about how they're going to cover these troublesome but beautiful windows...it's already done for them. That would have been worth a higher purchase price for me when we were looking at buying this home. We aren't looking at selling though, so for the foreseeable future, we are going to enjoy these motorized curtains and the ways they have changed our daily life. 
FAQs About Motorized Curtains
Where is the motor? Somfy motors are designed to be discreet, and they place them where they won't be seen. They offer corded as well as battery-operated motors. Our motor is located on the left side, is corded, and plugs in behind our sofa. We often forget it's even there. How loud is it when opening and closing? Practically silent. Is there a warranty on the curtain rod or motor? Yes, there is a 5-year warranty that you can read about here. Are there different finishes available? Somfy motorized curtain rods come in the dark bronze (almost black) finish we chose or a white finish. How responsive is their customer service? When you utilize Somfy to invest in motorized curtains, you are developing a relationship with their company for years to come. As such, their customer service is top notch, and they respond to questions, concerns, and issues swiftly and professionally. Is there an option for fewer/smaller/less visible brackets? I knew that going with a motorized curtain rod meant compromising on style a little, and I wasn't sure how I would feel about the brackets. Surprisingly though, I don't mind them, and the tradeoff is definitely worth it. I am tossing around the idea of a cornice or some sort of way to disguise the brackets, but it's very low on my list of priorities because I don't even notice them. 
Bonus Benefits of Motorized Curtains
- Energy Savings - They help you save energy by allowing you to better control heat gain and loss. You can automate your curtains to close during the hottest points of the day or open in the winter to bring in heat.
- Protect Furniture - They block out harmful UV rays that can damage your furniture and flooring.
- Preserve Curtains - They protect your curtains from constant handling, which can cause dirt and oil to accumulate on the curtain fabric.
- Compatible With Smart Devices - You can control motorized curtains with a smartphone or tablet app, as well as voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through IFTTT.
I know a lot of you were curious about our new motorized curtains when I shared the installation in my Instagram stories. I hope this exhaustive post answered any and all questions you might have. I also hope it conveys the value of motorized curtains, and that while these might seem like a luxury, they are actually quite practical and a worthwhile investment. [video width="1080" height="1920" mp4="https://wildflowerhomeinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Motorized-Curtain-Rod-13.mp4"][/video]I can't overstate how dramatically they have changed our daily life, especially with pets, living in a very sunny climate, and having a very visible formal living room. If you are even remotely interested in finding out about motorized window treatments, I encourage you to contact Somfy and have them connect you with a local dealer. It could be as life changing for you as it has been for us. So tell me, would you invest in motorized curtains? Let's talk in the comments below. 
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