We love products that pull double duty in our homes. It means we have more efficient use of our space and usually find our home that much more comfortable. So when you look at the photo of these drapes or curtains, do you see anything unusual about them? How do drapes of all things pull double triple duty?
Normally when we talk about window treatments they're full of color or fun, maybe a bit of whimsy, but these seem to be anything but. These panels from Hammacher & Schlemmer will run you between $60 and $70 but what for? After all, they're sort of boring right?
As it turns out the polyester that these curtains are made from is so tightly woven that they not only block out 99% of light, but they also cut down on outside noise by 40%. While this may not be a big deal to some, those who live by extra busy streets or highways might appreciate the ease in getting their little one down for a nap, or possibly drowning out the neighbors poor choice in music — or at least the volume in which it's played.
No, they aren't exactly show stoppers on the design or beauty front. They come in sage, tan and chocolate (whoop de doo), but potentially with some embellishments you could make something out of nothing if this product would make an improvement in your children's nurseries or bedrooms.
• Find Noise Reducing Drapes at Hammacher & Schlemmer
(Image: Hammer & Schlemmer)
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Unsolicited parenting advice (bad form, I know!):
From my experience, letting your urban kid sleep in urban noise will make life so much easier. (I'm remembering 4th of July while living in coastal-downtown-party-party. My baby laughed at the bass & Beyonce pulsing past her window before promptly falling asleep to the sound of firecrackers).
Plus, then you get to buy cute curtains.
Totally agree with Daleth. The first two years of our daughter's life we lived above the A train and next to a bus stop. Tons of noise, but years later the girl can sleep anywhere, anytime.
these are NOT cute! i like light blocking curtains (i have the pbk kind)- and then we use a white noise maker which drowns out street sounds...
you can always place more attractive curtains in front of these uglies. although you shouldn't shield your child from every noise and peep of light from the morning sun, your mind truly needs some dark and quiet to recharge properly. it isn't healthy to sleep with lights aglow or with constant noise. those do filter into our sleep, whether or not we are aware. i, for one, love these curtains.
We live right by a few popular show venues, so Friday and Saturday nights get pretty loud! It would be nice to have the option of noise dampening our wall of windows. Simple curtains are definitely the way to go in our house, we brighten it up with artwork and bedding. I'd love these
If these work and they solve a problem you have, they look like they are totally worth buying. And I agree with JoRossi--just put more attractive curtains in front--if you have a double rod, you could put these where the sheers usually go, no big deal.
I used a company they came down with a laptop and camera and showed all styles possible so I really enjoyed picking my window treatments www.nywt.designyourownshades.com
We live in a very noisy area and no, it does not help our kids sleep.
Actually in very warm areas these can be "4-duty" drapes because blocking the sun with heavy drapes keeps the house cool resulting in huge savings in the electricity bills.