6. Figure out how many panels you need. You need at least two panels of plantation shutters in any opening. There should be a panel for every vertical division in the opening. Check with the manufacturer for widths. Some make shutter panels that are anywhere from 28 inches to 48 inches.

7. Decide on a finish. Semi-gloss enamel paint is a good choice, but be sure the manufacturer uses a three-coat application process. You should have some choice in colors. In some cases, you can have the paint matched to any color you choose. For stains, it is a common practice for customers to send in something that has been stained to their chosen color so that it can be matched.

8. Choose shutters that fit into your budget. Plantation shutters come in a wide price range from the very inexpensive stock shutters to the costly but elegant designer shutters. You have to weigh all the options and find one that is suitable both in quality and in price.

Plantation shutters can give a home a more classic look. They cannot go unnoticed, yet they ensure both light and privacy. They add to a home’s charm. Therefore, it makes sense to decide on all the aspects of the shutters carefully.

Home & Garden: Local homeowners trying harder to take it easy on the environment (The Shelbyville News) From fume-free paint to conserving water in gardening, residents and companies throughout Shelby County are embracing the green movement. Publ.Date : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:51:00 GMT Furniture, housewares sales at Vastu in Washington; Kugler's in Silver Spring (Washington Post) -- Beginning today at Kugler's Home Fashions, a selection of table linens, area rugs, comforters, sheets and Hunter Douglas window treatments are 25 to 35 percent off. For window treatments, the cordless feature for child safety is 50 percent off. The sale ends April 5. Kugler's Home Fashions (cl... Publ.Date : Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT White interiors can be fresh, practical (Asheville Citizen-Times) When interior designer Betsy Burnham redecorated her office, she made a decision that surprised her staff: She focused on the color white. White walls, white ceilings, white furniture, even white chandeliers. Publ.Date : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:19:31 GMT Soroptimist gives ‘Saturday of Service’ (Bakercityherald.com) Soroptimist International of Baker County recently took part in an international day of community service called Saturday of Service. Soroptimist Clubs throughout the area and region, as well as far-reaching Soroptimist International clubs, participated on March 6. Publ.Date : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:01:11 GMT Norberg Paints adds store (The Argus Leader) "Our story is, we are paint." That's how Stuart Norberg describes the 125-year history of Norberg Paints - founded in 1885 by his great-grandfather and great-uncle. The company, at 326 E. 14th St., sells other things - wallpaper, painting supplies and even window treatments. But their focus is paint, whether they're distributing it to other paint stores in the region, selling it to a homeowner ... Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:04:50 GMT Parson’s ‘Catch’ and release; Winchester chef’s ‘comfort food’ eatery opens in old location (The Winchester Star) As he sat in a corner reflecting on the merits of his first bowl of Parsons Table soup, longtime Catch patron and multiple Grammy-award-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman had a sudden revelation. Publ.Date : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:21:31 GMT CRBJ Focus: Investing in safety (Wisconsin State Journal) Companies that commit to making a safe workplace reap many rewards Publ.Date : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:50:21 GMT If it feels like your tax refund's poky, you're not alone (USA Today) At a time when many people need their refunds to pay the bills, some taxpayers' federal tax refunds have been delayed. Here are some reasons. Publ.Date : Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:05:25 GMT 3 Day Blinds Launches New Line of Fashion Fabrics (PRWeb) Window Treatments in 165 New Fashion Fabrics have been Released by 3 Day Blinds (PRWeb Mar 15, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/blinds/3_day_blinds/prweb3734234.htm Publ.Date : Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:02:01 GMT