At Made in the Shade NorCal, we know that the right natural window shades can do more than just filter sunlight—they can transform the entire feel and function of a workspace. This case study explores how we helped a growing Sacramento-based marketing agency elevate their professional environment with modern, natural window shades designed for style, comfort, and productivity.
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🏢 The Challenge: A Stylish Yet Functional Workspace
Our client, a vibrant digital marketing agency in Sacramento, had recently renovated a historic downtown loft into their new headquarters. The exposed brick, tall windows, and open ceilings created an airy, industrial feel—but also brought challenges:
- Too much glare on computer monitors throughout the day
- Overheating during afternoon hours in sun-facing offices
- Lack of privacy for client meetings and internal calls
- No uniform design element tying the space together
The goal? A sleek, modern solution that controlled light, reduced heat, maintained their contemporary aesthetic, and supported employee productivity.
🔍 The Consultation Process: Understanding Office Needs
During the in-office consultation, our design consultant walked the team through several smart and eco-friendly window covering options from top vendors like Graber Window Treatments, Insolroll Shades, and Alta Window Fashions.
Priorities identified:
- Light filtering with a clean, professional appearance
- Durable fabrics that would hold up in high-use areas
- Seamless integration with existing technology
- Custom motorization options to control natural roman shades in shared and private spaces
After a full product demonstration, including material samples and live demos, the client chose a custom combination of solar shades and roller shades with motorized lift and smart scheduling features.
🛠️ The Solution: Modern Window Treatments That Work
🌞 Open Workspace – Solar Shades
- Fabric: 3% openness for UV protection and glare control
- Style: Clean, minimalist design in a cool gray tone
- Benefits: Allowed natural light in without compromising monitor visibility
Solar shades are perfect for open office environments. They reduce screen glare while still allowing the space to feel light and connected to the outdoors. These shades also help cut cooling costs by blocking up to 97% of UV rays.
🗣️ Private Offices – Roller Shades
- Fabric: Blackout with decorative valances
- Lift System: Cordless and motorized control
- Integration: Synced with voice assistant and phone app
These roller shades provided privacy for executive meetings and allowed precise control over lighting during presentations. With motorization, the team can schedule shades to open and close automatically throughout the day.
🤝 Conference Room – Dual Shades
- Features: Light-filtering + blackout in one sleek system
- Operation: Remote and voice control
- Design: Subtle texture that added softness to glass walls
Dual shades gave the conference room flexibility: light-filtering for brainstorming sessions, and blackout for video presentations.
🍽️ Kitchen & Lounge – Natural Woven Shades
- Material: Organic weaves in soft neutral hues
- Function: Manual lift with optional liners
- Bonus: Added warmth and texture to the break areas
These shades helped the kitchen and lounge areas feel more relaxed and welcoming, with the perfect blend of design and functionality.
🧠 Smart Tech Integration for Efficiency
The entire natural window shade system was connected to the company’s existing smart home setup. With a simple command or app tap, the staff could raise or lower shades in any room. Using preset scenes, shades adjust automatically based on time of day—ensuring energy efficiency without any added work.
This integration included:
- Voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant
- App scheduling for peak sun hours
- Battery-powered motors for easy retrofit with no hardwiring
💬 Client Feedback: A Beautiful, Functional Office
“Our office finally feels complete. The solar shades make a huge difference in comfort, and we get compliments on the natural woven shades all the time. The smart features are the icing on the cake—we’re more productive and the space just looks great.”
Within weeks, the team reported fewer complaints about glare, a noticeable drop in afternoon temperatures, and more focused work sessions.
🔄 Results at a Glance
| Objective | Result |
|---|---|
| Reduce glare | ✔ Solar shades resolved monitor issues |
| Lower cooling costs | ✔ UV-blocking reduced heat significantly |
| Improve aesthetics | ✔ Coordinated shades elevated the brand |
| Increase privacy | ✔ Roller and dual shades added control |
| Smart automation | ✔ Fully synced motorization system |
👀 Why Window Treatments Matter in Office Design
If you’re a business owner or facilities manager, custom natural window shades are one of the most impactful investments you can make in your office space. They enhance:
- Employee productivity through better lighting
- Client impressions with cohesive design
- Energy efficiency by reducing heat gain
- Technology integration for modern workspace control
Our team at Made in the Shade NorCal works with premium brands like Graber, Norman, Alta, Insolroll, and Tableaux Decorative Grilles to deliver commercial-grade solutions that are as stylish as they are smart.
✅ Ready to Upgrade Your Office?
From sleek solar shades to fully motorized systems, we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your business.
Request a Free Consultation today to see samples, explore options, and get professional advice right in your office. We’ll Bring The Showroom To You!
