A Shade Above Window Fashions provides a unique experience for consumers shopping for window coverings. Their interactive showroom features more than 100 different shades and blinds. Andrew Abramson, president of A Shade Above Window Fashions, and his family have been in the window covering industry for more than 50 years. This year, A Shade Above is celebrating its 40th anniversary in South Florida. Andrew recently answered some questions about his business and what differentiates it from the competition.
Please describe your showroom.
If you are in the market for shades or blinds, shopping in our showroom is an experience. When my father, Bruce, started A Shade Above in 1984, he had a vision of a showroom-based shades and blinds company where customers could see full-size, interactive displays of all the latest products on the market.
In 2000, our Davie showroom was selected as the nation’s first Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery. Last year, we did a complete showroom renovation. Our Hunter Douglas Gallery 3.0 is state-of-the-art, and we also showcase other top national and international brands. We’ve treated windows in thousands of Pembroke Pines homes, and over multiple generations. Some of our newer customers are the children or even grandchildren of our past customers.
What products do you offer?
We offer many of the top products on the market, including plantation shutters, roller and outdoor shades, zebra, banded and Roman shades, horizontal and vertical blinds, drapery, Luminette, Silhouette, Pirouette and PowerView, and Somfy automation. Most of our products can be motorized and programmed to work with a voice assistant like Alexa. You can even pre-set your shades to open and close at specific times of day.
What products are currently trending in the window covering industry?
Plantation shutters remain one of our most popular products. They are a timeless window treatment that is always in style. If you are looking for a decorative statement, plantation shutters provide trim work around your window, including a new contemporary frame. Depending on which shutter you choose, they can complement any decor. Our showroom features a wide variety of shutters, including some modern wide-louvered shutters.
What other trends can customers spot in your showroom?
If you are looking for a soft, contemporary look, banded shades, also known as zebra shades, are an ideal product that can work in any room. Banded shades alternate sheer and solid fabric, allowing a single shade to transition from open to close. It’s a perfect shade for those who want a view but also light control and privacy. It’s one of the most popular products we’ve ever carried. We are currently offering a special for our 40th anniversary with a free upgrade to cordless Banded shades, which normally cost an extra $100 per shade.
Do you have room darkening products?
We’re always adding to our collection of blackout shades and we have interactive displays that showcase different degrees of darkness in more than 20 products. We offer stylish shades that provide nearly total blackout in bedrooms and media rooms. Customers love our Duo Shades — during the day a transparent shade gives you a view of the outside while maintaining privacy and keeping out the heat. At night the blackout shade keeps the room private while maintaining darkness when the sun rises. It’s similar
to what you’d find in many contemporary hotel rooms.
Are your shades energy efficient?
All of our shades and blinds will help reduce heat. But there’s nothing more energy efficient than our honeycomb shades. Many of these shades qualify for a new federal tax rebate and you can receive up to $1,200 back after purchase.
What’s available for patios and other outdoor spaces?
Our patio sun shades allow you to relax in your yard without melting in the sun. These shades can be operated manually with a cable guide for wind resistance, or the shades can be motorized on a track. In addition to reducing the heat, our outdoor sun shades keep much of the rain off your patio. We also have retractable patio screens that look like traditional mesh screens on a screened-in patio – they keep out the bugs but can also be raised when you want to let in the open air and hide your screens.
With so many choices, how do you help customers make a decision?
When customers visit our showroom, they receive a tour of the newest shades and blinds available today. We recognize that it can be difficult to make decisions from small samples. That’s why our business model is special. Our full-size displays are available for the customer to view and operate as they will appear in their home. Our employees have years of experience in the window covering industry, so they can answer personalized questions that will help customers make the best decisions tailored to their needs.
What’s the best way for customers to contact you?
To schedule a showroom consultation, visit our website AShadeAboveFlorida.com or call or text us at 954-434-4774. Our full-service package includes professional measuring, installation and an in-home service warranty. We also offer self-service packages for do-it-yourselfers.