A window shade system is presented that combines the benefits of roller shades with draperies. In one arrangement a fascia having a front plate and a bottom plate includes a track positioned in the forward lower end of the fascia. The fascia is configured to be attached to a plurality of brackets. One or more roller shades having roller shade material attached to a tube are connected to the brackets. A plurality of carriers are positioned in the track and one or more draperies are attached to the plurality of carriers in the track. This arrangement presents a dual functioning window shade wherein roller shade material may be opened and closed by raising and lowering the roller shade material by rotating the tube of the roller shades raised, and the drapery shade material may be opened and closed by sliding the drapery shade material along the length of the track.

A device for variably covering an area includes a first shade and a first driver. The first shade includes a first roller, a first draw bar, and a first curtain. The first roller is configured for mounting in a first fixed position. The first curtain has one end connected to the first roller and another end connected to the first draw bar. The first curtain is windable on the first roller to uncover the area and unwindable from the roller to cover the area. The first draw bar includes two ends, and the first driver is connected to the two ends for evenly pulling the first draw bar away from the first roller and unwinding the first curtain.

An environmental system is disclosed. The environmental system is configured to provide varying degrees of ventilation and shading. In addition, the environmental system can include provisions for collecting rainwater and holding greenery. The system can includes a mounting structure, a set of frames, a plurality of bars, skins, beams, and optionally one or more plants.

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.

A lighted architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In one example of an embodiment, an architectural-structure covering includes a light source arranged and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the architectural-structure covering. The architectural-structure covering may include first and second coverings. The light source is arranged and configured to direct light onto the second covering, which is arranged and configured to reflect, redistribute, etc. the received light toward the interior space of the room in which the architectural-structure covering is located. Thus arranged, the architectural-structure covering may be used to create, for example, diffused-lighting effects.

A shade and curtain storage and deployment system includes a shade assembly, a curtain assembly, and a panel, each disposed within a recess formed in a ceiling. The panel has a visible surface occupying a plane. The curtain assembly includes a track configured to support a curtain. A first gap provided between a first edge of the panel and the ceiling is configured to enable a shade of the shade assembly to extend from the recess to an area below the ceiling. A second gap provided between a second edge of the panel and the ceiling is configured to enable the curtain to extend along the second edge. The track extends along the second edge and above the plane.

According to some aspects, provided are curtain assemblies comprising two or more curtains selectably moveable between an open position and a closed position. Some embodiments include a track guide for at least one of the curtains having a first track and second track insert coupled to respective sides of the track guide and the curtain, wherein the curtain is moveably coupled to the first and second track inserts, and moveable along the channel of operation during transition between the open and the closed position. The curtains can be configured to define an air pocket that improved the energy efficiency of the curtain assembly (e.g., improving heat and/or noise properties). Some embodiments include a roller guide to maintain spacing between the curtains and can define a boundary of the air pocket.

A lighted architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In one example of an embodiment, an architectural-structure covering includes a light source arranged and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the architectural-structure covering. The architectural-structure covering may include first and second coverings. The light source is arranged and configured to direct light onto the second covering, which is arranged and configured to reflect, redistribute, etc. the received light toward the interior space of the room in which the architectural-structure covering is located. Thus arranged, the architectural-structure covering may be used to create, for example, diffused-lighting effects.

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.

Disclosed is a roman shade assembly that utilizes lift bands rather than lift cords. The shade can be formed of textured materials or woven woods. The shade assembly includes lift bands that attach to a rotatable member(s) and can be extended or retracted within an architectural opening by rotating the member(s). The lift bands can be slidingly connected to the shade at multiple points along the vertical length of the shade. Accordingly, as the wide lift bands are extended or retracted, the attached shade is likewise extended or retracted to cover or uncover an architectural opening.