This blog post is sponsored by Select Blinds. All opinions are my own and my experience with the brand and its products!

Hi everyone! My name is Alicia Armstrong and I’m the founder of Our Vintage Nest. About five years ago, I started my journey as an interior design blogger and social media influencer. I manage a blog, Instagram and Facebook account and partner with companies pertaining to home design.

As an exclusive window coverings partner, I’ve been asked to share my partnership experience with Select Blinds! First, let me say, I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with this company; it’s been my biggest accomplishment as an influencer. I’d like to start off by sharing a brief backstory about how we connected.

It all began with an email to Mark Anderson, on August 28, 2017. He’s the Team Lead/Digital Marketing Specialist that handles all influencer marketing. With any email going out for a potential collaboration, I was nervous about the outcome, but was encouraged by a fellow blogger to reach out. After months of building rapport, gaining knowledge of the company and expressing my desire to work together, I was approved for my first collaboration! I truly believe good things come to those who wait!

In December 2017, my first order of woven wood shades was approved for our living room, breakfast nook and master bedroom. I was beyond excited because I’ve always wanted custom window coverings in our home and I couldn’t wait to share this company with my followers! Here’s a before and after of our living room and bedroom during Christmas. After all these years; I still can’t get over the difference! For more details and sources, please visit my website to read this blog post.

Before

After

Before

After

I love the warmth and texture they add and they’re super easy to install. Here’s a video of an install tutorial I created in January 2018.

<insert video link here>

On January 24 (my birthday), 2018, I received a phone call from Mark that our first collaboration was a success! For anyone that knows me, it won’t surprise you to know that this brought tears to my eyes! I was so thrilled that our first collaboration was a success and would result in more opportunities with Select Blinds in the future! In February 2018, I was humbled to learn that the company had featured me as an inspiring decorator on their blog; more about that here.

Throughout 2018, I continued to feature Select Blinds on all my social channels and followers loved the change they were seeing in our home.

Now is the perfect time to go over some frequently asked questions I’ve received about my Select Blinds.

Q: What color did you choose for your woven wood shades?

A: For the main areas of our home, I chose Jute Wheat from the Designer Series Woven Wood Shades. More details can be found on this blog post.

Q: Are your blinds lined?

A: The downstairs blinds are unlined because we back up to trees, providing plenty of privacy. The front two windows are the dining room and office; we like having the natural light come through. The upstairs windows are bedrooms, which include a privacy lining.

Q: Were they easy to install?

A: Yes, we have installed every window treatment from Select Blinds. They come with thorough instructions and everything you need to easily install. See the video tutorial mentioned above for details and suggestions!

Q: There are so many options, how did you choose?

A: Select Blinds makes it easy to choose your window coverings by sending free samples. They can be requested online and are mailed out the very next day! Here’s a mood board I created to give myself the visual I needed to design a room in our home.

The addition of cafe shutters in 2018 and 2019 created a gorgeous combination with our existing woven wood shades. Below, you will see them in various rooms throughout our home and this blog post provides more details!

In May 2019, I signed a one-year partnership contract with Select Blinds. This has provided so many opportunities for me as an influencer. It’s challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. In October 2019, I flew to Phoenix, AZ to meet the staff at Select Blinds in Tempe, AZ. Major butterflies came over me as I prepared for those days. I met and was interviewed by CMO and co-founder, Rick Steele. I thought I would be a nervous wreck, but Mark and the marketing team made me feel right at home. Rick is such a nice guy, full of energy and personality; I really enjoyed my time with them and so thankful for their hospitality. The interview with Rick can be viewed here on the Select Blinds YouTube channel!

After my interview with Rick Steele, I had the opportunity to meet a few other important faces at Select Blinds. So glad we had this picture taken together!

From left to right: Al Silverberg (CEO), Ryan Hicks (VP of Operations), Mark Anderson (Team Lead, Digital Marketing Specialist), Alicia Armstrong (Blogger, Our Vintage Nest), Josie Sivigny (SEO Specialist) and Rick Steele (Founder & CMO)

After years of talking to Mark on the phone and exchanging emails, I finally got to meet him! I appreciate and respect the business relationship we have and am so thankful he took a chance on me in December 2017.

Josie and Mark treated me to some local seafood after my interview and office visit. It was so great to hang out with them outside the office and see the sights in Tempe.

I want to thank Select Blinds for inviting me to guest post on their blog. I’m happy to announce I’ll be signing my second year contract and I can’t wait for what’s to come in 2020-21. We have some fun things planned this year and I hope you’ll follow along! In closing, I’d like to share my most recent projects and features with Select Blinds. My kids both received updated bedrooms earlier this year and with that came new roman shades, a beautiful product I was happy to receive and share! More details can be found here on this blog post.

To cap off my first year as a partner, I had my first Instagram takeover on the Select Blinds feed, taking you on a tour of my home town and a local air bnb, featuring Select Blinds throughout! Here’s a sneak peek of the home tour; more can be seen here on this blog post!

This concludes my guest post and my partnership experience with Select Blinds! Thank you again for having me and I hope you’ll stay tuned for what’s to come with Our Vintage Nest!

Blessings,