More Spotlight Articles

Accepting the Challenge

Nick Christopulos, owner, Window Visions, Wheeling, IL

by Howard Shingle
Photography by Nick Christopulos

Nick Christopulos enjoys a challenge. As owner of Window Visions, Wheeling, IL, he sells all window treatments available for residential and contract applications. But Christopulos has distinguished himself installing shutters. More to the point, many of his greatest successes have come on difficult windows-walls of windows, bay windows-and in situations where client requests meant product alterations. "There have been a number of situations I've faced that other people have just chosen not to get involved with because they thought it was a too difficult or impossible installation," he says. Christopulos began selling and installing shutters about seven years ago. Today, more than half his sales come from shutters. Including blinds, wood products make up 60 percent of Window Visions' sales. "After being in the business for a few months, I learned I was going to need to do more than just blinds and shades," Christopulos says. "It was a task to learn how to measure, order and install both draperies and shutters. It took a little bit longer to learn shutters-there was quite a bit more involved. It required familiarizing myself with a number of different applications." One of the most difficult tasks, however, came before Christopulos even set foot inside a customer's home. "The initial obstacle I had to overcome had to do with selling shutters, getting beyond apologizing for the cost. It wasn't until I actually went through a shutter production facility that I felt comfortable enough to give someone a price without an apology. It's a very expensive product in comparison with other treatments you can do on a window. I was able to justify the price after I saw what went into the production of shutters." In the tony suburbs north and west of Chicago, Christopulos has perfected his installation skills creating shutter treatments to satisfy discerning clients even in less-than-ideal situations. "The one thing that I find in the process of doing shutters now is that it does require more carpentry skills, especially in dealing with some of the various windows that are not as straightforward as others might be. The task of trying to make shutters fit and work is kind of a nice challenge," Christopulos says. His advice on shutters is to check everything twice. "Really be sure of your measurements when you're placing an order. Be sure that you've thought out the installation the best way you possibly can, that you've looked at all possible obstructions that might be in your way. The day that you don't, it will come back to bite you!" Christopulos says. He adds his favorite old carpenter's tip: "Measure twice, cut once.": All installations by Nick Christopulos. Shutters by Lafayette Venetian Blind, Inc.

The expansive windows in this north suburban Chicago, IL, home were treated with arched topped shutters. Although the windows do not reach all the way to the floor, the shutters were installed that way to create a whole-wall treatment. When opened, the shutter panels reveal the window's tiered framing.