Blind Audacity Blog
A monthly blog called Blind Audacity delivered on the first Sunday of the month about personal stories and milestones from a Window Treatment Installer. Here, I share tips, tricks, and plenty of personal stories from my 20+ years in the window treatment business. From tackling tricky installations to pulling off international projects (and even surviving hurricanes), this blog is where practical advice meets real-life experiences.
Whether you’re a pro in the field or just curious about the world of window coverings, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive in and make window treatments a little less daunting—and a lot more interesting!
Yours,
Roger Magalhāes
Learn more about me here
The Snooze Button of Life
The other morning, Ana asked me to wake her up at 7 a.m. because the contractor was coming at 9. Naturally, my brain went straight into logic mode: Two hours? For what?! She’s not driving anywhere. A quick shower, a cup of coffee and boom: she’s ready to roll. Thirty...
Fat Bike Meets Fat Biker
If we were sitting down for a drink right now, I’d admit this: I haven’t figured life out. I just keep pedaling and hope life doesn’t run me over first. September 2024 dropped three milestones on me: a birthday (with a fat bike I swore would make me look like an REI...
Grass, Grit & Guest Bedrooms
I didn't plan on becoming a grass-cutting expert. But life, my friend, has a funny way of handing you a machete and saying: "Good luck" I was born in the middle of a massive concrete jungle: São Paulo, Brazil. Where green space is rare, yards are microscopic (if they...
The Songs That Shaped Us (And Our Spaces)
In Memory of Ozzy Osbourne – 1948–2025 July was another month at full speed — hot, humid, dusty, and chaotic here at the Tampa headquarters of the Magalhães household. Nothing too different from the Brazilian craziness I share with you every month. But despite the...
Orange Frames & Furniture Shopping
It’s no secret: I love the color orange. I wear orange sneakers. My wallet has orange accents. Heck, even Shades In Place rocks orange in its branding. But wearing orange on my face? That might’ve been a stretch. Still, while shopping for new glasses (thanks to Father...
Same Sunset, Better Margaritas
I didn't plan to get philosophical in Key West. I mean, it's Key West. You're supposed to worry about sunburns, overpriced mojitos, and which bar makes the best key lime pie shot. Not contemplate the meaning of life while Jimmy Buffett plays in the background and a...
From Beantown to the Sunshine Hustle: Loyalty, Legacy & a Leap of Faith
Some transitions come with champagne toasts and grand announcements. Others happen more quietly—with packed boxes, deep breaths, and a heart full of mixed emotions. For Shades In Place, this journey represents both an evolution and a continuation of our commitment to...
Boston Built Me, Now Tampa Gets Me
It was January 2023. I had just returned from Brazil: sunny days, family, laughter, grilled meat, and caipirinhas. I was full of warmth—physically, emotionally, and culturally. My tank was topped off. Then came Boston. The cold hit differently that day. The wind...
Pensacola Expansion, Santa Fe Shades & My First Hockey Game
Hello Friend! February was a wild ride, filled with travels, training, tacos, and finally, the moment we’ve been waiting for… our home remodel is officially DONE!After months of dust, decisions, and debates over the perfect shade of paint (which, ironically, wasn’t a...
Five Years in Four Months: Chaos, Dust, and Lessons Learned!
Hello Friends! Ever had one of those months that felt like a year? Try four in a row! Since the first hurricane last September, life has been nonstop. Living in a construction zone is a survival challenge. If you think a job site is messy, try eating dinner in one!...