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Four Decades of Window Fashion

Kathy and Alan Lancaster celebrate 40 years beautifying homes with Window Magic

Article by Stephanie Parnell

Photography by Chris Spicks

Originally published in Cypress Lifestyle

When Kathy and Alan Lancaster worked for the same window treatment company in the late 1970s, they didn’t know they would fall in love and build a business of their own. They were working for the same company managing two different locations, living their separate lives. Fate has a funny way of stepping in though. They eventually met, started dating, and what came next was truly a labor of love that grew into something special.

Loving the window treatment business, but wanting to do it their own way, Kathy and Alan launched a company of their own called Window Magic out of a small one-bedroom apartment in 1981. They spent countless hours planning and working, passing out flyers in local neighborhoods. From humble beginnings, Kathy and Alan turned Window Magic into a local fixture, making homes more beautiful using their magic touch.

They’ve watched the latest trends and styles in window coverings evolve and have built a thriving business offering commercial and residential custom window treatments across the city of Houston. Their success is built on 40 plus years of knowledge in the industry and a core belief that customer service should be truly personal.

“If you hire us to create new shutters for your home, I’m coming to your house personally to take the measurements and get an idea of what you’re looking for and Kathy will explain the entire process to you from start to finish,” said Alan Lancaster. “It’s not like having someone random come out who is only in charge of selling window treatments but has little experience.”

From shutters to shades, blinds, draperies, and even patio shades, Window Magic offers uber-custom window treatments (to within an eighth of an inch) specifically designed for the most attractive–and practical effects in your home.

To Kathy and Alan, the idea of personalized service isn’t just lip service. As a family-owned business very familiar with the local community, they take serving the their customers with a personal touch seriously. Even their adorable little dog Holly, the Window Magic “mascot”, welcomes people into their showroom each day.

They’ve made hundreds of residential customers happy with their lifetime-guaranteed window coverings and have completed commercial projects for notable buildings throughout the city. Window Magic is also a Hunter Douglas gallery dealer, which is a rare thing nowadays. In an era of online shopping, it’s hard to find a place that sells window treatments that has an actual showroom where you can investigate window treatments up close.

“Customers who are ordering something like window coverings want to touch and feel the materials and see all of their options”, said Alan. “Our showroom gives people the chance to figure out how to operate all of the different types and see their choices of fabrics, colors, and materials.”

Beyond the variety of window treatment offerings and great service, visitors get the sense that Kathy and Alan could be friends, and many people stop in just to visit. Petting Holly might also have something to do with that too, though.

Window Magic

17743 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77064

(281) 955-5676

WindowMagicOnline.com

  • Alan, Kathy & Holly Lancaster

Businesses featured in this article