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Interiors Addict

8 reasons shutters are a game changer for your home

Sponsored by Half Price Blinds

Boy, do I love shutters! I really do! And I’m definitely not alone. I think most people would pick them if money were no object. And these days they’re actually a lot less expensive than they used to be.

Shutters are also known as plantation shutters and here are the top eight reasons I personally (as someone who has them at home) think they are worth the investment…

They last a long time

Unlike textile curtains or blinds which can fade, get tatty or dirty and dusty over time, shutters are solid and easy to clean. You’ll get many years out of your shutters with them looking the same as the day you installed them.

They work in every type of home

I challenge you to show me a home that shutters don’t look great in. While they’re perhaps traditionally thought of as suiting a Hamptons aesthetic, they really do work in homes of all styles and ages. I have them in our renovated sixties red brick house, they’re in plenty of new builds, and they look amazing in older, more traditional homes too. Their wide slats give a sleek and timeless feel to any interior.

They’re easy to clean

Now, let’s be realistic about it, just like Venetian blinds, they do of course catch dust, so you have to be prepared to dust them relatively often (our cleaner does it once a fortnight and they could definitely go longer than that) but every few months when they need an actual clean, just wipe them with a damp cloth (or a damp sock on your hand — top tip!) and they’re all fresh again.

They’ll add value to your home

With resale in mind, there is no doubt in my mind (and real estate agents agree) that a home with shutters looks more expensive and is one buyers will be prepared to pay that little bit more for, knowing they won’t have to worry about replacing window furnishings for years.

When you change your décor, they’ll still look perfect

Unlike some curtains and blinds, white or timber plantation shutters go with everything, so no matter how many times you change your paint colour, wallpaper or furniture, your shutters will be the perfect complement.

They’re asthma friendly

If you or someone in your family has asthma or allergies, having as few dust-collecting textiles around the place as possible has got to be a good idea, right? Dusty curtains versus wipe-cleanable shutters? It’s a no-brainer!

They’re adjustable

Whether you want full or filtered sunlight in, you can just tilt your shutters’ blades. You can have the blades split to open the top half separately –so you can have some daylight and some privacy–or some people just like the top four or five blades to open separately (this can be requested at the time of ordering). Year round, you can control your privacy and light with ease.

They don’t just come in white

Shutters can be made of wood or aluminium and while most people think of plantation shutters as white, they also come in a number of different timber stains and you can even make a statement by going black or silver!

Find out more about Half Price Blinds’ shutter offering, get a quote online and order six free samples. They come in aluminium or basswood timber and they offer free shipping on all shutter orders.

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RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

Quality DIY blinds on a budget

DIY-ing your blinds? Make sure you check out your local Bunnings! The keen renovators favourite DIY destination now stocks an extensive range of ready-made, easy to install blinds that are available in three popular Dulux colours to match existing decor. Super clever right?!

To help you choose the best blind for each room in your home, Bunnings Design Consultant Leanne Watson has provided her tips and tricks on choosing the perfect blinds for your specific needs.

Quality DIY blinds on a budget

A key part of any new home or re-design are the windows – and how we dress them makes all the difference. Choosing the best blinds for the eyes of your home is important, and with new and exciting innovative products, combining style and practicality has never been easier.

What to consider when choosing blinds

In addition to finding the best style to suit your room, take into consideration the privacy, light control and views. Remember, windows are a major source of heat loss, so the right blinds could even save you on your energy bill!

 

Living and Entertaining room – A central space in the home, the living room has many uses so it’s important to consider style and functionality. Day/Night roller blinds or full block-out roller blinds are both perfect options to create your desired level of block-out whilst maintaining a chic, minimal look.

Quality DIY blinds on a budget

Kitchen and Bathroom – The ‘wet zones’ of the home, like the kitchen and bathroom, require moisture resistant blinds such as those made with PVC or polyester – perfect for any areas exposed to water and steam.

Quality DIY blinds on a budget

Bedroom and nursery – Safety and privacy is key when selecting blinds for the kid’s rooms, and it’s good to know that there is always the option to choose cord-free blinds. Full block-out roller blinds are also a great option to minimise light, creating a tranquil sleeping environment.

Quality DIY blinds on a budget

To find out more about blinds for your space, visit your local Bunnings store to speak with a team member, or go online to view the widest range of window furnishings for all styles, rooms and budgets.

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Expert Tips Homewares

The expert’s rules and tips for choosing curtains

There’s no doubt shows like The Block have made curtains (especially sheers) cool again and someone reaping the rewards is Valley Vogue’s Belinda Sinclair. However, she argues they’ve never been out of fashion in her 15-year career!

Belinda Sinclair of Valley Vogue

Belinda was offered a traineeship at a custom curtain and interiors store in the Hunter Valley straight out of school. “I was there for nine years, the last three, being on the road looking after the measuring and quoting which I loved.”

After a break from working and having two children, Belinda and her husband decided she should give starting her own curtain business a go (“Let’s just say I wasn’t a good stay at home mum, but that’s a story for another day!”) and Valley Vogue was born in 2o11. Towards the end of of 2013, she went into a shared studio space in Newcastle’s King Street with long time friend and interior designer Melissa Webster of The Gather Collective. They’ve been there ever since.

“I have been working with curtains for 15 years now and in that time I don’t think curtains ever went out fashion as such. Shutters and blinds did take over a little in the early 2000s. Since curtains, in particular sheers, have been given more focus on shows like The Block, people have gone back to appreciating the value of fabric on their windows to soften a space.”

And what about ready-made curtains? Do they have a place? “I’m not a fan but then why would I be?” she jokes. “Having said that, there are some nice ones out there and if that’s what best suits your budget then go for it. The biggest thing is them being well fitted, not like a pair of three-quarter leg pants that aren’t actually supposed to be three-quarters! Have them touching, always touching, or just off the floor, just!

Linen or linen-look sheers are very popular at the moment. “Taking the curtains to ceiling height and, where possible and functional, wall to wall, is in. This not only adds height and makes your space feel bigger, it looks amazing.”

So, what should you expect to pay for custom curtains? That’s like asking how long a piece of string is! “With custom curtains, the main component or cost is that fabric. I always tell my clients you can spend $30 a metre or $330 a metre. Or more!”

Belinda’s top tips for choosing curtains

  • Check the fabric you select in the lighting it will be in. Check it against the paint, the carpet any other major furnishings. Colour can go very wrong and be very changeable, particularly when it comes to white.
  • Ask for more then one quote from your potential supplier. Select the fabric you absolutely love and then ask them for a quote on a cheaper but comparable fabric (if there is one!) so you have a fall back option.
  • Make sure you find a consultant on your wavelength and who you trust. Ask them about their after service (some don’t have one and won’t fix or adjust anything, even if it needs it!).
  • If you don’t understand something, ask. We will will often send an image of the curtain heading we are suggesting or that was discussed as this is where the lingo can be confusing and you need a visual.

–All photos of Belinda’s work. Belinda services Newcastle, the Hunter region and Sydney.

Find out more about Valley Vogue.

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Design DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Styling

Alisa & Lysandra on dressing (your windows) for success!

We see it all the time, properties where the owners have renovated the home from floor to ceiling covering every detail a potential buyer is looking for, until our gaze reaches the windows (inset cricket sounds).

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A beautiful property with inappropriate or dated window furnishings is a deal breaker for buyers. In a human analogy, it’s like a well-dressed woman turning up at a gala dinner wearing a gorgeous gown…in her wellies.

The case of no window treatments

In the hierarchy of your renovation budget, window furnishings should be amongst the top tasks on your expense list. Leaving your newly renovated property without window treatments is an automatic red flag for buyers that signals they need to invest extra dollars they often don’t have.

A house with no window treatments also lacks warmth and elegance, often jeopardizing the perceived value of the home.

The case of dated window treatments

You’ve renovated the entire property, but have run out of budget for new curtains or blinds. The ones currently in the property are still functional albeit a little dated and not matching to the new colour scheme of the home. Do you keep them or do you ditch them?

the blo

Replace them immediately!

If dollars are tight, you may be able to sell them online as secondhand window treatments provided that they are still in a good condition. With endless choices available you are bound to find a window treatment that will fit the budget, or stretch it conservatively, but whatever you do don’t have a blind spot when it comes to assessing and dressing your windows.

Curtains, blinds or both?

Your budget will determine your choices. If you’re renovating for profit, versus renovating to live in, you will also have different standards for the window treatments you wish to see. Layering is so important for creating aesthetic abundance and elegance in a home.

Window furnishings have a dual purpose; a functional one (keeping the light out, controlling room temperature) and an aesthetic one (creating the illusion of space, grandeur, softness and warmth)

Block out blinds will tick the functionality box, but why not add another layer of sheer curtains which will give you additional light and mood control!

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If you’re adding curtains to the property, it’s best to create the illusion of space by increasing their length so that they appear longer from floor to ceiling, even if your window is considerably smaller in size.

If you’re adding blinds, remember to review all the colour choices available to you. The days of white or beige blinds are long gone, and nowadays you can colour match your blinds to your wall colour therefore creating a seamless look that adds more dimension and flow to your interiors.

Are plantation shutters worth it?

Plantation shutters are gorgeous and opulent yet earthy, and can literally transform not only your windows but the entire look and feel of your home. They are low maintenance, ideal for families with asthma, and will look ‘as new’ in years to come.

Traditionally, renovators steer away from plantation shutters due to their cost, but we’re here to tell you that if you are ruling them out because of the dollars you need to think again! Market competition has really increased, and more suppliers are offering cost-effective options for plantation shutters that look incredibly beautiful but are manufactured at a cost of the usual retail price. Shop around and obtain not only three but four, five or six quotes. You’d be surprised how much you can save.

Balance is key

Not dressing your windows is just as bad as overdressing them.

Be conservative with your choices and always assess for balance. Heavily dressed windows in a minimalist home will stand out and feel out-of-place. Likewise, poorly dressed windows in a beautiful home will also have negative aesthetic repercussions.

Do you have a window furnishing question? We’d love to help.

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