Interior Decorating Tips & Advice

Why Choose Made to Measure Roman Blinds?

Posted: Jun 07 2024

Roman blinds are very good for showing off large scale patterns, or for when a more architectural feel is required in a room. For example, you want to inset blinds within period window architraving.

They are neat and practical for offices and kids' rooms, and for windows where there is a radiator underneath or seating in front of it.

They can also be the most cost effective way to dress windows if you have set your heart on a very expensive fabric as you don't need as much fabric as for curtains!

Most importantly Made to Measure means the blinds will fit your window perfectly - ideal for non-standard window sizes.

We can help you design the perfect blinds for your home, whether you are in a period property with original features or in a contemporary styled new build.

We work closely with our clients to make the process as easy and relaxed as possible from design and measure, to make up and fitting.

Roman Blind Finishes

Roman blinds are available in different finishes, and can be unlined, lined, blackout lined and interlined. They can also be trimmed with contrasting fabric borders for a tailored look, or with poms poms and trimmings for children's rooms or for a softer, more traditional feel.

Roman blinds can be finished in two ways depending on the look required.

A "Stacked" finish is when the folds pull up under themselves so that the least amount of light is lost with the stack. The bottom panel will drop slightly lower than the folds to protect them from fading but the overall effect is a bit like a closed book when pulled up. This is a good finish for plain and striped fabrics or when a tailored look is required.

A "Waterfall" or "Cascade" finish is when the folds of fabric softly cascade under each other covering slightly more of the window when the blind is pulled up. This is a softer look ideal for bedrooms or for more traditional room schemes.

Hand-finished Roman Blinds

Our made to measure roman blinds are hand-finished as standard which means the front fabric is discreetly stab-stitched by hand to secure it to the linings and horizonal rods.

If interlining is required for warmth or to dampen acoustics, or is needed to support and protect more delicate fabrics such as silk & linen, we offer hand-finishing only.

Velvet blinds are hand-finished to avoid bruising the fabric.

Blinds with borders, trims, braids or pelmets to cover the sides of the headrail are also hand-finished.

Machine-finished Roman Blinds

Machine-finished blinds are a cheaper option and handy for small windows in halls, kitchens, and bathrooms.

With machine-finished roman blinds the lining and rods are machine-stitched to the front fabric creating horizontal rows of tiny needle holes which are visible when the blind is against the light. For this reason, they are not recommended for east facing bedrooms or for sunny rooms where pinpricks of light will be visible!

We offer machine-finishing on regular lined blinds only, and we do not offer it on delicate fabrics, checks, horizontal stripes, velvets, or on blinds requiring blackout.

Manually Operated Blinds & Child Safety

Child safety is key with all window treatments. All our roman blinds come with manually operated chain mechanism tracks as standard, with child-safe brass or silver chain side winders. The sidewinder length is determined by the blind's installation height, and must meet legislation as to the maximum length. All our blinds are fitted with safety devices that comply with the British Safety Standard BS EN 13120.
1. Rear Cord Breakaway Devices - These little round fixings on the reverse of a blind spring open to allow the cords to safely detach if undue weight is placed on the blind, or too much force is used when pulling up the blind. It is easy to pop the detached cord back through the little clip should this happen in everyday use.
2. Sidewinder Chain Breakaway Devices - These are fitted when the blind is 60cm or less from the floor and are designed to split the chain in two should undue weight or force be placed on the chain. The chain can easily be clipped back into the device when this happens.
3. Chain/Cord Tension Devices- these are fitted on larger blinds where the chain is 150cm from the floor. A small cog in the headrail keeps the chain under continuous tension but if undue force or weight is applied to the blind or chain it pops out taking the chain with it. The little cog and chain can easily be slotted back into the headrail should this occur in everyday use.
For safety, beds, cots and furniture must be moved away from any window fitted with a blind that has a side control mechanism, even with a safety device in place.

Wireless Motorised Roman Blinds

Motorised roman blinds are becoming increasingly popular for large blinds for windows or rooms requiring multiple blinds.

We can supply roman blinds fitted with wireless systems from Somfy or QMotion.

Please note that we do not fit any hard wired systems but can supply blinds to be connected to such systems (Lutron, Silent Gliss etc) by a qualified electrician.

We can fit Somfy's standard battery remote controlled system to smaller roman blinds up to w1.8m x 1.8m long. These are operated via a hand held or wall mounted lithium battery remote control.

For larger blinds where a heavy weight system is required we offer Somfy's Premium Rechargeable System on blinds up to w3m x 3m long, and the QMotion System on blinds up to w3m x 2.4m long. Blinds using these systems can be operated individually or in multiples via proprietary smart phone or tablet apps, or through home AI systems such as Amazon Alexa - ideal for enhancing home security.

If you would like help with your next curtain and blinds project, please do get in touch!
Colour Trends for 2024

Posted: Nov 13 2023

With our love of natural colours continuing to nurture our mood since the pandemic, the 2024 colour palette takes its inspiration from nature. Look to colours that recall the natural world: be they calming or liberating, rich and warm, or light and airy. From delicate blues, pinks and lavenders recalling misty landscapes; to the warm neutrals of earthy clays; to the rich umber and ochre tones, and deep chocolatey browns of conkers and chestnuts! Whether you wish to create spaces that feel happy and joyful, or comforting and relaxing, these colours are central to personal self-expression within your home!

1. Tranquil Blues

In tune with our focus on health and wellbeing, the experts are forecasting a shift away from saturated dark blues towards refreshing, watery aquas and serene, pale blues and denim shades that create tranquil, meditative spaces.

2. Calming Lavenders and Lilacs

Soothing lavender is a soft, spiritual colour that’s been steadily growing in popularity in 2023. Calming and comforting, use it to create a tranquil space in a bedroom or bathroom. Choose warm or cool shades depending on the room’s orientation.

(Credit: Architectural Digest)

3. Delicate Earth Pinks

After a year of bright Barbie sugar pinks, the trend for soft earthy powder pinks continues. Little Greene has chosen “Masquerade 334” as their colour of the year for 2024. Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene describes the natural hue as a "timeless on-trend tone that brings a natural tranquillity into the home" making it perfect for bedrooms and living areas to create a warming glow in the morning and evening alike.

4. Warming Neutrals

Warm off-whites, warm beiges and buttery tones continue to replace the cooler greys of the last few years. They provide an easy way to layer softness and texture and work well with a variety of natural wood tones.

One of the practical reasons warm neutrals are making a resurgence is that they help balance out the cool light from LED lighting so prevalent in our homes! Try Little Greene’s mid-tone "Travertine 319", and warm off-white colour scales "Silent White 331" and "Silent White Deep 329" shown below.

5. Decadent Darks

The move towards rich, cocooning paint colours such as dark chocolate browns and mid chestnut tones provides a warming backdrop to the natural wicker, wood, and stone materials of our contemporary interiors. Little Greene has introduced a delicious palette of nine indulgent colours inspired by rich chocolate, honey and caramel desserts including Mochi, Bombolone and Galette. Yum! These colours are ideal where you want something dramatic yet warm, and where you might have previously considered using charcoal or navy blue in say a dining room, study, or TV room. Colour drench in graduating tones or pair with warm off-white neutrals for a more traditional feel.
A Guide to Made to Measure Curtains

Posted: Oct 20 2020

Why Choose Made to Measure Curtains?

There are lots of reasons why it is worth considering made to measure curtains as an investment for your home that will last for years.
- They are designed, made and fitted specifically for your windows, even non-standard window sizes
- They can add beauty and elegance to your space, and with fabrics to complement your room scheme
- They help you to control light, heat, privacy and sound
- They can hide an ugly view or frame a beautiful one
- They are available in a multitude of styles, fabrics and finishes.
That said, the sheer number of fabrics, curtain styles and accessories available can sometimes make choosing made to measure curtains feel overwhelming!

We work closely with our clients to make the process as easy and relaxed as possible from design and measure, to make up and fitting.

Our Approach
- When taking your brief we discuss your personal style, your practical requirements and your budget.
- We recommend fabric choices and the most suitable curtain finishes for your window.
- We will advise you on the track or pole most suited to your window - from manual to corded and motorised. Or work with your existing fittings.
- We then take approximate sizes ahead of providing a ballpark estimate.
- If you are interested in going ahead, our skilled fitters will take final measurements and we will provide a formal estimate.
- On placing your order please allow 6 weeks (subject to fabric availability) for us to make-up your curtains before being hung and dressed by our fitters.
To discuss your project, please click here.
Curtain Headers

We will help you choose the most suitable header for your curtains that reflect your style and any practical considerations.

1. Pencil Pleat

A Pencil Pleat heading is made using a strung header tape which resembles a row of pencils laid side by side.

Our Pencil Pleat curtains are pleated to fit your exact window size and are best suited to a more informal look, smaller windows and in children's rooms.

Pencil Pleat curtains using thicker fabrics or interlinings are bulky so for this reason we don't recommend them on large recessed bay windows where the curtains are likely to cover much of the side windows when pulled back.

2. Pinch Pleat

Pinch Pleat is a traditional curtain heading used to create a classic luxury finish.

Pinch Pleat headings have permanent sewn-together pinch pleats - single, double or triple pinch pleats depending on fullness required.

Pinch Pleat curtains offer plenty of body but stack back more neatly on large windows than pencil pleat.

As with any of our curtain headers, they can be trimmed with decorative pompoms or beading, or have contrasting fabric borders.

3. Wave

Wave is a Silent Gliss system and is created through combining a specially designed heading tape with a specific track or tracked pole to give a soft and simple continuous wave effect on curtains and voiles.

Wave curtains are ideal for contemporary living spaces with large windows or bifold doors as they stack back very neatly when made with unlined voile or dim out fabrics.

Wave headers come in two sizes:
- 80mm wave offers a deeper wave with a larger distance from the front to the back
- 60mm wave which is shallower and smaller front to back, ideal for smaller recesses but will have a slightly larger stack back.
4. Eyelet

Eyelet is a modern heading where the curtain pole is threaded through the eyelets without the need for rings or hooks.

Eyelet curtains stack back neatly for a minimal look but are only suitable for straight windows as the eyelets cannot pass brackets on curved and bay window poles.

They are best suited to living areas as they are more likely to leak light from between the eyelet waves.

Curtain Linings

We make unlined, lined, blackout lined and interlined curtains, and will advise on what is most appropriate to your chosen fabric and the practical considerations of your home.

1. Unlined

Voiles or privacy curtains are typically unlined and are useful for diffusing light and protecting curtains, hiding an ugly view or blocking the neighbours!

Nowadays there are also lots of dim out and blackout fabrics available designed to be used unlined as well.

These are particularly useful for large windows such as bifold doors to shield glare, and in large loft windows where the curtains need to be stacked back within a recess, or to optimise light.

2. Blackout Lining

Blackout Lining is recommended where you need to block as much light as possible, for example in bedrooms and nurseries, or to protect fabrics from fading in sunlight.

3. Thermal Interlining

Interlining sits between the visible parts of your curtains – the main fabric and the lining. Similar in feel to cotton wool or a flannel blanket, it provides a layer of thermal and acoustic insulation to improve warmth and energy efficiency on single glazed windows, and to dampen external noise.

Interlining offers structural support to natural fabrics such as silk and linen, and to fine embroidered fabrics.

Interlining provides an additional layer of protection for delicate fabrics prolonging the life of your curtains.

And interlining changes the feel of the fabric dramatically. Many gorgeous fabrics can look a bit thin with just lining but when interlined they feel sumptuous and luxurious!

To discuss your project, please click here. We'd be happy to help you!
A Guide to Choosing the Right Paint

Posted: Oct 16 2020
Unsure which paint is best for your project? Here are some handy tips to help you choose the right colour, paint finish, paint type and paint quantity to prevent costly mistakes!...