Tell us about Blindo and how you got into window coverings.
Blindo was initially an idea that has turned into an amazing 13 year journey. We have always had a passion for homes, builds and interior design, having great contacts within the industry, the idea of Blindo came about. Beginning with a few retail customers, Blindo has now grown to a full team, in-house production working on some of the best properties in Queensland and Gold Coast.
What is currently trending for window coverings in luxury homes?
At the moment, we are seeing a huge trend with custom made curtains, especially Ripple Fold (or S-Fold) style. Interior Designers are loving the natural, linen-look flowing sheers throughout all areas of the home from living areas, bedrooms and even statement bathrooms. Adding a touch of luxe to any home as well as great privacy is something that clients are loving. There is a big emphasis on neutral tones, but we have seen a shift with introducing some darker schemes. Also, in recent years motorisation in curtains and roller blinds as well as external awnings has been extremely popular as people are now integrating smart home systems.
What are top do’s and don’ts when selecting window coverings?
There are quite a number of elements to consider when selecting window coverings that change for each home.
The Do’s
- Always be in touch with a window furnishing specialist early. The worst thing is waiting weeks for custom made products to be completed and your home has nothing on the windows. The earlier the better!
- Consider how you and your family live in the home. Some areas of the homes sometimes don’t necessarily need window coverings, or need a simple roller blind pending what room and the usage of that room. Alternatively, some rooms need blockout products to create that sense of privacy. In certain areas such as bathrooms and wet areas, you are limited with what products are going to have longevity. In some cases, we tell our clients to do the areas they need, and live in the house to see what needs to be added at a later date.
- Take advice from your window furnishing specialist. They know what is going to work and what isn’t. All homes are different in terms of layout, window configuration and size. Some products have limitations and others are perfect for that extra touch of luxe and privacy.
The Don’ts
- Do not always follow the latest trend. All homes are different, all personal preferences are different. Pick what works with you, your home and budget.
- Do not over crowd the window furnishings. Less is always more! With custom made curtains, roller blinds and shutters, there are so many options to choose from that are also customisable to your preferences.
- Do not be unprepared. When meeting with your window furnishing specialist, it is always good to have an idea of what you are wanting, or the look you are going for. Try and have some samples of paint colours, furniture, a look or theme of the home to make selections easier.
What makes a builder great to work with?
Working with a builder eliminates the don’t’s. Always working towards the end date and having conversations early whilst the build is still going on makes for seamless handover and move in. Being able to get access through to the home through the builder earlier and knowing the timeline of the build assists with preparation. It is easy when discussing window furnishings that require custom buildouts, recesses, motorisation, installation dates, access for check measures, colour schemes are easily accessible through the builder to make any allowances early. We love working with builders and creating a relationship with the construction team both onsite and off-site making the process seamless.
What is your favourite product right now and why?
That is a tricky one. At the moment we are loving our custom made curtains. We love how a curtain can change the feel of a home from being cold and uninviting to adding warmth and a luxe look. We love how customisable custom curtains can be from sheers, blockouts and even our velvets (if you want the best media room, a velvet is what you need!). Our in-house team are extremely passionate about our curtains and we add the extra touch of hemming the bottom of the curtains instead of having an exposed bottom weight, having clear wands and being able to create any curve and configuration makes a world of difference.