Know what you need to know about curtains and blinds. Getting it right in your window furnishings can create amazing results, when you understand the key tips and design ideas to consider.

This episode is the first of a 2-part interview I have with Evan Montero. He’s the Co-founder and Managing Director of DIY Blinds, and he’s here to share some amazingly helpful info about window furnishings. Specifically, curtains and blinds.

(Head here to listen to Part 2, which is all about Plantation Shutters)

DIY Blinds is an online ordering site for window furnishings. With a huge range of products from blinds, to curtains, to plantation shutters, you have the ability to request fabric samples, choose your fabric, learn how to measure and install your blinds, and order them online … all from your sofa.

The DIY Blinds website does a great job of stepping you through the things you need to consider, and how to make your selections. And they’re made in Australia, mostly available within 2 weeks, and also have a 5 year warranty.

From my experience, homeowners don’t think about their window furnishings until late in their project.

Homeowners often leave their window furnishings until the home is finished and they’re moving in. They often don’t leave money in their budget, or tap into what’s possible with concealing tracks or motorisation, or understanding the limitations of fabrics and blind mechanisms.

I know from experience though, that the window furnishings can make such an amazing difference to the feel and performance of a space.

From adding to the colour palette, to providing privacy and shade, to improving the flexibility of a space by blocking out light during the daytime. And with all the glass we add to our modern homes because we want all that beautiful light and indoor / outdoor connection, if we overlook HOW we’ll put window furnishings on them, we may get stuck with an outcome we really don’t like, or that doesn’t work overall.

And I also can see the difference in homes when window furnishings have been thought about early.

There’s just a higher level of detailing and finish. It’s not necessarily going to cost extra money to have high finish and detailing … and in fact, when you build in these things early, you can actually save yourself money.

Evan is really passionate about homeowners knowing what they need to know, and also what’s possible in really elevating the detailing and finish of a home when you get these things factored in early to your project.

And he’s also really passionate about giving homeowners access to more affordable and great quality products by offering them online, and empowering them to directly access what they want, in a way that’s easy to understand.

In this first part of our interview, Evan shares info about why DIY Blinds started, some of the biggest mistakes homeowners make about window furnishings, and specific info on blinds and curtains.

I really hope you enjoy this episode. Listen now.

Below are images of the various styles and design options that Evan referred to in our interview …

Designer Curtain Tracks

Designer tracks are top mounted curtain tracks that can be installed directly to the ceiling. They’re slimline in profile, with a bevelled front edge, allowing the curtain track to be as inconspicuous as possible. The designer tracks allow the curtains to be the hero, and still appear as they drop from the ceiling.

• 

• 

• 

Built in Pelmets

Built in pelmets involve building a recessed cavity within a ceiling. Often, customers will recess their curtain tracks and roller blinds within the ceiling to allow for a streamline aesthetic by hiding unsightly componentry. The size of the built in pelmet is important, as it limits what products can be installed within the cavity. A common problem we face is customers don’t have enough room within their built in pelmets, which means customers have had to ‘settle’ with window furnishing solutions that aren’t what they would have preferred. For example, an S Fold curtain (the most popular heading type) requires a space of 150mm. However their pelmet width only measures 80mm.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Recessed Curtain Tracks

Recessed curtain tracks are a sophisticated, and elegant curtain track system that is only possible if you include your window furnishings within the planning/design phase of your build. The curtains won’t cost you more and the only additional expense will come from your builder. With that said most builders we work with will include provisions for recessed curtain tracks without charging extra. All the builder will need to do is provide batons in the right locations + advise the plasterer to leave a gap of 18mm within the plaster, parallel to any walls/windows that you plan on dressing with curtains. More info is in the PDF document from vanda titled ‘Flushfit Recessed Track & Components’.  Note this isn’t a DIY solution we recommend customers, we strongly encourage customers to allow us to install for them, and to engage us prior to plastering work is conducted.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

INTERIOR DESIGN 101: GAIN CLARITY AND CONFIDENCE FOR THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF YOUR FUTURE HOME

Would you like to simplify your choices, and have total clarity and confidence that your interior design will help create your beautiful, functional, feel-good home?

Interior Design 101 is a self-study, DIY program. It contains the full version of all interviews from the podcast, plus extra content specifically created for Interior Design 101.

And as a member of Interior Design 101, Evan is offering a fantastic saving on your DIY Blind orders … which frankly could pay for the cost of the course on its own!

You’ll also find full transcripts, videos, checklists, guides, and so much good stuff to support you in the Interior Design of your renovation, new home or a smaller project.

Interior Design 101 has been designed to help you gain clarity and confidence in all those selections and decisions you need to make for the finishes, fixtures, colours, materials and items you’ll be living with every day.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

To learn more about DIY Blinds, head here >>> WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

To learn more about the self-study, online program, Interior Design 101 >>> CLICK HERE

Head here to listen to Part 2, which is all about Plantation Shutters