The popularity of Victorian style properties are undergoing a revival, and plantation shutters for Essex and Hertfordshire period homes are a great investment to make, as they make the most of natural light and create privacy. Among the attractions in choosing Victorian style homes are the period features, such as cast iron or tiled fireplaces, oak floorboards and spacious rooms with high ceilings.
While some properties can be bought with the original features still intact, this is not the case with all properties; needs and fashions change with time, and, thanks to the advent of central heating, fireplaces were often ripped out or boarded over in the 1950s and 60s. However, owners of older style properties have been restoring period homes to their former glory with amazing results. Here, we shall take a look at some top tips for decorating a Victorian style property, including the installation of plantation shutters for Essex and Hertfordshire homes.
Plantation Shutters Essex – click here to find out more about our full range of wooden shutters for homes in East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London.
Victorian Properties – Your Style Guide
Period Living Room – Victorian properties are blessed with generously proportioned living rooms featuring bay windows, so with plantation shutters it is easy to make the most of natural light. If your Essex or Hertfordshire property faces a main road, you can use cafe style plantation shutters in conjunction with curtains or blinds: so you can leave the top part of the window uncovered during the day, and shut the blinds or curtains at night to keep out prying eyes. Bay windows can be turned into a focal point in the living room by fitting a window seat with storage under.
Lighting is an important part of interior design, and in addition to the light from outdoors, you can achieve a wonderful ambience with artificial lighting. Consider a show stopping ceiling light, such as an attractive Victorian chandelier, and layer your lighting with picture lights, side lamps and floor lamps. This means you can change the lighting to create just the right atmosphere an instant.
Another attractive feature of a Victorian living room is the fireplace; and if you don’t already have one in this room, you can source a reclaimed one to suit your home. Cosy armchairs, a beautiful antique rug, and even a writing desk, will complete the look of this space to dramatic effect. Or, if a modern interior is more your style, you can combine the traditional features of your property with comfy sofas, colourful oversized art work, sculptures and contemporary soft furnishings.
Victorian Dining Room – An upmarket Victorian dining room was sometimes wooden panelled, with an oil painting or an ornate gilt framed mirror hung above the fireplace. A stunning chandelier would hang above a polished rectangular solid wood table, and this would be very much the focal point of the room; it would be luxuriously dressed with the finest glassware, silverware and porcelain.
Again, it is important to make the most of natural light in this space, and although solid wood shutters are a great choice for this room, bespoke plantation shutters create an elegant but contemporary twist on a period property.
Older Style Bathroom – If you want to turn a Victorian bathroom into a haven of tranquillity, consider a cast iron claw foot bath in the centre of the room, and a wooden chair to hang your clothes on.
A dressing table with an antique chamber pot is an attractive addition to a Victorian bathroom – you can even use it as an alternative place to store your make-up and face creams! For further storage ideas, antique wooden chests are a great place to keep your clean towels, as they’ll always be within easy reach.
As Victorian bathrooms often have large sash windows, tier on tier shutters allow you to open the window while still letting the natural light through, or if you live out in the countryside and are not overlooked, cafe style plantation shutters are another option for your Essex or Hertfordshire home.
The Victorian Bedroom – When you think of a Victorian bedroom, the chances are lace bed throws, pillowcases, and cast iron or canopy beds will spring to mind. Large mirrors above the dressing table creates a pretty feature and is practical too, as you will always have somewhere to sit for personal grooming.
Stripped wooden floorboards can be made cosy and warm in winter with the addition of a period rug, which will also add colour to this space. Again, wooden shutters are a great choice for large windows, as they fit with any décor and will make your bedroom appear light and airy.
Plantation Shutters Hertfordshire – click here to find out more about our beautiful range of solid wood shutters for your UK home or business.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Loft Apartments - Creating the Perfect Contemporary Interior with Plantation Shutters London
Loft and warehouse apartments appeal to flat hunters wanting something individual and unique. After you have moved in, furnishings are a way to put your own stamp on your new home. One of the first things that you will want to think about is the window coverings – and shutters for a London apartment are a fantastic choice, for several reasons.
If you are looking for plantation shutters for your new apartment, Bespoke Shutters is bound to have a design which will create the right impression, giving a feeling of modern elegance and warmth. Plantation shutters are a great choice because:
The contemporary look of plantation shutters is one of the main reasons for choosing them in a London home. Loft apartments are often in attractive and unusual old buildings such as converted factories, which benefit from certain features, such as piping, exposed brickwork, or ironwork. Shutters will help to make the most of these features rather than getting in the way as curtains might do.
Also, in a building like this you may have a spectacular view that you don't want to block. Using shutters, you can alter the slats to keep the view, but tilt them slightly so no-one can look up and see through to your living room or bedroom.
Shutters London – click here for details about our products.
Decorating Your Loft Apartment
Industrial Look – If your loft apartment is in a converted factory, then choosing industrial furniture will help to give a flavour of the building's heritage. Coffee tables and shelving made from metal and wood, perhaps using reclaimed materials such as industrial pine, are among the items to consider here. Choosing wooden shutters rather than curtains will tone in well with the industrial furniture and help to create a complete look. You could also use office-style shelving and dining chairs in metallic orange or blue for a splash of colour, or maybe have a really unusual centrepiece such as a table made from an old clock.
White Furnishings – One of the main attractions of loft living is that your apartment is likely to be full of light, and choosing white paintwork and furniture will emphasise this. White bedspreads, sofas and chairs all help to give a feeling of space. If you don't think a white carpet is practical for everyday use, you could choose wooden flooring, which goes well with white, or maybe rush matting. Coloured shutters will make your windows into eye-catching features, or you might want to keep everything white, including the shutters, with just a few coloured accessories standing out.
Monochrome – Black and white make a dramatic combination which can help to give a loft apartment a clean, modern and minimalist atmosphere. Metal and glass furniture, such as coffee tables and angle lamps, can contribute to the stark, pared down look. You may also want to consider futons or modular chairs and sofas. Jazzy black and white wallpapers are a popular choice, or go for plain white walls with a few framed photographs or abstract paintings. Painted white shutters for a London loft decorated in this style will be the perfect finishing touch. Alternatively, choose a single bright colour, such as red or yellow, to create a sharp contrast.
Retro – Perhaps ultra-modern looks are not for you and you prefer older styles of furniture. You might want to furnish your loft with antiques, reproduction pieces and period style soft furnishings, working together to create a warm and welcoming feeling. Or perhaps you are a fan of an era such as the 1950s and enjoy scouring second-hand shops and fairs for items which fit your own personal style, such as quirky individual chairs or even a jukebox. Plain wooden plantation shutters will help to create a retro and alternative atmosphere. If you would prefer coloured shutters, Bespoke Shutters can come up with shades to match your apartment's paintwork, including Farrow and Ball colours.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters are specialists in fitting shutters in the London area, with a wide range of plantation and solid shutters to choose from. We are highly experienced and have designs to suit all styles of interior.
Bespoke Shutters – to see our range of plantation shutters click here.
If you are looking for plantation shutters for your new apartment, Bespoke Shutters is bound to have a design which will create the right impression, giving a feeling of modern elegance and warmth. Plantation shutters are a great choice because:
- Noise levels are cut by up to 50 per cent, which is a real bonus in an older or listed property where it isn't practical to fit double-glazing.
- They can let the light stream in, without affecting privacy, as slats can be adjusted to suit your requirements.
- They allow you to block out harmful UV light.
- This type of window covering will boost your security, as shutters stop passers-by being able to see in.
- They are also good for insulation, keeping the flat warm and cosy in winter and cool in summer.
- Shutters will complement your décor, as the clean lines fit in well with a contemporary interior.
The contemporary look of plantation shutters is one of the main reasons for choosing them in a London home. Loft apartments are often in attractive and unusual old buildings such as converted factories, which benefit from certain features, such as piping, exposed brickwork, or ironwork. Shutters will help to make the most of these features rather than getting in the way as curtains might do.
Also, in a building like this you may have a spectacular view that you don't want to block. Using shutters, you can alter the slats to keep the view, but tilt them slightly so no-one can look up and see through to your living room or bedroom.
Shutters London – click here for details about our products.
Decorating Your Loft Apartment
Industrial Look – If your loft apartment is in a converted factory, then choosing industrial furniture will help to give a flavour of the building's heritage. Coffee tables and shelving made from metal and wood, perhaps using reclaimed materials such as industrial pine, are among the items to consider here. Choosing wooden shutters rather than curtains will tone in well with the industrial furniture and help to create a complete look. You could also use office-style shelving and dining chairs in metallic orange or blue for a splash of colour, or maybe have a really unusual centrepiece such as a table made from an old clock.
White Furnishings – One of the main attractions of loft living is that your apartment is likely to be full of light, and choosing white paintwork and furniture will emphasise this. White bedspreads, sofas and chairs all help to give a feeling of space. If you don't think a white carpet is practical for everyday use, you could choose wooden flooring, which goes well with white, or maybe rush matting. Coloured shutters will make your windows into eye-catching features, or you might want to keep everything white, including the shutters, with just a few coloured accessories standing out.
Monochrome – Black and white make a dramatic combination which can help to give a loft apartment a clean, modern and minimalist atmosphere. Metal and glass furniture, such as coffee tables and angle lamps, can contribute to the stark, pared down look. You may also want to consider futons or modular chairs and sofas. Jazzy black and white wallpapers are a popular choice, or go for plain white walls with a few framed photographs or abstract paintings. Painted white shutters for a London loft decorated in this style will be the perfect finishing touch. Alternatively, choose a single bright colour, such as red or yellow, to create a sharp contrast.
Retro – Perhaps ultra-modern looks are not for you and you prefer older styles of furniture. You might want to furnish your loft with antiques, reproduction pieces and period style soft furnishings, working together to create a warm and welcoming feeling. Or perhaps you are a fan of an era such as the 1950s and enjoy scouring second-hand shops and fairs for items which fit your own personal style, such as quirky individual chairs or even a jukebox. Plain wooden plantation shutters will help to create a retro and alternative atmosphere. If you would prefer coloured shutters, Bespoke Shutters can come up with shades to match your apartment's paintwork, including Farrow and Ball colours.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters are specialists in fitting shutters in the London area, with a wide range of plantation and solid shutters to choose from. We are highly experienced and have designs to suit all styles of interior.
Bespoke Shutters – to see our range of plantation shutters click here.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Home Decorating: Beautifying Your Kitchen with Plantation Shutters London
As most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it is essential to keep it looking good – and installing plantation shutters from London-based Bespoke Shutters will enhance the room. When entertaining, you might want to keep guests out of the kitchen, but in practice they will often end up coming in to talk to you while you are cooking, or even to help with washing up. So the appearance of this room is just as important as that of areas like the living room.
As well as looking good, it is also obviously vital that your kitchen functions well and is logically laid out, so that you don't lose a lot of time when preparing food. Whether your kitchen is contemporary or traditional, plantation shutters are a great choice, and London firm Bespoke Shutters has a range of styles to suit your interior.
Café-style louvre shutters are especially popular for kitchens, as a stylish and practical alternative to net curtains. The shutters are very versatile and give privacy, as you can open a window to air the room and get rid of cooking smells while still having the slats closed so people can't see in from outside. Also, shutters will not absorb odours as curtains do, and will prove much easier to keep clean, which is especially vital in a kitchen area.
Plantation Shutters London – click here to browse our range.
Getting the Right Look for Your Kitchen
If you are designing a kitchen from scratch, then you will plan the space and ensure that all the elements work together well. Equally, if you are adding to or enhancing an existing kitchen, then you will want to make sure that the items you are adding improve the look and functionality of the whole. Installing shutters will work well either way, providing privacy while helping to give the whole room a lift and toning with your décor. Plantation shutters from our range are the ideal choice, whether you are having a whole new kitchen installed or just making some alterations to an existing one, such as installing new fronts or worktops for existing units.
Traditional Kitchen
You don't have to live in a farmhouse, or even in the country, to hanker for a traditional rustic kitchen. Many people in towns and cities are equally keen on this type of design, which could include distressed pine or oak units and perhaps even an antique style dresser, as well as tiled or brick floors. Shutters at the window are all part of the effect.
You could either opt for a natural wood finish or for painted units, while including finishing touches like cast iron handles will give an extra touch of class. Window shutters will also work well with this type of look. For instance, you might decide on shutters in a natural wood finish if you have a lot of wood in your kitchen, or you might prefer painted shutters with a shade to match your walls, tiles and worktops. We have a wide choice of colours in our range and can match any shade of paintwork.
Contemporary Kitchen
Clean lines are key to a modern kitchen's look, and installing plantation shutters can contribute to this. A room of this type will often be fitted out with gleaming white or grey units and a lot of steel and glass to add to the hi-tech appearance. You might also want to include a white breakfast bar complete with black stools.
A single bright colour could also be used to add interest to the room, perhaps with some units or tiling in green, red or orange to contrast with the stark monochrome. Modern industrial-style lighting is another feature which can add to the look, along with a black, white or grey tiled floor. Island units are another popular item to include.
Unlike net curtains, shutters will go perfectly with this type of kitchen, as their streamlined style is in perfect keeping with a contemporary theme. We have a wide range of options, so you could choose shutters painted in black or white or a bright colour, or select natural wood, which will go well with modern as well as traditional design themes.
Kitchen-Diner
Some houses have a larger kitchen, with an open-plan area also including a dining section If your house is laid out like this, you may want to have a different type of look for the kitchen and diner, but at the same time it is important that they go well together. So, for instance, you might have a wooden dining table in the same shade as the wood of your kitchen units. You could either choose the same type of shutters throughout, or have different ones in the different areas of the room, such as louvred café shutters in the kitchen section and full-length shutters if there is a large window in the diner area.
About Bespoke Shutters
If you are looking for plantation shutters in the London area, then Bespoke Shutters have a wide selection which is bound to meet your requirements. Get in touch now to find out more about our range, which includes solid and bathroom shutters and will suit all shapes and sizes of window.
Shutters London – get in touch now to find out more.
As well as looking good, it is also obviously vital that your kitchen functions well and is logically laid out, so that you don't lose a lot of time when preparing food. Whether your kitchen is contemporary or traditional, plantation shutters are a great choice, and London firm Bespoke Shutters has a range of styles to suit your interior.
Café-style louvre shutters are especially popular for kitchens, as a stylish and practical alternative to net curtains. The shutters are very versatile and give privacy, as you can open a window to air the room and get rid of cooking smells while still having the slats closed so people can't see in from outside. Also, shutters will not absorb odours as curtains do, and will prove much easier to keep clean, which is especially vital in a kitchen area.
Plantation Shutters London – click here to browse our range.
Getting the Right Look for Your Kitchen
If you are designing a kitchen from scratch, then you will plan the space and ensure that all the elements work together well. Equally, if you are adding to or enhancing an existing kitchen, then you will want to make sure that the items you are adding improve the look and functionality of the whole. Installing shutters will work well either way, providing privacy while helping to give the whole room a lift and toning with your décor. Plantation shutters from our range are the ideal choice, whether you are having a whole new kitchen installed or just making some alterations to an existing one, such as installing new fronts or worktops for existing units.
Traditional Kitchen
You don't have to live in a farmhouse, or even in the country, to hanker for a traditional rustic kitchen. Many people in towns and cities are equally keen on this type of design, which could include distressed pine or oak units and perhaps even an antique style dresser, as well as tiled or brick floors. Shutters at the window are all part of the effect.
You could either opt for a natural wood finish or for painted units, while including finishing touches like cast iron handles will give an extra touch of class. Window shutters will also work well with this type of look. For instance, you might decide on shutters in a natural wood finish if you have a lot of wood in your kitchen, or you might prefer painted shutters with a shade to match your walls, tiles and worktops. We have a wide choice of colours in our range and can match any shade of paintwork.
Contemporary Kitchen
Clean lines are key to a modern kitchen's look, and installing plantation shutters can contribute to this. A room of this type will often be fitted out with gleaming white or grey units and a lot of steel and glass to add to the hi-tech appearance. You might also want to include a white breakfast bar complete with black stools.
A single bright colour could also be used to add interest to the room, perhaps with some units or tiling in green, red or orange to contrast with the stark monochrome. Modern industrial-style lighting is another feature which can add to the look, along with a black, white or grey tiled floor. Island units are another popular item to include.
Unlike net curtains, shutters will go perfectly with this type of kitchen, as their streamlined style is in perfect keeping with a contemporary theme. We have a wide range of options, so you could choose shutters painted in black or white or a bright colour, or select natural wood, which will go well with modern as well as traditional design themes.
Kitchen-Diner
Some houses have a larger kitchen, with an open-plan area also including a dining section If your house is laid out like this, you may want to have a different type of look for the kitchen and diner, but at the same time it is important that they go well together. So, for instance, you might have a wooden dining table in the same shade as the wood of your kitchen units. You could either choose the same type of shutters throughout, or have different ones in the different areas of the room, such as louvred café shutters in the kitchen section and full-length shutters if there is a large window in the diner area.
About Bespoke Shutters
If you are looking for plantation shutters in the London area, then Bespoke Shutters have a wide selection which is bound to meet your requirements. Get in touch now to find out more about our range, which includes solid and bathroom shutters and will suit all shapes and sizes of window.
Shutters London – get in touch now to find out more.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Creating the Perfect Hallway and Landing with Elegant Shutters
Hallways and landings may not be the first areas you think of when considering shutters for your London home, as you are more likely to associate this type of window covering with the living area or bedroom. However, if you are looking for the perfect hallway shutters, London based Bespoke Shutters has a wide variety of elegant window shutters available for this space.
Whether you are looking for shutters to suit an odd-shaped window, coloured shutters, or motorised shutters, we at Bespoke Shutters will provide the perfect choice to enhance your interior.
Bespoke Shutters – click here for information about our range.
Shutters London: Finding the Ideal Window Coverings for the Hallway
The hallway is not always a small, unlit space. In some homes, the hallway can be almost the size of a living area and it could be a well-lit space with floor-to-ceiling windows, or even unusual-shaped windows, such as round or oval ones. Landings may also be large areas in some older homes.
There are a number of reasons why you would want to have window coverings for this space: not only for privacy, but also for the sake of security. Perhaps you might have some elegant artwork or a sculpture in this part of the house, which you don't want on public view. Or, if you are going on holiday, you may not want to advertise the fact by allowing passers-by to see the post building up in the hallway.
Windows in your hallway aren’t always easily accessible; for example, you might have porthole windows in this area which are high up and impossible to reach, but you may still want window coverings for this space. This would give added privacy and prevent anyone walking past from seeing you walking up or downstairs in the evenings, or early morning when the light is on.
So, what’s the solution? Curtains are not always the ideal choice for a hallway, since it is hard to find curtains to suit odd shaped windows and, in any case, curtain fabric may not fit in with the style of your interior – particularly if you have a modern or contemporary home. Also, if you have pets, such as cats for instance, they may be tempted to play with curtains in the hall.
A more suitable choice for your hallway may be the sleek, clean lines of plantation shutters, which also offer more flexibility as you can vary the light levels by altering the slats. These shutters look spectacular in any interior and we can provide them in any colour to suit the style of your home. Whether you have a modern interior or a traditional one with period features, Bespoke Shutters can match the shade of your paintwork, even closely matching Farrow and Ball colours.
Your hallway may have an unusual shaped window: perhaps a triangle or a circle or, for instance if your home is a converted church or chapel, an arch. However, this is not a problem, as Bespoke Shutters can always install shutters to fit and, if necessary, they can be custom-made to suit the space.
Quarter-round and eyebrow shutters are both available, while a circular shutter is the ideal solution for covering porthole windows. Alternatively, if you want something more individual, an octagonal or hexagonal shutter could also be used to fit a circular porthole space.
We also provide half-round shutters, which are often known as sunburst shutters because the louvres within the semi-circle shape resemble rays of sunshine. For an arch-shape, which is one of the most popular unusual windows, it is possible to use a sunburst design combined with vertical shutters or, if you prefer, you could also choose a multi-panelled two-piece arrangement opening to both the left and right.
If you have windows that you can’t reach, we can also install motorised shutters in your London home. These shutters can be operated by touching a button, which means they are very safe, as there will be no need to climb or stand precariously on stools in order to reach up and open or close the shutters. Our motor-driven shutters are smooth to operate, are not noisy, and are suitable for every area of your home including the landing or hallway.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The Bespoke Shutter Company are the experts at fitting shutters in the London area that are designed to fit customers' exact requirements and our range includes plantation shutters, blinds and solid shutters. Quality is our watchword and we pride ourselves on the highest standards of production, meaning you can be sure that your beautiful new shutters will be an asset to your home for many years.
Shutters London – click here to get started.
Whether you are looking for shutters to suit an odd-shaped window, coloured shutters, or motorised shutters, we at Bespoke Shutters will provide the perfect choice to enhance your interior.
Bespoke Shutters – click here for information about our range.
Shutters London: Finding the Ideal Window Coverings for the Hallway
The hallway is not always a small, unlit space. In some homes, the hallway can be almost the size of a living area and it could be a well-lit space with floor-to-ceiling windows, or even unusual-shaped windows, such as round or oval ones. Landings may also be large areas in some older homes.
There are a number of reasons why you would want to have window coverings for this space: not only for privacy, but also for the sake of security. Perhaps you might have some elegant artwork or a sculpture in this part of the house, which you don't want on public view. Or, if you are going on holiday, you may not want to advertise the fact by allowing passers-by to see the post building up in the hallway.
So, what’s the solution? Curtains are not always the ideal choice for a hallway, since it is hard to find curtains to suit odd shaped windows and, in any case, curtain fabric may not fit in with the style of your interior – particularly if you have a modern or contemporary home. Also, if you have pets, such as cats for instance, they may be tempted to play with curtains in the hall.
A more suitable choice for your hallway may be the sleek, clean lines of plantation shutters, which also offer more flexibility as you can vary the light levels by altering the slats. These shutters look spectacular in any interior and we can provide them in any colour to suit the style of your home. Whether you have a modern interior or a traditional one with period features, Bespoke Shutters can match the shade of your paintwork, even closely matching Farrow and Ball colours.
Your hallway may have an unusual shaped window: perhaps a triangle or a circle or, for instance if your home is a converted church or chapel, an arch. However, this is not a problem, as Bespoke Shutters can always install shutters to fit and, if necessary, they can be custom-made to suit the space.
Quarter-round and eyebrow shutters are both available, while a circular shutter is the ideal solution for covering porthole windows. Alternatively, if you want something more individual, an octagonal or hexagonal shutter could also be used to fit a circular porthole space.
We also provide half-round shutters, which are often known as sunburst shutters because the louvres within the semi-circle shape resemble rays of sunshine. For an arch-shape, which is one of the most popular unusual windows, it is possible to use a sunburst design combined with vertical shutters or, if you prefer, you could also choose a multi-panelled two-piece arrangement opening to both the left and right.
If you have windows that you can’t reach, we can also install motorised shutters in your London home. These shutters can be operated by touching a button, which means they are very safe, as there will be no need to climb or stand precariously on stools in order to reach up and open or close the shutters. Our motor-driven shutters are smooth to operate, are not noisy, and are suitable for every area of your home including the landing or hallway.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The Bespoke Shutter Company are the experts at fitting shutters in the London area that are designed to fit customers' exact requirements and our range includes plantation shutters, blinds and solid shutters. Quality is our watchword and we pride ourselves on the highest standards of production, meaning you can be sure that your beautiful new shutters will be an asset to your home for many years.
Shutters London – click here to get started.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Shutters London - How to Beautify Your Living Room with Plantation Shutters
Choosing plantation shutters for your new living room will give a sense of privacy and warmth right from the start. When you move into a new home, the living room is likely to be the first place you want to decorate as it is in constant daily use. This is the place where the family will relax and welcome visitors, so it is important to get the room just how you want it and really make it your own.
As you choose your colour scheme, one way to give some added light is to choose shutters rather than heavy curtains. Shutters are a good choice because they fit in with any decor and style, from traditional to modern, and they are easy to keep clean, making them a hygienic choice.
If you are thinking of installing shutters for your London or Essex living room, here are some ideas to create the best looks for your home.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Period Living Room
Traditional or period style living rooms tend to be larger than those in more modern homes, with high ceilings and a great sense of space. They are also likely to have individual features which you will be keen to highlight, such as alcoves, fireplaces or wall panelling. There may even be attractive old brickwork or a fireplace hidden by previous owners, maybe during the 1970s.
A light or neutral paint will help to bring out details such as woodwork and cornicing. Alternatively, you may want to choose traditional-style wallpaper and perhaps use paint in the corners to emphasise particular features.
When you set about fitting out the room, you can build on the feeling of history by choosing antique furniture. A country-style or French sofa will help to create a welcoming atmosphere, while an antique mirror in a gilt frame, carefully placed, can add to the feeling of light.
Wall lighting is a good choice for a living room, or, if you have a high ceiling, you may want to go for a chandelier as a central point. Pictures can also add to the period atmosphere, and it is easy to pick up portraits or landscapes to your own taste at an auction or antique shop. Or just buy a period-style frame and use it for a painting or photograph of your choice.
If you are lucky enough to have a bay window, this is a feature you will want to emphasise, and plantation shutters can help to do this and make the most of the space. You can even choose shutters to match the paintwork. Traditional Farrow & Ball paint shades are extremely popular in period homes and Bespoke Shutters can match these up to be as close to your chosen shade as possible.
Contemporary Living Room
Contemporary living rooms may well be open-plan, leading straight into the dining area. They are likely to be light and airy. Plantation shutters are a flexible choice for this type of room, taking up far less room than curtains and helping to create a feeling of space even if the room is relatively small. You can keep the top part of the shutters permanently open to let the light in and adjust the slats at the bottom as you wish.
To help make the whole room feel fresh and modern, you may want to choose a light-coloured carpet. A solid shade is likely to give an illusion of more space but, if you prefer, a geometric pattern will add interest, especially if combined with plain walls. You could also plump for a more jazzy style of wall-covering if you prefer.
Keeping to a minimalist flavour, choose a modern sofa and armchairs, perhaps in a bright colour or keep it simple and choose black or white. A modular sofa could be built to your own requirements. Alternatively, if space is at a premium, then a futon or a sofa bed may be a good idea so that the living room can double as a guest bedroom on occasion. For coffee tables and shelving, a good choice is stark black or white, a light wood or even steel and glass.
Modern sidelights or spotlights will help to make the most of the room and, if you are keeping the top section of the shutters open, a contemporary chandelier will really frame this space.
Bohemian Living Room
If you want to go for an individual, Bohemian-style living room, then plantation shutters are once again the perfect choice. A colourful leaf-print wallpaper combined with multi-coloured soft furnishings helps to give a feeling of Paris or London a century ago. You could also go for a hand-woven rug or, for a cheaper option, jazz up plain furniture with layers of bright throws.
In this type of room, more really is more, so you can mix vivid colours and patterns which might not be conventionally put together. Each piece you choose should be unique and add to the feeling of shabby-chic comfort. Second-hand items from different eras and parts of the world will all complement one another. Floral wallpaper together with a vintage bamboo couch and a Victorian table, for example, could all work to make the room feel different and exciting.
Shutters can help to give your London room an ethnic and alternative feeling. Wooden shutters are thought to have originated in ancient Greece, and then spread to other parts of the Mediterranean before Spanish colonists brought them to the American South. They are also popular in Jamaica and bring a feeling of warmth and comfort wherever they are used.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters, based in London, are the experts in installing beautiful plantation shutters and solid shutters. For more information, click on the link below.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
As you choose your colour scheme, one way to give some added light is to choose shutters rather than heavy curtains. Shutters are a good choice because they fit in with any decor and style, from traditional to modern, and they are easy to keep clean, making them a hygienic choice.
If you are thinking of installing shutters for your London or Essex living room, here are some ideas to create the best looks for your home.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Period Living Room
Traditional or period style living rooms tend to be larger than those in more modern homes, with high ceilings and a great sense of space. They are also likely to have individual features which you will be keen to highlight, such as alcoves, fireplaces or wall panelling. There may even be attractive old brickwork or a fireplace hidden by previous owners, maybe during the 1970s.
A light or neutral paint will help to bring out details such as woodwork and cornicing. Alternatively, you may want to choose traditional-style wallpaper and perhaps use paint in the corners to emphasise particular features.
When you set about fitting out the room, you can build on the feeling of history by choosing antique furniture. A country-style or French sofa will help to create a welcoming atmosphere, while an antique mirror in a gilt frame, carefully placed, can add to the feeling of light.
Wall lighting is a good choice for a living room, or, if you have a high ceiling, you may want to go for a chandelier as a central point. Pictures can also add to the period atmosphere, and it is easy to pick up portraits or landscapes to your own taste at an auction or antique shop. Or just buy a period-style frame and use it for a painting or photograph of your choice.
If you are lucky enough to have a bay window, this is a feature you will want to emphasise, and plantation shutters can help to do this and make the most of the space. You can even choose shutters to match the paintwork. Traditional Farrow & Ball paint shades are extremely popular in period homes and Bespoke Shutters can match these up to be as close to your chosen shade as possible.
Contemporary Living Room
Contemporary living rooms may well be open-plan, leading straight into the dining area. They are likely to be light and airy. Plantation shutters are a flexible choice for this type of room, taking up far less room than curtains and helping to create a feeling of space even if the room is relatively small. You can keep the top part of the shutters permanently open to let the light in and adjust the slats at the bottom as you wish.
To help make the whole room feel fresh and modern, you may want to choose a light-coloured carpet. A solid shade is likely to give an illusion of more space but, if you prefer, a geometric pattern will add interest, especially if combined with plain walls. You could also plump for a more jazzy style of wall-covering if you prefer.
Keeping to a minimalist flavour, choose a modern sofa and armchairs, perhaps in a bright colour or keep it simple and choose black or white. A modular sofa could be built to your own requirements. Alternatively, if space is at a premium, then a futon or a sofa bed may be a good idea so that the living room can double as a guest bedroom on occasion. For coffee tables and shelving, a good choice is stark black or white, a light wood or even steel and glass.
Modern sidelights or spotlights will help to make the most of the room and, if you are keeping the top section of the shutters open, a contemporary chandelier will really frame this space.
Bohemian Living Room
If you want to go for an individual, Bohemian-style living room, then plantation shutters are once again the perfect choice. A colourful leaf-print wallpaper combined with multi-coloured soft furnishings helps to give a feeling of Paris or London a century ago. You could also go for a hand-woven rug or, for a cheaper option, jazz up plain furniture with layers of bright throws.
In this type of room, more really is more, so you can mix vivid colours and patterns which might not be conventionally put together. Each piece you choose should be unique and add to the feeling of shabby-chic comfort. Second-hand items from different eras and parts of the world will all complement one another. Floral wallpaper together with a vintage bamboo couch and a Victorian table, for example, could all work to make the room feel different and exciting.
Shutters can help to give your London room an ethnic and alternative feeling. Wooden shutters are thought to have originated in ancient Greece, and then spread to other parts of the Mediterranean before Spanish colonists brought them to the American South. They are also popular in Jamaica and bring a feeling of warmth and comfort wherever they are used.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters, based in London, are the experts in installing beautiful plantation shutters and solid shutters. For more information, click on the link below.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Bespoke Shutters London – Creating the Perfect Bedroom with Plantation Shutters
When it comes to giving your home a makeover, the bedroom is one of the most important rooms to get right. It’s your personal space and is where you sleep and rest so it's vital to create an atmosphere of peace. One way to enhance the tranquillity of your bedroom is to use plantation shutters or bespoke shutters. London is obviously very busy and noisy for the most part, so shutters can be used as a kind of 'triple glazing' to shut out noise.
Bespoke shutters or plantation shutters are often chosen for their aesthetics and will look fabulous in your London home. They provide a chic and linear look to contemporary homes as well as fitting in with traditional style properties.
In this article, we will talk about some ideas on using bespoke shutters in your London home to give your bedroom a makeover.
Bespoke shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Traditional Bedroom
Pale, soothing colours are a must to ensure a relaxing and tranquil environment. Blue is a calming colour but on its own, it can be a little cold and uninviting. Combining brown with blue will make it feel cosier.
In a traditional bedroom, you can use laminate flooring or, for a really authentic look, you can sand the floorboards down and varnish them. A wooden headboard or bed frame and matching furniture looks great teamed with solid wood flooring.
Accessories are vital in a traditional bedroom; you can use elegant, luxurious fabrics for the curtains and sumptuous bed linen for an opulent look. Lampshades can be a soothing, pale blue colour and the table lamps can have chocolate brown bases.
Shutters work well in a range of interiors, including traditional bedrooms with solid wood furniture and/or period features.
Shabby Chic Bedroom
Colour-wise, shabby Chic bedrooms, also known as French Romantic bedrooms, can combine pale blue, pink and lilac. Pale blue promotes a cool, calm atmosphere and pink and lilac give a warm, cosy feeling.
Shabby chic bedrooms can feature a range of furniture from antique beds to distressed wooden pieces. Floral patterns and prints also look good in a shabby chic bedroom. The Shabby Chic style contrasts different colours and patterns and mixes them up to create something unique, so you don't need to be concerned about everything matching.
Shabby chic furniture doesn’t have to be expensive. You can make your own distressed furniture by sanding down wooden dressing tables, chests and wardrobes and painting them white or another pale colour; or you can purchase your own ready-made shabby chic furniture.
Alternatively, the shabby chic look can be complemented with contemporary furniture pieces. Another option is to combine contemporary pieces with distressed or antique furniture. You complete the look with natural accessories such as seashells or painted branches.
For the window coverings, white shutters look superb in a shabby chic bedroom and if you have a ceiling light that lies in the centre of the window, a beautiful chandelier can top off this look.
Contemporary Bedroom
Also known as the Zen bedroom, the contemporary bedroom is the epitome of simplicity and tranquillity. According to Feng Shui, simple, clutter free bedrooms will enhance your sleep and your overall energy levels.
Modern Zen bedrooms combine the simplicity of traditional Japanese style with more extravagant touches such as opulent curtains, bedding and carpets, which add warmth and make the room more inviting. Other Zen bedrooms are extremely basic and uncomplicated. Wood flooring and furniture can give these simple looks a touch of elegance.
For an extreme Japanese Zen style, you can add bamboo mats, sconces and shoji screens. As well as being clutter free, other elements of Japanese design include clean lines, natural materials and symmetry.
Plantation shutters are a great option for a Zen bedroom, because of their natural simplicity and clean straight lines. They are perfect choice to create a bedroom that is tranquil and calm.
About Bespoke Shutters
Whether you choose a traditional bedroom, shabby chic or contemporary bedroom for your London home, our plantation shutters will complement them all. Originating in America and the West Indies, the history of plantation shutters goes back as far as before the American civil war. Based in London, at Bespoke Shutters we are masters of Ante Bellum (pre-war) plantation shutters.
We can make bespoke shutters for your London home and our range includes full height shutters, cafe style shutters and tier on tier shutters. As well as supplying and installing shutters to domestic homes, we have also fitted shutters to a number of commercial properties. We pride ourselves on our high standard of customer service and attention to detail. All of our shutters are covered by a three year guarantee. Call us today for a no obligation home visit and free quote.
Plantation shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Bespoke shutters or plantation shutters are often chosen for their aesthetics and will look fabulous in your London home. They provide a chic and linear look to contemporary homes as well as fitting in with traditional style properties.
In this article, we will talk about some ideas on using bespoke shutters in your London home to give your bedroom a makeover.
Bespoke shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Traditional Bedroom
Pale, soothing colours are a must to ensure a relaxing and tranquil environment. Blue is a calming colour but on its own, it can be a little cold and uninviting. Combining brown with blue will make it feel cosier.
In a traditional bedroom, you can use laminate flooring or, for a really authentic look, you can sand the floorboards down and varnish them. A wooden headboard or bed frame and matching furniture looks great teamed with solid wood flooring.
Accessories are vital in a traditional bedroom; you can use elegant, luxurious fabrics for the curtains and sumptuous bed linen for an opulent look. Lampshades can be a soothing, pale blue colour and the table lamps can have chocolate brown bases.
Shutters work well in a range of interiors, including traditional bedrooms with solid wood furniture and/or period features.
Shabby Chic Bedroom
Colour-wise, shabby Chic bedrooms, also known as French Romantic bedrooms, can combine pale blue, pink and lilac. Pale blue promotes a cool, calm atmosphere and pink and lilac give a warm, cosy feeling.
Shabby chic bedrooms can feature a range of furniture from antique beds to distressed wooden pieces. Floral patterns and prints also look good in a shabby chic bedroom. The Shabby Chic style contrasts different colours and patterns and mixes them up to create something unique, so you don't need to be concerned about everything matching.
Shabby chic furniture doesn’t have to be expensive. You can make your own distressed furniture by sanding down wooden dressing tables, chests and wardrobes and painting them white or another pale colour; or you can purchase your own ready-made shabby chic furniture.
Alternatively, the shabby chic look can be complemented with contemporary furniture pieces. Another option is to combine contemporary pieces with distressed or antique furniture. You complete the look with natural accessories such as seashells or painted branches.
For the window coverings, white shutters look superb in a shabby chic bedroom and if you have a ceiling light that lies in the centre of the window, a beautiful chandelier can top off this look.
Contemporary Bedroom
Also known as the Zen bedroom, the contemporary bedroom is the epitome of simplicity and tranquillity. According to Feng Shui, simple, clutter free bedrooms will enhance your sleep and your overall energy levels.
Modern Zen bedrooms combine the simplicity of traditional Japanese style with more extravagant touches such as opulent curtains, bedding and carpets, which add warmth and make the room more inviting. Other Zen bedrooms are extremely basic and uncomplicated. Wood flooring and furniture can give these simple looks a touch of elegance.
For an extreme Japanese Zen style, you can add bamboo mats, sconces and shoji screens. As well as being clutter free, other elements of Japanese design include clean lines, natural materials and symmetry.
Plantation shutters are a great option for a Zen bedroom, because of their natural simplicity and clean straight lines. They are perfect choice to create a bedroom that is tranquil and calm.
About Bespoke Shutters
Whether you choose a traditional bedroom, shabby chic or contemporary bedroom for your London home, our plantation shutters will complement them all. Originating in America and the West Indies, the history of plantation shutters goes back as far as before the American civil war. Based in London, at Bespoke Shutters we are masters of Ante Bellum (pre-war) plantation shutters.
We can make bespoke shutters for your London home and our range includes full height shutters, cafe style shutters and tier on tier shutters. As well as supplying and installing shutters to domestic homes, we have also fitted shutters to a number of commercial properties. We pride ourselves on our high standard of customer service and attention to detail. All of our shutters are covered by a three year guarantee. Call us today for a no obligation home visit and free quote.
Plantation shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Shutters London - Give your Bathroom a Makeover this Spring
If you have just moved into a new home, the bathroom is often the room that gets overlooked the most as it is not on show all of the time. However, this is one of the most important rooms in the house as it is in constant daily use, and decorating the bathroom in the right way - with organised shelf space - saves a great deal of time in the mornings.
One way to give your bathroom an instant makeover is by having shutters installed in your London home. This gives your bathroom an instant fresh, clean feel as these types of window coverings are attractively designed with smooth, clean lines. Shutters are also more hygienic than most other forms of window coverings and are easy to keep clean – just wipe them free of dirt with a damp cloth.
If you are re-doing your bathroom and are looking to install shutters for your London home, here’s examples of two different looks you can create for the smallest room in the house.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
The Victorian Style Bathroom
Some people’s idea of a dream bathroom is to have a large, Victorian style roll top bath right in the centre of the room. This works particularly well if you have a large bathroom with lots of natural light, are converting a box room into a bathroom, or are having a bathroom fitted in a new extension.
If you are looking to create a Victorian style bathroom, shutters look elegant in this space. Our bathroom shutters, available in the London area, are 100 per cent waterproof; so even if they were soaked in water, they would remain untainted in any way. Waterproof shutters are extremely hardy and are suitable for shower rooms as well as bathrooms and swimming pool areas. They are available in six different whites and their simple design means your shutters won’t detract from the beauty of your period inspired bathroom.
When it comes to furnishing your bathroom, a wooden dresser with large mirror on top fits in with the period feel and the dresser can be left in its natural state or painted to a colour to suit the room. To accessorise this space, a decorative chamber pot placed on top of the dresser can be used to hold bathroom accessories, such as creams or make up.
Another way to decorate this space is to have a traditional wooden rocking horse in one corner of the bathroom. This is purely for aesthetics, although the little ones will love using it. Or for practicality, a large wooden dresser looks fantastic in a period style bathroom and can be used to store towels. Solid teak is a good choice for a bathroom chest because it is water resistant and extremely hard wearing.
For flooring, one popular way to decorate a Victorian style bathroom is to have stripped wood floors. Choose from wooden flooring that is finished in a way to show the true beauty of the wood, or painted solid wood floors. Wooden flooring can be painted from stark white, to dark, and almost any colour in between.
Victorian style bathrooms work well in a range of properties from older style interiors with period features (such as decorative fireplaces) to more modern interiors such as barn conversions.
Contemporary Wet Room
Contemporary wet rooms are extremely popular mainly because of their sleek and minimalist style. They are also extremely practical too, and save on having to step up to a shower or into a bath.
Some wet rooms don’t have windows, but others do and shutters will add to the beauty of this space. Plantation shutters are not only extremely practical as they maintain privacy while also allowing you to open a window to let the steam out, but their clean lines and fuss free design look fantastic in this space.
At Bespoke Shutters our wet room shutters can be produced in the same style as the other shutters in your property, so it will give a uniform look to your exterior. You will also be able to control the light levels that enter your bathroom which will give this space a more relaxed feel.
The right lighting will create mood in this space. A popular choice for wet rooms are halogen recessed spot lights as they produce gentle lighting for a more relaxed feel, as opposed to harsh, energising florescent overhead lights.
Your choice of shower is important in this space, as the shower is a central part of this room and will act as a focal point. There are a wide range of contemporary showers with features such as massage shower options, steam room options and also contemporary showers with built-in radios, so you can relax listening to your favourite music station.
The sink is also an important feature of this space and there are a range of contemporary sink options. These include glass sinks, or sinks made from ceramic or stainless steel materials. His and hers sinks (or double sinks) are often a more practical option for family homes and to keep the whole look sleek, you may want to think about having concealed cupboard space for your bathroom accessories. In addition to this, contemporary wet rooms often have lots of chrome on show and sleek chrome towel heaters in an innovative design, are another must for a modern wet room.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters make and install a wide range of shutters, including plantation shutters, solid shutters and bathroom shutters, for clients in the London area.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
One way to give your bathroom an instant makeover is by having shutters installed in your London home. This gives your bathroom an instant fresh, clean feel as these types of window coverings are attractively designed with smooth, clean lines. Shutters are also more hygienic than most other forms of window coverings and are easy to keep clean – just wipe them free of dirt with a damp cloth.
If you are re-doing your bathroom and are looking to install shutters for your London home, here’s examples of two different looks you can create for the smallest room in the house.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
The Victorian Style Bathroom
Some people’s idea of a dream bathroom is to have a large, Victorian style roll top bath right in the centre of the room. This works particularly well if you have a large bathroom with lots of natural light, are converting a box room into a bathroom, or are having a bathroom fitted in a new extension.
If you are looking to create a Victorian style bathroom, shutters look elegant in this space. Our bathroom shutters, available in the London area, are 100 per cent waterproof; so even if they were soaked in water, they would remain untainted in any way. Waterproof shutters are extremely hardy and are suitable for shower rooms as well as bathrooms and swimming pool areas. They are available in six different whites and their simple design means your shutters won’t detract from the beauty of your period inspired bathroom.
When it comes to furnishing your bathroom, a wooden dresser with large mirror on top fits in with the period feel and the dresser can be left in its natural state or painted to a colour to suit the room. To accessorise this space, a decorative chamber pot placed on top of the dresser can be used to hold bathroom accessories, such as creams or make up.
Another way to decorate this space is to have a traditional wooden rocking horse in one corner of the bathroom. This is purely for aesthetics, although the little ones will love using it. Or for practicality, a large wooden dresser looks fantastic in a period style bathroom and can be used to store towels. Solid teak is a good choice for a bathroom chest because it is water resistant and extremely hard wearing.
For flooring, one popular way to decorate a Victorian style bathroom is to have stripped wood floors. Choose from wooden flooring that is finished in a way to show the true beauty of the wood, or painted solid wood floors. Wooden flooring can be painted from stark white, to dark, and almost any colour in between.
Victorian style bathrooms work well in a range of properties from older style interiors with period features (such as decorative fireplaces) to more modern interiors such as barn conversions.
Contemporary Wet Room
Contemporary wet rooms are extremely popular mainly because of their sleek and minimalist style. They are also extremely practical too, and save on having to step up to a shower or into a bath.
Some wet rooms don’t have windows, but others do and shutters will add to the beauty of this space. Plantation shutters are not only extremely practical as they maintain privacy while also allowing you to open a window to let the steam out, but their clean lines and fuss free design look fantastic in this space.
At Bespoke Shutters our wet room shutters can be produced in the same style as the other shutters in your property, so it will give a uniform look to your exterior. You will also be able to control the light levels that enter your bathroom which will give this space a more relaxed feel.
The right lighting will create mood in this space. A popular choice for wet rooms are halogen recessed spot lights as they produce gentle lighting for a more relaxed feel, as opposed to harsh, energising florescent overhead lights.
Your choice of shower is important in this space, as the shower is a central part of this room and will act as a focal point. There are a wide range of contemporary showers with features such as massage shower options, steam room options and also contemporary showers with built-in radios, so you can relax listening to your favourite music station.
The sink is also an important feature of this space and there are a range of contemporary sink options. These include glass sinks, or sinks made from ceramic or stainless steel materials. His and hers sinks (or double sinks) are often a more practical option for family homes and to keep the whole look sleek, you may want to think about having concealed cupboard space for your bathroom accessories. In addition to this, contemporary wet rooms often have lots of chrome on show and sleek chrome towel heaters in an innovative design, are another must for a modern wet room.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters make and install a wide range of shutters, including plantation shutters, solid shutters and bathroom shutters, for clients in the London area.
Shutters London – click here for full information on our range of products.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The Appeal of Plantation Shutters and How They Can Be Used to Beautify Your Home
If you are moving into a new home, one of the first things to think about is what type of window coverings to choose, so you don’t feel too exposed before you move the furniture in. The options are: curtains, blinds or shutters, and an increasing number of people are opting for plantation shutters as they realise the benefits, not just in terms of privacy, but in appearance too. Here we shall look at some of the reasons behind the popularity of shutters, London.
Shutters London - click here for full information on our range of products.
Plantation Shutters Offer Flexibility
Much of the appeal of plantation shutters is that they provide flexibility. For example, with curtains you only have two options to bring the light in - open or part open - or closed to retain privacy. With blinds, you can tilt the blinds to let the light in but otherwise they can be closed or pulled into a part open position, which allows people to see through into the bottom part of the window.
However, with tier on tier shutters, you can fully open the top half of the shutters while adjusting the slats on the bottom half to allow maximum light to filter through, without compromising on privacy. These shutters are particularly ideal for ground floor rooms and apartments in London as it means you can make the most of natural light while avoiding prying eyes.
Plantation Shutters Make a Room Appear Light and Airy
Decorating a room so it has lots of natural light makes a space appear light, airy - and bigger too (as darker spaces feel more enclosed). Wooden shutters are designed to allow you to make the most of natural light - even if you are on the ground floor - and this gives a room a more relaxed feel.
In addition to this, plantation shutters are reminiscent of sunnier climes, such as homes in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. So as an overall design feature, wooden shutters give your interior a holiday feel which is uplifting, especially on dark, winter days.
Plantation Shutters Are Sleek and Clean
Wooden shutters look sleeker and cleaner than other window coverings and are easy to maintain as they can be wiped free of dirt within seconds. In comparison, the cleaning process for curtains is lengthy as they need to be taken down, machine washed, or sent to the dry cleaners.
Washing curtains leaves you without window coverings at the very least for three or four hours (if they can be machine washed and tumble dried). However, for dry clean only curtains, it can take up to a week to get them cleaned and returned, which leaves you without privacy in the interim.
Solid wood shutters are easy to clean as they need a once over with a dry or slightly damp cloth every now and again. If you spot any minor chips or marks on the paintwork, caused by everyday wear and tear, these can be easily rectified by re-touching the area of damage with a small paintbrush and paint sample.
Plantation Shutters Offer a Variety of Styles
Solid wood shutters are available in a variety of styles including tier on tier, cafe style and full length, so they suit all sorts of properties and interiors. Tier on tier shutters are made up of two sets of shutters, one above the other, and these work independently of one another, so you can open the top half without the bottom and vice versa.
Cafe style shutters cover half the window while letting the light stream in through the top (these can be used either independently, or in conjunction with blinds). Full length shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom and, like the other two shutter types, they open from the middle and fold out.
In addition to the types of woooden shutters, you can choose the width of the slats and select from a variety of paint options.
Plantation Shutters Never Go Out of Fashion
The smooth, sleek lines of solid wood shutters give an interior a contemporary feel, which is very appealing if you are looking to decorate a room in a modern way. But, despite their contemporary looks, shutters can also be used in more traditional London homes too, such as period properties, or even country cottages with older style features such as oak beams and elegant brick fireplaces.
Another advantage of plantation shutters is that these styles of shutters originate at least as far back as the early 1800’s, which is proof that these shutters don’t date as they are still popular today.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters supply and install high quality shutters in the London area including plantation and solid shutters. Our shutters include tier on tier, full length and cafe style wood shutters.
Shutters London - click here for full information on our range of products.
Shutters London - click here for full information on our range of products.
Plantation Shutters Offer Flexibility
Much of the appeal of plantation shutters is that they provide flexibility. For example, with curtains you only have two options to bring the light in - open or part open - or closed to retain privacy. With blinds, you can tilt the blinds to let the light in but otherwise they can be closed or pulled into a part open position, which allows people to see through into the bottom part of the window.
However, with tier on tier shutters, you can fully open the top half of the shutters while adjusting the slats on the bottom half to allow maximum light to filter through, without compromising on privacy. These shutters are particularly ideal for ground floor rooms and apartments in London as it means you can make the most of natural light while avoiding prying eyes.
Plantation Shutters Make a Room Appear Light and Airy
Decorating a room so it has lots of natural light makes a space appear light, airy - and bigger too (as darker spaces feel more enclosed). Wooden shutters are designed to allow you to make the most of natural light - even if you are on the ground floor - and this gives a room a more relaxed feel.
In addition to this, plantation shutters are reminiscent of sunnier climes, such as homes in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. So as an overall design feature, wooden shutters give your interior a holiday feel which is uplifting, especially on dark, winter days.
Plantation Shutters Are Sleek and Clean
Wooden shutters look sleeker and cleaner than other window coverings and are easy to maintain as they can be wiped free of dirt within seconds. In comparison, the cleaning process for curtains is lengthy as they need to be taken down, machine washed, or sent to the dry cleaners.
Washing curtains leaves you without window coverings at the very least for three or four hours (if they can be machine washed and tumble dried). However, for dry clean only curtains, it can take up to a week to get them cleaned and returned, which leaves you without privacy in the interim.
Solid wood shutters are easy to clean as they need a once over with a dry or slightly damp cloth every now and again. If you spot any minor chips or marks on the paintwork, caused by everyday wear and tear, these can be easily rectified by re-touching the area of damage with a small paintbrush and paint sample.
Plantation Shutters Offer a Variety of Styles
Solid wood shutters are available in a variety of styles including tier on tier, cafe style and full length, so they suit all sorts of properties and interiors. Tier on tier shutters are made up of two sets of shutters, one above the other, and these work independently of one another, so you can open the top half without the bottom and vice versa.
Cafe style shutters cover half the window while letting the light stream in through the top (these can be used either independently, or in conjunction with blinds). Full length shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom and, like the other two shutter types, they open from the middle and fold out.
In addition to the types of woooden shutters, you can choose the width of the slats and select from a variety of paint options.
Plantation Shutters Never Go Out of Fashion
The smooth, sleek lines of solid wood shutters give an interior a contemporary feel, which is very appealing if you are looking to decorate a room in a modern way. But, despite their contemporary looks, shutters can also be used in more traditional London homes too, such as period properties, or even country cottages with older style features such as oak beams and elegant brick fireplaces.
Another advantage of plantation shutters is that these styles of shutters originate at least as far back as the early 1800’s, which is proof that these shutters don’t date as they are still popular today.
About Bespoke Shutters
Bespoke Shutters supply and install high quality shutters in the London area including plantation and solid shutters. Our shutters include tier on tier, full length and cafe style wood shutters.
Shutters London - click here for full information on our range of products.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Plantation Shutters: Shutters for Unusual Shaped Windows
If you have just moved into a new home and have your heart set on plantation shutters, you may discover that not all the windows in your property have a traditional, rectangular design. Once your new property is stripped bare of the previous occupants belongings, you may discover it has some unusual shaped windows - and this may not have been obvious to you at the initial viewing.
Some properties have unusual features such as half circle or full circle windows, hexagon shaped windows - or even triangles - and any of these will add great character to your interior. However, if you have odd shaped windows, you may wonder what type of window coverings to choose - and you may think plantation shutters are not possible in these circumstances.
If you have tricky shaped windows, here we shall look at the various options available via The Bespoke Shutter Company and what sort of plantation shutters would be suitable for these types of windows.
Plantation Shutters - click here for full information on our range of products.
Plantation Shutters: Solutions for Odd Shaped Windows
If you have odd shaped windows in your home, you may think of ruling out plantation shutters as an option. However, the good news is that, so far, our experts at The Bespoke Shutter Company have never come across a type of window where shutters can’t be fitted. We supply and install made-to-measure shutters to suit every type of window, so every homeowner can discover the beauty and benefits of plantation shutters.
At The Bespoke Shutter Company we do exactly what our name implies - we supply and fit shutters for all types of windows. So whether you have a rectangular shaped window above the landing, a hexagonal window in the hallway, octagon, round windows, quarter round windows, arch shaped windows, half round, elongated half round windows or windows in the shape of a triangle, we install attractive and affordable shutters designed to fit your window perfectly.
Although many unusually shaped windows are positioned high up, above an entrance hall, corridor, hallway, or landing, this is not always the case. You may have an odd shaped window in a position where you would feel too exposed if it was left uncovered all the time (in a bedroom, bathroom or living room for instance). Plantation shutters are a great option in these circumstances as the slats can be adjusted to let the light stream in, while still maintaining privacy.
Plantation Shutters for Half or Quarter Round Windows
Shutters can also be used to draw attention to an interesting shaped window and will make a feature of its design. For half round windows, eyebrow windows, elongated half round and quarter round windows, for instance, the louvres within the shutters look just like rays of the sun, bursting out of the centre. The overall effect is extremely appealing and is bound to become a talking point.
Plantation Shutters for Porthole Windows
The slats for shutters designed to fit circular, hexagonal, and octagonal porthole windows are horizontal. However, they make an interesting conversation piece and make a stunning feature of your interior.
Plantation Shutters for Conservatories
If you have a conservatory with a roof top that rises to a pinnacle in the centre, you may be left with a triangular shaped window at the top. However, there are window shutters to fit these, so you can still use your shutters to keep the conservatory cool in summer and stop heat escaping in the winter months.
Plantation Shutters for Arched Windows
Plantation shutters can be made and fitted for arched windows in a variety of ways. One is the two piece arrangements, which opens to the left and right. Another option is having a left vertical shutter, a right vertical and a sunburst or half round at the top. Just talk over the various options with your fitter to find the right one for you.
Motor Driven Shutters
Motor driven shutters provide the ideal solution for windows that are hard to reach, as the shutters can open and close at the touch of a button. They operate smoothly and quietly and are perfect for all areas of the home, including hallways, landings and conservatory areas. They are suitable for odd shaped windows, or the apex of windows, and are a much safer option as you don’t have to stand on the furniture to reach up and manually open or close your shutters.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The London based Bespoke Shutter Company has years of experience of supplying and fitting plantation shutters, solid shutters and blinds to your exact specifications. We pay great attention to detail and our high quality products and excellent standards of workmanship ensure that you can admire your beautiful window coverings for years to come.
Solid Shutters - click here for full information on our range of products.
Some properties have unusual features such as half circle or full circle windows, hexagon shaped windows - or even triangles - and any of these will add great character to your interior. However, if you have odd shaped windows, you may wonder what type of window coverings to choose - and you may think plantation shutters are not possible in these circumstances.
If you have tricky shaped windows, here we shall look at the various options available via The Bespoke Shutter Company and what sort of plantation shutters would be suitable for these types of windows.
Plantation Shutters - click here for full information on our range of products.
Plantation Shutters: Solutions for Odd Shaped Windows
If you have odd shaped windows in your home, you may think of ruling out plantation shutters as an option. However, the good news is that, so far, our experts at The Bespoke Shutter Company have never come across a type of window where shutters can’t be fitted. We supply and install made-to-measure shutters to suit every type of window, so every homeowner can discover the beauty and benefits of plantation shutters.
At The Bespoke Shutter Company we do exactly what our name implies - we supply and fit shutters for all types of windows. So whether you have a rectangular shaped window above the landing, a hexagonal window in the hallway, octagon, round windows, quarter round windows, arch shaped windows, half round, elongated half round windows or windows in the shape of a triangle, we install attractive and affordable shutters designed to fit your window perfectly.
Although many unusually shaped windows are positioned high up, above an entrance hall, corridor, hallway, or landing, this is not always the case. You may have an odd shaped window in a position where you would feel too exposed if it was left uncovered all the time (in a bedroom, bathroom or living room for instance). Plantation shutters are a great option in these circumstances as the slats can be adjusted to let the light stream in, while still maintaining privacy.
Plantation Shutters for Half or Quarter Round Windows
Shutters can also be used to draw attention to an interesting shaped window and will make a feature of its design. For half round windows, eyebrow windows, elongated half round and quarter round windows, for instance, the louvres within the shutters look just like rays of the sun, bursting out of the centre. The overall effect is extremely appealing and is bound to become a talking point.
Plantation Shutters for Porthole Windows
The slats for shutters designed to fit circular, hexagonal, and octagonal porthole windows are horizontal. However, they make an interesting conversation piece and make a stunning feature of your interior.
Plantation Shutters for Conservatories
If you have a conservatory with a roof top that rises to a pinnacle in the centre, you may be left with a triangular shaped window at the top. However, there are window shutters to fit these, so you can still use your shutters to keep the conservatory cool in summer and stop heat escaping in the winter months.
Plantation Shutters for Arched Windows
Plantation shutters can be made and fitted for arched windows in a variety of ways. One is the two piece arrangements, which opens to the left and right. Another option is having a left vertical shutter, a right vertical and a sunburst or half round at the top. Just talk over the various options with your fitter to find the right one for you.
Motor Driven Shutters
Motor driven shutters provide the ideal solution for windows that are hard to reach, as the shutters can open and close at the touch of a button. They operate smoothly and quietly and are perfect for all areas of the home, including hallways, landings and conservatory areas. They are suitable for odd shaped windows, or the apex of windows, and are a much safer option as you don’t have to stand on the furniture to reach up and manually open or close your shutters.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The London based Bespoke Shutter Company has years of experience of supplying and fitting plantation shutters, solid shutters and blinds to your exact specifications. We pay great attention to detail and our high quality products and excellent standards of workmanship ensure that you can admire your beautiful window coverings for years to come.
Solid Shutters - click here for full information on our range of products.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Plantation Shutters and Solid Shutters: Designing an unusual shaped Living Room
If you are moving into a new property, you may have your heart set on plantation shutters or solid shutters for the living room but are unsure about how the overall effect will look - especially if you have a tricky shaped space. This article will take a look at some of the solutions available to you.
Whether you have moved into a new build home, or are revamping a period property, not all living rooms have a traditional rectangular shaped design. Once the previous occupant has cleared the property of their belongings and the place is stripped to a bare shell, every alcove, window and design feature will be revealed in its full glory; so you see the interior with fresh eyes. And, while most living rooms are rectangular, some are more unusual, and could be in the shape of a circle, octagon, half octagon, pentagon or even a triangle - and you may not have taken this into consideration at the initial viewing.
So the big question is: How do you start decorating this type of interior? The first step is to think about the window coverings. Plantation shutters or solid shutters are a great choice for a living room as they keep the heat in during the winter months, keep the property cool in summer, are easy to keep clean, and increase the security and privacy of your home. But if you have an unusual interior - are plantation shutters or solid shutters possible in these circumstances?
Here we shall look at the various options for odd shaped living rooms and consider whether plantation shutters or solid shutters would be suitable in this type of space.
Plantation Shutters - to view some of our plantation shutters click here.
Plantation Shutters and Solid Shutters: Solutions for Awkward Spaces
If you have an awkward shaped room and are considering plantation shutters or solid shutters for the interior of your home, there are two main options available on where they can be placed. Do take some time to think about this as it will make a difference when you want to open the shutters fully.
The first option is whether you want shutters that fold flat against the wall on either side of the window (producing a frame effect). If you like this look, consider whether the space in front of the window is enough for the shutters to fold outwards in this way without knocking into pictures or potentially banging into the furniture.
If this is not possible because of the size or shape of the living room, the other option is to have shutters that fold into the window frame. If this is your preference, check that your sill is large enough to accommodate this without impinging on the room. To make your decision easier for you, our experts at Bespoke Shutters can advise you on this when you choose your shutters.
However, if you don’t want to open your shutters fully and intend to keep them closed at all times - for instance, if you have a ground floor flat or a property facing a busy street - plantation shutters are the best option as, even in the closed position, you can adjust the slats to let the light in.
Making the Most of an Unusual Living Room
If you have an unusual shaped family room, you may not know where to start when it comes to decorating it. A top tip is to draw the room to scale on a piece of graph paper or map it out on the computer (there are computer Apps available for this). This way you can play about with the various options on where to put your furniture and make a decision on the best layout for you.
Another top tip, if you have a tricky or awkward shaped room (an open plan living room/kitchen/diner for instance), is to create various zones. For example, if you have an open plan space in the shape of a pentagon (with the kitchen on the flat side of the pentagon) this leaves you with a triangle, which is one of the most awkward shapes to decorate.
The best thing to do is to start with the living area and map out a zone in the shape of a rectangle. Then decorate this space as if the living room was in a rectangular shape all along. For example you could put a television in the apex of the triangle, a sofa on one wall and another sofa opposite and parallel to it. This will leave you with a triangular shaped space behind the sofa which you can transform into a dining area. The remaining space can be used for traffic entering or leaving the room.
Another solution is to have a corner sofa (instead of two separate sofas) with the back to the kitchen area and to put the TV on the wall. This leaves one wall free and gives you more storage space and more freedom of where to site the dining table. The trick is to toy with the various ideas to find out which one works best for you.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The Bespoke Shutter Company supply and install high quality solid shutters and plantation shutters to suit all sizes and shapes of interior.
Plantation Shutters - to view some of our plantation shutters click here.
Whether you have moved into a new build home, or are revamping a period property, not all living rooms have a traditional rectangular shaped design. Once the previous occupant has cleared the property of their belongings and the place is stripped to a bare shell, every alcove, window and design feature will be revealed in its full glory; so you see the interior with fresh eyes. And, while most living rooms are rectangular, some are more unusual, and could be in the shape of a circle, octagon, half octagon, pentagon or even a triangle - and you may not have taken this into consideration at the initial viewing.
So the big question is: How do you start decorating this type of interior? The first step is to think about the window coverings. Plantation shutters or solid shutters are a great choice for a living room as they keep the heat in during the winter months, keep the property cool in summer, are easy to keep clean, and increase the security and privacy of your home. But if you have an unusual interior - are plantation shutters or solid shutters possible in these circumstances?
Here we shall look at the various options for odd shaped living rooms and consider whether plantation shutters or solid shutters would be suitable in this type of space.
Plantation Shutters - to view some of our plantation shutters click here.
Plantation Shutters and Solid Shutters: Solutions for Awkward Spaces
If you have an awkward shaped room and are considering plantation shutters or solid shutters for the interior of your home, there are two main options available on where they can be placed. Do take some time to think about this as it will make a difference when you want to open the shutters fully.
The first option is whether you want shutters that fold flat against the wall on either side of the window (producing a frame effect). If you like this look, consider whether the space in front of the window is enough for the shutters to fold outwards in this way without knocking into pictures or potentially banging into the furniture.
If this is not possible because of the size or shape of the living room, the other option is to have shutters that fold into the window frame. If this is your preference, check that your sill is large enough to accommodate this without impinging on the room. To make your decision easier for you, our experts at Bespoke Shutters can advise you on this when you choose your shutters.
However, if you don’t want to open your shutters fully and intend to keep them closed at all times - for instance, if you have a ground floor flat or a property facing a busy street - plantation shutters are the best option as, even in the closed position, you can adjust the slats to let the light in.
Making the Most of an Unusual Living Room
If you have an unusual shaped family room, you may not know where to start when it comes to decorating it. A top tip is to draw the room to scale on a piece of graph paper or map it out on the computer (there are computer Apps available for this). This way you can play about with the various options on where to put your furniture and make a decision on the best layout for you.
Another top tip, if you have a tricky or awkward shaped room (an open plan living room/kitchen/diner for instance), is to create various zones. For example, if you have an open plan space in the shape of a pentagon (with the kitchen on the flat side of the pentagon) this leaves you with a triangle, which is one of the most awkward shapes to decorate.
The best thing to do is to start with the living area and map out a zone in the shape of a rectangle. Then decorate this space as if the living room was in a rectangular shape all along. For example you could put a television in the apex of the triangle, a sofa on one wall and another sofa opposite and parallel to it. This will leave you with a triangular shaped space behind the sofa which you can transform into a dining area. The remaining space can be used for traffic entering or leaving the room.
Another solution is to have a corner sofa (instead of two separate sofas) with the back to the kitchen area and to put the TV on the wall. This leaves one wall free and gives you more storage space and more freedom of where to site the dining table. The trick is to toy with the various ideas to find out which one works best for you.
About The Bespoke Shutter Company
The Bespoke Shutter Company supply and install high quality solid shutters and plantation shutters to suit all sizes and shapes of interior.
Plantation Shutters - to view some of our plantation shutters click here.
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