Decorating a Teenager’s Bedroom: Top Tips

A teenager’s bedroom is a multi-use area: it’s a relaxation space, a hangout zone, a place where they play computer games, listen to music, and (hopefully!) study. As they spend so much time in this space, it is important they have some sort of say in how it will look. So, aside from the basic furniture requirements for a bedroom, such as a bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk and side table, they will appreciate having an input. Here, Bespoke Shutters, London, gives some top tips to think about if you are decorating a teenager’s bedroom.

Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of high quality, made-to-measure wooden solid and plantation shutters.

Privacy – Teenagers enjoy their privacy and value their independence, and some even like to have notices on their door to keep their siblings out. Aside from knocking before entering, another way to help your teenager keep their privacy is to think about installing shutters as window coverings for your London home. Whereas with curtains you only get two choices – open or closed – tier-on-tier plantation shutters gives your teenager much more flexibility as they can decide exactly how much light (if any!) they want to filter into their room. They also allow better light control when viewing computer screens, helping to avoid glare.

Paint Colours – Giving your child the freedom to choose their own paint colours is a great way for your teen to express themselves. Some teenagers want to steer away from magnolia and paint a wall in a bright colour, such as pink or blue. While a garish colour might not be your preferred choice, as they evolve and grow they will appreciate being involved in the decision-making process for their room.

Creative Board – Having a creative board, or even a free run of a complete wall, is a great way for a teenager to express themselves and feel inspired. They might want to stick photos up of their friends, cut photos and articles out of magazines, hang post-cards and inspirational messages, or even have a large ‘draw on’ wall map to dream about all the places they want to visit. This gives them a chance to unleash their imagination and express what’s important to them.

Desk – A desk is a teenager’s must-have, so they have a quiet place to study, message their friends and play their games console. A solid desk with a comfy chair and sufficient lighting will ensure they are comfortable for study. There are all sorts of desks available from large, solid wood desks, to corner desks. If the room isn’t big enough, try to find a quiet area of the home which can be turned into a study area.

Seating – Space permitting a cosy chair or a sofa will create a chill-out area when their friends pop round. If there’s not enough room for either of these, just a few comfy floor cushions, or a bean bag is ideal.

Storage – Some teenagers need lots of storage space for their clothes, shoes, books, files, grooming items, sentimental stuff and electronic equipment and accessories. However, if their room is a bit cramped, storage boxes and shelving could suffice.

Mirror – Whether you have a teenage boy or girl, the chances are they will spend quite a bit of time in front of the mirror before they head off to meet their friends, or join you for a meal out. A mirror on the front or on the inside of the wardrobe is a great space saver; alternatively, you could hang a full-length mirror behind the door.

Bed – If the bedroom is large enough, try to invest in a double bed for your teen. The bed is very much the focal point of the room and is likely to double up as seating, a desk and, in some cases, a beauty salon. It’s more comfy for your teen and gives them plenty of sleeping space. By choosing their own bedspread they can also put their own personal stamp on the space.

Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of solid wood and coloured shutters for every room in the house.

Ten Top Bathroom Decorating Ideas

The bathroom is the space to relax and unwind in the evening and is also the place where you rush to get ready on busy mornings. So, it should not only serve as a haven of tranquillity, but ideally it should be an organised space where you can quickly find everything you need. That said, the bathroom is often the most neglected room in the home where little is done to personalise this space; however, there are ways to improve on this area without opting for a complete revamp. Here are ten top tips from Bespoke Shutters London on how to transform your bathroom into a luxurious yet functional zone with the minimum of effort.

Products – Decluttering is the quickest way to turn your bathroom into a restful space. So it’s worthwhile spending a half hour or so clearing away lotions and potions and putting them aside before giving your bathroom a good scrub. Leave only one or two of your most glamorous bathroom items on display, including scented soaps, expensive shower gels, body scrubs; and decant other products, such as budget hand-soaps, into pretty bottles.

Storage –Store any products that you don’t want on show in cabinets. A stack of small boxes or wooden chests also look appealing and can double up as seating. For very small bathrooms, hang hooks or racks behind the door to make the most of this space. If you don’t have room for a cabinet, shelving is another option, with all your essentials stored in boxes or baskets.

Towels – Gorgeous oversized fluffy bath towels and bathrobes feel luxurious against the skin and are just what you need after a soothing bath or shower. Face cloths stored in a basket by the sink can be used by you and your guests as mini-hand towels. If you don’t have room for a chest in your bathroom, a stack of folded hand and bath towels on shelving looks good and avoids clutter.

Windows – As in any room of the home, making the most of natural light is uplifting, and bathroom and waterproof shutters help create a light and airy space. Tier on tier and full- length plantation shutters allow you to adjust the slats to let the light in, while still maintaining privacy on busy London streets. Plantation or solid café style shutters are ideal for homes in more secluded areas.

Lighting –You don’t necessarily have to go for conventional lighting in a bathroom. A chandelier looks elegant, and side lighting and candles add a romantic touch. It’s well worth investing in a dimmer switch, as this helps set the mood. It means you can alter the brightness for getting ready in the morning, or when you just want to relax and unwind in the evening.

Furniture – Another way to individualise your bathroom is with furniture, such as a bathroom cabinet or wooden chest. If you have a large bathroom, either a side table, chair, chest of drawers, cupboard or even a wooden rocking horse all adds charm.

Mirrors – While mirrored cabinets create a streamlined, minimalist look, feature mirrors add drama and impact and create a focal point. Meanwhile, sumptuous ornate or gilt framed mirrors are ideal for traditional homes.

Artwork – Hanging restful pictures or quirky wall art is a great way to add individuality to this part of the home. Add a splash of colour with a vibrant print to bring this space to life, or, for a more traditional feel, black and white pictures are chic and stylish. For those who prefer artwork inspired by nature, a driftwood heart hung on the wall, or a decorative handmade wooden or metal wall feature adds a contemporary touch and makes a fantastic focal point.

Fragrance – Diffusers, potpourri and fragrant sprays all evoke a relaxed spa feel and create an inviting environment when friends or family come to stay. Lit scented candles on shelving will also make your bathroom feel homely – they not only smell great, but they look stylish too.

Flowers – Another way to vamp up your bathroom is by putting a small vase of flowers on a table, window sill, or by the sink. This adds beauty and fragrance to the room and visitors or family are bound to admire your creativity.

Bespoke Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of bathroom and waterproof shutters.

Five of the Most Calming Colour Schemes

Your home is your sanctuary; a place to relax and unwind in. If you lead a busy work, social and/or family life, your interior should provide a restful environment where you can shelve any thoughts of stressful events of the day and just put your feet up. While it may not be possible to switch your mind off completely from the day’s activities, research shows there are certain colour choices that can help make your environment feel more tranquil. Here, The Bespoke Shutter Company, who supply and install wooden blinds and shutters in the London area, reveals five of the most calming colour schemes.

Shutters London –  Click here to find out more about our high quality made-to-measure wooden shutters and blinds.

Pink – While pink is not everyone’s top choice of colour scheme, it is associated with femininity and love, and is thought to be the ideal choice for bedrooms and living rooms as it is a peaceful colour. If you feel a pink room is too sickly, you can tone it down by mixing it with neutral colours such as grey or white. For instance, one idea is to paint the walls pink, the ceiling grey, install grey shutters, and finish your London room with a combination of white soft furnishings (such as sofas, beds and bedding) and pale blue furniture, such as tables and dressers. If you don’t like the idea of painting all the walls of a room this colour, a bedroom with a duvet cover featuring pale pink detailing is soothing.

Green – The colour of leaves, shrubs and grass, green evokes harmonious thoughts of nature and the environment, so it is a restful choice for an interior. Not only is it a good colour for bedroom walls, it’s also a great choice for living rooms too, and a green room teamed with white shutters makes a stunning combination. There’s is one downside though: it is said that too much green can make you feel very laid back! So, use home accessories to introduce other colours for energy.

Blue – Reminiscent of the sky and the ocean, this interior colour is a firm favourite as it generates feelings of serenity. Ideal for home offices and bathrooms, it is also a good choice for bedrooms too as it is said to ward off bad dreams! The only disadvantage of blue is that it can look cold at times, but one way to counteract this is to team it with white, such as white soft furnishings and shutters. The trick is to choose a grey based blue for a more relaxed environment.

White – White is light, clean and airy, so it’s the obvious choice for a tranquil interior. If you are short on space, it also has the added benefit of making a small room look larger. The only downside is that a white room, with white walls and furniture, can look dull and dreary. One way to add interest is to inject bold bursts of colour with artwork, fabrics, rugs and furnishings.

Brown – Brown is a solid, earthy colour and is again associated with nature and a calm environment. Mixed with reds, it can evoke feelings of warmth as it brings about thoughts of wrapping up warm on a cool autumn day. If you don’t like the idea of painting the walls brown, choose solid wood furniture and brown leather sofas for a secure and cosy feel. Finish the look with white shutters.  

Bespoke Shutters London –  Click here to see our full range of high quality shutters and blinds.

How to Make a Comfortable Guest Bedroom

If you are transforming a guest room, this is the one room where you can really go to town on.  It’s the only space where you don’t have to think about where to place your possessions; instead you can concentrate purely on making a comfortable retreat for your visitors, and build a sanctuary where they feel relaxed, welcome and can sink into soft sheets at the end of the day.

Plantation Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of plantation and solid wood shutters.

For those who are decorating a guest room from scratch, you have a clean slate to try out your hospitality skills. Perhaps a good starting point is to take inspiration from some of the best hotels that you have stayed at, or maybe a friend’s home. Think about some of the things you liked most about the décor. Was it the comfy mattress and pillows, the tranquil colour scheme, the calming artwork, quirky furniture, lack of clutter, beautiful choice of window coverings and/or the lighting that most inspired you? Write a list and see if you can incorporate some, or even all of these things in your own guest room.

It is generally the attention to detail that really matters when dressing a spare room, as these are the things that visitors remember the most. Here are some of the elements that you might want to think about when decorating a spare room.

Natural Lighting – If you have a room with generous windows, having sunlight stream into the room during the day, can be incredibly uplifting. However, you still want to ensure that your guests enjoy their privacy and aren’t woken up by the sun too early in the morning. One of the most flexible window coverings are plantation shutters, as visitors can adjust the slats to vary the light levels. It also helps keep the noise out if the guest room faces a busy London street.

Artificial Light – If the room is too small for matching bedside lights or wall lights, there are other ways to make the bedroom cosy. Think about adjustable desk lamps or floor lamps so your guests can point the light where they need it. For something that feels a bit more luxurious, why not choose a side lamp that can be switched on or off when your guest just touches the shade.

Towels and Toiletries – A cosy bath towel, hand towel and flannel neatly positioned at the end of the bed is a great way to make guests feel welcome. If you want to go the extra mile, why not put a miniature soap, shampoo, conditioner and/or shower soap on top of the towels? Or, maybe hang a fluffy bathrobe by the door for your guest/s to use? All these little extras work just as well in a domestic setting as in a hotel room.

Welcoming Scents – A room that smells heavenly feels instantly comforting.  Perhaps you might want to put some potpourri in a dish on top a chest of drawers or dressing table, or put some fresh flowers by the bed? Another way to keep the room smelling fresh is to spray the bed linen with the soft scent of lavender, to ensure your guest gets a full night’s rest.

Added Cosiness – If your house gets quite chilly in winter and your guest room is well used, you might want to invest in a heated blanket, or at the very least a hot water bottle. Leave a couple of throws or blankets by the bed on cold nights, and possibly an extra pillow or two for additional comfort.

Tranquil Colours – Try to decorate this room in colours that feel soothing for your guests. Soft blues, greys, and/or whites are all very relaxing and will help your visitors feel at home. Choose artwork that blends well with your chosen colour scheme and is not too distracting, to help your guests drift off to sleep.

Adequate Storage Space – You only need the essentials for this room, such as one or two bedside tables, a wardrobe, and/or a chest of drawers for your visitors to put their clothes in. The trick is not to clutter your guest room with furniture, so the room feels spacious and inviting. If you have the space, however, a window seat with a few books beside it, can add a great finishing touch.

If you are looking to install high quality wooden shutters or blinds for your London home, at Bespoke Shutters we have an excellent reputation in our field. We supply and install a full range of shutters including plantation shutters, solid wood shutters, coloured shutters, bathroom shutters and motorised shutters. Click here to see our full range of made-to-measure wooden shutters.

Home Office Decorating Ideas

An increasing number of Londoners work from home to take advantage of greater flexibility and to save on high office rental costs. Research shows an average of five cent of people in London work mainly from home, although according to the Greater London Authority this figure rises to around seven or eight per cent in the Kensington, Chelsea and Richmond area.

While some houses and apartments have a designated home office, householders with limited space are forced to become more creative with their workspace. Desks and workstations are cropping up almost anywhere in the home, from bedrooms to landings, living rooms, under stairs, above garages, in attics and gardens. If you are moving to a new home, or revamping an existing property, this article looks at the benefits of decorating a home office with shutters.

Bespoke Shutters, London, design and fit made-to-measure wooden shutters for all shapes and sizes of windows. Click on the above link to see our complete range.

The Designated Home Office

If you work from home it is vital to make the most of natural light as research shows this helps improve health and productivity. Studies show that a good source of natural light streamed into your workspace also has a positive effect on the quality of your sleep, which ultimately improves mood, according to researchers from the Northwestern University in America.

Making the most of natural light is one of the many reasons why plantation shutters are a superb investment for a London home office. If you live in a built-up area, where your office faces either a busy street, or the house opposite, shutters benefit your workplace in three main ways: they act as a ‘double or triple glazing’ and help block out the noise from traffic and passersby, they ensure privacy, and tier-on-tier shutters allow for greater flexibility than curtains or shutters as you get to decide how much light flows into your office.

Why Tier-on-Tier Shutters Are a Good Investment?

Tier-on-tier shutters are opened vertically in the middle and have a top and bottom half that can be opened or closed independently from one another. So, for example, you can leave the top half of the shutters open, while opening the slats on the bottom half, to allow for natural light and privacy. Or, if you want to take advantage of a beautiful view to inspire creativity, you can open the bottom half of your shutters, or better still, keep the shutters fully opened during the daytime.

The Traditional Home Office

Traditional home offices look chic, sophisticated and timeless and are best suited to period properties decorated in this style throughout. If your job involves a lot of research work, you may want a few free standing or purpose-built bookshelves to house reference books and manuals. To hide clutter and paperwork, place a few files discreetly in boxes on shelving so they don’t detract from this space.

An antique style desk looks spectacular against a background of stripped wooden floors. A cosy rug and a few armchairs adds warmth to this space, and creates a place for client meetings. Plantation shutters or solid shutters suit all types of homes, including traditional properties and makes your home office look light and airy.

The Contemporary Home Office

If you prefer a contemporary home office, you can make the most of your creative skills as almost anything goes. From glass desks to solid wood workspaces, there are a variety of contemporary desks to choose from.

The best way to start is to choose a theme and work round it – for example you may want a white space to evoke feelings of calm and tranquillity, or go for bold or bright colours to keep you alert. Whichever type of office you opt for, your work space should be comfortable, and have an adjustable chair, if possible, so you can ensure you are sitting at the correct working height.

Do you feel contemporary prints and artworks inspire creativity? Or, adding colour to your office (in the form of a vibrant rug or painted shelving) makes you feel more energised? If you are looking to add a subtle splash of colour, Bespoke Shutters supply and install shutters in a wide range of colours to suit your office décor.

The Work Station

If you don’t have room for a separate office, you can create your own workspace anywhere in the home. Just make sure that it is positioned where you feel comfortable working, and you won’t have too many distractions (if you have a busy family home, you may want to avoid a kitchen or living room area).

Wherever you choose to site your desk, make sure that it is has enough natural light to have a positive effect on your output. If the landing is your preference, you may want to sit the desk by the window. You can easily create more privacy inside the home by placing a bookshelf or screen near your desk if needed. Again shutters are a good choice as you can maximise light without compromising on privacy.

The Bespoke Shutter Company is experienced in supplying and installing made-to-measure shutters in the London and Hertfordshire area. For more shutter ideas, just click on the link below.

Shutters London –  Click here to see our complete range of wooden plantation shutters and solid shutters. 

Four Decorating Ideas for a Modern Attic Room

With the rising cost of London homes, more people are choosing to enlarge their property, rather than move house. And, one of the top ways of extending a property is an attic conversion, which will also add value to your house when you come to sell. According to BBC Homes, Victorian or 1930’s houses are best for loft conversions because of the large amount of roof space they have. Here, we look at how to decorate a contemporary attic room with shutters.

Bespoke Shutters, London, design and fit window coverings for all shapes and sizes of windows including loft style, round, half round and hexagonal windows. Click here to find out more.

Shabby Chic Attic

The shabby chic look has been topping the fashion stakes for some time and because it is light, airy, and eclectic, where almost anything goes. Distressed finished wooden furnishings on stripped wooden flooring, or white painted floors, are a great choice for a shabby chic attic. And if you are the creative type with time on your hands, you can even buy second hand furniture and customise it yourself using stencils or have a go at the distressed look.

This type of decor has an air of romance; so French metal beds, decorative white framed mirrors, lace bedspreads and lots of cushions complete the look…not forgetting a cosy rug to sink your feet into on a cold night. It’s a great choice for a guest room, and for extra comfort, you can even go all out and place a Victorian bath in the centre of the room. Finish the décor with white wooden shutters which is ideal for this space as you can adjust the slats to make full use of natural light.

Industrial Style Attic 

Industrial style furniture is all the rage at the moment, with factory-inspired furniture – such as apothecary chests, industrial cart coffee tables, school blackboard coat hangers, pallet tables, benches and stools with adjustable screws – taking pride of place in attic style apartments and homes across the country. Although original factory style furniture is hard to find, many furniture companies are recreating vintage furniture.

This type of furniture, which has its roots in yesteryear, is an ideal choice for a minimalist style attic. The mix of steel and solid wood is not only interesting and appealing, it looks fantastic in an attic rooms with exposed beams and brickwork. Timeless shutters fit perfectly with this sleek London style, which includes clean lines and fuss free designs. It is an ideal choice for an attic that doubles as a bedroom/home office.

Light Wood Attic Room 

If you prefer a room with natural wood furnishings, light wood is a great choice because it gives the illusion of space, making the room appear roomy and welcoming. Sleek modern wooden bed frames with white bedspreads, reclaimed wooden chests of drawers and wardrobes, a cosy rug and a comfy chair is one way to decorate this space.

You can also add finishing touches such as picture frames in natural materials, a driftwood mirror, large vase containing twigs wrapped in fairy lights, and contemporary lighting. Shutters are a flexible choice of window covering, and if your window is too high to reach, motorised shutters are available through Bespoke Shutters.

Retro Attic Room 

A retro attic room is a fun choice for this space – bright colours, bold, geometric shapes and eclectic drawer fronts. To make the look work, it’s always best to choose a few colours and use this theme throughout (not too many as the look will appear too cluttered). A chair in a vibrant colour, accessorised by a rug or print which picks out this accent colour, is ideal and you can highlight this furniture piece with a photographer’s floor lamp.

This look is ideal for an attic space that is used as a bedroom as well as a sitting room. If you prefer to go for natural materials rather than bold colours, leather chairs and cow hide rocking chairs also fit the retro trend, creating a cosy but spacious look. Shutters that match the wall paint will help draw the eye to your favourite furniture pieces.

Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of made-to-measure shutters and blinds.

Create a Stylish Conservatory with Shutters

Want to create a stylish conservatory with shutters for your London home? This article shows you how.

Spring is the time that most people draw their attention to the garden area. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful view: over a pond, river, open countryside, or even over a pretty courtyard or decked terrace, you will want to make the most of it…and a conservatory does just that.

Used most in the spring and summer, when your outdoor space is at its best, a conservatory adds beauty, vital extra space, and helps bring light into your home. However, the constant stream of sunlight in the warmer months can be overpowering at certain times of the day, making the room uncomfortably hot and bright.

A cost-effective solution is to install plantation shutters in your conservatory. This will reduce the glare of the sun, while also making the most of the natural light during the day. This article looks at the benefits of shutters for your conservatory and gives two ideas for decorating this room.

Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of conservatory shutters.

Conservatory Shutters

A conservatory is one of the top home improvements in Britain, and, according to Phil Spencer, presenter of ‘Location, Location, Location’, it can add as much as 7 per cent onto the value of your property.

One of the reasons for its popularity is that a conservatory is so versatile: it can be used as a breakfast room or dining area, children’s play area, for entertaining friends, or as a quiet retreat – to read a book, wind down with yoga, or simply to sit and enjoy the view over your garden. However, regardless of what your conservatory is used for, it is essential to choose window coverings that will provide privacy, make the most of daylight, and can be closed simply and easily.

Plantation shutters are the best choice for a London home because they are so sleek and stylish, and are designed to suit all types of conservatories. As Bespoke Shutters install conservatory shutters to exact specifications, your window coverings are made to neatly match any shape or style of glass panels, so they will guard against dazzling light coming from any angle. Just alter the slats to adjust the light levels – so you can let the morning sunlight stream in – and close the slats in the afternoon, when the room starts overheating.

It is also easy to keep the glass clean as the conservatory shutters can be moved to the side when they are not in use.

Conservatory Style Guide

If you are thinking of installing a conservatory, here are a few ideas for how to decorate it, using solid wood shutters for your London home.

The Natural Conservatory

A conservatory decorated with natural materials, such as stripped wooden floors and rattan or painted furniture, creates an easy transition between your interior and outdoor environment.

Decorate with colours such as beige, brown, white, cream, taupe, grey, blue and green, so your conservatory blends easily with your garden. Lots of plants will brighten this space and helps bring the outdoors, indoors. Adding cushions and throws will also add a homely feel.

If this is your preferred interior, consider installing natural wood rather than painted shutters for your conservatory.

The Contemporary Conservatory 

Industrial style furniture, white lacquered oriental furnishings, bright, comfy statement chairs, sofas, and vases, or dramatic sculptures…almost anything goes in a contemporary conservatory. Think clean, sleek lines and bold geometric shapes to create a room that adds interest and impact.

Consider installing white painted conservatory shutters for your interior as this will fit with almost any colour scheme, while maintaining a light, contemporary feel.

Bespoke Shutters are specialists in made-to-measure shutters and blinds in the London area. Click on the link to find out how we can help you find the perfect window coverings for your interior.

Four Home Style Predictions for 2015

It’s that time of year again when we turn our attention towards predicting this year’s most popular interior design trends. From minimalist interiors to shabby chic, natural to eclectic rooms, Bespoke Shutters London looks at what is hot in 2015.

Meanwhile, if you are redecorating your interior, or have moved into a new property… whether you have your heart set on a Zen living room, or a period style home, shutters work with almost any London interior. From flats to townhouses, modern apartments and older-style properties, shutters are a timeless choice, and with unlimited colours and various types to choose from, at Bespoke Shutters you’ll find the perfect window coverings for your home.

Read on to find our home style predictions and ideas on shutters that will work with each design inspiration.

Shutters London –  Click here to find out more about our beautiful interior shutters and wooden blinds.

Natural Furniture and Accessories

Natural materials – such as solid wood, rattan, bamboo, stone, cowhide, and leather – are bang on trend this year. 2015 is very much about furniture and accessories inspired by nature; colours and prints also take their inspiration from the great outdoors, so think leafy greens, beige, browns, mauve walls, floral wallpaper or botanical prints. House plants are also very much in this year, and water features (such as portable fountains for indoor use) are set to create a relaxing environment in a modern home.

If you are designing your interior with a natural theme, here at Bespoke Shutters we supply and install high quality made-to-measure blinds and shutters which create the ideal look for a contemporary London interior.

Vintage Inspired Interiors

Vintage and retro inspired interiors continue to be a big theme into 2015. Think classic and romantic bedrooms or living rooms containing painted white furniture and accessories, with a distressed finish. This style of interior is luxurious, functional and striking…and for the walls – large, antique style gilt framed mirrors, geometric monochrome prints, and inspirational words are also in demand.  

Shutters are an excellent choice for a timeless interior because they have been used indoors and outdoors for generations. White or off-white shutters fit well with a Vintage style theme, and here at Bespoke Shutters, we can also supply and install window coverings in colours that match luxury paints of yesteryear.

Eco-Friendly Homes

Up-cycling and recycling is another theme for a 2015 interior, with reclaimed wood, distressed or repainted furniture very much in vogue. People are becoming more environmentally aware and, as such, this has had an impact on our homes – with a trend towards reusable furniture and re-purposing, as well as a move towards reduced energy costs and alternative lighting options.

Solid wood shutters are an environmentally friendly choice and are practical, chic, long lasting, and affordable. Bespoke Shutters create made-to-measure window coverings that will beautify your home and fit with any style choice. Shutters are known to help keep the heat in, and our hardwood or cedar wood shutters are chosen for their long lifespan.

The Industrial Look 

Wood and metal furniture and industrial inspired pieces have been all the rage for the last few years and this look is set to stay. Furniture, such as coffee tables that look like carts, with rustic wooden surfaces and cast iron wheels are a top interior design look that suits apartments, loft style flats and modern homes. Industrial designed pieces are made to add function and character: from metal clocks and mirrors, to urban wine ranks, lamp tables and industrial distressed apothecary chests, the look suits both modern and traditional interiors. In addition to this, designers are leaning towards metal home accessories and light fixtures such as copper and steel in 2015.

What better way to set off this design style than with solid wood shutters? Sleek and linear, they fit well with this choice of furniture and whether you choose solid wood or plantation shutters, it will help put your interior ahead of the rest in 2015.

About Bespoke Shutters

The Bespoke Shutter Company  supply and fit high quality solid and plantation shutters at affordable prices to homes in London, Essex and Hertfordshire. To find out more about what we can do for you, follow the link above.

Ten Steps to Creating a Luxuriously Cosy Interior This Winter

Want to make your home cosy for the party season, but don’t know where to start? Transforming your interior into a snug haven is easier you think and just a few simple adjustments can make a huge difference to the overall look. Here, Bespoke Shutters, London, looks at ten steps to take to beautify your interior, so you can enjoy comfy nights in during the coldest months of the year.

Shutters London – Click here to see our full range of made-to-measure solid wood and wooden plantation shutters.

Plantation Shutters/Solid Shutters – Buying new window coverings? Shutters are an appealing way to make your London home warm and inviting. Not only do they look elegant from outside and in, but they work as a sort of double or triple glazing and help reduce heat loss. To make your home even more energy efficient, you may want to consider combining wooden shutters with curtains to provide a further layer to help stop heat escaping. Solid wood shutters go with any décor and will add a year round wow factor to your interior.

Textured Rugs – Patterned rugs, or plain textured rugs over a carpet or wooden floor makes a home look comfortable and stylish so you and your guests will feel at ease. If you have a minimalist home, a rug can add colour for an instant makeover, and if you have vibrant walls or soft furnishings, a textured rug in a neutral tone will help balance the look. Rugs help protect your floor and can brighten a plain carpet for a chic interior.

Cushions and Throws – Adding cushions and throws is a simple way to give your home a winter makeover. Use contrasting fabrics such as faux furs, silks and satins, or decorative cushions with embellishments, such as ‘rose petals’, ribbons, beads or buttons. Cushions don’t have to be in neutral colours just because it is winter; daring cushions in tropical colours can add a relaxed feel to your interior. Coordinate with a matching throw to have close to hand on movie nights.

Candles and Scents – Producing an interior that stimulates all the senses – including smell – is a small, but effective, change to make. Think about lighting a few scented candles before guests drop by, or to just create a homely atmosphere when you walk in through the door. Diffusers are long lasting and dotting a few about the home will generate a welcoming atmosphere for your guests.  

Layered Lighting – Lighting isn’t just about having one or two overhead lights, layering your lighting will work wonders to transform your interior into a cosy sanctuary when the temperature drops below zero. Think about wall lighting, floor lighting and side lamps to add interest and make a room look smaller or larger. Little details such as fairy lights under glass table tops, or in vases, add a magical touch to your home and your guests will comment on your style.

Warming Fireplaces – If you have a fireplace, the festive period is a wonderful time to put it to use. Or, if you are not lucky enough to have a home fire, a portable gel fireplace works a treat and is a mesmerising focal point on dark winter nights.  

Snacks and Nibbles – Although you might not want to put too much temptation in your way, having a few nibbles about the house is fun to do when guests drop by. Consider a decorative bowl filled with nuts, or colourful fruit, or a few wrapped chocolates or sweets for guests to help themselves to.

Oversized Mirrors – Mirrors in the hallway, bathroom or living room attract the light and make your home cheerful and warming. Place one above the fireplace or in a dark part of the home for a brightening effect.

Artwork – You don’t have to have a masterpiece on the wall but a painting or print that attracts your eye can be a great focal point. You can either decorate a room to coordinate with a favourite piece of art, or accessorise in reverse and find a painting or wall art that works well with your existing décor.

Occasional Chairs – This is another way to make your home snug. A small antique style leather chair in a discreet corner, or a bright modern chair that stands out, helps to transform your home into a relaxing environment that you can enjoy all year round whatever the weather.

The Bespoke Shutter Company –  Click here to see our full range of shutters and blinds.

Shutters London – Ten Ways to Add Warmth to a Minimalist Interior

Minimalist interiors are clutter free and calming, but there is a danger that this style of décor can look cold and stark, particularly in wintertime when there is a lack of natural light in the evenings. However, there are ways of having the best of both worlds – and creating a clean and streamlined interior that is warm and welcoming too. In this article, Bespoke Shutters, London, looks at ten ways to make a modern, minimalist interior cosy and inviting.

Shutters London – click here to find out more about our high quality made-to-measure solid wood shutters and blinds.

Candles – These accessories never fail to impress as they give you an instant lift and add atmosphere to your home. A large, oversized floor standing candle in a corner and a row of small white t-lights on a coffee table all help to create a snug and relaxed environment during the winter months. And, if you have guests over for dinner, candlelight is far more flattering than harsh, overhead lighting.

Shutters – Whether your London or Hertfordshire home is a state of the art house, or a contemporary flat, shutters are a great buy for a minimalist interior due to their sleek and linear design. Plantation shutters can be used to maximise light during the daytime, especially if you opt for tier on tier shutters which give you greater flexibility as you can fully open either the top or bottom half, or keep the shutters closed and adjust the slats to let the outside light filter in.

Lighting – Side, floor, wall and picture lights all help add a subtle glow and can transform alcoves or spotlight interesting features such as sculptures or artwork. Used together with shutters, you can brighten your space from morning until nightfall with natural, followed by artificial light when the sun goes down. Minimalist interiors are all about showcasing interesting furniture and accessories, so choose sculptural or contemporary feature lighting where possible.

Rugs – This is one way to introduce warmth, texture and colour to a living room, bedroom, dining area or hallway. Textural shag pile rugs make a good contrast against a stripped solid wood floor; or to make more of an impact, colourful rugs with strong, geometric shapes stand out against white walls and furnishings.

Cushions and Throws – Like rugs, cushions and throws are a great way to add colour and texture and are a must-have in winter. Pile cushions in various textures and designs on seating, and drape a tactile throw over a sofa or armchair so it’s within easy reach on colder evenings. You can create a theme by choosing just one colour and varying the tones, or selecting contrasting colours to make more of an impact.

Artwork – Minimalist homes are all about clutter free interiors, where every item has its place and only your most beautiful furniture and accessories are on display. Oversize contemporary, vibrant artwork and floor standing sculptures add an interesting focal point.  White plantation shutters are a good choice for a minimalist home as they won’t detract from the beauty of modern paintings or sculptures.

Fireplace – Not all contemporary homes are lucky enough to have a real log fire, which injects instant warmth, and creates an inviting space where friends or family can gather in the evenings. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider investing in a gel fire, which is portable and can be placed on a table top, as a dramatic feature.

Mirrors – Mirrors opens up spaces and attract the light to make a home feel airy and spacious. You can use all sorts of tricks with mirrors to make a home feel cosier. Place one in a dark alcove, opposite a window, to make the most of a good view, or place two side lights in front of a mirror to maximise light.

Chairs – Place one bold, vibrant feature chair in a room with all white furniture to add a splash of colour. You might want to use this accent colour in your cushions, artwork and throw to build a theme.

Fruit – Oranges, apples, bananas, grapes and mango are subtle way of adding colour to a stress free, minimalist interior. Another way to brighten this space is by placing a simple vase of flowers on a table. Simplicity is key in minimalist homes, where only the most elegant and appealing items take centre stage.

Bespoke Shutters – For beautiful made-to-measure shutters and blinds, London and Hertfordshire, click here.

Ten Questions to Ask before Choosing the Perfect Window Coverings

Have you just moved house or bought a new property? The chances are one of the first purchases you will make will be the window coverings. Shutters, blinds or curtains are the most popular options for London homes and each have their benefits. While ultimately the decision you make comes down to practicality and personal taste, here are ten questions you should ask yourself before investing in window coverings:

Shutters London – Click here to find out more about made-to-measure wooden window shutters and blinds from the Bespoke Shutter Company.

What Type of Property do I Have? – The style of property you have is one of the biggest influences on your choice of window coverings, so think about what works best for your home. While curtains are an obvious decision, plantation shutters, solid shutters or wooden blinds give a chic look to a London modern or period style house.

How Overlooked is my New Home? – Curtains need to be fully opened to let the light in, so if your property faces right onto the street this won’t provide enough seclusion in the daytime. Made-to-measure shutters or blinds offer greater flexibility as you can open the slats to vary the light levels, without compromising on privacy.

Do I Have Any Unusual Windows? – While shutters can be made to fit any size and shape of window, you don’t have that sort of flexibility with curtains. Instead curtains can swamp a small window and can end up hiding attractive features such as circular, hexagonal, triangular or oval shaped windows.

How Much am I Prepared to Spend? If you have a limited budget, you might want to go for the cheapest option of window coverings. That said, a timeless and classic choice, such as tier-on-tier shutters, saves money in the long run as you won’t feel the need to update this look.

What Style of Décor do I Want? –While you would be hard pushed to buy patterned shutters, an extensive range of colour options and wood stains are available. At The Bespoke Shutter Company, on certain ranges we can design and install made to measure shutters to match any colour you choose.

Do I Want to Keep Out Street Noise? If your home faces a busy London street, it is worth thinking about installing wooden plantation or solid shutters as this works as a sort of triple glazing and helps reduce noise levels from outside.

Will my Property be Rented Out? If you are buying a buy-to-let you will most likely want to go for the cheapest window coverings. However, some rental agencies advise you not to buy window coverings as the tenants will provide their own. Just check with them first to find out.

Am I Hoping to Move Again Soon? If you are likely to move again in a few years time, you might want to go for classic options such as shutters and blinds. Curtains – particularly patterned curtains – are geared towards personal taste and may make your interior less appealing to potential buyers when you want to sell on.

Which are the Easiest to Keep Clean? Whereas curtains can be costly to keep clean (particularly dry clean only fabrics), blinds and shutters just need a quick dust to keep them looking as good as new.

Do I Want Flexibility with my Window Coverings? For the ultimate in flexibility, the best option is tier-on-tier plantation shutters. The benefit of these shutters is that you can open the top section and open your windows to let the air in, or even open the bottom half of your shutters, and leave the top section closed. Again, you can also maximise the amount of light that filters into your home by tilting the slats.

About Bespoke Shutters

The Bespoke Shutter Company designs and installs high quality made-to-measure shutters and blinds for homes and businesses in the London and Hertfordshire area. Click on the link above to find out more about our service. 

21st Century Homes – Innovative Shutter Designs

Although plantation shutters and solid wood shutters have been used worldwide for centuries, it is only in relatively recent years that more innovative designs have become available. The choice of colours and materials offered by The Bespoke Shutter Company means that we can create individually designed wooden window coverings to match the style of your home. Read on to find out more about how our bespoke shutters work for any interior.

Shutters London - Click here to see our full range of wooden bespoke shutters and blinds.

Plantation Shutters – 5 Ways to Bring Individuality to Your home

Coloured Shutters – Whether you are looking to install adjustable shutters (otherwise known as plantation shutters) or solid shutters, you can have any colour you choose: white, off-white, green, grey, black, red, pink, blue or yellow – only your imagination is the limit!  Although some shutters have limited colour options, most of our shutters give you the chance to choose your own shade which could be a blend of colours. So, if you have a particular paint in mind, we can create an almost exact match with our hardy, UV and heat resistant spray lacquers.

Shaped Shutters – Not all homes and businesses have square or rectangular windows. You may have round windows, half round windows, arches, or even triangular and hexagonal shaped designs. It is possible to create shutters for any shape of window – and to date, we haven’t found a window that we’ve been unable to fit. Our designs are as unique as your home, and means you can maintain your privacy whatever your style of window.

Motorised Shutters – Opening and closing your shutters manually is not always practical, especially if you have a high window which is beyond reach, for example in a hallway or on a landing. Thanks to advances in technology, motorised shutters allow you to operate your shutters safely with a remote control, so you can let the light filter into your home at any time of day.     

Wooden, Engineered or Waterproof Shutters – Advances in materials are being made all the time and at Bespoke Shutters we offer shutter options to suit any home and budget. Our hardwood shutter materials include stunning Cedar wood, and the popular competitively priced Basswood. We also supply and install engineered shutters (not available in the tier-on-tier design), waterproof shutters for bathrooms and swimming pools, and a full range of made-to-measure conservatory shutters.

Made-to-Measure Shutters – Our choice of shutters doesn't end there. We also offer a range of hinges, slat or louvre sizes, and tilt rods. Louvres on plantation shutters help vary the light levels and you can choose any size to suit your home, from small to medium-sized and large louvres. Our experienced fitters will take the exact measurements of your windows to ensure that your shutters are a precise fit, so they will open and close with ease. Our shutters are individually made, so once your order is confirmed, you can usually expect around a six week wait for delivery and instalment.

About Bespoke Shutters

The Bespoke Shutter Company  uses only the highest quality materials and craftsmanship to create made-to-measure shutters in London and the Home Counties. We supply and install plantation shutters, café style shutters, solid wood, full length shutters and blinds, at affordable prices and offer no obligation home visits. For elegant, custom-built wooden shutters just contact our friendly team of professionals to find out how we can help.

How Shutters Add Instant Kerb Appeal to Your Home

If you are deciding on window coverings, plantation shutters not only look good on the inside, but on the outside too, and add kerb appeal to your home.

But don’t just take our word for it…

Sarah, 38, who lives outside of London, recently installed wooden shutters in a brand new contemporary apartment and said it was the best move she ever made.

“I wanted to give my home a slick, bright interior, so it has that relaxed, holiday feel all year round,” she said.

Her first step was to install white plantation shutters, which gave her apartment a continental look. Sarah’s living room was decorated with white furniture and brightened with red accessories, such as cushions, vases, bowls, and black and red pictures. It is a ground floor apartment with sizeable windows, and is situated opposite the new development’s show home, so her apartment – inside and out – is very much on display.

Just weeks after her made-to-measure shutters were installed, two things happened: “Some of the neighbours praised me on my décor after walking past the apartment,” she said.

“And, the shutter installer told me that after my installation, he received more inquiries from people who live further down my street. A few of my neighbours have since followed suit and had plantation shutters installed in their semi detached homes and townhouses. I had started a trend!”

Made-to-Measure Plantation Shutters – Click here to see our full range of window shutters and blinds.

Here are five ways shutters can add to a home’s kerb appeal:

Stylish – Plantation Shutters give a home a sleek, chic, contemporary look and their unfussy appearance widens their appeal.

Estate agents in general advise that homes with neutral décor – such as magnolia walls, traditional kitchens and white bathroom furniture – sell quicker than homes with bright colours and lots of individuality.

So, shutters give a home more of a neutral look than patterned curtains, and you could reap the rewards when you sell.

Versatile – Whether you have a country home, city apartment or town house, shutters are extremely versatile and will suit all types of homes.

Bespoke Shutters can even install shutters for unusual shaped windows, including triangular, circular or hexagonal shapes. And, as shutters can be installed in any room in the home, they will give your property a more uniform look from outside.

Adaptable – Shutters work around your lifestyle. If you like to keep your windows open during the day, for instance, tier on tier shutters or café style shutters are the perfect choice. With these type of window coverings, you can keep the bottom section closed, while leaving the top open to let in fresh air and light.

With plantation shutters you can also alter the slats, to let the light in but to prevent prying eyes. This makes the home feel more appealing inside and out – especially if you have a home that is quite overlooked as it makes it feel more private – helping to spark the interest of potential buyers when you come to sell.

Bespoke Shutters – Click here to see our full range of plantation shutters and solid wood shutters.

Why Wooden Shutters are an Ideal Choice for the Dining Room

For those of you who enjoy hosting dinner parties, the dining room will be central to the home. It’s a place where you entertain guests and chat into the early hours, so it’s important to keep it looking good, and installing plantation shutters in your Hertfordshire or London home will do just that.

A dining room is not just a room set aside for entertaining and family meals; it’s often a day-to-day hive of activity. In many cases, the dining room also doubles up as a home office, children’s craftwork area – and in some homes it’s a music room too. And, as dining rooms often face outwards towards the road, rather than the garden, shutters not only keep prying eyes at bay but they also act as a kind of triple glazing, helping to block out street noise.

Full length or café style louvre shutters are especially popular for dining rooms with bay windows as they offer a practical and stylish alternative to net curtains. These shutters are extremely versatile as you can open the windows while leaving the slats closed and make the most of natural light, which is one of the main benefits of having bay windows. Shutters are also much easier to clean than curtains; they just need a quick dust to keep them looking as good as new.

Plantation Shutters Hertfordshire –  click here to browse our full range of bespoke wooden shutters.

Creating the Perfect Dining Room

If you are decorating your dining room from scratch, you will need to ensure that all your furnishings and accessories work well together. Equally, if you are updating your dining room, you will want to choose shutters that offer practicality, versatility and will enhance the look of this space. Tier on tier shutters are the most flexible as you can keep the top section open, while altering the slats on the bottom half, to maintain privacy and make the most of natural light. And, as with all our made-to-measure wooden shutters, they will blend with any decor as we offer a variety of colours including shutters to match any shade of paintwork.

Traditional Dining Room

Solid wooden shutters give a stately feel to an interior, particularly in a panelled dining room of an older style country property where shutters are often designed to match the wood. They are also the window coverings of choice in some period town houses and evoke images of grandeur. Sash windows with shutters, for example, are one of the features of original Georgian townhouses, and are popular with period homeowners wanting to restore their property to its former glory. Solid wood shutters don’t have to be full length, if you prefer this look while also wanting to let the light in, they can be made to cover only the bottom half of the window and can be used in conjunction with curtains.

Plantation shutters are also a great choice for traditional dining rooms. In addition to its sleek and linear affect, which works so well with any decor, they are extremely practical too. If you have large windows, shutters help keep the temperature inside at a comfortable level. In the winter months, shutters help keep the heat in, and, in the summer – and this is especially important if you have a south facing dining room – the slats can be altered to keep the sun’s glare out and stop the room becoming too hot.

Contemporary Dining Room

Minimalist styles and sleek clean lines are key to a contemporary dining room interior and plantation shutters work well with this style. Among the contemporary dining room trends are the shabby chic look (featuring white wooden furniture), high gloss furnishings (such as a Chinese lacquered table) and rooms with one-off occasional vintage pieces (such as a comfy retro leather chair placed in an empty corner).

Whether you opt for the shabby chic look or want a Zen-like Chinese inspired room, plantation shutters fit perfectly with these contemporary themes. Stark white is a popular choice, however, we have a wide range of options that would suit a modern dining room, including bright colours or natural wood.

Open Plan Dining Room

An increasing trend in modern properties, especially apartments, is to have an open plan dining space. This could be a kitchen/diner or a living room that also incorporates an eating area; so it is important that all the decor and furnishings in each of the sections of the room blend well together.

Key trends in warehouse or loft style apartments are light wood industrial style furnishings, brick feature interior walls, and light wooden flooring. Bright colours can add interest to a room, such as a supersize retro floor lamp, or a dramatic modern painting. Loft style apartments are light and airy, and installing plantation shutters can contribute to this look, with high gloss white very much in style.

Of course, your choice for all the windows doesn’t have to be the same. You can choose different shutters for various sections in an open plan area, such as café style shutters in the kitchen and full length shutters in the living and dining area.

About Bespoke Shutters

If you are looking for the perfect solid wood or plantation shutters for your Hertfordshire or London home, Bespoke Shutters have an extensive selection to choose from that suit modern or period style interiors. Contact our expert fitters to find out more about our range, which also includes motorised shutters and shutters that are designed to suit more unusual sizes and shapes of window.

Bespoke Wooden Shutters – contact Bespoke Shutters today to find out more.

If you enjoyed this article, why not take a look at these related articles on our blog:

Loft Apartments - Creating the Perfect Contemporary Interior with Plantation Shutters London
Home Decorating: Beautifying Your Kitchen with Plantation Shutters London
Creating the Perfect Hallway and Landing with Elegant Shutters

Getting the Shabby Chic Look Right in Your Home

Shabby chic is one of the top looks for 2014, so, if you are looking for the perfect window coverings for your Hertfordshire home, plantation shutters or solid shutters are a perfect choice. Wooden shutters work especially well with this style of interior because they offer a mix of contemporary style with classic design and are reminiscent of yesteryear.

Shabby chic interiors are popular because it is a timeless yet eclectic style with no set rules to follow. There are a few common traits, such as an elegant and romantic approach to decorating, with upcycled furniture the keystone of the look. Upcycling involves improving on something you already own, such as giving furniture a distressed, white-washed look. A shabby chic interior suits almost any budget as you can buy vintage furnishings and accessories from flea markets and use leftover wall paper or paint to revamp old hand-me downs.

Here are The Bespoke Shutter Company’s top tips for decorating a home in the shabby chic style, including completing the look with the installation of plantation shutters, or solid wood shutters for your Hertfordshire, Essex or London home.

Plantation Shutters Hertfordshire - click here to find out more about our complete range of solid wood shutters for homes in East Anglia, the Home Counties and London.

Shabby Chic – Your Style Guide

Shabby Chic Style Living Room – The shabby chic style suits almost any home, whether it is a period property or contemporary, loft style apartment.

A top tip for decorating the living room is to try to prevent leaving large areas of space unfurnished, as this makes a room look more stark than cosy. Add comfy, occasional chairs to empty areas and create a reading corner. Only your imagination is the limit with this style, and if you don’t have room for a bookcase, one idea is to make a pile of large, hardback books to use as an alternative to a side table.

Customising furniture gives you the chance to inject your own creativity into this space. Add your own personal touch by white-washing furniture; all you have to do is to give furniture a coat of paint, then sand it down with ordinary sandpaper to give it a distressed appearance. You can do the same with accessories, such as wooden carved mirrors or old wooden candlesticks.

The shabby chic look is light and airy in style, so plantation shutters are a great choice for this space as it helps make the most of natural light.  Shutters make a stylish alternative to net curtains and are far more versatile too, as you can open just a few panels or change the slats to let the light in. White shutters help make a sitting room feel calm and serene, and work well with white-washed furnishings. However, if you prefer to match your shutters with your wall-paint, Bespoke Shutters can do this for you.

Complete the look by placing fresh flowers in vases, or by picking a few flowers from the garden and putting them into old jam jars. With this style, there is no limit to your creativity!

Shabby Chic Dining Room – To decorate this space, you can pick up second hand dining tables at the fraction of the cost of a new one, which again you can white-wash to create an entirely new furniture piece. Do the same with wooden chairs that you find, and create comfort by tying cushions – covered in delicate, feminine, Vintage style-fabrics such as white lace or floral prints – to the seat of each one. The table and chairs don’t have to match exactly, just as long as the overall look is effortlessly stylish.

To dress your shabby chic table, choose fine glassware and silverware; and linen napkins are a must. If you want to go that extra mile, you can even bring out vintage style cups and saucers when friends pop round!

Lighting is another important part of interior design, and you can pick up many Vintage style ceiling lights, such as an elaborate chandelier to hang over the table. Candles are a must in a shabby chic dining room, and will create a flattering light for dinner parties, so invest in old candlesticks which you can pick up from antique fairs, or you might be able to find replicas in a similar style.

Complete the look of your dining room with solid or plantation shutters and if your home is not overlooked, solid shutters can be opened during the day to let the light filter in, or you can adjust the slats of plantation shutters.

Shabby Chic Bedroom – The bedroom is one of the most private rooms in the home, so it’s a room you can really go to town on. Create a room that is light and airy with lace trimmed cushions and throws, or choose floral prints if you feel your space needs an extra injection of colour.

Wooden dressing tables look delicate and feminine and are another must for this room. And, if you are visiting a flea market, an ornate, white-washed mirror will help bring the light in and make the room look larger.

A cosy rug adds colour and texture, and if you want to soften stripped wooden flooring, one way to do this is to add a fluffy shag pile rug which will give your room a cosy look during the coldest months of the year.

Again, wooden shutters are a great option and add an elegant touch to a shabby chic bedroom. The Bespoke Shutter Company sell beautiful solid wood shutters for all types of homes.

Shutters Home Counties – Click here to see our elegant range of wooden plantation shutters for your Hertfordshire, Essex or London home or business.

Your Guide to 3 of the Hottest Interior Design Styles for 2014

Whether you are moving into a new home, or renovating an old one, the first port of call is to invest in window coverings - and whatever interior you go for, interior plantation shutters lead the way as the most timeless option for the home. Whether you want to create a traditional interior, or go for one of the latest design styles, the sleek lines and minimalist style of solid wood plantation shutters will blend perfectly with almost any decor you choose.

This article looks at the five hottest interior design styles for 2014 and reveals how made-to-measure tier on tier, cafe style, or full height plantations shutters are the ideal choice for your London home.

Interior Plantation Shutters - click here for full information on our range of bespoke shutters

Best Interior Design Styles for 2014

Limiting Your Clutter, the Minimalist Home – A minimalist, clutter free home has long been a firm favourite in interior design - and it looks like it’s here to stay. Recent years has seen a rise in apartments and new builds offering more limited accommodation, and to compensate for this there are a range of furniture options that include hidden storage space. These include shoe cabinets, stools with storage under, wall-to-wall cupboards, and sofas with storage in the arms, base or back. Furniture with hidden storage means that you can keep the floors and tables clear of clutter.

Neutral colours or white walls and furnishings are the ideal choice for a minimalist home and provide a blank canvas for you to inject your personality. Add warmth with colourful accessories, such as red, blue, or green textured rugs and throws, and hang bright, modern artwork on the walls.

An all-white interior, with splashes of colour, cries out for minimalist style window coverings. Interior plantation shutters fit the bill, as they are fuss free in design and their solid, clean lines provide a contemporary feel.

Making Your Money Go Further, the Boho Look – Household budgets have taken a tight squeeze in recent years, which means that many home-owners are looking to get more, for less of their cash.

When it comes to buying furniture, people are now seeking novel ways to invest in quality - without having to pay over the odds. One way is to source furniture from flea markets, and to customise it to suit your interior, or ‘upcycle’. Buying and customising second-hand furniture is not only eco-friendly (as it means no trees have been cut down to make it) but it also means your furniture is entirely unique.

Accessorise this look with things that you have picked up from your travels, such as ethnic artwork, artisan bowls and ornaments, hand-made rugs, and Moroccan, hole punched lamps. Solid wood plantation shutters blend well with the eclectic look and have an eco-friendly vibe.

Keeping it Chic and Shabby, the Romantic Look - Ethereal, romantic rooms with white painted furniture and lace trimmed pillows, cushions and throws, have a wonderful vintage feel – and this look has never quite gone out of fashion.

Pretty much anything goes in a chic and shabby interior, from floral prints to soft lace, and old and new furniture. White is very much the colour of choice for furnishings and accessories, which include oversize decorative mirrors, delicate but ornate wooden furnishings, lighting with fancy stems, and pretty ornaments. For flooring, choose wooden white-painted floorboards with fluffy white rugs to give a touch of added cosiness.

For the romantic look, it is important to make the most of natural light, so the best option is interior plantation shutters, as they are the most versatile form of window coverings. With plantation shutters you can alter the slats to draw in the natural light, while still maintaining privacy. Tier on tier shutters are the most flexible option for a London home, as you can keep the bottom section closed and leave the top open to let more light in, or open a top window and let the fresh air in.

Bespoke Shutters offer a complete range of interior plantation shutters to suit any interior, including shaped shutters, bathroom and waterproof shutters, motorised shutters and conservatory shutters.

Solid Wood Plantation Shutters -  click here for full information on our high quality window shutters

How Closing Your Shutters Helps Keep London’s Energy Costs Down

While householders battle to keep warm this winter, there are simple steps you can take to help keep your energy bills down – and shutters can help keep out the cold in London’s homes.

Bespoke Shutters’ at-a-glance energy saving guide comes after the Big Six energy firms – E.ON, EDF, British Gas, npower, SSE and Scottish Power – all announced price increases.

EDF’s price increases average at 3.9 per cent, whereas E.ON’s prices are set to rise by 6.6 percent, and the remaining four firms have announced average price hikes of around 9.1 percent.

With temperatures falling steadily, the impending rise is increasing the strain on householders struggling to keep on top of their bills.

Whether you live in an older style property or new build, even the smallest changes can make a difference, say Bespoke Shutters, and here are our top tips for keeping the heat in, and the cold out, this season:

Shutters London – click here for full information on our made-to-measure shutters.

Closing Your Shutters – Not all of you will close your shutters or curtains when it gets dark, especially if you are on a London street that is not overlooked, but turning this into a habit can make a major difference to your energy bills.

In a scheme funded by the Climate Challenge Fund, (2010) the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust used thermal imaging cameras to show just how much heat and energy is lost by keeping shutters open at night.

Images of properties that had their wooden shutters open glowed brightly in reds and oranges, showing just how much heat was escaping; however, properties that had their curtains or shutters closed were a deep blue colour – proving that they had successfully kept the heat indoors.

You can find out more about the project by following the link here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11759023

Using Draught Excluders – While the project looked at closing shutters and full-length curtains, it didn’t rule out traditional methods of keeping warm.

Edinburgh World Heritage also advised on other tried and tested tips, such as the use of draught excluders, especially if you live in an older style home.

Chiara Ronchini, energy efficiency officer, said: “There are issues, of course, with historic buildings but they are so well designed they just need a little push to make sure they are performing as well as the most modern buildings.

“...very simple measures...can make a dramatic improvement on the amount of heat being lost through the windows.”

Getting Cosy with Throws and Blankets – If you are settling down to watch television, snuggling up under a blanket is another sure way of keeping fuel costs down.

Likewise, wearing slippers, warm socks, or putting on an extra layer of clothing will help keep chills at bay.

Warming Up in Front of an Open Fire – Not all homes have a real log fire or wood burning stove, but if you are lucky enough to have one it is well worth putting it to good use during the colder months. 

This will also give your home a cosy, welcoming feel, and your family will love to gather round it when the temperature drops.

However, there are some safety precautions to take first, and if you haven’t used your fireplace for a while, it’s best to organise a chimney sweep to clear out your chimney before use.

Closing Off Empty Rooms – If you have a spare bedroom, hobbies room or dining room that you rarely use, another way of keeping bills down is to turn the radiators off in these rooms, and close the doors.

By heating the rooms that you use the most in winter, and leaving out the ones you don’t, this will also help save cash.

Having guests over at Christmas or New Year? Just turn on the heating in your spare rooms the day before, so that the whole house is warm and inviting before your friends and family arrive.

About Bespoke Shutters

Bespoke Shutters provide and install high quality, made to measure shutters in the London area including solid shutters and plantation shutters.

Bespoke Shutters – click here for full information on our solid wood plantation shutters.

Top Tips for Decorating a Victorian Style Property

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.

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:

• 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.

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.