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