Recommendations for Plantation shutters and Roller Blinds in Sydney?

[Di]

As the topic states, does anyone have any recommendations for a company or companies that do shutters and blinds?

These are the well known ones which include budget to the other end of the spectrum:
* Vista
* Kresta
* Accent
* Luxaflex

One of them even has an interest free deal which is appealing.

We're looking at doing the whole house (4 beds + study) but may have to do it in stages. We need to do upstairs immediately as our carpet has been laid and we don't want it to fade.

We do have 5 large windows that face north so they need to be able to withstand the heat.

Also, and I wish I had known/thought about this when we decided on paint colours, all our architraves/windows are Hog Bristle 1/4 which means they'll have to be a custom colour and painted!

I am freaking out about how much this is all going to cost but know from experience that you get what you pay for.

[Julie-Ann]

You could talk to Lucia from More than Curtains. I know her from Facebook. She always seems to have a lot of work and photos of her window treatments look lovely.
What sort of prices have you been quoted Di?
I drove past a house the same colour as ours (cream and white) yesterday and they had plantation shutters in the windows a very pale french blue/grey. Oh it is tempting but the $$$$

[Di]

Thank you for the recommendation, J-A. She looks likes she is a designer/decorator and will keep her in mind.

I do have someone coming to give us a quote this week - Abbey Shutters. I read on he net their quotes come in 1/2 the price of some of the other well known businesses and the quality is good.

I've even thought to get the upstairs ones done first and see how they go before committing to a whole house worth.

I'll let you know how we go. Perhaps doing the install ourselves will be a good saving, too.

[Julie-Ann]

I think that is a good idea to install them yourself. There are companies that sell them cheaper online but I am not sure about the quality.

[judydg]

I'll be interested to hear how you go with prices Di - we want to do the whole house too, although still some time before we'll be at that stage.

[Di]

Well, I feel so dejected. I had a guy come this morning to do a quote for shutters & some blinds.

It turns out that due to the type of windows we have - they have no reveal and the hardware protrudes in places - the shutters would need to go onto the architrave which is not ideal and they will look very boxy. I was told I would not be happy with them.

I had my heart set on them for the bay windows in our bedroom and the front bedroom (fronts the street) but I've been told they do not recommend them.

So, I have to decide on having either venetians or roller blinds.

Also, we have a double triple slider at the back we have no choice but to have roller blinds on - they will be up the majority of the time as privacy is not an issue - and another triple slider that is the entry door to the side of our house into our kitchen area. I wanted sliding shutters on these but have again been told they are too bulky + the air vents for the air-conditioning are exactly where a track would need to go.

I feel like stamping my feet like spoiled child and then crying. Why does everything to do with OUR build/reno have to be so hard. I really have had enough.

Here are the windows and doors:

our family/dining room


our bedroom


into kitchen


Same window as for bedroom and bathroom - faces north and no privacy issues

[judydg]

Oh no Di, that is bad news - how awful when you have your heart set on something. I can see from the pictures though how they might not fit correctly. We will all need to put our heads together and think of a stylish alternative. I don't think venetian blinds would be right. How about roman blinds?

[Di]

The 3 windows upstairs (our bedroom, guest room and bathroom) that are on the northern side, and all my pretty stained glass ones, need something to try and keep heat out and to stop the carpet from fading from the direct sunlight. I'm not keen on having blinds, like romans, that will have to down all day long. Privacy is not an issue.

I'm going to have to have a rethink and just go with roller/holland blinds with a pelmet?



I feel like running away. Gave hubby an ultimatum - Help me get this place finished or else!

[Julie-Ann]

How disappointing for you Di.
Could the plantation shutters work on some of the windows if you changed the window sill to protrude further out? Like the picture below. Just a suggestion because we are desperate.
My next suggestion for the window would be white faux timber venetians in a 50mm wide slat. It will give a similar look to the plantation shutters. Plus you can tilt them to control the sunlight.
For the sliding doors if you don't need blinds for privacy do you need anything on those doors to control sunlight?

[Cherylle]

Di are you avoiding curtains?