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I received the samples yesterday and would like to compliment you on your prompt reply.
Great quality material

Gail E

Golden Valley. TAS

Monthly Archives: May 2015

blockout curtain 1

The energy saving benefits of blockout curtains

For homeowners buying readymade curtains online the options available are seemingly infinite and narrowing them down may simply be a case of style and price. If you’re looking for the cheapest curtains online you may want to opt for drapes that fit the bill in the most basic sense; in other words, they go with your décor and are well priced.

However Australia’s harsh climatic extremes are one good reason to consider more specialised options such as blockout curtains, also known as blackout curtains. Even if you don’t go for blockout curtains throughout the property, some rooms, such as bedrooms or those particularly exposed to solar glare, could certainly benefit from them.

Blockout curtains are a great way of keeping light and heat out during the summer. In addition, they can trap heat during the winter, reducing heat loss by as much as 25 per cent. Naturally this works wonders for keeping your energy bills in check and reducing your environmental footprint.

Premium quality blackout curtains can be expensive, and might cost you in excess of $200. If you know your way around a sewing machine it is possible to adapt your current curtains with the addition of blackout liners, however the abundance of readymade curtains online in blackout versions means you may end up finding it’s more cost effective to simply buy them new. There are plenty of more affordable options available, with some of the cheapest curtains online offered in blackout options.

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In terms of how to hang blockout curtains, most are hung like regular curtains, however there are a few tips to bear in mind to ensure you get the best out of them. The fabric at the top of the curtain needs to be placed properly so that it blocks the light effectively. Be generous with your measurements; curtains must extend beyond the window frame to block incoming light at the top, bottom, sides, and where panels meet. A safe guideline is to purchase curtains two to three times the width of the window itself. If your aim is total darkness, install floor-to-ceiling blackout curtains as much as 45 centimetres beyond the edges of the window to block out the maximum light possible.It’s also possible to make the most of useful devices that will help bring out the best in your blockout curtains, such as wraparound curtain rods that curve to ensure the curtains’ outside edges sit flush against the wall.

Correctly installed blockout curtains mean you’ll be able to enjoy total darkness at any time of day. Their energy-saving benefits are self-evident, but there are other benefits too, such as noise reduction and the protection of the soft furnishings inside your home from fading and other forms of sun damage.

If blackout curtains are doing their job properly, once you open them, you may well be shocked by the dramatic difference. You may well even find there’s too much light entering the room when the blockout curtains are open! If this is the case, sheer drapes or blinds beneath the main curtains will allow light to be softly filtered into your home during the day.

Puddled readymade curtains online

Buying curtains online: all about styling and fabrics

Consumers who buy curtains online have usually done a fair amount of research into the available options before making a purchase; not surprising when you consider that purchasing curtains online can be a leap of faith without the right information and backup.

A good start in making your choice of curtains is of course to define the style you’re after and your fabric preferences, as well as understanding some of the global trends that influence curtains online in Australia, so here are some key tips to guide your selection, and some ideas on how to make them pop.

A key to your online curtain choice will be understanding the ambience and style of the room. Is it formal or casual and cosy? Contemporary or classic? Do you want the curtains to disappear or make a bold statement? If the latter is your aim, one idea is to choose bright curtains that will work well with other colour highlights in your room. Conversely, if you want your drapes to blend with the overall colour scheme, choose curtains whose base colour is the same as the wall colour.

Length is also an important consideration in your online curtain purchase as it can influence the style of the room. Floor length curtains give a classic look. A potentially riskier investment, curtains that puddle on the floor are less practical in this respect and, a bit like a huge statement necklace on very petite lady, don’t work very well in rooms with smaller dimensions. When you can’t use long curtains but don’t want to leave the window bare, choose curtains that finish half a centimetre above the sill or fall about eight centimetres below it.

Another key question is whether to opt for curtains in a single colour or those with a repeat pattern. Full colour curtains are a safe investment if you’re planning to keep them a while; they are less likely to date and can be matched with lower cost accessories that will be easy to change up if needed. For plainer or gloomier rooms, patterned curtains are an instant visual hit, particularly if you choose a bright, eye-catching print. However it’s also useful to note that smaller or darker rooms can be overpowered by a large graphic pattern, in which case sheer curtain fabric might be used to provide lightness in two respects: lightness of touch and the ability to let light into a room. Another key look at the moment is for natural looking curtains, with the ongoing trend for neutrals receiving a boost through the introduction of textured linens in a variety of finishes.

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Other great contemporary looks include spots and chevrons and honeycomb prints, which create instant visual impact. Vertical stripes work very well in small rooms as they make a ceiling appear taller, while horizontal stripes give a playful feel. By contrast, botanical and floral prints remain strong and are a wonderful addition to a room with a classic, traditional character.

With a market offering a huge number of curtains online Australia now offers some of the most exciting styles and fabrics in curtains possible. So if you’re planning to buy curtains online, keep these guidelines in mind and the only limit is your imagination!

readymade curtains

How to get value out of your readymade curtains

Time was when if you wanted a pair of curtains, you had them made up by a specialist maker, or, if you had the skill and equipment, as many people did once upon a time, you made them yourself.

A lot of homeowners still like to get their drapes custom made to ensure the hang and quality are right, particularly given that the current trend for hanging curtains high and wide means larger amounts of fabric are often required, however readymade curtains are certainly experiencing strong demand. A relatively new concept in the long history of curtains, ready mades have experienced particularly strong demand in recent years.

One of the reasons for this is convenience. In busy households where both adults are usually working, the ability to purchase curtains that are ready to hang within minutes is very attractive. The other reason is of course cost. Due to the rise of e-commerce, curtains suppliers are now able to keep their overheads relatively low. Many of them also get their products made overseas which also helps reduce costs. The result is that the savings are passed on to consumers.

Readymade Curtains

And certainly those consumers are reaping the benefits of readymade curtains in growing numbers. Because of the low cost of supplying readymade curtains, suppliers are consequently able to have very large ranges of on offer, usually in a broad spectrum of colours, fabrics and styles. Ready made curtains can be offered to meet a number of needs; for example blockout curtains to protect a home from summer heat and glare as well as providing privacy during the day.

So how much should an average pair of readymades cost? They can start at prices as low as $40, ranging up to around $200, with price depending on the quality of the fabric used, whether or not the curtains are lined, as well as the workmanship involved. For example a pair of blockout contemporary jacquard pinch pleat curtains might come in at around $150, depending on the width and drop.

Whatever you end up spending on your ready made curtains, it’s worth taking care of them to optimise their function and durability. Getting the most value out of your curtains means treating them well. Avoid handling them with dirty hands, as this will soil the fabric. Keep your readymade curtains along with other window coverings such as roller or roman blinds dust-free by regular gentle vacuuming. For most blockout curtains it’s advisable to cold or warm hand wash with wool approved detergent. Do not soak or bleach or wring out, rub or tumble dry. Generally for sheer curtains a warm hand wash is best and avoid bleaching or soaking as well as wringing out or rubbing your curtains. Avoid dry cleaning wherever possible.

Some readymade curtains designed for convenience and are therefore washable, but be sure to refer to the ‘care label’ fixed to the rear of your curtains before taking the plunge.