If you are looking for a stylish yet safe window-dressing solution for your home, look no further than Senses Roller Blinds. Combining neat and innovative features with child-friendly design, this blind system has been developed to give you that coveted luxury and contemporary look and feel while eliminating child safety issues.

With senses rollers you don’t need to worry about the danger of strangulation that usually comes with the loops of pull, chain and bead cords. The Senses ‘Slow-Rise’ is cord and chain free, making it the ideal hazard-free window-dressing choice for families with children.

There is a wide range of safety features that are suitable for standard Senses chain-operated systems. These components include a control chain safety clip, securing the position of continuous chain, a chain pulley – to secure chain in place, and a chain connector break-away, which detaches if too much pressure is put onto the chain.

Other Senses roller blind features include:

-        One-touch operation – enabled by adjustable ‘rise’ speed that gives you that ultimate control.

-        Adjustable settings – allowing you to set blinds to rise and stop at the height of your preference.

-        No chains or loops – minimising the danger of strangulation in a home with children and giving you a peace of mind.

-        Simple, no-fuss installation.

-        No-gaps fit with extendable end-caps

-        Co-ordinated fascias to complement that sleek, stylish look.

-        A wide variety of colours and fabrics with a head box to match.

Have you made up your mind yet? Head over to one of our websites and book a free design consultation.

Different hues set a different mood for a room and they have a variety of sensory effects on people – from calmness to stimulation. Did you know, for example, that some colours could even be imperceptibly detrimental to your health? Yellow has been proven to strain the eyes and cause eye fatigue.

There is a host of questions that you need to answer when making decisions about your home interior. Are you going for classic yet dull neutrals or exciting yet busy bolds? Would you be colour consistent throughout the entire house or use completely different tints room to room? If you wish to install blinds or shutters, what colour should they be?

This handy infographic on the psychology of colour, crafted by Painters of Louisville, can certainly help you in answering these tough home interior questions in a definitive way. Enjoy!

Shutters are more durable than blinds, with the added bonus of giving your home that much-needed extra insulation for the cold months, while being an elegant complement to your home interior or exterior (depending on whether you wish to place them internally or externally).

Just like making any other major purchase decision for your home, choosing the right shutters requires a lot of forethought. You need to consider both the practical and the aesthetic aspects of the purchase, and the wide range of shutter styles on offer could make this look like a daunting endeavour.

Not if you follow these three simple steps.

1.       Decide which windows you want to adorn with shutters.

If you are looking to dress your bedroom windows, you may find that external shutters are the best choice for you as they are long-lasting and provide extra insulation and privacy.

Your dining room or living room windows are likely to look best with internal shutters as these create a focal point in your room, blending in with your room’s interior. Internal shutters are easy to maintain, which also makes them ideal for moisture-rich rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

2.      Don’t rely on DYI when measuring for shutters.

Knowing the exact shape, form and dimensions of the windows you wish to order shutters for is critical. However, as simple as taking measurements seems, there is more to it than meets the eye so we would not recommend doing it yourself. Being a complex product, shutters fit differently into different window types, and there is also a range of choices that are not available across the range.

So instead of risking it, why not book a visit from one of GC Family’s shutter specialists? They will guide you through choosing the correct shutters for your home so that you don’t end up with shutters that don’t match or fit your window type.

3.      Get creative with the design.

Once the shutter specialists have advised you of the perfect shutter type for your home, it is time to select the shutter colours and design.

The Goldcrest Family have a wide range of shutter designs on offer, including full height, café style and tier on tier, in addition to a rich selection of colours.

Our shutter specialists are on hand to help you choose the right shutters for your windows and select the style that is the best addition to your home.

And since this blog is dedicated to teaching you all you need to know about shutters, blinds and home design, we asked our consultants to answer the five most frequently asked questions.

1.      Will the salesperson have samples for me to look at?

-         Yes, our salespeople have sample books for every type of blind or window covering available. There is also a variety of small sample blinds available for you to look at so you will know exactly what you will be getting.

2.     I have windows that tilt in at the top and I have been told I cannot have blinds unless they are fitted outside the recess. Is this true?

-         No, this is not true. Most standard blinds will not fit into most recesses as the window would knock the head rail every time it is opened. However, at the GC Family we have a range of specially designed blinds that have been developed especially for this type of window.

Our Intu and Perfect Fit ranges are designed to fit directly onto the window. For further information, please contact us to discuss and we can arrange an appointment where one of our salespeople will be able to show you a sample of how these blinds work.

3.     Do my blinds come with child safety controls as standard?

-         Yes, all blinds from the GC Family come with child safety controls as standard. From safety cleats to tie up cords, to a helpful safety leaflet to advise on how to avoid accidents, we take Child Safety very seriously.

4.     Are your fabrics washable?

-         We have a wide range of washable fabrics, including PVC fabrics. These are ideal for high moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens and are perfect for kids’ rooms, etc. as they can easily be wiped clean.

5.     Do you do Blackout blinds?

-         We have a wide selection of Blackout fabrics available in Verticals and Roller Blinds. Our Roman Blinds and curtains all have a blackout lining option available, and don’t forget Venetian blinds have blackout qualities, too.

Our sales team are happy to discuss your requirements and advise on which fabrics are most suited to you.

Do you have any questions regarding the products and services we offer? Leave a comment or contact one of our branches and we will get back to you in due course.

So you may be disappointed, for example, to find out that the burgundy fabric that you really thought would match your sofa cushions is in fact maroon. Even the most high resolution images sometimes do fabrics a disservice. When it comes to choosing the right blind and curtain fabrics, nothing can replace look, touch and feel!

Why you should book a home design consultation

The Goldcrest Family work with Harlequin, giving you a wide variety of fabric styles to choose from, including floral, contemporary, minimalist and retro. The vast array of colours, textures, prints and weaves on offer provides you with the opportunity to find the ideal window dressing for you.

You can now do so from the comfort of your home – just book a no-obligation home visit. Not only will you be able to touch and feel the fabrics that we offer but you will also get free home design advice. Our friendly expert advisors will help you select the design fabric that really enhances your home and gives your blinds that individual look.

Here is what to expect:

• A fast local service with an appointment time to suit you.
• An appointment time confirmation made the following day
• Free measuring and fitting of all blinds by our trained experts
• Example blinds on hand with our advisor, suited to your appointment.
• Your blinds can be customised with our large selection of shaped scalloped bottoms, braids, decorative pulls and beaded trims, making each blind unique to your requirements.

So what makes these three types of blinds such a hit?

Roller blinds are a popular choice for all rooms of your house, including bathrooms and kitchens where moisture can be an issue with other types of blinds. Roller blinds are durable and easy to maintain. A variety of materials can be used to create roller blinds and as already mentioned, they are great in rooms with high amounts of moisture in the air. Roller blinds are also ideal for creating black-out blinds for bedrooms or creating a stylish focal point for your room.

Vertical blinds offer your home added privacy and light control, with the flexible rotation of the vertical slats. Similar to roller blinds, vertical blinds are available in a variety of colours to suit your room interiors, and come in a selection of plain, patterned or textured materials. Vertical blinds can be fitted to arched or curved rails, making them ideal for bay windows.

Maintaining verticals blinds is quite straightforward. Simply vacuuming the slats can keep them looking fresh, and if a more intensive clean is needed, the vertical slats can be unclipped and washed down with a damp cloth or soaked in a bath for those more stubborn stains – then simply re-hang them to allow them to dry.

Venetian blinds are extremely practical and are available in a vast range of coordinating slats and components. Similar to vertical blinds, the rotation of the horizontal slats allows you to control the light levels. This flexibility is great for creating privacy in your room. Venetians are available in PVC, plastic and a selection of woods, all of which are easy to maintain.

Wood venetians are an extremely popular choice amongst those buying venetian blinds. The Goldcrest Family’s wooden venetians are crafted from sustainable Bass wood and are available in natural wood tones, distressed shade and painted finishes. Wooden venetians are elegant and sleek looking, giving you a similar look to interior wooden shutters.

Wooden shutters, with their sleek minimalist lines will look stunning in any room of your home. A great alternative to window blinds or curtains; interior shutters can create a focal point to your room or blend seamlessly in with your room interior.

Interior window shutters are easy to maintain and are perfect for those moisture rich room, such as bathrooms, shower rooms and kitchens.

Shutters are made up for the outer frame and the internal horizontal louver slats. The horizontal slats allow you to control the amount of light that enters your room, the airflow and of course offers you complete privacy – similar to venetian blinds.

Interior shutters come in a range of colours and styles, and are available in full length, tier on tier, café style, tracking and as solid shutters.

Full length shutters

Full length shutters can be customized with a horizontal divider across the middle, allowing you to control the upper and lower louver slats separately, giving you a bit more flexibility. However, you can have one full length shutter, with no dividers allowing you control of the full length of the shutter in one movement.

Tier on tier shutters

Multiple tiered shutters, are similar to those mentioned above; a horizontal separator can be incorporated into you window shutter, allowing you to control different section of the shutters.

Café style shutters

Café style shutters cover only the lower part of your windows.

Solid shutters

Solid shutters feature stationary horizontal slats, and are fixed in the position of your choice.

Child friendly shutters

Interior window shutters are extremely child friendly, they are controlled but a vertical rod that runs down the horizontal slats, meaning no cords or chains are required, which we know can be a hazard if you have small children and pets.

The Goldcrest Family has a wide selection of shutters, and our shutter specialists can advise which type of window shutter would suit your needs and your room best.

By installing conservatory blinds, you can:

• Block out strong sun ray, preventing heat build up
• Retain heat during the winter months, with the specialist performance fabrics that block out the summer
• Prevent soft furnishing, interior woods, walls and floor covering from fading
• Make full use of the room, all year round

What blinds can you install in your conservatory?

Conservatory blinds come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics, by choosing a performance fabric you can reap the benefits of heat retention during the winter months, and keep you conservatory cool during the summertime.

Roof blinds

Roof blinds are a great idea for your conservatory. Coming in a variety of colours and styles, roof blinds can be manually operated or controlled electronically.

Perfect fit blinds

Perfect fit blinds, sit within a small frame system and are idea for conservatories, patio doors and tilted windows. The Perfect fit blinds frame system is fitted to the to your window beading and comes in various colours.

Intu blinds

Similar to Perfect fit blinds, Intu blinds fit into your window beading, this is perfect in a room such as your conservatory – allowing your furniture to sit flush with the internal wall, without needing to leave a gap for your blinds to hang correctly. These handy space savers are child friendly, as no chords or chains are required to control them.

How does a conservatory blind work?

Specially constructed conservatory blinds have small spaces in the material to let in light, but not the heat. Some blinds appear sheer, while others are woven. You can have the best of both worlds with a conservatory blind – plenty of light into your room without the heat from the summer sun.

The Goldcrest Family has a large selection of conservatory and electric blinds, and can advise which type of blinds would suit your needs and your conservatory best.

Your wooden blinds will be coated with a thin layer of sealant, which protect the wood by preventing them from absorbing water. Over time this protective layer can lose its strength, leaving your blind less protected.

Cleaning your wooden blind is very simple – but do check with your blind manufacturer first, they will be able to advise the best way for you to care for and clean your wooden blinds – you do not want to warp the wood!

Different ways to clean your wooden blinds

As with any piece of furniture in your home, regular dusting is recommended as the primary component to your cleaning and care routine. You can clean your wooden blinds with an ordinary soft, clean cloth, an antistatic cloth or dusting mitt that has been specially treated, by gently vacuuming with the brush attachment, or with a specially designed dusting brush for blinds.

 Vacuum cleaner

Vacuuming your blinds can be a quick and efficient way to get rid of any unwanted dirt and dust. Use your vacuum cleaners brush attachment and gently move from side to side along your blinds slats to remove the dust. Don’t forget to rotate your blinds and clean down the reverse side!

Soft cloth

Similar to vacuuming you blinds, dusting them down with a dry soft cloth is very simple. Gently wipe the blind slats down slowly, and rotate to clean the reverse side. If your wooden blind has more serious stain, rub the area gently with a damp cloth and then dry off again – minimizing the amount of moisture that your blind can absorb.

Tumble dryer sheet

A tumble dryer sheet is a great cloth to use when cleaning your wooden blinds, because of their make-up, dust will stick to the tumble dryer sheet which will prevent the unwanted dust flying around your room or falling onto the floor, which will need cleaned up later on.

Oils and furniture polish

Some oils and furniture polishes are great to use on your wooden blinds, but should be used sparing to avoid damaging the blind. When using a wood oil to clean your blinds, limit the amount of cleaner to one or two drops to avoid a build-up.

Because your wooden blinds are made from natural products, it is advised that you avoid using strong cleaning products or water based products. If you are unsure of the best way to remove a stain from your wooden blinds, contact your blind manufacturer – they will be able to give you their expert advice.

 Has your room (bedroom/living rooms etc) looked the same for quite some time or is the look and feel of your room just not inspiring you anymore? There are some small changes that you can make to your room to update the look and feel of the space without having to redecorated or replace your furniture.

Redesigning your walls

If you are happy with the colour of your walls there are still a few things you can do to refresh them. Why not update the pictures that you have hanging on you walls, or update your picture frames? A great way to create a feature on you walls is to gather your picture frames together and arrange them into a layout that groups them all together.

Rearranging your furniture

Getting new furniture can be quite costly, so why not try and change the layout of your room and arrange your furniture so the focal point of the room is slightly different?

Updating your accessories

A great way to inject new colour into a room is to update your current accessories such as cushion covers, vases, light shades and curtains/window blinds.

You would be surprised at how much changing your curtains or window blinds and complimenting these with any new coloured accessories can have. Matching up your new accessories is a great way to pull the whole look together and give your room an updated feel without going to the cost of fully redecorating or buying new furniture.