Shutters are not only for windows

Plantation shutters are not just for windows according to influential TV interior designers Colin and Justin. As they wrote in this article there are many other innovative ways shutters can be used. A good example of this (shown below) is Colin and Justin's transformation of a drab store room into a plush dining room.

"Who says shutters should only be installed on windows? Certainly not us. As part of this project we inserted them to conceal the dating sliding French doors, but then we had a brainwave. Why not also use them to divide the dining room from the living space that lies beyond? This approach provides the option of "open concept" while letting light flood into the adjacent room via the moveable door slats even when the shutters are folded together."    

Their recommendation is no surprise. Other than superb practical solutions like increased security, light control and ventilation; a great many people purchase for reasons of appearance, quality craftmanship and the great variety of styles and colours that can be personally tailored.

With so much choice in quality timber and paint finishes it is no wonder that leading interior designers are looking to use shutters for other uses. Using shutters as a room divider is an absolutely brilliant idea and would make a wonderfully unique feature. The additional benefits of being able to moderate light and help retain heat within a room also adds to their appeal.

We are always happy to discuss how we can help improve your house by installing shutters. Why not visit our website where you can find great examples of our work and what products are available.

The very best in painted plantation shutters

In previous blogs we have mentioned that with Lifestyle Shutters you can choose from a range of painted colours and finishes, in fact, in excess of 3,500!

It probably goes with saying that we are against cheaply made and painted window shutters as they commonly deteriorate within a short period of time. Problems can include the paint fading or even flaking and often means that the cost saving people thought they made in the beginning costs them in time, effort and money when having them repainted a few years down the line. 

We want you to feel confident that you are purchasing quality.   

How do Lifestyle Shutters create and treat painted plantation shutter?

Our painted plantation shutters go through a process of being sealed, sanded, primed, re-sanded and then covered with two satin finish clear UV restraint, protective top coats. This finishing process is an extremely safe way to ensure that your painted shutters do not peel or flake.
 
How can you customise your painted plantation shutter?
With Lifestyle Shutters you can customise your shutters to match perfectly with mostly all interior decor. With thousands of Farrow & Ball, Dulux Trade, Fired Earth and Sanderson colours to choose from you will be able to mix and match colours that will be fitting for your rooms. 

Why take the time to choose?
If you chose painted plantation shutters, consideration needs to be given to how they compliment the architecture and style of your home. Victorian and Georgian homes tend to suit either crisp whites or heritage colours like those available from Farrow & Ball for example.  For a more modern building white shutters are also popular as they allow a room to look more spacious and they will reflect the sunlight allowing a more light and airy ambiance. In the end it always comes down to personal preference, and with over 3,500 colours available it can get as personal as you like!

On the Lifestyle Shutters website we have additional information on all the colours available, on the other services we provide and how you can contact us for a free consultation.

Restoring period properties

Period homes from the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian era have long been popular among homeowners in this country. This is not a surprise as the quality of these properties is evident given the the original craftsmanship involved in the construction. 

Victorian and Edwardian houses are renowned for spacious rooms, high ceilings and very often a good size garden.  Although period homes are often large suiting the many needs of a family this isn't necessarily the main reason for their popularity. 

The finishes within a period home such as a grand Victorian house are nearly always unique. The carpenter working on the property during its construction would have added varying levels of bespoke design formulated to reflect the property's status. 

Sadly, over time, many of these great features face neglect or can even be completely ruined with sometimes original staircases, fireplaces and floor boards being ripped out for modernisation purposes. For many people restoring these original features to their former glory is part of the pleasure of owning such a property.

The current trends of restoring period properties

Period properties have been popularised by television shows that has focus on interior design and period restoration. Even, now television Production Company Endemol are creating a new television show for BBC 2 titled Restoration Home, where private home owners of crumbling historical homes look to save and restore them to their original state.   

With restoring period homes becoming more popular many people have found out that restoring these properties can be more complex than well edited programs have lead them to believe. The interior furnishings in many Victorian or Edwardian homes can be extremely complex in design and to fully restore these features to their original state will often involve a very skilled and often expensive carpenter. Following feature restoration it's time for some interior design. The difficulty with this is getting the balance right between modern options and sensitivity to the original features.

Why Window Shutters

This is where window shutters and our professional service has a distinct advantage over other window dressings. We use a range of timbers that can be matched to any interior design choice and with over 3,500 different paint finishes to choose from we can fit perfectly in any situation.

It's worth noting that many Victorians expected their interior furnishings to be painted, therefore plantation shutters that has been professionally painted are perfectly suited to these homes.

Contact us a Lifestyle Shutters if you would like book a visit from one of our designers to discuss your options.

Window shutters can enhance your home office

It is no longer the case that employees and small business owners are chained at their desk from 9 to 5, with the development of desktop technology and online internet services, many people nowadays take the option to work from the comfort of their own home rather than face the daily commute.

Many people working from home on a full time basis take the step to renovate one of their rooms into a home office. The renovation process is generally epitomised by the necessary installation of the stalwart office essentials - a desk, shelves and a comfy office chair. We believe that plantation shutters should also be given serious consideration as a practical and good looking addition. There are multiple functional benefits to installing shutters in your home office, but also there is the professional ambiance that is created, often helping to focus the mind away from domestic issues and chores. Not to mention the professional image they promote if meeting clients and conducting meetings.

Shutter installation enhances the room’s professional image, aids heat retention and overcomes the unnecessary minor annoyances that curtains can suffer from, such as failing to stay fixed to the railing and discolouring in sunlight. Plantation shutters also offer complete privacy which can be essential to providing security for expensive work systems, they reduce noise from outside allowing you to work in peace and can additionally provide light control and ventilation to create the perfect working room ambiance.

We are experienced in creating the perfect home office shutter solutions and we are always happy to consult with anyone wanting advice. Whatever the size of the window, we have a team that can professionally design and custom fit the perfect shutters for your workspace.

We work with a variety of materials that include a range of timber solutions such as Poplar, Red Cedar, Phoenix Wood and with 3,500 paint finishes - we are sure that there will be a shutter to suit you.

Contact us now for more information or to book a visit by one of our design team.

Image courtesy of Good Housekeeping