Surrey Homes | SH45 | July 2018 | Interiors supplement inside

Sponsored by
Sheer delight
Forget Hyacinth Bucket’s net curtains – the new
sheer fabrics are so beautiful they are window
treatments in their own right
“Sheers are in great
demand. They give a
lovely, airy floaty feel
and stack so neatly,
whether for bi-fold doors
or to hide behind a set
of curtains for privacy
when required”
The new electric blinds
For years electronically controlled blinds
and curtains which open and close at
the touch of a button were the ultraexpensive
preserve of luxury hotels, but
new technology has made them a practical
choice for homeowners. Paul Jenner of Bell
House Fabrics and Interiors explains.
“Electric blinds are becoming very popular
with our clients. Until recently the only
option was to have them in the limited
fabrics the blind company offered. Now you
can choose any fabric, as long as it’s not too
heavy.
“We work very closely with the large
French company Somfy, which started
making exterior canopies. Because of the scale
of the business they are driving down prices
and launching new products all the time.
“Previously the question
with blinds was ‘do you
want to tie it off on a
cleat or a chain?’ Now it’s
‘do you want a chain - or
motorised...?’
“You can have them on most kinds of
windows. Some will suit romans better,
others rollers, depending whether you are
fixing the blind inside recesses or outside.
Rollers cope with more weight and are
quieter. You can have blackout fabric on the
back of either.
“They are powered by eight double AA
batteries in a tube and you have one control
even if you have a bay with three blinds, you
can operate them all at once, or separately.
“You can also download an app so you can
operate them remotely, which is great for
security, or you can put them on a timer.
“On top of the price of fabric and making
the blinds, it costs £129 per blind for the
motor and battery pack, with batteries. The
remote controls are £29 for a single channel
and £46 for multi-channel, to operate more
than one blind. We keep them in stock and
install them with the blinds.
“We also do electrically operated curtains,
although they are more expensive – but price
reductions are coming, so watch this space!”
Sarah bellamy, skinners
Bell House Fabrics & Interiors,
of tunbridge wells
High Street, Cranbrook 01580 712555
bellhousefabrics.co.uk
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