Linen sheers work their magic in Zephyr + Stone's designer homes

Hi Ania and Kasia! Can you please describe your wonderful business, Zephyr + Stone?

Sure! We launched Zephyr + Stone four years ago. We’re an interior design studio, but also a multi-faceted business. Our website is a resource hub packed with valuable information we share from our own development projects, including building and design tools, free tips sheets, and trend and product information. We really endeavour to answer questions individuals wouldn’t think to ask, so they can avoid problems and achieve a designer look and finish in their own homes. We also have an online store with a curated range of beautiful furniture, and we work with clients directly providing bespoke interior design and furniture selection.

You share the most practical tips and tricks for designing and planning projects. What is your number one piece of advice for someone starting their first build or reno?

Our number one piece of advice is to research, plan and get organised as much as possible before starting any work. You want to avoid having to make last-minute decisions onsite.

If you’re planning to tackle some DIY, make sure you speak to experts or educate yourself with a short course. Mistakes are often very expensive, or you could end up with a finish that you’re not happy with! If you don’t have any hands-on experience, we recommend engaging qualified contractors for a first project. Watch and learn as much as you can, rather than attempting things yourself.

Would you say you have a signature style? All your projects feel amazingly cohesive and balanced.

Rather than having a signature style, we design quality homes that are uncomplicated, open, cohesive, and always flooded with as much natural light as possible. We always choose finishes to appeal to 80% of potential buyers and we don’t follow trends, as we look to create neutral, timeless homes that will age gracefully.

Balance and space are paramount in every floor plan and design, and we generally don’t design individual spaces without first ensuring the floor plan is completely maximised.

Two of your recent projects, Scandi Townhouse and Coastal 2Ways, are complete Instagram sensations. We get so many comments from our community about them! Can you share how they came together and your roles on the projects?

These projects were our own developments and are among our favourites to date! We designed all aspects ourselves including floor plans, finishes, cabinetry, colours and furniture styling, and we were onsite most days to oversee the design details. Each project evolved from an original concept, and grew as finishes were finalised.

The #Coastal2Ways project is a duplex with two identical floor plans. We used different colour schemes and finishes to showcase two different ways you can achieve a coastal look in your home. One has a classic colour palette with timber, white and more natural finishes, whilst the other is more contemporary with cleaner and more minimal lines, panelled cabinetry and pale grey tiled floors.

Floor-to-ceiling S fold sheers are a great value way to create a timeless designer look and transform a home. What do you love most about your sheers?

Even with the most beautiful hard finishes and a healthy project budget, a space just doesn’t feel complete without texture and soft furnishings. We love how sheers work their magic to instantly make a room feel complete. They soften and filter light, provide good privacy by day and give our homes that designer look.

You chose linen sheers from our Allusion range, colour Snow, as well as motorised blockout roller blinds for effortless luxury. Can you offer advice to help our customers choose the perfect fabric for curtains and blinds?

To choose the right fabric, start by looking at what you’re hoping to achieve. That might be privacy, blocking out light or purely aesthetics. Then consider which solution will work best in relation to the type of window or door you’ll be covering. Don’t be afraid to choose fabrics with a bit of texture, colour or detail, as these will feel soft and luxurious and can have a more sophisticated effect compared to a flat colour or fabric.

You share our passion for planning ahead to get the best results. At what stage of a project do you start planning your window furnishings?

Planning window furnishings is essential before you sign off on your construction drawings! We plan our window furnishings when our floor plans or home concepts are being finalised to ensure every window and space is maximised.

Window furnishings can seem like something that comes at the end of a project, however it’s vital to consider them before or during early construction stages. This is so you can allow for any labour required to achieve your design. It's especially important if you’re hoping to conceal blind fixings or curtain tracks in a recess or bulkhead.

Are you able to tell us anything about the upcoming launch of Z + S Design Academy? We’re excited!

The Z + S Design Academy will be an invaluable resource for those tackling home design or DIY projects. It will provide them with a space to get advice and feedback from ourselves and our team of qualified interior designers on questions and ideas relating to the design of their projects. Along with a number of project tools and resources being released as we speak, the Academy will arm individuals with the information and confidence to tackle their own projects, and achieve the designer finish they dream of.