Double Act: The Block Meets DIY Blinds’ Blockout Blinds and Sheer Curtains

“There are two large windows on either side of the bed, and another smaller one at the other end of the room,” says Kristy. “While that meant the light was amazing, it also meant there was no privacy. It was also hard to get a good night’s sleep because it was never properly dark."

To combat this, “blockout blinds were a no-brainer,” says Kristy. The pair chose the Kew Blinds in Natural across all three windows.

“They’re motorised, and all three blinds work off the same control, which means you can lie in bed and move any blind without getting up.”

Once the functionality of the space was organised Kristy and Brett were keen to add some texture to the room.

“We achieved this using Sheer Curtains on top of the blinds,” explains Brett. “It makes the room cosy and inviting, and when the blinds are pulled they let the light through.”

The couple chose the Mavi S Fold curtains in Opal. “We wanted something quite textured to contrast against the smooth Venetian plaster on the walls,” says Kristy.

Even when the blinds are open, the curtains can stay drawn. “They add a second dimension of privacy but still let light in, almost like a frosted window.”

Because the team didn’t want to drop the height of their ceiling, they opted for recessed pelmets on both sides of the room so they could avoid seeing the curtain track.

“The blinds sit within the pelmet too, so there’s a really seamless look,” says Kristy.

Kristy and Brett were concerned the pelmet might ‘box in’ the curtains, so DIY Blinds came up with a custom solution for the couple.

The curtain track, which is hidden in the pelmet, has a small, curved return at each end. This means that when you walk into the room, the curtain sits flush with the wall, rather than there being a gap between the curtain and the wall.

“It gives a beautiful, polished finish,” says Kristy. “The first thing you see is a soft drop of fabric instead of an unsightly gap. Small touches like that make such a difference to the finish of a room.”

On the side of the room where there are two windows, the couple opted to use one large sheer curtain instead of two smaller ones.“It’s functional, but we also used it as a styling piece,” explains Kristy. “It softens the plaster and gives you something to look at instead of a blank wall."

The curtain moves in one direction and is easily controlled with an acrylic wand–one of the options offered by DIY Blinds.

The team opted to have their sheers sit neatly on the ground rather than puddle on the floor.

“At this length, the curtains don’t bunch up on the fabric of the carpet,” explains Kristy. “They sit nicely and never look messy."

The clever use of two window furnishings, combined with the custom solutions designed by DIYBlinds, helped Kristy and Brett realise how curtains and blinds can be an integral part of a space.

“Window coverings shouldn’t be an ‘add-on’ to a room,” says Kristy. “They really are part of the whole space.”

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The Block 2023

Television’s most challenging renovation show is back with five pairs of contestants working tirelessly to transform five characterful houses into stylish family homes. DIY Blinds joins forces with the teams to provide interior design expertise and our range of custom-made blinds, shutters and curtains to ensure the finished homes are of the highest quality.

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