Bedroom Blind:
Out with the Old,
In with the New
MOLLY
31 July 2016
In posts that feature my bedroom, there is one area I never show, which is the window. This is because I hate the blind with a passion. It’s been on my to-do list for a while to replace, and I’ve finally gotten round to it …
The existing blind was a nicely made, good quality roman blind, and as I am renting, you might wonder why I would go to the bother and expense of replacing? Well the reason was the pattern and colour: stripes – brown and beige stripes – I really had to avert my eyes every morning. And it turns out replacing the blind did not cost and arm and a leg either, using the company Order Blinds.
Here is the offending blind, in all its glory:
The before …
As the only thing I didn’t like was the pattern, I decided to keep the same kind of blind, but made in a different fabric. From Order Blinds you can choose up to five free samples of fabric, which I did, and they arrived in the very next day’s post.
From the samples I chose a simple linen-coloured fabric in a lightly-textured weave.
It was easy to measure up using the guidelines on the Order Blinds site, and I also chose to have the blind lined with black out material. The blind was custom made to my specifications, and arrived by courier under two and a half weeks after ordering.
I was not sad to see the back of the existing blind, as it was quickly replaced with my new blind. It’s such a relief to not be greeted by brown stripes when I open my eyes in the morning.
The blind is very well made, and I’ve no complaints about it at all. One thing to note, which is different to the previous blind, is that the rod casings show on the reverse of the fabric (photo below). As my flat is the first/top floor of a house, and my bedroom faces the back, this makes no difference to me at all, but if I was on the ground floor, facing the street, I would prefer the rod casings to be enclosed within the blind (I’m sure there is a better technical description for this, but I think you’ll get what I mean).
Overall I’m really pleased with my new blind as an affordable window dressing, with blackout lining to make my lie-ins that little bit sweeter. It cost just over £150, for a window recess measuring 122 x 188 cm. Having spent a LOT more on custom-made window treatments in the past, albeit with more expensive fabric, I can appreciate how much lower the cost here is.
And so I continue to slowly make this rented flat more of my own. Now what’s next on the list? …
… the after
To find out more about Order Blinds, and see their full range of blinds, visit them at http://www.orderblinds.co.uk
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Twitter:
on August 1, 2016 at 11:39 am
Oh yes, what a difference it does make! I think too often we can underestimate the significance of smaller items that we’re not content with, thinking that it won’t serve a purpose to change it but it always does. Good work on the blackout lining too, I love nothing more than the darkest of dark rooms to sleep in X
Thanks Lins! I agree – there are a few little things that have been bugging me for a while, and although they are only minor irritations, replacing this blind has proved that it is definitely time to make the changes!
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 8:11 am
It makes a huge difference! I love roman blinds I think they look really elegant and, in the case of your new one, expensive! I’m about to have a stab at making my own for our nursery, I’m sure it won’t look anywhere near as good as this but it’s something to aim for! #HomeEtc
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 11:33 am
For a moment there I thought the top picture was the one you were replacing ha! Oh yes it does make such a difference – it looks lovely, although I do love a Roman Blinds so I am probably a bit biased. I agree about the rod casings, I don’t think I have seen that before. I need a blind in the kitchen so I am off to click on the link xx #HomeEtc
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 11:53 am
Sometimes is the smallest of changes that make a big difference in the room. I like the new fabric better 🙂 #HomeEtc
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 4:45 pm
I can see why you changed it – the new blind is lovely and looks like very nice fabric. Was it easy to put up?
Thanks Rachel, yes it was easy to put up – just drilled for the fitting to be attached by screws to the top of the window recess, then the blind just slotted in (though I didn’t do this myself – but I watched!)
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Iv just done the same and usually use Hillarys for my made to measure blinds, I have Romans and I paid over £150 last time but just used blinds2go and it was £64 and arrived 7 days after ordering.. Amazing
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 8:05 pm
Lovely light shade now, wonderful makeover of the space.
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 10:52 pm
This looks really nice Molly. I’ve never really been a fan of roman blinds as I’ve always found them to look a bit fussy. But the older I get the more I’m starting to like them. I think I may have outgrown roller blinds lol. This has convinced me to get a new roman blind for my bedroom.
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 11:41 pm
What a difference it makes. I know what you mean about the rod casings. If they hashad been in the same colour fabric it may have helped. I’ve made a couple of sets of roman blinds for our house. If you have an old blind you can upcycle it and get some nice fabric. I made some using an Orla Kiely Single Duvet and was really pleased with the result…I don’t think I could afford £150 for custom made blinds
Twitter:
on August 3, 2016 at 11:44 pm
Oops forgot the #HOMEETC
Twitter:
on August 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm
It’s amazing what a difference a new blind makes. This one looks really smart. It’s a shame about the reverse – but as you say you’re not overlooked so it doesn’t matter.
Twitter:
on August 5, 2016 at 11:15 am
Gosh it makes SUCH a difference!! Love what you’ve chosen!! The fabric is gorgeous 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to #HomeEtc — Caro xx
Caro recently posted…178 weeks | Me and Mine {July} (late again)
Twitter:
on August 6, 2016 at 9:24 pm
What a difference the new blind makes, love the colour and material. #HomeEtc
Twitter:
on August 9, 2016 at 9:44 am
I really need this post as I am desperate for some in our downstairs living areas! So beautiful and very stylish 🙂 Thanks for sharing – great job 🙂
#HomeEtc
Twitter:
on August 9, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Love the new blind, so much nicer and simpler than the old one. I’ve used Order Blinds too and it worked out well for me too. #homeetc
Looks great. I desperately need a blind for my son’s room. I recently saw a great blind system at the home we stayed in in Seattle. I’ll need to make it a note to find out where it’s from too. x