Why opt for White Wooden Blinds : Make My Blinds

I think I mentioned recently that one of the perils about blogging interiors, is that I always have a room project on the go.  I think I’ve resigned myself that the garden will continue to be an ongoing one, and I’m going to just enjoy it as is, for a while.  So I have switched my time for the next couple of weeks to some changes to our living room.

Office Space in the living room

The first thing I wanted to tackle was the outdated and old roman blinds.  Now I’ll put my hands up, and I did choose these, but in my defence it was 10 years ago, and my taste has changed somewhat now.

We have a double fronted house, and have these double windows in the living room and in the kitchen. Here is what they did look like :

They are blackout blinds, which is what I thought I needed at the time, but regretted that they really did plunge the whole room into total darkness in the evening.  Also even whilst up, block out the light.

I wanted to go for something that gave me more control, and a more modern brighter feel to the window.  I spotted a neighbour had recently changed hers to white wooden blinds, and loved how they looked from outside whether open or closed, much better that my old roman blinds with the cords and backing fabric on show.

I was approached by Make My Blinds who offered to make the blinds for me. First thing I needed to do was decide was on the colour of the blinds and if I wanted to go for 25 or 50mm slats.  I ordered some samples and quickly realised that the thicker 50mm would look better. It was actually amazing how much variation there is with the whites, so I would definitely recommend getting the samples and trying them in your home.

I then needed to work out if I wanted them inside the recess of my window, or on the outside. I think especially because I have two windows next to each other, going into the recess would give a better final look. So I then measured up, following the step by step guide on the Make My Blinds website for recess ones. They were actually slightly different sizes, so I’m pleased I doubled checked the measurements. You also get the option of where the controls will be placed, which I’ll look at later in the post.

Installation was overall very easy, and again we followed the sites recommendations. We had planned to put them into the lintel, but instead we got rid of our window air vents and installed them into the window frame.  This was not fault of the blinds, it’s just our lintel is steel, and almost impossible to drill into.

So here is the finished result :

I can’t believe what difference it has made.  During the day, I keep looking over at them (My office is on one end of the living room) and they look so much better.  Every morning when I come into the living room, I can see where I’m walking! Seems such a small thing, but being able to navigate the room is fantastic.

The really do suit the room so much more.  As you can see from the below image, they look really neat.  I loved that they come with a valance of sorts (on velcro) which finishes off the whole look.

I went for real wood, the company offers faux and aluminium in this style too. I wouldn’t hesitate to have them in any room of my house to be honest, I’m thrilled with the quality and style. I mentioned the controls earlier, and when you choose the colour, style and enter the measurements of your blinds you also decide where the controls will be.

I opted for the raise control to be on the right, and the tilt control on the left on both blinds. You can have both on the left or right too, if you wanted.  I think if I’m honest I will keep them down the whole time, and just tilt them.  I have however tested out the raise function and even though the blind is heavy (as its really wood) it raises easily.

These were part of a review, but they are actually fantastic value for money!

I think its a great improvement to the space.  I’m itching to keep making some tweaks.  I’m now looking at my french doors in the same room, and wondering how I can improve them, as I have an awful curtain that I’m dying to get rid of.  Hmmm, next project maybe?