Fabric Trends and Luxaflex

Inspiration for some of today’s greatest fashion masterpieces have been pulled from the most unconventional of places.  From the garments hanging in your wardrobe to the blinds dressing your living room, external factors and current trends have all, in one way or another, played a part in design and development.

As an industry leader, Luxaflex Window Fashions embraced the global and local textile trends and incorporated these into their fabric selection and development processes.

There are four trends which have taken the broader fashion industry by storm. These include: Geological Reflections, Impressions of Lace, Geometrics and Three Dimensional.

1. Geological Reflections

The first of the four trends is Geological Reflections, which boast the evolution of the organic and natural forms. A combination of vivid colours, reflective surfaces and shimmery hues, allows for glitz and glamour to be used in a far from traditional manner but instead in a free-flowing and imperfect way.  

2. Impressions Of Lace

Impressions of lace as the name suggests, is the use of delicate and dainty finishes as well as fine and detailed patterns and textures. This trend is mirrored in the Luxaflex range through fabrics such as Morea and Prague-Sheer which are soft and feminine yet still manage to make a statement and maintain a modern feel.  

3. Geometrics

The Geometrics trend is dominating the Fashion, Commercial and Residential textile sectors. Next time you find yourself flicking through the pages of a Home Décor or design magazine you’ll be surprised at the amount of different geometric patterns which have made their way into the homes of trend-setters! Luxaflex has adopted this trend and introduced fabrics that use a layered weaving technique to show its sophistication and geometric design.


4. Three Dimensional

The last trend - Three Dimensional has had a great influence on home interior design and particularly on textile designs and finishes. This trend has seen the introduction of elevated surfaces which allows the fabric to become quite interactive and really come to life.

Luxaflex chats with Lynn Malone

Luxaflex is proud to work with Australia’s top trend setters in the interior design world. Recently we sat down with renowned stylist Lynn Malone, who was happy to share with us her story and inspirations.

How did your career start?
After university, I worked as a junior interior designer for a one-year apprenticeship then founded a US-based interior design firm: Coordinated Interiors.  Other than the one-year experience as an employee, over my career I have the good fortune of being self-employed and hiring talented design practitioners to work with me.

What are your career highlights?
Over the last 30 years, I have practiced interior design taking an eight-year hiatus to work with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics in a sports marketing and corporate hospitality role which was the impetus for my relocation from the US to Australia.  Residential design has always captivated me; I am continually on the lookout for products that enrich everyday home life.  I look to best-practice companies such as Luxaflex that invest in product research and strive toward creating products that bring value home.

What do you consider as key elements in the home? 
A key design element often overlooked or under considered is lighting – either ambient, task lighting or natural lighting.  Light sources within an interior space are optimal when regulated and glare-free.  Window treatments play a significant role in lighting regulation solutions and contribute an aesthetical value as a bonus. 

What are you working on now?
Projects underway are several Sydney high-rise apartment-remodelling projects for respective private clients.  Coincidently each apartment was last remodelled over 15-years ago and due for a complete makeover; and all have key features such as high ceilings; an abundance of natural lighting; and visionary clients seeking quality, innovation and incorporating modern conveniences through technology.

This is the first of a three-part interview series with Lynn Malone. Check out this blog again next month for the second installation which will feature Lynn’s to tips for re-decorating.

The Best of Sydney Indesign

Sydney Indesign took over the streets from the 15-18 August offering design, food and entertainment for thousands of Australian and international creative minded attendees. The event definitely did not disappoint, showcasing only the latest product innovations, creative structures and emerging talent Australia has to offer.

Have a look at some of the products and objects that caught our eye.

Latest Trends in Window Fashions

Design is ever-evolving and it's always interesting to see what global trends make it to Australia and resonate with our lifestyle. When it comes to window fashions, you'll be surprised to know that there are advancements every year, particularly in the way we operate our blinds, fabric textures, colours and the changing shape of the modern window.

Below is a snapshot of what's trending in window fashions for 2013.

• The minimalist look leads the trend in window coverings. This is influenced by a return to elegance and texture; it's all about creating a soft, subtle and inviting vibe for your rooms. Have a look at our Soft Shades collection, which includes the Pirouette Shadings for some inspiration.
• Combination window treatments have become a popular option with the use of two products - i.e. when blockout and transparent roller blinds are combined to provide a dual function, such as our Dual Roller Blinds.
• Motorisation continues to become more accessible and is available in a range of options to suit your specific needs.
• With the cost of living on the rise, superb insulation properties are becoming a must have for window coverings. Luxaflex Duette Architella Shades are the perfect example, proven to reduce average costs by 43% - imagine the savings!

Luxaflex Pirouette Shadings

Know When to Leave it with the Pros

When it comes to installing window treatments, DIY may not work out to be the most economical option.

Window treatment installation is a project best left with the experts due to the skills required and risks involved with getting it wrong.

Here are the top five reasons why you should leave this project with the Pros:

1. First and foremost comes the assurance of knowing that the pro can get the job done quickly and effectively, and often under a warranty.

2. There is a minimal risk of anything going wrong, especially with experienced people on hand to carry out any corrections needed on the spot.

3. If blinds or shutters are improperly sized, even to a small degree, this affects how the blind or awning operates. In the worst case scenario, the blind or awning may stop working prematurely, causing you to fork out more money to replace it.

4. There is no such thing as a "standard" sized window. Ever-changing design trends mean windows now come in all shapes and sizes making it harder to correctly choose from the ready-made window treatments in the market.

5. There is a common perception that getting professionals to do work is expensive. Even though there may be an additional cost, keep in mind that having the job done right from the start can help you save money in the long run.

Contact your local Gallery or fill out a form on our website to book an in-home consultation.

Luxaflex Professional Installer

Top Three Reasons to Bring your Windows into the Future

Having motorised blinds and shades was once a luxury, but with the latest innovations, having motorised window fashions in your home is now an affordable convenience.

Here are three great reasons to invest in motorised window fashions for your home.

Safety

Motorising your blinds means that you don't have to worry about dangling cords which pose a safety hazard for children and pets.

Convenience

Motorised shades make hard-to-reach and wide window coverings easier to operate and in some cases, you can control multiple window coverings at the touch of a button. Exclusive to Luxaflex, uRemote has the ability to control Roller Blinds from your Apple device even if you’re hundreds of kilometres away.












Style and Elegance

At the end of the day, you invest in window fashions to bring style and elegance to your home. With motorisation, you no longer have to deal with messy cords or fuss around to get them into the exact position you want. Qmotion for Roller Blinds is the only option in the market where you can quietly and seamlessly control blinds with a remote control or by hand when a remote is not within reach.

For ideas on blind motorisation for your home, visit one of our Galleries.

Habitus Magazine at Salone del Mobile in Milan

Nicky Lobo, Deputy Editor of Habitus magazine shares with us her experience at the Salone del Mobile in Milan...the biggest fair on the Australian and international design calendar!


Milano,

Where do you start?

The fair ground is a good place, 40 minutes out of the city, on the train along with some 285,000 others over the course of five days.

It's possibly the only thing that is actually bigger than Ben-Hur - in size, scale of production, cost and export dollars (7.8 billion in 2013). The fair itself is spectacular. All the biggest brands, their newest products and the world's most prolific designers (think Urquiola, Bouroullec and Lovegrove) at your fingertips.

It's also spectacularly tiring. Twenty-four pavilions on either side of a kilometre-long central walkway, and over 1,200 exhibitors. Luckily, most of the brands that make their way to Australia are grouped in about six main pavilions.

And then there are the city showrooms. And the satellite events, exhibitions and districts....



MAIN TRENDS:

Metals - increase in copper and burnished / softened rather than highly polished
Timber - lots of it!
Resurgence of old materials like leather, rope, cane in combination with other finishes
Craftsmanship (detailing / inlays) incorporated to deter copying subdued colours - not much vibrant/bold colour
Textiles - also muted, natural materials
50 / 60s Silhouette - return to better times / nostalgia
Japanese influence - clean, simple details, dark timber

 

 Event Photography by Alessandro Russotti, Andrea Mariani
Product Photography courtesy of the brands

Register Now - Home, Food and Wine Weekend

Luxaflex at the Home, Food and Wine Weekend
Date: Friday, 17 May - Sunday, 19 May 2013
Location: Byron Kennedy Hall, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney

Luxaflex Window Fashions is once again taking part in the Home, Food and Wine Weekend - an event-packed weekend hosted by Bauer Media's home, food and lifestyle magazines.

A great opportunity to eat, drink and enjoy interactive sessions hosted by industry experts and recognised editors.

On Saturday, 18 May at 3pm, Luxaflex Window Fashions, together with The Australian Women's Weekly and Sean Fitzgerald from ABC's Carbon Cops program, will host a session on how to save money by creating an energy efficient yet innovative home - both inside and out.

Learn about the latest in affordable control systems for your window coverings, fabrics, colours and trends, straight from the 2013 Heimtex European Textiles Show.

Register here to reserve your place at the session.

Selling Houses Australia - 1950's Time Warp

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 10

WEST RYDE - 1950's Time Warp

OVERVIEW: Andrew and Erika Coombe managed to secure their own slice of country in the Sydney suburb of West Ryde. What they call 'country' is an overgrown bush block with an old style country house featuring dark wood panelling and cluttered rooms. With a price tag of almost a million dollars, the place needed to be brought into the current century in order to be sold.

PROBLEM: The country house needed a modern touch, which would brighten up the rooms and add a consistent theme throughout the home.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex Silhouette Shadings in Originale fabric in colour 'White Diamond' were the perfect solution to lighten and modernise the dark rooms and give the home some personality.



HOW IT WORKS: Luxaflex Silhouette Shadings combine the unique features of curtains, shades and blinds into one window covering, exuding elegance and providing ultimate functionality.

The shadings feature fabric S-shaped vanes suspended horizontally between two sheer fabric facings, which can be opened for a full, soft focus view, closed for privacy, or tilted for light control. Designed to offer a dual effect, the front facing is a fine weave sheer and the back facing is a more open weave, which provides the best view-through effect. To ensure a seamless appearance, no cords are present throughout the fabric.

Selling Houses Australia Series 6 has now finished but you can check out all the Luxaflex products featured on the show here.

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Selling Houses Australia – 70’s Penthouse

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 8

DARWIN - 70's Penthouse

OVERVIEW: A selfless act can sometimes get in the way of a smart one. Bob purchased properties to help his friends and family get out of debt, but ironically he became the one up to his eyeballs in mortgage bills. His solution - to sell his not-so-luxurious 70's style penthouse apartment.

PROBLEM: In order to bring the penthouse up to scratch, the interior needed a complete overhaul. The top-floor penthouse had no protection from the hot Darwin weather and bot the interiors and exteriors needed a 'wow' factor befitting its penthouse status.

SOLUTION: To protect the penthouse from heat and glare, Luxaflex Evo Awnings in Everscreen fabric in colour 'Shale' were installed outside to replace the old fashioned awnings. Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds in blockout Caspien fabric in colour 'Linen' and Greenscreen fabric in colour 'White' were used internally to further protect the home from heat and glare. The blinds used both Patented EDGE and Qmotion motorisation technology to give it a modern feel and add that extra 'wow' factor.




HOW IT WORKS: Luxaflex Evo Awnings are made specifically for  Australian weather conditions. The straight drop Evo Awning option can be used to shield the indoors from extreme heat and glare. Evo Awnings come in five different options, each available in various fabric options including the EverScreen External Screen Fabric, which provides heat and glare reduction as well as UV protection.

Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds work by mounting two blinds on one set of brackets, allowing you to combine the functionality of two different fabrics in the one roller blind. This not only offers flexible light adjustment, but also day and night time privacy in the one application.

Dual Roller Blinds are easy to operate and suitable for windows of all shapes and sizes. Availale with innovative Patented EDGE (Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency) and Qmotion technology. Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds come in a range of operating systems, including chain, crank or motorised and can be operated with a remote device such as an iPhone or an iPad.

For this particular project, the revolutionary Roller Blinds with Omotion technology added the 'wow' factor to the windows. They system uses regular D cell batteries that last for five years, an industry first. As an added bonus, you won't find a blind with a smaller light gap. Operation is via remote control, or manual pull for when the remote is not within reach.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

Lounge Room Before

Lounge Room After

Selling Houses Australia - Grandma's House

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia - Episode 7

ROMSEY - Grandma's House

OVERVIEW: Andrew inherited his grandma's house and was excited to be living in a place they could call their own...or so they thought. To Andrew's family and friends, the house still belonged to grandma and all of their renovation plans were met with strong disapproval. Not only this, but Andrew and his wife were hoarders which only added to the list of negatives.

PROBLEM: Being an extremely cold area, the house needed some natural insulation and its interiors were brick, making the home dark and dated.

SOLUTION: To combat the cold temperatures, Luxaflex Duette Architella Shades were selected for their insulating properties. Translucent 'Elan' fabric in colour 'Platinum', a pale colour was chosen to brighten up the interior and give it a modern touch while reducing the need for heating in winter.

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HOW IT WORKS: Luxaflex Duette Architella Shades feature revolutionary cell-within-a-cell construction, which forms three distinct air pockets, trapping the air and acting as an insulation barrier for the window. The shades are available in a range of colours, opacities and textures to suit the interior of any home.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.



Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Selling Houses Australia - The Land of No Return

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 6

HUONBROOK - The Land of No Return

OVERVIEW: Comedian Akmal Saleh and his wife wanted a life of relaxation in the Byron Shire hinterland town of Huonrook. After purchasing a seven acre property with a one bedroom shack, they discovered that the area experienced constant rain, leeches, rats and snakes.

PROBLEM: In order for the land to be re-sold, the bush shack had to be renovated with simple and attractive features.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex installed Roller Blinds with Patented EDGE Technology in blockout 'Telopea' fabric in colour 'White Sand'.



HOW IT WORKS: Roller Blinds with Patented EDGE (Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency) Technology combine a modern and sleek look, engineered to meet Australian conditions. They come with a range of operating systems including chain, crank or motorised solutions which can be accessed with a remote device such as an iPhone or iPad.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

BEFORE

AFTER

Selling Houses Australia - House of Doors

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 5

GLENDENNING - House of Doors

OVERVIEW: First impressions count, especially when it comes to the front door of your home. As a result of an earlier subdivision, the front of Jaison and Estella's 1970s brick house in Sydney's western suburb of Glendenning, became the back and to make it worse, people were greeted with not one, but three doors. The house had no street appeal so the only option was to fix the dated home itself to appeal to buyers.

PROBLEM: With so many dysfunctional elements, the only option was to make the interiors as appealing as possible to attract buyer attention. Built in the 1970s, the owners wanted to modernise the home and install features that would give the home a lift and make it more interesting.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex installed Classique Roman Shades in Telopea blockout fabric in colour 'Latte' throughout the home to give it a contemporary look and feel. 'Latte' was specifically selected to add a point of difference and create a feature element that would appeal to the buyer.





HOW IT WORKS: Luxaflex Classique Roman Shades use a simple, elegant extrusion system, to create clean folds in the fabric. The shades operate on a durability-tested cord lock and pulley system and come in a range of fabrics and colours to suit any interiors.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8.30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

 

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AFTER

 





Selling Houses Australia - Nightmare Investment

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 4

ERSKINEVILLE - Nightmare Investment

OVERVIEW: When Natasha lived overseas, she thought she would get ahead in the property market by purchasing a 2-bedroom terrace in Sydney's inner western suburb, Erskineville, without inspecting it first. Big mistake. Damp walls, dark, pokey rooms and a dilapidated kitchen were all in need of urgent renovation.

PROBLEM: Natasha's terrace was a wreck with crumbly walls due to rising damp. The home had lost all of its original unique features - except for the windows.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex Newstyle Polyresin Shutters in 'White' were the only solution for the terrace. They were selected to help bring back life to the original windows and were the ideal option to sustain a damp, humid environment.



HOW IT WORKS: Luxaflex Newstyle Polyresin Shutters offer the traditional look of Plantation Style Shutters without the maintenance problems. They are manufactured from a unique Polyresin compound, are water resistant and will not warp, shrink, peel or fade, making them ideal for inside and outside the home - particularly in Natasha's damp terrace.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

BEFORE

AFTER

Selling Houses Australia - Heat and Glare

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia Episode 3

KINGS LANGLEY - Heat and Glare

OVERVIEW: What's the number one rule in real estate? Don't buy before you sell. In the next episode of Selling Houses Australia, Carl and Karen Harrison decide to take the risk and downsize their family home to a newly built home nearby. What they thought would alleviate stress by downsizing actually backfired when they were unable to sell their family home.

PROBLEM: The Harrison's home was in need of a serious makeover in order to be sold. The dated, 80s style home had a huge sunroom at the back overlooking the pool, which meant a lot of glare and heat entering the home.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds were selected to stop heat and glare during the day and allow full privacy at night. The team selected the Dual Roller Blinds in 'Ultraweave' Sunscreen fabric in colour 'Midnight' and 'Mauritius' blockout fabric in colour 'Essence' - a winning combination.



HOW IT WORKS: The dual system works by mounting tow blinds on one set of brackets, allowing the homeowner to combine the functionality of two different fabrics in the one roller blind. This not only offers flexible light adjustment, but also day and night time privacy in the one application.

Dual Roller Blinds are easy to operate and suitable for large windows, ideal for this application. Available with innovative EDGE (Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency) technology, Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds come in a range of operating systems, including chain, crank or motorised and can be operated with a remote device such as an iPhone or an iPad.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

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Selling Houses Australia - Privacy Control

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia - Episode 2

WOLLONGONG – Privacy Control

OVERVIEW: The second episode of The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia featured a house in great need of privacy control. The owner, Rhonda, bought her weatherboard cottage in central Wollongong on NSW's Coast about an hour south of Sydney because of the seclusion of the enormous backyard, but this was destroyed when a milti-storey unit block was constructed next door with balconies looking into her home.

PROBLEM: The waetherboard cottage was in need of privacy both day and night, without losing natural light. Although privacy could be achieved with any window covering, the cottage needed a blind with dual functionality – privacy and light filtering, whilst also maintaining a view.

SOLUTION: The Selling Houses team opted for Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds, which effectively  managed the amount of light, heat and privacy they wanted in the home, simply by teaming up the Portobello 'Blanc' blockout fabric with Mist 'White' sheer translucent fabric.



HOW IT WORKS: The dual system works by mounting two blinds on one set of brackets, allowing
the homeowner to combine the functionality of two different fabrics in the one roller blind. This not only offers flexible light adjustment, but also day and night time privacy in the one application. In this case, the translucent fabric is perfect during the day as it ensures privacy and allows the entry of natural light, whilst also maintaining a view. The blockout part of the Roller Blind is ideal for eliminating light and ensures complete privacy at night.

Dual Roller Blinds are easy to operate and suitable for small, large, corner or bay windows, which can sometimes prove tricky to effectively cover. Available with the sleek and modern EDGE (Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency) technology, Luxaflex Dual Roller Blinds come in a range of operating systems, including chain, crank or motorised and can be operated with a remote device such as an iPhone or an iPad.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.



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AFTER

 

Selling Houses Australia - DIY Disaster

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia - Episode 1

Frankston - DIY Disaster

The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia is hosted by property expert, Andrew Winter, interior designer, Shaynna Blaze and landscape designer, Charlie Albone. Their aim is to transform dilapidated homes into saleable properties. As a leading sponsor of the sixth season, we will feature an overview of each week's challenge on the show and provide you with inspiration and solutions to implement into your own renovation projects.

OVERVIEW: The first house, located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston was a half-finished weatherboard cottage situated opposite Frankston cemetery. The owner, Sean faced the challenge of overhauling and renovating the cottage to the point that someone may overlook its spooky location.

PROBLEM: Sean's cottage was not only located opposite the cemetery, but it was also half-renovated with no working kitchen and bathroom. The cottage was in urgent need of revival and some kind of consistency if it had a chance of being re-sold.

SOLUTION: Luxaflex Window Fashions supplied Beyond Woods Venetian Blinds in 'White' to complement the use of wood throughout the cottage. The horizontal aesthetic of the blinds was a perfect match to the stripes of the weatherboard, particularly when viewing the front of the property.

The Frankston home also had a new extension which was in a different style to the original home and Luxaflex Roller Blinds with Patented EDGE Technology in 'Snow' coloured Bronte Fabric were selected for the large modern windows.

HOW IT WORKS: Beyond Woods Venetian Blinds are the perfect way to add the look of wood in your home without worrying about the effects of humidity and moisture damage - particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. The blinds are constructed from engineered polymers with a special UV coating which minimises fading and are available in a range of different shapes and colours to match the aesthetics of the home.

Luxaflex Roller Blinds with Patented EDGE Technology effectively control heat, light and glare throughout the day while offering complete privacy at night. They are easy to operate and suitable for large windows, ideal for the Frankston home. Available in a range of operating systems, including chain, crank or motorised, the roller blinds can also be operated with a remote device such as an iPhone or an iPad.

Selling Houses Australia airs every Wednesday, 8:30pm on The Lifestyle Channel, only on Foxtel.

Complete Privacy with Luxaflex Duette Shades

Your home should be your haven of privacy - a place where you and your children can relax and know that you are not being watched by those pesky neighbours. The trick is to find a solution that allows privacy, without completely blocking the light.

One way to get the best of both worlds is with Luxaflex Duette Shades which can be operated in a number of ways, including the cordless LiteRise Operating System - meaning you can raise and lower the blind by hand on the bottomrail of the blind. There are a few different options to choose from including 'bottom up' - raising the shade from the bottom up; 'top down/bottom up' - raising and lowering the shade from the top down and from bottom up; and 'top down' - lowering the shade from the top down.

Let's face it - who doesn't like to have complete control and with these blinds you have the choice of not only controlling light and privacy but also the atmosphere and overall look of your home. There is also the option of choosing from blockout to light filtering fabrics which means you can custom-design your blinds to suit your every need.