Interior Design Insights: It's a Point of View

Written by Lynn Malone, exclusively for Luxaflex

On the outlook
Not every window is situated to provide its viewer with an idealistic perspective looking outward.  In many instances there are detractions that are preferably visually eliminated or at least minimised. No doubt most of us have experienced this dilemma – a less than pleasant outlook from a kitchen, a hotel guest room or an office window.  On the other hand, there are windows with picture perfect postcard views that entice you to capture the vistas as mementos – either stored in your memory bank, or as snap shots loaded and Facebook shared.

Inside and out; good view or bad; or somewhere in between – Luxaflex have window covering solutions to match the situation. Here are a few window-viewing scenarios we’ve probably all encountered at some point! Needless to say, Luxaflex comes to the rescue.

Hello neighbours!

Scenario: With a growing number of Australian families residing in apartments located in densely populated suburbs and apartment buildings that share window walls – privacy between adjacent apartments presents a challenge. As much as you may want to get to know the new neighbours, peering into one another’s apartment is probably not what you had in mind.

To the rescue
Duette Shades in Top Down/Bottom Up design option allows privacy control for select window areas while leaving other areas of the windows unrestricted allowing sunlight and airflow.

Duette Architella Shades - Top-Down-Bottom-Up

Wow

Scenario:  What about when the views from your home are knockout for about 80% of the time?  It is just that 20% exception when a window covering is required for sunlight control, keeping the warmth or cool inside or for privacy, as examples. On the Australian eastern seaboard, northern light is preferable – add an unencumbered water view and it has the making of a dream location. In this situation, the optimal window treatment is off the window and concealed until it is called to action – then easily operable to fulfill its purpose.

To the rescue
Luxaflex Qmotion roller blinds using either a translucent fabric or a blockout fabric does the trick. The internal roller is fitted with an operational mechanism powered by a battery (with a 5-year lifetime) to open and close the blind using the remote or simply controlling it by hand. With addition of the Qsync device and the Qmotion app you can also control the blinds via a smartphone or tablet. For my apartment, I selected Temple in a translucent fabric.

Luxaflex Qmotion Roller Blinds in Temple Translucent Fabric

The windswept look

Scenario:  As a sustainable energy solution to home heating and cooling, cross ventilation is a viable option. Open more doors and windows to maximise the breeze in the summer and vice versa in the winter – it’s simple. But how about the wear and tear on the window coverings as they blow in the wind?

To the rescue
Luxaflex Newstyle Polyresin Shutters – the shutters have multiple configurations from single panel, hinged for smaller windows; multi-panel hinged bi-fold systems for larger windows; or bi-fold track systems for doors with up to eight panels – all have hand-adjustable blades to control airflow and sunlight. Don’t worry if the shutters get wet, they have a 20-year warranty against sunlight and water damage. The shutters are available in three shades of white finishes – my favourite is the whitest of the whites.

Luxaflex Newstyle Polyresin Shutters

Get out

Scenario: With a climate that affords enjoying the outdoors almost year-round, many Australian homes take advantage of indoor/outdoor living and countless weekends are spent with friends and families outside entertaining, cooking on the barbeque and kids playing in the pool.  But along comes an afternoon storm during the middle of a Sunday barbeque – what to do?

To the rescue
Luxaflex Sunrain Awning – here comes the rain, out comes the retractable awning. Sunrain PVC fabrics are rain proof and selected to complement the exterior finish of your home. Optional infrared heaters may be added for increased comfort during the cooler months.

Luxaflex Sunrain Awning with optional heating - Entertain all year-round