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Alisa & Lysandra on dressing (your windows) for success!

By Olivia Shead •

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We see it all the time, properties where the owners have renovated the home from floor to ceiling covering every detail a potential buyer is looking for, until our gaze reaches the windows (inset cricket sounds).

alisa-lysandra-living-terrace

A beautiful property with inappropriate or dated window furnishings is a deal breaker for buyers. In a human analogy, it’s like a well-dressed woman turning up at a gala dinner wearing a gorgeous gown…in her wellies.

The case of no window treatments

In the hierarchy of your renovation budget, window furnishings should be amongst the top tasks on your expense list. Leaving your newly renovated property without window treatments is an automatic red flag for buyers that signals they need to invest extra dollars they often don’t have.

A house with no window treatments also lacks warmth and elegance, often jeopardizing the perceived value of the home.

The case of dated window treatments

You’ve renovated the entire property, but have run out of budget for new curtains or blinds. The ones currently in the property are still functional albeit a little dated and not matching to the new colour scheme of the home. Do you keep them or do you ditch them?

the blo

Replace them immediately!

If dollars are tight, you may be able to sell them online as secondhand window treatments provided that they are still in a good condition. With endless choices available you are bound to find a window treatment that will fit the budget, or stretch it conservatively, but whatever you do don’t have a blind spot when it comes to assessing and dressing your windows.

Curtains, blinds or both?

Your budget will determine your choices. If you’re renovating for profit, versus renovating to live in, you will also have different standards for the window treatments you wish to see. Layering is so important for creating aesthetic abundance and elegance in a home.

Window furnishings have a dual purpose; a functional one (keeping the light out, controlling room temperature) and an aesthetic one (creating the illusion of space, grandeur, softness and warmth)

Block out blinds will tick the functionality box, but why not add another layer of sheer curtains which will give you additional light and mood control!

alisa-lysandra-4-640x461

If you’re adding curtains to the property, it’s best to create the illusion of space by increasing their length so that they appear longer from floor to ceiling, even if your window is considerably smaller in size.

If you’re adding blinds, remember to review all the colour choices available to you. The days of white or beige blinds are long gone, and nowadays you can colour match your blinds to your wall colour therefore creating a seamless look that adds more dimension and flow to your interiors.

Are plantation shutters worth it?

Plantation shutters are gorgeous and opulent yet earthy, and can literally transform not only your windows but the entire look and feel of your home. They are low maintenance, ideal for families with asthma, and will look ‘as new’ in years to come.

Traditionally, renovators steer away from plantation shutters due to their cost, but we’re here to tell you that if you are ruling them out because of the dollars you need to think again! Market competition has really increased, and more suppliers are offering cost-effective options for plantation shutters that look incredibly beautiful but are manufactured at a cost of the usual retail price. Shop around and obtain not only three but four, five or six quotes. You’d be surprised how much you can save.

Balance is key

Not dressing your windows is just as bad as overdressing them.

Be conservative with your choices and always assess for balance. Heavily dressed windows in a minimalist home will stand out and feel out-of-place. Likewise, poorly dressed windows in a beautiful home will also have negative aesthetic repercussions.

Do you have a window furnishing question? We’d love to help.

Read all Alisa & Lysandra’s articles | Read more about Alisa & Lysandra | Visit their online store.

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December 14, 2015

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If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

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Is it a yay or a nay for you?

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Comment 'enter' and we'll DM you the link to enter for your chance to win this top of the range $1499 robot from @ecovacs_anz, the DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI.

Good luck!

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>>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮 From cold t >>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮

From cold to cosy!

This primary ensuite for a successful career woman working in luxury cosmetics and homewares is sexy, strong, girly, but sophisticated. We love its warmth and personality.

If you'd like to take the tour and find out where everything is from, comment 'luxe' below and I'll send the link to your DMs!

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The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery collection. This is a framed canvas and the quality is amazing. I feel like beautifully framed canvas prints are the perfect affordable halfway point when it comes to art.
What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

I could have told you I was spring even before I took the quick quiz to find out, and pleased to report the quiz gave me the right result!

Comment the season you THINK you are below (spring, summer, autumn or winter) and I'll send you the link to the quiz so you can double check!

Fun!

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The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday w The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday was a real treat. Such an exciting and sleek looking upgrade to my favourite kitchen machine!

The new look speaks for itself and, as usual, the engineering is impressive. Here's the biggest changes that stood out to me:

1. It's SO quiet and in fact SILENT up to a certain speed 
2. It has a much bigger 10 inch screen
3. A new insulated, cool to touch bowl (the inner metal bowl detaches to wash)
4. A gorgeous new matte black design with fluted and herringbone details and made of 30% recycled materials 👏🏼 

Enjoyed a beautiful lunch all prepared, naturally, in the Thermomix! Was great to meet @mise_en_place_aus in real life as well as special guest dessert queen @kirstentibballs and catch up with the lovely Thermomix team.

Tag a friend who'll be coveting the TM7! It's available from next week!

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Kitchen by @build.theory Bathroom by @birdblackdesign and @aspire_constructions 

#hiaawards #hiaawards2025 #awardwinninghomes #australianinteriordesign
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It's a remodel of a previously dark and pokey extension to a Victorian Gothic home. It's now an open plan dream, and the transition from old to new is beautifully done with impressive black steel doors.

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for the full story and tour.

#kitchenislands #superwhite #luxurykitchens #openplanlivingspace #steeldoordesign

📸 @lawrencefurzey
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Comments

  1. Alix says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:07 am

    One of my mum’s pet hates was when people didn’t have curtains – sheets strung across the window after a building or renovation project were a particular bug bear. When we built a new house she sewed all the floor length curtains herself. It took forever but they were done by the time we moved in. We just purchased curtains for our large front room and it makes such a different. There were blinds there previously but now it looks really finished and so much more luxurious. Love it!

  2. Melinda from a Beaut Home Blog says

    December 18, 2015 at 10:22 am

    What about French doors? Do they need curtains or blinds?
    I guess it depends if they are getting direct light/ heat from the sun? Ours open out onto our alfresco area –so my thought was none.
    But if you were renovating and had an ugly sliding door, what would you recommend?

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