Your Guide to

CURTAINS
BLINDS
& SHUTTERS
 At Homemaker we want to make the process
of selecting your blinds and curtains easy,
enjoyable and rewarding. We offer many years
of experience in blind and curtain making and
always stand behind the quality of our products.
The range and choice of interior design options
has never been so abundant and diverse.
Custom making your curtains is a form of
artwork in your home and we know the choice
is considered.
We will help you to be confident in your choices
and follow your design instinct.
In this edition we’ve outlined all of the details
that you might think about when investing in
custom making – from the linings to tracks to
automation and smart technology. Practicality
and functionality is still at the heart of what we
do as we want you to enjoy your choices and
ensure they stand the test of time.
Let us help you style your soft furnishings in a
way that reflects how you live, relax and entertain.
Call us on (06) 757 5532 for a free in-home
consultation and we’ll bring our showroom to you.

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 CURTAINS
Custom making your curtains brings something to your home that perhaps
nothing else can achieve. It adds that professional finishing touch, the statement
of design, that is unique to your home.

When you decide to have your curtains custom made by a Professional Drape
Group member you are not only dressing your home with a professional touch
but are also providing many other benefits. Your curtains are tailored to the
exact window sizes, and they can be lined and installed to provide maximum
insulation, noise reduction and fabric protection.

Blackout linings give you maximum light control, whilst the curtains can also be
pleated in a myriad of different styles to suit your room and the fabric you have
chosen.

An in-home visit from one of our design consultants will help you select the
perfect look for your environment and allow you to see and feel the fabric
samples in your own room where the curtains will hang. Your consultant will be
able to discuss with you the many other considerations and benefits like fabric
longevity, flammability and cord-free safety.
Call us today for your free in-home consultation.

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HEADING STYLES
FRENCH
PLEAT
The more traditional of
pleating styles. This heading
allows sufficient fullness to
allow the fabric to fall
beautifully. French pleating
requires at least 2.1 times
fullness to achieve the best
result.
PENCIL
PLEAT
The Pencil or Soldier pleat
tends to hang more
casually at the side of the
window and has the
advantage that it can easily
be let out for easier
laundering.
INVERTED
PLEAT
This heading provides a flat
and simplistic look when the
curtains are drawn across.
Inverted pleat is best
allowed to hang from
below the rod or track to
prevent "tilting" at the top.
NEW YORK
PLEAT
The New York or Single
pleat has the advantage of
stacking back into a smaller
space whilst still hanging
well. It gives a modern and
simple look to your curtains
and can be used successful-
ly with minimum fullness.
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DUTCH
PLEAT
The Dutch, Twin or Double
pleat is similar in style to a
French pleat. This design
requires 1.70 to 2.0 times
fullness and is ideal on
lighter fabrics or where the
budget is getting tight.
WAVE
PLEAT
Accordion or Wave pleat is
another modern style
requiring 2.0 times fullness.
It does take a larger stack
back because of the number
of extra runners required to
achieve this effect.
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TRACKS & RODS
It is worth spending time discussing tracks and rods with your consultant. The
position of a track or rod above the window will impact greatly on the finished
effect, life and insulation ability of your custom made drapes.
In modern environments tracks are often run at ceiling height and return at each
end to the wall. This finish not only makes the room look bigger giving more sense
of height and space and when combined with curtains that touch slightly on the
floor, it creates a pocket of air that provides fantastic insulation that is far superior to
double glazing.
Decorative rods, from the minimalist stainless steel look to very traditional and
larger rods, are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Most can be custom
painted to the colour of your choice and contoured to fit the corners and shapes of
your window. Custom making allows flexibility for the perfect finishing touches.

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ACCESSORIES
Accessories are the design edge that only custom making can provide. They
give the important finishing touch that customises your interior design.

Cushions made from the same range of fabric you have chosen for the
curtains gives a co-ordinated and polished look.

Ask your Professional Drape Group retailer to make table runners or tablecloths in
the perfect colour or fabric for your room.

Upholstered Bedheads are very popular currently and they are a great way to
centre the room and focus on the bed and duvet. Neutral shades allow you to
change the duvet regularly without clashing with the bedhead. Tailor-made duvets
and bedspreads are a great option too.

Try re-upholstering old furniture. In a lot of cases furniture may have great 'bones'
but just be in need of recovering. This will completely change the look of the piece.
Throw rugs are not only practical but they give colour, cosiness and add texture to
your room. These seemingly small touches are really worth considering and
discussing with your design consultant.

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 LININGS
Linings for curtains and blinds come in lots of different fabrics and have many
different uses. Technologically they have come a long way and can now offer even
more benefit to you and your home furnishings.
Energy efficiency and insulation is one of the most obvious and useful benefits of
a well-fitted curtain and good lining can provide any home. Most heating and
cooling energy is wasted from transference through windows, and it is estimated
that this can be as much as 42-45%. It will make a big difference to your energy
bill to properly fit your curtains and use the best lining for your room.

Sun damage on furnishings can be harsh, so protection from the elements is a

consideration. Depending on what you choose, linings can offer UV protection
for your carpets and furniture.
Noise control can also be obtained from a good lining. In much the same way
linings insulate a window, they also keep some control on the noise outside.

Mould and mildew can be a problem in some rooms and often the linings are the
first affected as they are closest to the moisture on the window. New technology
in fabric composition means that you can now get mould and mildew resistant
linings to protect your curtains.

Your PDG retailer can provide specific advice on linings and choosing the best
option for each room in your home. For instance a light polyester cotton, is often
well priced and perfect for a room that does not need lots of insulation or dark-
ness.
In contrast, a blackout lining is great for blocking out light. Blackout lining is
heavier and will be more insulating, and good for use with a roman blind, where
the fabric does not go to the floor. It's also great for a kids room, especially
during daylight saving when the light is bright well after bedtime.

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AUTOMATION
Automated blinds make life easier in an instant. They are an ideal way to close blinds
or curtains in big or even small living spaces.
With the touch of a button you can adjust the light and reduce glare depending on
the time of day, with no unsightly motors or headers.
Blinds can be adjusted individually or as a whole so they offer versatility and
incredible practicality.
The new technology that automation is adopting is incredible too. From timer and
sensor control to smart phone apps that allow you to adjust the blinds remotely.
As well as timer options, a sun sensor can be included which adjusts blinds
automatically, depending on the amount of sunlight and UV. This protects your
furnishings and is a very smart option.
The lack of cords and ties means there is increased child safety inherent in
automation.
You will also be surprised at the range of very economical options to choose from and
how easy they are to install. Automation can be retrofitted so no additional wiring is
required, making them perfect for renovations.
Ask for professional advice in this automation area. If you are investing in this
technology it is best to choose a retailer that has vast experience and stands behind
the quality of their products.

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 BLINDS
ROLLERSHADES provide the most versatile window cover solutions for your home.
From transparency and complete blockout to UV light filtering, rollershades offer
numerous options for style, texture, size and weight.
HONEYCOMB BLINDS are made from a unique cellular honeycomb fabric made
from spun bonded polyester, making them one of the most energy efficient window
coverings available, with insulating results similar to a double glazed window! With
no seams honeycomb blinds are well suited for large windows and unusual custom
window spaces eg, arched, circular (static only), angled windows and skylights.
TIMBER VENETIANS offer a range of grain, pattern and colour options giving a
pure wood finish and natural look to your home. The slats are adjustable providing
light and heat control. In addition, the slats are available in a variety of sizes from
traditional thin slats to extra wide for a more contemporary look.
ALUMINIUM VENETIANS let you control light, shade, ventilation and privacy in a
second. High quality shades are resistant to scratching, corrosion, peeling, dulling
and discolouration. The huge range of finishes and sizes make aluminium venetians
one of the most versatile choices of blinds.
VERTICAL BLINDS are a great choice for large or sloping windows. Available in
various fabrics from translucent to total blockout. With multiple stacking options
including one way draw to the left or right, two way draw or centre stacking.
ROMAN BLINDS are functional and practical and are complimented by the vast array
of fabric options, giving the benefit of colour and pattern to a room. Roman blinds
can be fitted in the window reveal with no gaps between panels making them an
especially heat efficient choice for your home.
PLEATED BLINDS have a neat, stacked look lending a contemporary, minimal
appearance to rooms. Pleated blinds can be used for a wide variety of window
shapes and sizes including skylights, arched and triangular.

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 SHUTTERS
Shutters create a statement in any room by effortlessly combining sophistication,
the latest design trends and functionality with modern technology. They are made
from hardwearing materials for low maintenance and superior durability.

Surprisingly shutters provide great window insulation to help keep your home
warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
A wide range of colours, paints and stains are available to acheive that perfect
finish.

Shutters are also a practical option as they are are easy to adjust for light and
privacy. They can be installed in a range of flexible solutions from hinged, sliding or
bifolding to suit your requirements.

Along with being easy to wipe clean, shutters are the ultimate in child safety as
there are no cords or chains.

Talk to one of our consultants to design shutters for the ultimate design statement
in your home.

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OUTDOOR
Creating an outdoor room or indoor-outdoor flow to your home is well
recognised as one of the simplest ways of making your home more
liveable and also adding substantial value to your property.

Making your outdoor area cosy and appealing encourages everyone to use the
space and enjoy the outdoors. There are new, more exciting and practical fabrics
on the market - exciting bright colour palettes are great fun and subdued colours
offer sophistication and elegance.

Add cushions and squabs from solution dyed outdoor fabrics and consider using
specialty drapes and filters where appropriate to soften your patio look.

The outdoor fabrics available are specifically made to withstand the outdoor
envirnoment and harsh UV exposure. The perfect mix of practicality, functionality
and style.

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 INSULATING CURTAINS
AND BLINDS
1/3
600,000 OF OUR 42 – 45%
HOMES ENERGY BILLS OF HEAT
have inadequate are attributed to escapes out our
insulation heating windows

Each month New Zealanders are faced with a stack of bills they have to pay to keep their household
running, and as winter arrives, the dreaded electricity bill can often cause our household costs to
skyrocket. In the common New Zealand household, over one third of the energy bill is attributed to
keeping our homes warm. However, according to New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Authority (EECA), over 600,000 New Zealand homes have inadequate insulation, resulting in all of this
heat being lost through our roofs, walls and windows.

The good news is that curtains can significantly reduce heat loss through your windows, making your
home easier and cheaper to heat and more comfortable and healthy to live in. In fact, EECA believe
that well–fitting curtains and blinds, when closed, can reduce heat loss through single glazed windows
by 60% and through double glazed windows by 40–50%. Consumer NZ have also agreed that insulating
curtains and blinds can be just as effective, as double–glazing. By installing insulated curtains and
blinds, you significantly reduce heat loss from your home and make the most of your investment in
other energy efficient methods.

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HOW DOES INSULATION WORK?
When it is cold outside the window panes in our homes become cool to touch, and the air close to
these window panes will be cooled. Cool air is denser (heavier) than warm air, so as this cooled air
sinks, it is replaced by warmer air from other parts of the room. This creates a circulating air current
which will cool the entire room. Window furnishings are designed to trap the air between the window
and the curtain or blind, to prevent this circulating air current from forming.

INSULATING CURTAINS
Insulating curtains have been identified as one of the most effective ways of reducing heat loss
through the windows. However, it is important to differentiate between what is a standard curtain and
what is an insulated curtain. What gives a curtain its insulating properties is its insulating lining, and its
well–fitting design.

INSULATING LININGS
In the past thermal drapes, a single–layer fabric with an acrylic backing, have been the standard for
insulated curtains. However, the Professional Drape Company recommend Insulating Linings, which are
sewn–in separate linings with a thermal coating. The thermal coating on the lining contains millions of
very tiny air pockets, which are very effective at trapping air. In addition, by adding a separate sewn–in
lining, the air is trapped in and between the different layers of materials.

WELL–FITTING CURTAINS
A well–fitting curtain must be:
> Fitted as close as possible to the window frame
> Measured and fitted so that they touch the floor
> Be a generous width so that they overlap the window frames at the sides and the curtain returns
back to the wall trapping the air between the window and the curtain.

Curtains that are designed to sit above the floor can actually make the situation worse by forming
a channel between the window and the curtain, as shown above. Therefore, the Professional Drape
Company recommend curtains are designed to sit on the floor, to seal the gap and stop the air current
escaping out the bottom of the curtain.

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NEW PLYMOUTH: 300 Devon Street East, Northgate Court | Phone 06 757-5532 Fax 06 758-4346
info@homemaker.net.nz | www.homemaker.net.nz

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