Shut Out The Dust

dust

It’s a pretty universally known fact that wooden shutters and wooden blinds are the perfect window dressings when it comes to keeping dust to a minimum within the home; using wood to maintain your privacy and shut out the light helps to cut down on the accumulation dust much more than fabric furnishings like curtains, and it is also much easier to remove dust from wooden window dressings than it is to get it out from fabric. If the shutters happen to be made from top quality basswood and also look unbelievably stylish, like our wooden shutters, then so much the better!

The health effects of dust come in many shapes and sizes, from mild irritation of the eyes and sneezing to asthma attacks and even lung cancer. With this in mind, it’s essential that we all take precautions against these risks – fortunately, Shutters Direct is here to provide you with some top tips for a dustless decor:

1. Where possible, remove carpeting

Carpets are a breeding ground for dust to gather and remain. Aside from requiring regular vacuuming sessions and long shampooing jobs, they also wear thin and begin to lose their colour, eventually. Vinyl flooring is a much more practical and long-term solution – it is easier to clean and remove dust from and promises many more years of satisfaction. Wooden floorboards will add a rustic yet stylish touch to your home, and if you can complement them with matching shutters in the same colour, then that’s an added bonus!

2. Invest in an air purifier

The name says it all. Air purifiers will help to keep the air in your home clean, and remove many of the impurities, including a real reduction of dust.

3. Use microfibre cloths and dusters

Microfibre materials attract and retain dust using an electronic charge, making them the best choice of material for anyone who is looking for some serious dust-busting products. Machine-washable dusters rather than disposables are also long-term investments, as well as being better for the environment.

4. Regularly change your bedding

Aside from accumulating dead skin, your bed sheets also shed their own fibres, circulating more and more dust each time you turn over. Regularly changing your duvet cover, pillow cases and sheets will help to reduce this problem, massively.

5. Vacuum twice each week

Even without carpets, it is still essential that you vacuum your floors often. If you could stretch to a vacuum cleaner that incorporates a HEPA filter, this will help to suck in as much dust and dirt as possible.

Shutters for spring

shutters for spring

Spring is fast approaching, much to our delight. Though the weather over here is questionable at the moment, we’re feeling positive about the warmer days ahead. We’re even looking forward to a good old spring clean, especially when it involves lots of lovely new furniture for our offices.

If you’re planning a spring cleaning session, we think you should treat yourself too. There’s nothing better than adding the final touch to your newly blitzed home: perhaps some nice new bed sheets, a piece of art for the walls, or even a new window dressing?

Here at Shutters Direct, we think that shutters are the perfect choice for the season. Here’s why… Continue reading

Why we love white shutters

Why we love white shutters

We’ve been pinning!

Here at Shutters Direct, we love seeing shutters incorporated into delightful interior design. Pinterest is the perfect place for us to hunt down some of the very best examples of this, and it’s far too easy for us to lose ourselves in the endless reams of inspiring interiors and stunning photography. Continue reading

Colonial Interior Design

Polished wood, tropical plants, botanical prints, relics from distant lands… There’s little to dislike about colonial interiors! It’s a style that developed over the reign of the British Empire, peaking along with the colonies in the 19th and 20th centuries. At this time, with over a quarter of the world part of the British Empire, influences from British colonials blended with the fashions of the colonies, creating a fusion of English tradition and exotic accents. The style was perfectly adapted to suit the climates and landscape of the colonies, while still maintaining the home comforts that the British desired.

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How to measure and fit shutters

Shutters are arguably the ultimate window dressing. Stylish, strong and easy to maintain, they’re the perfect choice for those who want to spend a little more and invest in a high quality product that will add real value to their home.

Often, the thought of DIY puts people off undertaking new projects at home. However, when it comes to shutters from Shutters Direct, there’s no need to worry. Measuring fo and fitting your shutters is much simpler than you first imagined – especially with the help of our handy video guides. Be sure to take a look by clicking here and here, where you’ll discover fantastic, informative videos taking you through every step. We also offer a complimentary printable measuring guide, which you can find by clicking this link.

Do you have any other questions about measuring and fitting your shutters? Don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us by filling in an enquiry form, or alternatively visit our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Interior Trends for 2015

Interior trends for 2015

Good morning from Shutters Direct, and Happy New Year too (though it does seem a little bit too far into the month to still be singing best wishes for 2015!) We hope that everyone had a fantastic festive period, and that you’ve settled back into normality without too bad a January blues. Here at Shutters Direct, the new year has well and truly kicked off and we’re busier than ever… It seems everyone wants shutters for 2015! And who can blame them? A timeless classic, shutters are one of the most cost-effective, durable and stylish of window dressings.

We could sing the praises of shutters all day long, but today we’re going to concentrate on something else: interior trends for 2015. We’ve always prided ourselves on being up-to-date with industry trends, sniffing out the most up-and-coming styles and sourcing the most modern of materials. Today, we want to share this with you, letting you know what should be on your radar this year, and ensuring your home becomes the stylish space you’ve always dreamed of… Continue reading

Christmas Shutters

 

Here at Shutters Direct, we’ve got a thing for recycled and repurposed shutters – just take a look at our post about shabby chic shutters. We love seeing old shutters being put to different uses, whether for function or decoration. That’s why we’ve tracked down some of the very best alternative uses for shutters, especially for Christmas!  Continue reading

Rustic Christmas Decorations Mood Board

Are you undecided about your Christmas decorations this year? While there’s nothing wrong with the odd bit of tinsel and flashing fairy lights, sometimes it’s nice to opt for a more understated theme.

We’ve put together a rustic Christmas mood board, explaining how you can achieve a classy and natural, but no less festive, home this December. These decorations will set the scene for the perfect grown-up Christmas, and what’s more, they’ll tie in perfectly with your shutters!

Rustic Christmas Decorations Mood Board

Will you be adorning your home with rustic decorations this Christmas? Tweet us or visit our Facebook page and let us know – we’d love to see!

Shabby chic shutters

 

It goes without saying that we’re big fans of shutters. One of the most durable, versatile and sophisticated window treatments on the market, shutters are the perfect choice for those who wish to make a stylish, long term investment. Here at Shutters Direct, we create made to measure shutters in a variety of styles of finishes, so you’re sure to find the perfect pair for your windows. But what should you do with your old shutters?

While we love brand new, bespoke shutters, we have a bit of a soft spot for worn out ones. That’s why we love seeing people getting creative and repurposing shutters, rather than simply throwing them away.

These upcycled shutters all have a fabulous, shabby chic feel. Which is your favourite? Continue reading

Autumn Interiors Mood Board

Autumn RoomLast month we got you ready for autumn with a post dedicated to seasonal shutters, from deep oak finishes that’ll warm up any room, to light wood options that are perfect for a cosy cottage feel. Today, we’re going to show you what else makes for an attractive autumnal home. We’re talking elegant furniture, classic materials and a gorgeous mix of colours and textures. Here’s how to transform your space into a traditional retreat that’s perfect for autumn…

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