60MM Bay Window Shutters

I filmed another 60MM (60 minute makeover) a few weeks ago where we fitted shutters for a programme in the new series which will be on air later in the year.

Having done a number of TV show I am starting to feel like an old hand. However, this was the first time I have fitted a double glazed angled bay window on a 60MM show, as many of the windows we have done in the past are straight forward.

While fitting shutters to an angled bay window is one of most popular things I do, and one of the most popular windows among diy customers as well, it’s not the quickest of tasks when they are double glazed. It takes a while to fit the battens/sub frame into which the actual shutter frame is screwed, so this time there was a great deal more to prepare and to actually squeeze into the 60MM. Of course we did it within the time, but I have to say we had to work quickly, and I was glad to have one of my long term fitters Richard with me just to make sure we managed it.

I will of course be adding pictures of the 60MM to the showroom online, and there is a range of advice on the site regarding this type of window. If you want to save and opt for diy, don’t be put off by what might initially appear to be a difficult window, I have helped a large number of diy customers successfully fit shutters onto this type of window and am always happy to talk you through it.

Shutters on The Home Show

If you read my blog you will know that I recently provided shutters for Channel 4’s The Home Show as part of the latest series.

The lady who owns the home being ‘made over’ specifically requested shutters, and with the final design complete the house now looks stunning.

If you want to see the finished result from last Thursday, go the channel 4 website.
Of course if you like what you see or have some questions about the shutters you can always call me direct or email me via the website or your account.

Shutters for Channel 4 The Home Show

Last week I filmed an episode for the Channel 4’s The Home Show. I was asked to provide shutters for the show a month ago, which meant air freighting them to ensure they arrived in time for the filming.

This is the first time I have provided shutters for Channel 4’s The Home Show, and it was a very different experience from working with the other home renovation or makeover shows I have worked on. The show took place over several months, and filming over a number of weeks, in contrast to the hectic pace at which we normally work.

My team and I were able to take a day to fit Basswood shutter panels on a Z frame, as the windows were curved with angled recesses. We fitted 14 windows in total in 2 large curved bay windows with 6 individual windows in each, plus 2 windows in the office. The impact from both inside and outside the house was stunning. You will be able to view photos in the Showroom section of my site once it has been shown on TV.

The show should go live this month so I will be posting the time and dates once I know.

It’s always nice to be asked to work on the DIY shows, and providing shutters for Channel Four, The Home Show was certainly a new experience and one I hope to repeat.

Shutters for ITV 60MM again

In the last couple of weeks I have been involved in 3 TV shows, providing shutters for 2 new ITV 60MM (60 Minute Makeover) and a show for Channel 4 which I will blog about later this week.

The designer for both 60 MM (60 Minute Makeover) shows I am working with is Richard Randall, and for the first show Richard chose shutters for the nursery in a house in Normanton. They were ideal for this room, as you can use the louvres to angle sunlight away from the baby or to darken the room when they need to sleep. I chose the blackout frame so that a blackout option could be added at a later date if required, with full height wooden panels in Pearl and 64mm louver blades. I have the same configuration in my own home in silk white with the blackout option, and it helps the children sleep even though it’s light outside when they go to bed during the spring and summer months.

I have just advised one of the 60MM team on how to measure the UPVC bay window we are working on for the second show, and the shutters are ordered ready to fit shortly. I will be blogging about that experience shortly.

Both shows are due to go live as part of the next series, if you keep an eye on my blog and site I will be posting the dates when I have them. The show has changed slightly as the designers themselves are now presenting, rather than have a professional presenter, but the format remains the same with the makeover completed in 1 hour. It’s chaos as there are so many people working in each room, but somehow it all gets done.

As always, its great fun to be part of the team and I will also be putting pictures of the finished makeover and shutters for ITV 60MM (60 Minute Makeover) in my showroom once the show has aired.

ITV 60MM Blinds Go Live

Just before Christmas I saw the airing of the second of three 60 Minute Makeover programmes for which I supplied blinds recently. It’s always a pleasure to help the programme, as I’ve worked with them on a number of occasions and supplied a variety of blinds and indoor window shutters. I went to Yorkshire this year to fit shutters for Simon, the subject of the show, who wanted to surprise his wife and children.

The show I supplied the first blinds for made over a home in Chipping Norton and used them for the kitchen area. Blinds and shutters are always a popular choice for rooms such as kitchens, as they usually cope better than curtains with the heat, steam and moisture. They can also be cleaned easily and, depending what blinds are made of, tend not to harbour smells or cooking odours.

During September the programme for Streatham also included blinds from opennshut.co.uk in the living and foster rooms. Both these rooms used the Sunway Express delivery blinds in Aspen with 50mm slats. These are available via the express delivery service so can be delivered to your home within 5 – 7 working days. It’s a good value blind that is popular with those who need to cover their windows quickly.

The third 60 MM programme will be out shortly so you can see more examples of the blinds I supply, or you can simply click here to view my range of blinds.

You can also view photo’s of the shows on which I have fitted indoor window shutters in the showroom.

BBC DIY SOS

I recently got to fit interior window shutters in a home being ‘done’ by the BBC DIY SOS programme. As with all these programmes there was a reason that they had chosen to work on the home of this person, and I was thrilled to be part of the team even for just a day as the story behind the choice was heart rending.

I have worked before with the show’s designer, Julia Kendall, as I provided the same product for her own home. It was a pleasure to work with her as her designs are modern and interesting, bringing life to the houses she works with and creating character. This was no exception, with some wonderful touches that still meant that this would be a practical family home.

The BBC DIY SOS team are great fun – what you see on television is what goes on in real life. When the camera’s stop rolling the fun carries on, as the team’s got a great sense of humour. Believe me they need it, as some of the homes they have worked on have been extremely hard to complete in the time frame and it means everyone has to pitch in. Even Nick Knowles doesn’t just present the show but actually joins in with the decorating and renovations, working alongside the team to make sure they hit their deadline.

The show aired in November 2008, but we are asked not to mention any details until the show has gone live and of course my blog has only recently launched. Look out for the repeats, as many of the shows will be shown again on the digital channels at a later date.

The show was based in Gosport, and the finished results were as ever fantastic. I hope to work with the team again in the future, as it’s great to be able to support the individuals featured and fun to work with the team behind the scenes. You can see pictures in my showroom, you can also read about the BBC DIY SOS show in my news section on the website.

ITV 60 Minute Makeover Blinds

I have recently been asked again to supply several different Luxaflex and Sunway blinds for the ITV 60 Minute Makeover programme. These have predominantly been wood or metal venetian, although I’ve previously supplied and fitted shutters on the programme myself a number of times. What many people don’t realise when they see the shows is the short lead time between organising and filming, and the speed at which the makeovers themselves actually take place.

The lead times for supply is often very short, as filming is taking place only a week or two after I have been contacted. It can be a challenge to get everything the designer wants, but satisfying as you know there will be a good reason the show ‘victim’ has been chosen.

Its fascinating finding out how the ITV 60 Minute Makeover shows work behind the scenes. There is a great deal of work preparing before the team make it on site, including contacting suppliers like myself to find the products requested by the shows designers. On several occasions I’ve had to use my experience to suggest alternatives where things can’t be made in time, and help the team find something that will achieve the look the designer wanted. In some cases this has meant supplying blinds rather than shutters due to the speed at which they are needed.

The shows are exciting to work on, as the makeover and filming are all actually done in 60 minutes. While preparation takes place before the camera’s move in, it’s really chaotic during the 60 minutes filming but great fun. Everyone pulls together to get things finished, and there are people every where. It’s just as frantic as it looks, as we work in two 30 minute blocks with a break in between which is much needed!

Have a look at my showroom for pictures of some of the ITV 60 Minute Makeover shows I’ve worked on, and keep an eye out here and on my website for the dates and times of shows.