Tag Archives: Julia Kendell

Blind articles

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We’ve had some really lovely pieces written in the last couple of years, the latest being on the blog ‘All Things Bright & Good‘, a lovely blog by Judy who I met at a Frome ‘Jelly’ (an event where home workers work together for a day). She has written a book about homeworking & also runs the blog ‘Working from Home Wisdom‘ which is full of great tips on homeworking and there did an article about me in unusual home working jobs.

Judy gave me her loft-stored sewing machine when I first set up, it was her 18th birthday present so very special! It was my workhorse for two years til I bought my amazing Pfaff.

The She-Shed and Pfaff

We also got a mention by Julia Kendell in the Sunday Times, by Roger Hunt on ‘old windows need not be cold‘, a very fascinating blog, and I believe we are mentioned in his book too ‘Old House Eco Handbook‘ (must get a copy!)

Julia  said;

“Heavy lined curtains are a tried and tested way to keep in heat, but there are more effective options. “A clever solution is thermal blinds,” She recommends a new product by the designer Katy Duke. Her thermal blinds lock onto the frame with magnets and are made with materials used in skiwear.

Roger said;

“As an alternative to replacing windows there are a variety of low impact and cost effective alternatives:

Rattling windows may be wedged or, with sash windows, a fastener with a cam action which draws the two sashes together can be fitted.

Shutters and heavy curtains reduce draughts and keep heat in, especially if they’re closed before it gets dark so the warmth of the day is retained. One further step is to install thermal blinds which incorporate a variety of insulating and reflective layers designed to minimise conduction through the fabric.

We also got a lovely write up in Blinds & Shutters magazine when Katy won the PEA Award.

The next article expected is in The List, a very popular local magazine. Check out the December issue!

Sunday Times article by Julia Kendell

Article in Blinds & Shutters magazine

Article in Blinds & Shutters magazine

 

What a busy end-of-2012

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As October drew to a close the emails picked up & it took a potential customer to explain why. “I expect you’ve been busy since the Sunday Times article?”, they suggested. Erm…. well it rather passed me by to be truthful! But the evidence was there to see, the website hits shot up so it was time to check it out.

I have no idea how she heard about the thermal blinds but Julia Kendell (DIY SOS) wrote about them in October 2011 here & it appears that the paper likes to look at preparing your home for winter each autumn, so there it was, another reference in a national paper, how fabulous! Journalist Lucy Denyer wrote the piece entitled “Top insulating tips. How to keep warm this winter – and cut your bills“. Our thermal blinds were one of ten ideas suggested.

thermal blinds

Thermal blinds “will reduce heat loss” according to the Sunday Times

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As recommended in the Sunday Times!

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The thermal blinds received a lovely accolade today via the Sunday Times – see http://thetim.es/ThermalBlinds (firewalled) – it says;

It’s curtains for cold

“Heavy lined curtains are a tried and tested way to keep in heat, but there are more effective options. “A clever solution is thermal blinds,” says Julia Kendell, an interior designer and TV presenter (juliakendell.com). She recommends a new product by the designer Katy Duke. Her thermal blinds lock onto the frame with magnets and are made with materials used in skiwear. The panels, pictured above, are as effective as triple glazing, Duke says. Made to measure, and available in nine colours, the blinds start at £145 a sq metre, including fittings (thermalblind.co.uk).” Continue reading →