The key is simplicity and great workmanship. The better the structure and mechanism, the less likely it is to jam or to end up in your hands as you open it. Treat your window (and yourself) to a bespoke, immaculately tailored finish. When you hang a blind, treat the window and the wall as one seamless surface. If the window is well positioned and well-proportioned, aim to fit the blind tightly within the recess. However, if you need to correct poor dimensions (small window, low ceiling, etc), think outside the square of your window frame: allow your blind to be as wide and as high as the window should be, not as it is. A square of fabric running floor to ceiling will improve the room’s proportions instantly, giving it architectural weight. Readymade are a quick, easy solution, but if your window isn’t a standard size, opt for made-to-measure.

Blinds by Bayliss

Give your rooms a view of handwoven textured themes made from buri reeds, raffia, bamboo, flax, beads, silk, leather, silver, copper, stainless steel, even polyester. The high-end Australian company, specialising in niche handcrafted weaves, has more than 2000 fabric designs which it can make into romans, panel glides, dividers or wallhangings. It will even visit your house, give advice and bring fabrics along to find the colours and patterns that best suit. 83-97 Flinders Street, Surry Hills, (02) 9360 7244, www.bayliss.com.au

Bombala Residence with blinds by Simple Studio

Bombala Residence with blinds by Simple Studio

Blinds by Peter Meyer

Make the most of your windows with everything from made-to-measure roller blinds and romans to timber venetians and shutters that will fit, flatter and work for your architecture, making squat windows look taller, balance wide windows, flaunt views, hide neighbours and minimize ugly walls. Expect stacks of natural weaves from big-name designers (Thomas Hamel, Darryl Gordon, Cameron Kimber). You’ll see their handiwork everywhere from pretty cottages to harbourside piles, not to mention magazine spreads. (02) 8762 1900, www.petermeyerblind.com.au

Bunnings

Readymade style for less. Choose between ivory or charcoal mesh roller blinds in 210cm drops and a variety of widths or equally smart bargain bamboo designs and western red cedar timber venetians. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Stores statewide, www.bunnings.com.au

Palm Beach Residence with blinds by Simple Studio

DB Blinds

The Melbourne company’s blinds are available here only through specialist suppliers (see its website) but its range of Logic rollers are popular in Sydney. Using a smooth-but-simple mechanism, the sheer or translucent rollers keep the neighbours out while retaining the view. (There also a blackout blind in UV-protected fabric.) More than 200 fabrics feature in its brilliant sample system. (03) 5282 5848, www.dbblinds.com.au

Freedom

A variety of affordable off-the-peg roller and roman blinds in smart textiles from finely woven bamboo in 12 sizes with a pull-up valance to polyester cotton twill weaves that are easy to hang and block a lot of light. Freedom also offers a made-to-measure service. Stores statewide, 1300 135588, www.freedom.com.au

Dover Heights residence with blinds by Simple Studio

No Chintz

Chrissie Jeffery was one of the first to make upmarket bespoke window treatments accessible. Her four stores have a well-chosen range of fabrics and finishes, which they can make up in a clever, modern way: made-to-measure soft romans edged with witty pom-pom fringing, massive pelmets with scalloped edging, and so on. 153 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra (02) 93864800 and 509 Willoughby Road, Willoughby (02) 99580257, www.nochintz.com

Manly Apartment with blinds by Simple Studio

Silent Gliss

The firm favourite with big-name architects is its chain-operated roller blind in a hi-tech screen mesh fabric that cuts sun, heat and glare. Its patented fast-gear mechanism means that for every metre you pull, the blind moves two metres. These Swiss-made lovelies have been endlessly copied, but copycat versions don’t do their job as well as the real deal. Check the dual systems, where two shades sit on one set of fixed brackets allowing for different effects with a minimum of fuss: sheer for day, blockout for night. 9810 4300, www.silentgliss.com.au

Parsley Bay House with blinds by Simple Studio

Parsley Bay House with blinds by Simple Studio

Simple Studio

Blinds are sourced from top suppliers, or custom-made. The difference is, Simple works closely with clients at the beginning of a project rather than supplying blinds at the end. You can really tell the difference. Large work room, own fabrics to choose from including Belgian linens, super efficient and economical with fabric. Loads of rollers in natural-look sheers, romans in Belgian linen weaves, block outs, etc. and that includes the beautifully detailed timber pelmets it designs for its ultra-wide 84mm-slat timber venetian blinds which can be colour-matched to a textile thread. They will come up with the fastest ideas to style up your windows including extra wide timber-slat venetians that can fit wider expanses of glass than shutters can. Popular with architects Andrew Parr, Nick Tobias, SJB, Luigi Roselli, designers Heather Buttrose, Briony Fitzgerald, Sarah Davison, Hare + Klein, Justine Hugh-Jones, Arent&  Pike, Decus Design and more. Unit 69, 20-28 Maddox Street, Alexandria (02) 95574322, www.simplestudio.com.au

M Central Residence with blinds by Simple Studio

Southern Blinds and Awnings

The Southern Highland- based window treatment specialist carries a full range of blinds (including Verosol, Silent Gliss and Vortilux ) that diffuse our strong light, control privacy but also give a hint of the view. It offers an extensive range of made-to-measure rollers, romans, timber shutters, pleated designs, venetians and curtains, all of which can be motorised. You can choose from a standard choice of designs from canvas roman blinds to natural cedar timber blinds, or the company can custom paint, stain or match your blinds to order. Plus shutters. www.southernblinds.com.au

Lumiere Residence with blinds by Simple Studio

Verosol

The specialist manufacturer’s best seller is the pleated blind, which can be motorised and operated automatically by a timer or sun sensor. It comes in more than 60 anti-static fabrics imported from the Netherlands that are backed by a thin layer of aluminium to reflect the sun. There are timberweave blinds which come in natural cotton and cane yarns, timber options, hollands, panel glides, rollers and roman blinds, where both heat and glare can be reduced using fabrics that are back-coated using the company’s unique metallisation process. Ask about Silverscreen, a PVC-coated fibreglass fabric with a micro-fine metallised backing that can be used with transparent colours and still block out the sun and UV rays. Accessible though design and decorator specialists: go the website contacts for details. 1800 011 176, www.verosol.com.au

Wynstan Blinds and Doors

In business since 1968, the company produces top-value 60mm-blade timber venetians around with an ultra-deep super-chic 85mm pelmet. The western red cedar designs can be colour-matched to a scrap of fabric. Also roller and roman blinds in a wide range of fabrics (including sun-resistant), all made to measure and with a two-week turnaround. The downside of the deal is the sort of service where you’re likely to have to battle through voicemail, but you’ll dress your windows for less than half the price of other companies. Asquith, Baulkham Hills, Dee Why, Engadine, Fairfield, Five Dock, Ingleburn, Kingsford, Narellan, Riverwood and Rooty Hill, plus statewide, www.wynstan.com.au

Greenwich Residence with blinds by Simple Studio