THE MTC TEAM &HOW WE CAN HELP BEFORE & AFTER FROM DRAB TO FAB SAVE $$$ ON YOUR POWER BILLS HOW TO: CARING FOR YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS OUR SUPERIOR PRODUCTS EVERYTHING MTC CAN OFFER 10 REASONS TO BUY FROM MTC CURTAINS BLINDS SHUTTERS PELMETS SWAGS VALANCES BEDDING SOFT FURNISHINGS Indesign Magalog.indd 1 29/12/17 1:44 pm
A LETTER FROM THE TEAM LUCIA VAN GERWEN THE QUEEN OF FABULOUS WINDOW COVERINGS Welcome to the first magalog from More Than Curtains. I founded this boutique business in 1995, having previously owned Lucia s Interiors since 1989. So, yes I have been in this industry quite a while and have seen many trends in window furnishings come and go. A few years ago my daughter, Elise became my business partner. We are a fantastic duo and together we bring an unparalleled level of experience, design ideas and service, all dished up with huge smiles because we love what we do! I invite you to browse through this publication and see why we have won two prestigious business awards and three service awards through Houzz. All the images are our designs: no stock images or borrowed photos from suppliers!!! We are based in Sydney s Hills District but service most of the Greater Sydney area. We look forward to working with you to make your windows gorgeous!!! ELISE HARPER INTERIOR DECORATOR How very exciting to see our first-ever magalog finally here! There s a very good reason why we have one of the best reputations in the window coverings industry... because we offer the best service throughout the entire process of buying gorgeous bespoke window coverings! This magalog is designed to help you choose products that will transform your home, and is packed with advice to keep them looking fabulous for years to come. Please enjoy... we can t wait for you to see what we can do! 2 Indesign Magalog.indd 2 29/12/17 1:44 pm
CONTENTS A LETTER FROM THE TEAM CUSTOMER REVIEW Hear from one of our satisfied clients CAN CURTAINS SAVE YOU $$$? Stop throwing your money out the window OUR SUPERIOR PRODUCTS Everything More Than Curtains can offer DESIGNER REVIEWS Meet the Designers who love working with MTC 2 4 5 6 8 9 HOW-TO GUIDE Caring for your window coverings 10 REASONS TO BUY FROM MTC What makes us so special? BEFORE & AFTER From drab to fab! 10 11 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 12 MORETHANCURTAINS.COM.AU 3 Indesign Magalog.indd 3 29/12/17 1:44 pm
Lucia & Elise are a great team, great technichally and creatively. They helped us select beautiful fabric and made and fitted to measure curtains, Roman blinds and roller blinds throughout our house. We just love the result! The house feels so well dressed. I highly recommend this team. JANE NORTHBRIDGE 4 Indesign Magalog.indd 4 29/12/17 1:44 pm
Recent studies have shown that Australians spend up to 40% of their energy costs on heating and cooling the home. A lot of this money is literally going out the window! SAVE $$$ ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS Ideally, the goal of window coverings is to trap air between the glass window and the back of the window covering to prevent it escaping into the room, thereby making the room more temperate. Glass is a conductor, which is why a glass full of cold liquid will be cold to the touch, and a glass of hot liquid feels hot. Many Aussie homes are built using lots of glass (as it s cheaper than most building materials), so temperature transfer is a huge problem. There is, however, an easy way to deal with the heat/cold loss. It s important to note that not all window coverings perform equally, even those advertised as blockout. Venetians and vertical blinds are the poorest performers as they have gaps that impair the coverage of the window. Studies show that heat/cold transfer is still at 100% with these products. Roller blinds perform slightly better at 92%, but you d be surprised at how much can s e e p t h r o u g h t h e t i n y g a p s at the sides (just like a draft under a door!) Plantation shutters are better again, although gaps are still present around the edges. Keep in mind that just 1 degree difference in external temperature can increase your energy costs by 10%! By far, the best window coverings to reduce your energy consumption are fully lined curtains and pelmets. Pelmets prevent air from escaping upwards into the room, and a total blockout lining prevents air escaping elsewhere. These types of window coverings also perform well in hotter months where the exterior heat needs to be kept out, with only a 67% transfer... a 33% improvement on other more basic window treatments. Perhaps the high cost of curtains and pelmets may at first appear prohibitive, but when you factor in the initial cost of air conditioning in an average home, together with the ongoing operating costs, it becomes apparent that a more passive and environmentally friendly alternative needs to be considered. Most new homes are water efficient; appliances are energy efficient; some areas have recycled water or grey water for irrigation; yet what s the public thinking on efficient window treatments? Think about it: if you had to give your home an energy rating based on efficiency in all things - water, energy, heating/cooling, and so on - how high a score would you give? Are your windows covered properly? If they re not, then your score would be considerably lower than someone who has invested wisely in their window coverings. So enlist the help of the More Than Curtains team. They will assist you in finding the best window coverings for your thermal requirements. MORETHANCURTAINS.COM.AU 5 Indesign Magalog.indd 5 29/12/17 1:44 pm
OUR SUPERIOR PRODUCTS At MTC we are more than just pretty faces... We are proud to say that our window coverings are among the best in the industry! We have made sure we have access to Australia s highest quality suppliers and workrooms, who are just as meticulous as we are. Read on to find out more about our fabulously superior products. If beautiful flowing curtains are exactly what your windows need, look no further! While we offer more than curtains, our draperies are some of the best in the business! Our curtains are custom made in Sydney to fit your windows, from the fabric you choose from our extensive mobile showroom. You can also have your choice of pleating, whether it be the elegant box pleat, classic pinch pleat, contemporary S-fold, or the sculptural goblet pleat. Our range of shutters includes top quality, forestrycertified Poplar, Basswood, powdercoated alumin ium, Polytherm (PVC) and a Polytherm/Poplar hybrid. Choose from a huge range of standard colours and stains, or select a Dulux colour to match. Your shutters can be hinged (like doors), bi-fold or sliding. Is your window arched? Is it a trapezoid or a parallelogram? No problem; our shutters can be custom-made to fit any shaped window! We can also provide storm rated shutters suitable for use outdoors. 6 Indesign Magalog.indd 6 29/12/17 1:44 pm
Blinds are a hugely popular window treatment for contemporary homes, and MTC have an extensive collection including roller blinds, Roman blinds, Venetian blinds and panel glides to suit your needs. From screen blinds, to blockout, black to white, single to double. If your home suffers in the harsh summer sun, ask us about our exclusive range of metalised blinds, designed to reflect damaging UV rays back out the window, helping to reduce your home s cooling costs. Apart from covering your windows, More Than Curtains can custom-make items for your bed. We design & create fabulous bedspreads; an excellent idea if you have a super king or king single sized bed as quilt covers can be difficult to come by in stores. MTC can also create quilt covers, pillowcases, throws & bedheads.why not coordinate your entire bedroom with quality custom-made bedding with a myriad of fabrics, designs & trimmings to choose from? It s the finishing touches that can really bring a space to life, which is why MTC offer an extensive range of passementeries (trimmings) and soft furnishing options to complete your home décor. To complement your new window coverings, you can choose to purchase tiebacks, scatter cushions, window seats, ottomans & lampshades, custom made from the fabric of your choice. We also carry a fabulous range of fabrics suitable for outdoors. Don t like the look of an exposed curtain track? Swags, pelmets and valances are the solution! These can often add the finishing touch to your window coverings, and can help dress up less decorative products. They can also help with light and thermal control by blocking those pesky gaps caused by tracks and brackets. MORETHANCURTAINS.COM.AU 7 Indesign Magalog.indd 7 29/12/17 1:45 pm
WHY DESIGNERS LOVE WORKING WITH US I FOR STYLE has been using More Than Curtains for nearly 15 years now & have always been thrilled with the results. Lucia, Elise & their installation team work extremely well together ensuring the entire process is a smooth one. Their professional approach together with their knowledge of the industry ensures any queries or concerns we or the client might have are dealt with in a thorough manner. LURLEEN KIRKWOOD I FOR STYLE INSPIRED SPACES has been working with More Than Curtains since 2009 and from the first joint project, have not used anyone else. The service provided by Lucia, Elise and the team is exemplary with quotes often provided on the spot. The attention to detail and the quality of the product speaks for itself. If you are after high quality product with equally high quality service, MTC should be your first and only choice. ROBYN HAWKE INSPIRED SPACES When I have clients who are looking at window furnishings, I always recommend Lucia and Elise from More than Curtains. As soon as I ask Lucia to contact my client - it is done! I am very happy with the service they give my clients, and the wealth of knowledge and expertise that they offer, especially with difficult window solutions. There is a lot to know about window furnishings - and they know it all!! Thank you for your great service girls. LYN HUGHES DESIGNING INSIDE OUT Q& A Q. WHAT REGIONS DO YOU SERVICE? A. At this stage, we are happy to take appointments in Sydney s Hills, Inner West, North Shore, Lower Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. We will consider jobs out of these areas at our discretion. Travel outside the Sydney metropolitan area may incur a consultation fee, redeemable on purchase. Q. DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY ON YOUR PRODUCTS? A. We sure do! All products manufactured & installed by MTC are covered by a minimum 3-year warranty. Our hardwood plantation shutters are covered by an amazing 15-year structural warranty! Q. DO YOU OFFER A SUPPLY ONLY SERVICE WHERE I CAN INSTALL MY WINDOW COVER- INGS MYSELF? A. No. If our products are installed by an installer not employed by More Than Curtains, we can t apply our full warranty to the window coverings. Q T I A p G o t w w i s Q P P A s f w H h c s Q C B A t t W l a I a o s 8 Indesign Magalog.indd 8 29/12/17 1:45 pm
O e s, e. f. y a e A R - d - r s g A E L - e t - l - Q. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FROM ORDER TO INSTALLATION? A. This depends on the products you are ordering. Generally curtains, blinds and other soft furnishings have a turnaround time of 4 weeks, while shutters can take 6-8 weeks. Timeframes can often increase during busy periods such as pre-christmas. Q. DO YOU SUP- PLY FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS? A. Since we are only a small operation, we don t offer a service for commercial window coverings at this time. However, we are more than happy to assist with boutique commercial jobs such as standalone offices. Q. WHY MUST THE CHAINS ON MY BLINDS BE ANCHORED? A. We are required by law to anchor any loose chains for the purposes of child safety. We will not install blinds unless we have a secure place to anchor the child safety device. If you don t want chains to be anchored, we recommend opting for motorised blinds instead. CARING FOR YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS All MTC window coverings come with a minimum 3-year warranty, but here s a few tips to keep them looking like new! Curtains, blinds and shutters can be a major investment and of course you will want to make them last for many years. Before you call in the dry cleaners, try these simple care tips first. Please note: Before you do anything you must try these techniques in an inconspicuous area of the window covering (such as the back of the hem). SHUTTERS & VENETIAN BLINDS A damp cloth or baby wipes will generally remove any accumulated dust or grubby marks. Never use abrasive cloths or solvents as these will damage the stain or paint finish. A light wipe with methylated spirits can revitalise the look of your shutters and Venetian blinds. ROLLER BLINDS, VERTICAL BLINDS & PANEL GLIDES Most grubby marks on roller blinds can be removed with a soft pencil eraser. Oily stains can be treated with a dust of baby powder. Leave on overnight and gently brush off in the morning. You may need to repeat this process a few times to eliminate the stain completely. CURTAINS, FABRIC BLINDS & SOFT FURNISHINGS Some curtains can be hand washed at home, but always check the fabric composition first. Be sure to remove all hooks before washing a curtain. A large number of marks can be removed from fabric by blotting (not rubbing) with unscented baby wipes. If this doesn t work, blot a small amount of dishwashing liquid onto the stain and leave to sink in for a few minutes before blotting away with a damp cloth. Notice how we stress to BLOT rather than WIPE? This is to contain the mark rather than spread it around, and to keep from damaging the fabric. TIP: Tracks feeling sluggish? Spray inside the groove at the back of the track with silicone spray to smooth things along. Silicone (unlike oil-based lubricants such as WD40) dries clear and won t damage your beautiful fabrics. MORETHANCURTAINS.COM.AU 9 Indesign Magalog.indd 9 29/12/17 1:45 pm
1 5 Professional 9Exemplary THE MTC DIFFERENCE Almost 30 years in the industry We carry a massive selection of fabrics from Australian and International fabric houses, but if we don t carry the fabric you re looking for, we can get it for you! We bring our entire collection of fabric, blind, shutter and hardware samples to your home! Our mobile showroom is packed to bursting point so that we can be sure to have the perfect products to suit your home décor. and experienced installers with amazing problem solving skills! Many times we have had to fix the problems caused by other company s poor installations. 10 10 aftersales service: we honour our warranties. 6 Personalised service from initial consultation to installation (yes, we attend the installation with our fitters where possible!) Saturday appointments 4 2 7 Our skills and services are used by some of Sydney s leading Interior Designers. 3 We won t sell you products you don t need. We always offer our unbiased advice, so you know you will always get the product most suited to your home and lifestyle. 8 Award winning: three prestigious business awards and a number of awards for service from Houzz. com Indesign Magalog.indd 10 29/12/17 1:45 pm
BEFORE AFTER I had wanted to update my lounge/ dining room window coverings which made these rooms look very old fashioned. I found More Than Curtains website very informative and chose my new curtains from an image on the website. I arranged a quote and Lucia and Elise came out very promptly. I found both ladies very knowledgeable and patient as I considered colours and fabrics. Lucia pointed out ideas for me which I had not considered previously and she was very helpful. Lucia answered my numerous questions via email and I felt confident that I was dealing with knowledgeable and professional designers. The curtains have now been installed and I am thrilled with them! The installation went smoothly and without mess or hassle. The new curtains and pelmets have given my lounge/dining room a more contemporary look and make the room feel refreshed. I would not hesitate in using MTC for any future jobs around my home and thoroughly recommend their services to anyone needing design advice in regard to window coverings, supply and installation. It has been a pleasure dealing with More Than Curtains! LORRAINE RYDE MORETHANCURTAINS.COM.AU 11 Indesign Magalog.indd 11 29/12/17 1:45 pm
FOR ALL YOUR HANG-UPS www.morethancurtains.com.au info@morethancurtains.com.au 0412 225 437 0413 040 472 /morethancurtains @ morethancurtain @more_than_curtains /company/7659791/ Lucia Van Gerwen Indesign Magalog.indd 12 29/12/17 1:45 pm