Blinds

maybe try to get the repairs around the windows done before the blind is fitted, if that is possible?

please just pay up and enjoy sitting back.

Yes, mine would need to be drilled into the lintil, too.

I'm a downstairs flat, and the huge window in the living room is fitted into a whole upvc panel, with upstairs window straight above it.

I can picture myself on a ladder, trying to hold up my window, the panel, the radiotor(which is set into the lintel) and all of the upstairs weight, too.

My friend in another block can see daylight above her lintel, and her upstairs neighbours panel dropping down into it.

The perils of DIY.
DH tried to fit blinds in the bathroom. He broke two drill bits trying to drill into the lintel. His stepladder left dents in the floor. Only one got done. The other sits outside waiting. For five years.
I must make the effort to contact a local company to start again.i am sure it will be money well spent, and whilst I am at it, a new blind in the kitchen too, to keep the sun out.

Thank you.
That's what I need to do - just grit my teeth and pay up for a decent job.

There is a blind man (!) in my area, who is highly recommended.

Fitting blinds is really easy but, MissA, as you have been so unwell, I would get somebody else to fit them. Just don't pay through the nose for a nationwide company who are expensive and rely on their brand name.

Yes, I expect that's it she lied
All of this in full sun, too, in front of all the neighbours.

ps maybe its just that your arms have shrunk a bit

lol

That's the plan.
I dread to think how much I've wasted on diy options, especially because it would mean me holding the weight of the blind, and the span.
Then when I stand on a ladder I'm too fat to get close to the screws.

I don't think I've quite grown into " elegance", yet, in any form. Still, I can live in hope!

If it were me, then yes my instinct would be DIY which I used to be really good at, but then remembering my current limitations, get someone in to do the job and sit back and enjoy it.

Yes, I've looked at them often (because you can "easily" fit them yourself, apparently)

I must resist the urge to think I can do that, because if I mess up, I'll be stuck with the consequences.

A local company came and measured up then fitted them, I think they’re called “ Perfect Fit”.

It does, doesn't it?
I have one massive window, then two small side windows - nowhere near as elegant.
I'm feeling all peeved now!

Sago

We have these, they fit into the window and filter the light.

That looks beautiful, cosy and comfortable Sago.

It would be lovely if I could have your windows and views, sago.
They are just perfect.

They look lovely.
They would also be ideal at blocking out different sections of window as needed.
I'm worried my frames will fall apart, a bit, though.

They do look really good, and would hide the ugly frames, too.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-970485-5fe20b2d-f280-44b9-bc67-4cb270115581.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-82475-aaeb0472-f6ea-4d25-a8ea-92b25c1f3fde.jpeg

We have these, they fit into the window and filter the light.

Also, I haven't heard much good about Hillary's after sales services.
I have a local firm in mind, and I do want them properly fitted, so I won't spend the next 20 years being careful about all the little flaws in the fit.

Ah, are they good for dimming, Maria?

I have horizontal micro blinds and just hoover them with the brush attachment once a week to tackle the dust

Thank you.
I have actually been in someone's house who has black/dark grey blinds (vertical) and I was surprised at how much they just blend in, and are almost unnoticeable.
Just as well, because I really wouldn't choose grey or black.

Although, my sofa is black... so...

MissA, our lounge and DH study are both 7 ft wide or more.

We changed our cream vertical blinds last year, to silvery grey, blackout ones. They have been a boon in this hot weather. Keeping them, and the curtains closed when the sun comes round, has managed to keep the rooms a reasonable temperature.
We used a local company and they were great.

I find it stressful.
I have been putting it off for 33 years, now, though.
My windows are drafty and ugly, and the living room one is over 7ft wide.

I really like the zebra blinds, but I know the windows are "on the wonk" as we say here.

MissAdventure

Oh no that doesnt upset me.
The thing with horizontal, is that I'm worried about dust.

This flat is really, really dusty, so I don't want to make myself an extra dusting job.

The ones I have are flat when closed, so easy to just wipe over. The faux wood ones were recommended for a kitchen, as they're so easy to keep clean.

Definitely a good idea to get samples to see how they look in your room!