Local specialists J&L Ball look at what’s trending in the world of window dressings, and share details on their new Cambridge store
When it comes to enhancing your interiors, window treatments have a big role to play, with the power to make or break your decor theme, add hard or soft edges and manage light control. With myriad window-covering solutions available (in every fabric or material and pattern under the sun) it can be tricky to know where to begin – which is why it’s worth calling in the experts.
Opening a new shop in Cambridge this August, J&L Ball specialises in blinds, shutters and curtains and has been trading for more than 13 years from its base in Stamford. “We offer a traditional, personal service: customers can visit the shop to discuss their requirements, and view offerings from market leading companies such as blind manufacturer Luxaflex, and top fabric suppliers including Harlequin and Designers Guild,” explains owner Jeremy Ball. “We are happy to visit customers in their homes and help them choose the right products to dress their windows; there is no obligation to buy, no charge for estimating or advice, and no high-pressure sales pitch. We have a full fitting service, and our fitter has been with us for many years and regularly receives commendations from customers happy with his work.”
The new store is fitted out as a state-of-the-art Luxaflex showroom, displaying innovative blinds and window coverings and the latest technology to control them with
The new store, located on Cherry Hinton Road, is fitted out as a state-of-the-art Luxaflex showroom, displaying innovative blinds and window coverings and the latest technology to control them with, along with more traditional blinds, fabrics from top suppliers for soft furnishings, and a range of shutters.
As with any interior design, some people prefer to keep it classic and traditional, while others look to the latest trends for inspiration, but shutters remain enduringly popular across the board, says Jeremy.
“They can be adapted to suit most homes, and work really well with either traditional or modern decor schemes,” he explains. “Another really popular blind is the Luxaflex Duette, which just keeps on giving: it can filter light or blackout, it insulates against heat loss and heat gain, and can be made to fit almost any window, door or rooflight. It’s also extremely good looking!
“Motorised options for blinds are becoming better by the day,” he adds. “They’re more reliable, more readily interactive with home control systems, and much more affordable than they were. We’ve also seen a resurgence in the soft furnishings market: curtains and roman blinds are making a comeback, from the classic designs of Morris & Co to modern designs from Harlequin, Scion and Camengo.”