Ever thought about buying something BIG online, then chicken out? I almost did, but am so glad I didn't! Ok, so here's the story... I wanted plantation shutters for across the front of my house. This was a big MUST for my house. I was on a budget and couldn't afford them before we moved …
Ever thought about buying something BIG online, then chicken out? I almost did, but am so glad I didn’t!
Ok, so here’s the story… I wanted plantation shutters for across the front of my house. This was a big MUST for my house. I was on a budget and couldn’t afford them before we moved in, so I waited patiently (with sheets and quilts as temporary coverings) until I had saved the money.
Then I got this brainwave… I should hunt around online for them. I should ask on Facebook and see what people say. Sure enough, the recommendations came through and I had some online research to do. This is when I found iseekblinds…
I ordered a sample and watched all of their online videos. This helped me make my decision because they looked really professional and good quality. The only thing we’d have to do is put them up! And that didn’t look too hard either.
I measured my windows (there are guides and advice on the website to make sure you do this right), put my order in, paid my money and waited.
When they arrived, Michael (the owner) actually personally delivered them to my house on a Saturday afternoon. I didn’t even ask him to do that, so I was really happy. I was so excited they had arrived and couldn’t wait to get the sheets and quilts down. My husband had his drill ready and he watched the online video again to make sure he knew how to put them up correctly. Within about 1 + 1/2 hours we’d finished and all 5 were all up! It was not difficult at all. I was squealing with delight.
Overall, the quality is perfect, the product was easy to put up and we had no dramas with the measurements.
Michael was nervously waiting for my response about what I thought of them once they were up. He was stressed because he said he found out I had this blog and wanted to know if I would be writing about them? I had to laugh! This online blogging is powerful isn’t it? Just goes to show that after all the hours I spend on here I must be able to influence some google rankings 🙂
Never fear Michael, yes I am writing about them and it’s all good!
So, after I was happy with the shutters, I decided to go back to iseekblinds and order more for my house. Michael and I struck up a deal for my next order. I didn’t do the whole lot in the original order because buying online can be daunting and I needed to be sure I was happy. Next on the list were sunscreen blinds for across the back of my house. You can enjoy the view through Sunscreen Roller Blinds which cut out between 86-95% of UV rays.  Here they are below…
I have 7 windows across the back wall of the house (you can only see 4-5 in these photos). I didn’t want block-outs. I hate them because I feel locked in. I love to keep things open and light (yet shady to keep out blaring sun). The sunscreen blinds mean you can see OUT but not in. At night you can see in a bit though, but that’s fine with me.
Again, Michael personally delivered these to me from Melbourne and even put them up! I was lucky this time and so was my husband because he got out of it haha…
Next, I have ordered white plantation shutters for my boys’ bedrooms, the main bathroom and the toilet. I can’t wait for them to arrive. New blinds and shutters have totally changed the look of my home. I couldn’t be happier and am glad I took the plunge to order online. I’ve saved myself a bucket load of cash – hence a new lounge arriving TODAY! LOL! Well, that’s what you’ve got to do – save here – spend there 😉
Have a great day! Oh, and feel free to email me any questions you might have about the shutters or blinds. I am an expert on them now. X
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Comments
Kek
I’ve never been game to order blinds online. I do need some blockout blinds for our two big sets of bifold doors, but we’ve put it off (for FOUR YEARS) due to having this many things to buy -> $$$$$$$$$$$$ but only this much cash -> $
I’m going to go check out iseekblinds.com right now! Thanks Katrina. 🙂
Katrina
Well you should definitely check them out! They’re based in Melbourne too so you wouldn’t even need delivery 🙂
Karen Willems
yeah finally get to see them after asking you about them, I got 3 other quotes in the meantime as yes was worried about ordering on line…holy crap what the quotes were! Will be ordering with iseekblinds soo much cheaper & exactly the same product.
Deanne
They look fabulous! I love plantation shutters, but hubby is not a fan!
Natasha Hansen
Thanks Katrina was waiting for you to post about this. I am still undecided for our front on what to go, shutters or roman blinds…have a small obsession with romans. Really interested in those sun shade blinds, are they French doors or bi folds they are hanging off Katrina? We have a mixture of French and bifolds and I think these would maybe be perfect for us as I too don’t like feeling closed in either. We are currently living with the paper blinds and they are so good it doesn’t motivate you to get the real deal. Now please do a post on your lounge lol as I am living with no lounge or dining table as I can’t make a decision on what to buy!
Katrina
Hi Natasha, They are french-style doors and they open inwards so that’s why I have one blind on each window/door. Yes, I’ll share the lounge with you for sure! That’s on my list too – a dining table! I already know what I want, just need the $$ 😉
Katrina Chambers
Good to hear! X
Louise
Fabulous post Katrina – we are currently in the process of building and had plans to add plantation shutters to the entire front of the home as it will be a Modern Country/Hamptons style house. I had always thought they would cost me in the tens of thousands and may very well have sheets on for quite some time – I was pleasently surprised on their prices! Thank you for the recommendation – will definately check them out!
Katrina
You’re welcome! I am really happy with them! Good luck with your build. X
Katrina
I’ve subscribed to your blog too!
Belle
I love this post your house is really coming along beautifully. I would love white plantation shutters on my house but i am afraid they won’t suit our house as we have black aluminium windows (they are reasonably new and cost a bomb because the glass is extra thick so won’t be changing them). I despise the timber blinds we have and dream of white shutters but am afraid they won’t suit. Enjoy your new lounge that is very exciting.
Anne Dunstan
Does anyone know if plantation shutters make the room very dark when closed for a bed room. hubby does shift work and likes the room to be VERY dark to be able to sleep in the day? Thanks in advance.
Ruth BT
Hi Anne, I had them in every room in the last house. My short answer is no – not like a blockout blind or curtain. BUT, having said that, my husband who is also like yours got used to them and after 4 years we could have one blind open to let breeze through and it didn’t wake him in the morning. Now in another house and he keeps bugging me for shutters in the bedroom. I am undecided as the windows need replacing and if I do shutters first I’ll be even unhappier with the rubbish windows (bronze 70’s aluminium!).
Katrina
That’s right. I agree. They aren’t the same as blockout, but I still think they do a fantastic job. One of the front rooms is our bedroom so we sleep good with them. X
Jenny
Thanks Katrina, I have passed this on to my sister. She lives in country Victoria and can’t even get anyone out to quote, let alone deal with the crazy prices. One hour out of Melbourne isn’t far! 😉
Katrina
Awesome! I hope it works out for her then! X
Jen
Hi Katrina, love the shutters. I have looked at that company before and now will keep them in mind for when I eventually save the molar…. On another note, just wondering how you are liking your floorboards after living with them for a while?
Jen
Moolah lol.
Katrina
Hi Jen, I love the floorboards. This is the 2nd house I’ve had them in so I knew I would be ok with them 🙂
Jodi Mitchell
They are fantastic. Love your bench seats.
Krit
Hello. Thank you for this review I have a few big windows that I want to get those sunscreen blinds but the ones that you can have the block out blind too. May I ask if this was a sponsored post? Just curious as I have been caught before with a product review that turned out the company had paid the reviewer and it was a bit slanted. I am ultra careful now especially with such a big investment.
Your house is looking good.
Katrina
Hi Krit! Not sponsored. I purchased what you see and was happy. I have done a deal with company for my kids’ bedrooms as mentioned clearly in the post. I would have definitely put sponsored post at the top if it was. Good luck with your blinds! X
Krit
Thanks good to know. Gives me more confidence in purchasing them. It is also good to hear a genuinely good review on a company!
Thanks again
krit
I am impressed with prices, just spent time measuring and getting basic quotes.
Lexi
Hi Katrina, I perhaps have the silliest question of them all – please tell me what brand is your soap dispenser on your kitchen sink!? Looks so smart without screaming hand wash / detergent, I need one!
P.S Blinds and shutters look awesome 😉
Katrina
Hi Lexi, It’s a dispenser I bought at a little craft shop. Is has the words Kangaroo Island Eucalyptus written on it, so you could try google? Yes I loved it when I saw it!
Kaz
Can I hijack this post and ask are your floor boards floating or a laminate? A mum living with flooring is always a more reliable source that a male salesman!
Katrina
They are floating! This is the 2nd house I have had them and they are great. They are spotted gum 🙂
Danielle Cutajar
Thanks so much for the post!! We are only weeks away from moving into our new home and plantation shutters were next on my list to tackle!! I shall go and check them out now!! Xx
Edea Krammer
Yeah I felt the same sentiment.. every time I decided to buy stuffs online I always chicken out what if it doesn't fit and all of the "what if's" in buying online. Good thing for you that the shutter fits perfectly in your house, it fits perfectly and turned out lovely! Maybe it's time for me to buy online too.
http://www.tailormadeshutters.com
Sue
How about insulation as we live just out of Canberra it gets quite cold need to improve the insulation in the house…
Sally
I’m currently looking at sunscreen blinds but can’t decide on colour; what White have u used? I’m unsure if to go white or a white/pearl a bit more grey looking. I am told visibility is better w darker colours but do like the freshness of white on white walls.
Thanks
Katrina
I chose white 🙂
Priscilla
Hi Katrina, im so glad i just saw your blog, because i have received 2 quotes and i think its works out to about $300/sqm.
A quick question, not sure if you can answer or not, but is fauxwood shutters/planation shutters/basswood shutters all the same thing?? or am i not comparing apples with apples?
Thanks in Advance!!
Kerri
Hi Katrina, your house is finished so well….love it! I too want plantation shutters on the front façade….and was leaning towards either white timber venetians or white sunscreen roller blinds for the other areas of the house…I am in NSW, do you know if iseekblinds freight to here or possibly could I organise my own courier to pick up from them? I have 32 windows to cover so need to save money!!(obviously like you it won’t be all at once, and sheets will also have to suffice in some areas until funds allow !) By the way love the exterior colour of your house…do you mind sharing what colour it is? The exterior of my house is ready for render and I was leaning towards the colourbond colour Surfmist or Grey Matter which in the sunlight both are very, very light….almost white really. Also your white trim (what white is that?) There are so many varying shades of white to choose from today…quite frankly the colour thing is doing my head in !! lol Thanks in advance. Kerri
Katrina
Hi Kerri, Thanks for your message! Yes iseek will freight anywhere or you can pick them up. Just have a chat with them.
The colour of my house is shale grey. XX