40
PropertyPlus : Wednesday, 26 August, 2009
STYLE AND DECOR
• Quality Curtains • Breathtaking Bed Linen • Beautiful Blinds • Magnificent Manchester
Contrary to its name, Dial-a-Curtain
in Kerikeri is about much more than
just curtains.
Tony and Maria have been selling quality curtains, blinds and soft furnishings
to their satisfied customers for seven and a half years. “We want our
customers to be happy with our products for a long time,” says Tony, “and
then we want them to come back.” In fact, the Dial-a-Curtain team are very
proud of their motto: “The best service, with a smile.”
Dial-a-Curtain was established in Kerikeri 20 years ago. When Tony and
Maria bought the business, it was the only soft furnishings company in
Northland to offer a mobile on-site measure and quote service. “We liked the
idea of carrying samples in the van and visiting customers in their homes,”
says Tony, “so we bought the business.”
Dial-a-Curtain also offers customers a choice of products that are less
readily available, including cotton and bamboo blend towels and silk duvet
inners. According to Tony demand for the duvet inners is increasing in
Northland as they are better for allergy sufferers and more comfortable than
traditional inners because the silk adapts more easily to external and body
temperatures. “Good for the unpredictable Northland weather,” he says.
As well as curtains and blinds, Dial-a-Curtain supplies a wide range of high
quality bed linen and manchester including towels, duvets and duvet inners.
They are the Far North agent for all major drape and netting fabric and curtain
track manufacturers as well as Uniline and Luxaflex blinds. They are also the
Far North dealership for Designed Blinds Australia who specialise in affordable
motorised blind systems.
Dial-a-Curtain offers a complete home service which involves coordinating
linen, manchester, curtains and blinds to match the paint colours and themes
in customers’ homes and businesses. “As well as homes, we can fit out offices,
hotels, motels, boats, caravans and community centres and schools,” says
Tony. “All our products are covered by a warranty and the majority are made
in New Zealand. Our curtains and blinds are made by selected, specialised
workrooms in Northland and Auckland.”
Try our free measure and quote service
We do not forget the finishing touches
Call Dial-a-Curtain for an in-home consultation, or visit the showroom at 4 Hobson Avenue, Kerikeri.
Phone (09)407 6333 or visit the website (currently under re-development)
www.dial-a-curtain.co.nz
We have a wide experience
in designing for homes,
hotels, motels,
lodges, community centres,
schools & boats
• Quality Curtains
• Breathtaking Bed Linen
BEST SERVICE
WITH A SMILE
• Beautiful Blinds
• Magnificent Manchester
Try our free measure and quote service • We do not forget the finishing touches
Dial-a-curtain 2002 Ltd - 4 Hobson Ave, Kerikeri
Phone 09 407 6333 - Fax 09 407 8111
management@dial-a-curtain.co.nz
View online at : www.propertyplusnorthland.co.nz
PropertyPlus : Wednesday, 26 August, 2009
41
Does Thread
Really
Count?
Alternative Options
Thinking of updating your bedroom? One of the simplest and most
affordable ways to give your sleeping space a fresh look is with a new
set of bed linen. ‘The bed is one of the easiest places to make a style
statement of colour, texture and personality - of any kind and at any
budget. A set of linen can provide a block of focal colour, while an
inexpensive throw or pair of contrasting or textured pillowcases are a
quick fix to lift any bedroom.’
But with literally stacks of bed linen to choose from, where do you invest
for the best? Does thread count really count, and what’s in a weave?
If you don’t know your sateen from your seersucker, or are puzzled by
pattern, fear not: we’ve asked the experts for all the tips to make buying
bed linen a breeze.
Before You Buy Your Bed Linen
‘The first thing to consider when you’re buying your bed linen is whether
you’re happy to get the iron out. If you are, there are plenty of fabulous
qualities and weaves available. The majority of bed linen is woven from
cotton, which is durable and easy to care for, as well as being a natural,
breathable fibre, making it ideal for sheets. But top-class bed linen is not all
about the thread count.
Thread count refers to the number of strands woven into one square inch
of fabric - generally a higher number means a denser weave and a softer,
smoother product. Thread counts can range from 180 through to 1,000, but
it’s the quality of the fibre used that really makes the difference - a 200 thread
count fine cotton sheet can have a softer feel than a 400 thread count sheet
made from inferior cotton (Egyptian cotton is considered to be the finest
quality).
Finishing processes have a lot to do with the way bedding feels and can help
reduce wrinkling and maintain colour. The way a sheet feels matters most.
It’s important to touch the sheets before you buy, and bear in mind that
cotton gets softer with use.
If you’d rather not use the iron, then choose pure cotton with a textural
finish, such as seersucker or another option is polycotton. There are
some excellent polycotton sheets on the market, choose 50/50 polyester/
cotton and always buy a percale with a thread count of 180 or more. The
other alternative to cotton is linen.
Woven from flax, it’s cool and crisp with amazing breathability, although it
can be tricky to press. And there are eco-friendly options available. Look
for 100 per cent organic cotton and even cotton bamboo, an all-natural
product that feels luxurious.
The weave describes the way the individual yarns were woven or twisted
together when the fabric was made, it will make a difference to the look
and feel of your bed linen.
Percale has been through a process that combs out the shorter, rougher
fibres to make a fine-quality cotton. It has at least 180 threads per square
inch and is smooth, crisp and cool to the touch.
Sateen has a more glamorous feel, as it is woven from finer threads and
has a higher thread count (typically 300+). There’s a slight lustre to the
finished fabric and a softer handle. It’s slightly less hard wearing than
percale, but very smooth and can look great in colour.
Jacquard has a soft feel like sateen rather than the crisper feel of percale.
A special loom is used to create a matt/sateen self-pattern on the fabric.
This can be a stripe, floral or a check.
Oxford weave is made from yarns that have been doubled and woven
into a particular pattern, a bit like basket weave. This thicker type of
weave is often used for making high-quality men’s shirts.
Flannel is brushed after weaving to give a soft, fluffy surface texture.
This makes it lightweight but warm and ideal for winter use.
“
A set of linen can provide a block
of focal colour, while an inexpensive
throw or pair of contrasting or
textured pillowcases are a quick
fix to lift any bedroom.
“
Investing in new bed linen is a quick
and easy way to give your bedroom a
modern update. Here’s our guide to
the latest trends and how to choose
and care for your bedding...
“
“
Style & Decor
View online at : www.propertyplusnorthland.co.nz