The Challenge
James and his family had moved from a modern London home to a beautiful but characterful cottage in Marlow. After living in the property for 18 months, they understood how the space needed to work for a growing family of five. The goal was clear:
- Preserve the cottage’s charm
- Introduce a minimalist, modern extension
- Create a seamless inside – outside feel with large glass areas
- Achieve wide roller blinds without sagging fabrics
The complication was that the project involved two very different environments:
- A new extension, where full concealment was possible
- An existing opening in the original cottage, where concealment wasn’t feasible
James needed a solution that delivered the same minimalist aesthetic in both scenarios.
The Vision
James wanted a space where:
- The blinds disappeared completely during the day
- At night, the blinds created a cosy, private atmosphere without drawing attention to themselves
- The lines of the architecture remained uninterrupted
- The blinds matched the black window and door frames
- Everything felt intentional, modern, and calm
He also wanted to avoid the three‑blind setup he’d had in London. This time, he wanted one continuous blind across the sliding doors with no visible gaps.
This vision required technology capable of spanning nearly 4 metres, while still fitting inside a S100 Blindspace box.
Our Solution
1. Hidden: Blindspace Integration in the New Extension
Working with James’ builders early in the process, we coordinated the installation of Blindspace concealment boxes during the ceiling construction. This allowed:
- Full recessing of the blinds
- Hem bars that retract completely out of sight
- A clean, glass‑box aesthetic with no visual interruption
James’ builders installed the Blindspace boxes using WindowTreat’s technical drawings, while our team ensured everything was future‑proofed for the final blind installation.
2. Hidden in Plain Sight: Colour‑Matched Slimline Boxes in the Original Cottage
In the older part of the home, the existing structural steel meant recessing wasn’t possible. Instead, we used:
- The slimmest possible cassette
- Colour‑matched powder coating to blend into the window frame
- A design that visually disappears despite being surface‑mounted
James described this perfectly as “hidden in plain sight.”
3. Deflect Zero Technology for Wide Blinds on Narrow Tubes
To achieve the minimalist look James wanted, we used Deflect Zero technology, which:
- Allows very wide blinds to be made on narrow tubes
- Prevents sagging, creasing, or the “V‑shape” deflection common in large blinds
- Ensures smooth, quiet operation
- Fits inside the Blindspace boxes without requiring oversized rollers
This meant James could have single‑span blinds over his large slider doors, something not possible when he renovated his previous home.
4. Seamless Control and Future Automation
James currently uses a handheld controller, with the option to operate blinds individually or as a group. The system is already prepared for integration with his Somfy smart home setup, enabling:
- Timers
- Routines
- Remote control when away from home
The Results
James now enjoys a space that:
- Looks like a glass box by day, with blinds completely hidden
- Feels cosy and private at night, with blinds that visually melt into the black frames
- Maintains a minimalist aesthetic across both new and old parts of the home
- Uses technology that allows large, flawless blinds without compromise
- Operates quietly, smoothly, and reliably
- Was delivered through a collaborative process between WindowTreat, James, and his builders
James’ words say it best:
“There was a real passion for getting it right… the level of foresight throughout was really important.”
“We’re incredibly happy… it gives us the minimalist, streamlined look we were hoping for.”
“Yes, absolutely I would recommend WindowTreat.”
Related Links
How much do Concealed Electric Blinds cost? (And why are they more expensive?) – WindowTreat
Damon I Sliding & Bi-Fold Door Blinds I Customer Testimonial
