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niversity houses are rumoured to be a lot of fun, but maybe not for the poor buyers who step in afterwards to bring back its original charms. Even so, Gemma and partner Tom seem to be taking it in their stride and are putting their own personality and joy into this project. Inspired by Moroccan travels, and brimming

Hillarys’ wise words and technology enabled Gemma to see her vision come together before any window dressings were installed. "My Hillarys advisor Kevin talked me through a range of different solutions for my windows – explaining the benefits of the different products, and just the incredible array of different fabrics and colours I had to choose from,” she says. During Gemma’s home visit, Kevin got all of the sample books out and paired the fabrics together, and got the visualisation tool up as well. It helped Gemma see how each fabric and style of window dressing would look in her actual room by simply uploading a photo there and then. “His help and advice was invaluable,” says Gemma. “For example, I never knew how complicated bay windows were when it comes to getting the perfect fit for your blinds – thankfully Kevin knew exactly which measurements to take, so they fit snugly and look great.”

with colour, pattern and texture, their Victorian terraced home by the sea is a place where their design dreams are coming to life. We chatted to Gemma who explained how beautiful blinds were critical to creating light and airy spaces. She also took us through the practicality of having Hillarys on hand to help shape a practical, yet private, paradise for herself, her partner Tom, and her pets Digby and Phoebe. And, of course, the relief of not having to take those all-important measurements for the perfect fit, as that’s all part of the Hillarys service (at no extra cost!). To help take the stress out of your projects, here’s just a few ways to try and replicate Gemma's big wins in her home, and have Hillarys on hand to help with your vision.

A bright

Wise words for every room

Speaking of the spare room, it’s one of her favourite places to retreat to, and work from, until her home office is ready. Here’s what she had to say about this multifunctional space. "The spare room acts as a second living room to chill out in, and then when we do have guests round we can set them up in there. The blinds have really tied the room together – and Hillarys has added a wonderful pop of texture that really completes the space. “The Abigail Ahern fabric is amazing, and I'm all for the optional fringing as well. The fact that they do matching cushions makes the whole room feel complete.” There’s also a sheer roller underneath – due to being overlooked by the neighbour’s bathroom window. “The sheer roller blind gives that room privacy, while still letting lots of light in. So it's really nice to have a layered aesthetic as well," she says.

Texture to tie it all together

“Kevin's help and advice was invaluable – I never knew how complicated bay windows were when it comes to getting the perfect fit”

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Tamara Kelly, lifestyle editor

A shower space that offers the perfect balance of style and function is the way to go

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

To find out more about the Hillarys service and book your free, in-home appointment with your local advisor, with no pressure to buy and flexible daytime, evening and weekend slots to suit your lifestyle, visit Hillarys.co.uk

COMMERCIAL EDITOR: James Williams CREATIVE LEAD: FRIYAN MEHTA PHOTOGRAPHY: DOMINIC BLACKMORE STYLIST: SARITA SHARMA Hair & Makeup: jimena lemck Producer: MEGAN THOMAS ProJECT Manager: SIMONA roiatti FILM DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Herridge FILM Production MANAGER: Matt Gibbs FILM EDITOR: MARCUS DABORN & NATALIE LUPO LOCATION: WORTHING, WEST SUSSEX

See how interior stylist and content creator Gemma Gear transformed a former student house with the help of Hillarys – the window dressing experts.

When it comes to her bi-fold doors, Gemma loves how the sun comes directly into her west-facing back garden, but not how it gets too bright later in the day. Her INTU Micro Hive Pleated blinds are brilliant for filtering light, and regulating the temperature thanks to their thermal properties. “I also like the fact that you can still use the doors as normal, because the blinds fit snugly into the windows – no drilling required,” she says. Hillarys really helped when it came to making the most of light in every room. And as the sunlight moves around Gemma's house, she can tilt her Venetian bay window blinds at the front to soak up the sun, or create beautiful shadows on her walls, too. Never one to ignore a bold colour, or impressive pattern, Gemma has channelled trips to Morocco in her choices. “I've been twice with a third trip planned, and I feel like it's my spiritual home,” she says. “It's just so full of colourful patterns and textures, and tiles. The colours there were just so adventurous and exciting. So in the kitchen I've got Moroccan-inspired tiles, in the spare bedroom, I've also tiled a hearth, which was inspired by Essaouira. In the living room, there’s the green ceiling." And with so many colours, patterns and fabrics to choose from, there’s no holding Gemma and her advisor Kevin back whenever she gets the next flash of inspiration.

Windows that are functional and fabulous

“I also like the fact that you can still use the doors as normal, because the blinds fit snugly into the windows – no drilling required”

INTERIOR STYLIST

GEMMA GEAR,

ORDER FREE SAMPLES

Abigail Ahern Cadillac Noir Roman blind

INTERIOR STYLIST

GEMMA GEAR,

Natural Stone Faux Wood Venetian blinds

Serenity Seaglass Voile curtain

INTU Micro Hive White Pleated blinds

Dawn Light Grey Electric day & night blinds

aka @thatssogemma

As an interior stylist and home renovator, Gemma has had her fair share of ups and downs when it comes to DIY, including one costly floorboard error that resulted in hours of rectifying and floods of tears. She knew this time round to leave it to the experts. "For me, the one thing I'm just not good at when it comes to DIY is installing things. Picture frames I can just about do. But anything that requires a technical brain... pfft! "We've got original architraves around our windows, and I just personally think that’s not something any DIY novice should attempt. Trying to get the measurements – that's daunting. When Kevin came back to install the blinds, they were the perfect fit. There's no way I could've done that! I would have been panicking, and lost sleep thinking I've got the measurements wrong." Her period home features some beautiful bay windows which she says are so full of character – but also present a challenge in accentuating the traditional beauty of the house. Here she explains how her choice of blinds did these windows justice. "Square bay windows are tricky in terms of window dressings. Looking at the heritage of the home, I also wanted something quite traditional and timeless. So, I think that's why we went for Venetian blinds, because not only do they look good inside, but they look good from the outside too."

Calling in the experts

Electric blinds aren’t just a party trick to show off to your guests. With Hillarys, Gemma manages to control the amount of sunlight in her kitchen, and the heat of the room on warmer or cooler days, all by remote. "Our side return is overlooked by our neighbours, so privacy is essential. We went for the Dawn Light Grey Electric Day & Night blinds: gamechanger,” she says. All done at the touch of a button, it’s particularly useful when she has her hands full cooking in the kitchen, and for effortlessly adding some extra privacy. You can go even further too, with smart electric blinds controlled via voice commands or the app – and programmable so they open and close with sunrise and sunset, or any time you want, whether at home or away. Perfect for added security and peace of mind.

Electric and smart solutions for your home

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Visit hillarys.co.uk to find out more and book a free in-home appointment with a local advisor – it won’t cost a penny and there’s never any pressure to buy.