Wilson Fabrics - Tessa

Sheer beauty

Issue 99 November 2024

Established lines and new releases demonstrate sheers’ ongoing appeal, with an evolving emphasis on style balanced by practicality and longevity. WFA reports.

Wilson Fabrics

“In a world where home design increasingly emphasises sustainability and style, Wilson Fabrics’ Whitsundays sheer stands out as a beacon of both aesthetic appeal and environmental consciousness. Inspired by the stunning natural beauty of the Whitsundays islands and the serene coral seas, this sheer collection embodies the essence of Australia’s breathtaking coastal landscapes.

“With its fine textural weave and natural look, Whitsundays offers a palette of 12 harmonious tones ranging from crisp whites to soft beiges, silvery greys, and tranquil blues. This versatile range is designed to seamlessly integrate into any interior, allowing homeowners to create a soothing ambiance that reflects the beauty of the outdoors.

“As part of Wilson Fabrics’ innovative Colour Flow collection, Whitsundays sheer coordinates effortlessly with our Australian made blind and drapery fabrics. Homeowners can mix and match various elements within the same Colour Flow tones, ensuring a cohesive and sophisticated look in every room. This thoughtful design feature empowers homeowners to personalise their spaces while maintaining a unified aesthetic.

“What truly sets Whitsundays sheers apart is a commitment to sustainability. Proudly made in Wangaratta, Victoria, Whitsundays is the only Australian made sheer on the market. Its Greenguard Gold accreditation underscores Wilson Fabrics’ dedication to producing products that are safe for both the home and the environment. With lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, Whitsundays contributes to cleaner air quality, making it an ideal choice for families, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Wilson Fabrics – Parker
Wilson Fabrics – Whitsundays

“The popularity of sheer curtains is well-founded; they instantly soften living spaces and bedrooms, providing an inviting atmosphere while allowing natural light to filter through. Whitsundays enhances this effect, creating an illusion of openness while maintaining privacy—an essential balance for modern homes.

“As homeowners increasingly seek materials that not only beautify their spaces but also align with their values, the Whitsundays sheer collection stands as a testament to this trend. It marries nature-inspired design with a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that every home can reflect both elegance and environmental responsibility.

“In choosing Whitsundays, homeowners are not just selecting a window treatment; they are embracing a lifestyle that values beauty, quality, and sustainability. With its stunning aesthetics and eco-friendly credentials, Whitsundays sheer is set to become a beloved staple in Australian homes for years to come.”

In addition to Whitsundays, Wilson Fabrics introduces Tessa and Parker sheers, both inspired by European luxury. 

“These European-made fabrics feature richer linen textures with thicker slubs and defined patterns. Offering greater opacity than typical sheers, Tessa and Parker provide enhanced privacy and light filtering, adding warmth and sophistication to any interior.”

BM Blinds 

BM Blinds is proud to announce the introduction of Lume, the latest development in the sphere of vertical sheer curtains, BM Blinds Director Michael Shaw tells WFA.

“This collection has been a labour of love for the team at BM Blinds, who worked tirelessly to produce a range that not only looks good but also addresses key features that the market has been craving. 

“The Lume collection heralds a new era in the vertical sheer curtain market that is designed with European expertise and envelopes three cutting edge designs all with unique features.

“The Lume Ligne range has a new soft feel structure that has never been seen in the Australian market. It has a subtle, yet distinctive look with warm and natural elegance. Lume Ligne incorporates six colours including Twine, Stone, Wheat, Barley, Cobble and Sombre.

“Lume Ligne has a silky soft feel and a neutral toned lighter backing, making it perfect at reflecting the sun’s harmful rays. It also helps to keep the outside of the home looking very neutral, regardless of the interior colour selection. This neutral backing ensures that the client’s home looks its best both from inside and for a cohesive exterior look.”

BM Blinds – Ligne
BM Blinds – Obscura
BM Blinds – Tecnica

The second addition to the Lume collection is Lume Obscura which features excellent room darkening properties with a completely modernized colour selection. The range was introduced to satisfy the discerning client that seeks optimal light control with the very best design.

“Lume Obscura has a palette of seven up-to-date colours that are on trend for today’s modern and fuss-free home. This collection is ideal for areas where room darkness is a priority such as home theatres, bedrooms and lounge areas. 

“The tangible quality and thickness make Lume Obscura a standout in the vertical sheer curtain collection,” Shaw adds. 

He notes that a vertical sheer curtain  that was flame retardant and available without the need for minimum order quantities was what the commercial sector needed to be able to specify this robust and easy to operate window furnishing.

“It just made sense,” he says. As the vertical sheer curtain continues to grow steadily in the domestic market and large advances have taken place to perfect motorisation of vertical sheer curtains, it has become a viable option for a variety of commercial premises including nursing homes, hotels, bars and restaurants.

“From this analysis, the Lume Tecnica was developed that includes six selections, three with low-opacity and three with high-opacity. All six selections are flame retardant and fill this void for the commercial market.

“The Lume Tecnica is also an ideal solution for domestic homes that require FR (Flame Retardant) fabrics. With two lighter shades and a third darker shade in both low and high opacity ranges, customers are sure to find the perfect FR vertical sheer curtain  fabric.”

Ricky Richards

Bliss Albis curtain fabric offers soft, sheer elegance with superior performance

“When it comes to luxury sheers that blend aesthetic appeal with durability, Bliss Albis stands in a class of its own,” according to Ricky Richards. “Crafted by Citel, the company behind the Docril collection, Albis combines European craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, making it the ideal choice for both residential and commercial applications.”

“What sets Bliss Albis apart from other sheers is its unique composition. Made from solution-dyed acrylic fibres, Albis is engineered to offer exceptional resistance to UV degradation, ensuring that it maintains its stunning appearance even after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Despite its durability, the fabric remains incredibly soft and lightweight, making it just as suitable for internal applications as for external use.

“Whether dressing windows in a modern home or adding an elegant touch to a commercial space, Bliss Albis brings a softness and fluidity that enhances any environment. It’s perfect for creating light, airy spaces that are also protected from the harsh effects of the sun.

“Available in five beautiful colours, Bliss Albis offers options that cater to a variety of interior and exterior design schemes. The sheer, soft texture of the fabric adds a touch of elegance to any setting, while its versatility makes it a practical solution for various applications. From enhancing the aesthetics of residential homes to providing a sleek, professional look in commercial spaces, Albis delivers both form and function.

Designed for indoor and outdoor Use, while Albis is robust enough to withstand outdoor conditions, its softness and luxurious feel also make it an excellent choice for indoor applications. 

Ricky Richards

“It can easily transition from shading an outdoor patio to creating a sophisticated ambiance in living rooms or dining areas. The flexibility of Bliss Albis to move between internal and external spaces makes it a highly versatile fabric that meets modern design demands.”

“In addition to its beauty and strength, Bliss Albis comes with a five-year warranty, providing peace of mind in knowing that it will stand the test of time. Its superior resistance to UV rays ensures that it won’t fade or degrade, even under harsh sunlight, making it an ideal choice for outdoor use.

“At Ricky, we’re proud to stock all five colours of Bliss Albis here in Australia, ensuring that our customers can enjoy fast, reliable access to this exceptional fabric.

“With Bliss Albis, there’s no need to choose between style and durability. This soft, beautiful sheer fabric offers the perfect combination of elegance and strength, making it suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial applications. Whether used indoors or outdoors, Bliss Albis delivers luxury, performance, and long-lasting protection.”

Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer

“Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer leads in delivering sophisticated and functional sheer fabrics, with the Colorama 2 range at the forefront of innovation,” says Simon Meyer, Managing Director of Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer.

“Each fabric within this collection is designed to merge timeless elegance with practical solutions that meet modern-day needs. From textured aesthetics to acoustic control, Colorama 2 provides a comprehensive selection that fits seamlessly into various design styles and functional requirements.

“The Colorama 2 collection showcases the versatility and quality that define Silent Gliss. Engineered with Trevira CS yarn for flame retardancy and sound absorption, Colorama 2 is suitable for a wide array of applications, making it a favourite among designers. With widths up to 335 cm and a broad colour palette, it supports seamless design in large spaces.”

Silent Gliss offers multiple fabric variations, each serving specific purposes and aesthetic goals:

Colorama 2 Multicolour Natura: This fabric variant brings a tactile, nature-inspired look with woven multicoloured yarn that adds dimension and visual depth. Designed for modern interiors that emphasise organic textures, Multicolour Natura is one of the most recent additions to the range and offers a sophisticated, warm ambiance with its neutral tones, ideal for wave and pleat curtain styles.

Colorama 2 Multicolour Panama: A brand new release with a bolder look, Multicolour Panama features textured yarn in a palette that combines classic hues with subtle contrasts, providing a striking aesthetic. This fabric is well-suited for statement curtains or as a decorative layer in room dividers, enhancing contemporary spaces with its refined yet dynamic texture.

Colorama 2 Acoustic: Addressing the demand for sound control, Colorama 2 Acoustic combines a light, transparent appearance with powerful acoustic properties. Its unique weave absorbs sound, making it ideal for open-plan living areas and spaces with extensive glass. This fabric option is especially popular in high-ceiling environments where sound reverberation can be a concern, delivering both style and functionality.

Colorama 2 Eco: For environmentally conscious interiors, Colorama 2 Eco is crafted from 100% recycled pre-consumer polyester. Its neutral palette makes it a versatile addition, perfectly suited for eco-friendly homes or projects where sustainability is a priority, offering an understated elegance that aligns with natural, minimalist aesthetics.

Colorama 2 Bioactive: Designed to meet hygiene requirements, Colorama 2 Bioactive includes silver ions within the fibres to prevent bacterial growth and odours. This feature makes it an ideal choice for healthcare and high-traffic environments where sanitation is key, blending a soft appearance with robust functional benefits.

Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer

Colorama 2 fabrics cater to various applications, providing flexibility in both aesthetic and practical terms:

Curtain Styles: Available in both Wave and Pleat Curtain headings, Colorama 2 fabrics provide options for a structured or relaxed appearance. Wave Curtains create a clean, consistent fold ideal for contemporary spaces, while the pleat style offers a softer, more layered look. The extra-wide width of Colorama 2 enables seamless drapery for expansive windows, delivering a polished finish without visible joins.

Stiffened for compatibility with Blinds, Colorama 2 also works across Roman, Roller, Panel Glides, and Vertical Blinds. Silent Gliss’s laser cutting technology ensures precise edges, making this fabric ideal for large glass areas such as sliding or bi-fold doors, where smooth finishes and soft, diffused light are desired.

“Silent Gliss has developed Colorama 2 to fill a significant market gap for sheers that balance visual appeal with functional depth,” says Meyer. “Each variant – from the sound-absorbing Colorama Acoustic to the hygienic Bioactive and sustainable Eco – caters to specific design and practical needs. This range empowers designers to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful, particularly for homes and commercial interiors that prioritise sustainability, acoustic performance, and antibacterial qualities.

Meyer adds that the market for sheer fabrics reflects a strong inclination towards natural textures and soft colour schemes that promote a sense of openness and tranquillity. 

“Full-length sheers that mimic natural fibres and earthy tones are particularly popular, aligning with minimalist design principles. Silent Gliss’s Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama fabrics respond to this trend, combining texture with neutral hues that suit contemporary tastes.

“Additionally, acoustic properties are becoming increasingly important in open-plan settings, particularly in homes and office spaces where noise control enhances comfort and productivity. Silent Gliss’s Colorama Acoustic provides an elegant solution, maintaining the airy look of sheer drapes while addressing sound management needs.”

“Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer continues to excel in the sheer fabric category, delivering options that blend design innovation with functional excellence. From the textured Multicolour Natura and Panama to the eco-conscious Eco and antibacterial Bioactive variants, each fabric within the Colorama 2 range offers unique qualities suited to diverse design projects. Silent Gliss sheers set a high standard for quality and versatility, catering to Australia’s dynamic interiors market with elegance and innovation.”

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