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When renovation duo Mitch and Mark needed window treatments for their Brighton Le Sands penthouse, The Gezellig Room specified Somfy’s WireFree motorisation system to meet a brief that required quiet operation, zero new electrical work, and precision light control across seven blinds.
The choice came down to three factors: floor-to-ceiling glazing that demanded precision light control, a renovation that could not accommodate new hardwired cabling, and clients who expected silent, intuitive operation.
The project involved seven custom roller blinds in Textstyle’s Jersey Opal fabric, across three doors and two windows. Two doors required dual blinds for independent operation. The Gezellig Room director Sonia Ross specified Somfy Sonesse 40 WireFree Zigbee Li-ion motors throughout, controlled via a TaHoma switch hub and Ysia Zigbee remotes, enabling both app and voice control.
“The extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing in the penthouse created a need for effective insulation throughout the day and across seasons, an outcome perfectly achieved through automation,” said Ross.
“To meet both functional and aesthetic requirements, Sonesse 40 WireFree Li-ion Zigbee motors were specified for their robust performance, ensuring consistent and reliable operation across varying blind sizes, while removing the need for hardwired power and streamlining the installation process.”
The WireFree specification was critical to the project. Integrating mains power into the penthouse presented constraints, and the retrofit capability meant the installation proceeded without additional electrical work.
Quiet operation proved the detail that most impressed the clients. “For us, the true luxury is found in the subtle details, particularly the near-silent movement of the motor,” said Ross. “It is always rewarding to see clients genuinely surprised by just how refined and discreet the operation is.”
Control preferences varied between the owners. Mitch operates the blinds via the Ysia Zigbee remote; Mark prefers app control through the TaHoma by Somfy system, which allows remote operation from anywhere.
Ross has specified Somfy motors for more than a decade. “In practice, motorisation allows us to enhance everyday convenience, eliminate the need for visually intrusive and potentially hazardous chains, and deliver effortless control for larger or more complex installations where manual control is impractical,” she said.
“It is clear motorised window furnishing solutions are playing an increasingly important role in the projects we deliver, and it is something our clients truly value.”
