STAR QUALITY GLOW-UP

Located on a historic sheep and grain property dating back to the 1860s, the house needed extensive work to bring it back to life. “What we started with here was near derelict when I started dating my now husband, and I’m really proud of the fact that we’ve created this together,” Rowntree reflects. Drawing on years spent exploring unique homes across Australia and abroad through programs like Getaway and Country House Hunters, she brought a discerning eye to her own renovation, shaping a home that honoured country living, reflected her personal style, and answered her husband’s call for practicality.

Achieving that balance meant finding window furnishings that were as functional as they were beautiful. In a 160-year-old home, where no two windows are the same, bespoke solutions were essential, not just for a perfect fit, but to deliver insulation, privacy, and everyday practicality while complementing the property’s character. With Norman’s extensive range of options across every category, there was the flexibility to meet each room’s unique requirements while maintaining a consistent look throughout the home. To bring Rowntree ’s vision to life, Norman partnered with long-time retail partner Craig Smith and the team at Champion Blinds.

Expansive windows define the kitchen and main living areas, bringing in natural light and garden views but also demanding a solution that could provide effective insulation and flexible light control in Victoria’s variable countryside climate. The answer was motorised Day & Night Honeycomb Shades in a 45mm single-cell, with Sea Pearl sheer fabric above and Whisper White room-darkening fabric below. This combination gave the family flexibility, soft daylight and views during the day, with complete blockout and privacy at night.

As Rowntree explains, “With the sheer I can see through it if I want to keep an eye on the children in the pool. Then of course we have this wonderful option to have the full blockout, and my husband is thrilled with that because it also offers insulation as well.”

With so many windows and doors to manage, motorisation was a natural choice, simplifying operation and integrating seamlessly into the family’s daily routine. Recharging was made just as effortless with Norman’s innovative PowerBar, which hooks directly into the headrail for quick, safe charging. By eliminating exposed cords and ensuring the shades are always ready to use, it provides both convenience and peace of mind.

Reflecting on another part of the project, Rowntree  says, “For my husband’s birthday I had a glass door made for him and we absolutely love it… I just love to see the sheep passing. Over time we’ve created this beautiful garden, and my challenge to the retail partner was I don’t want to see the shade when it rolls up, I don’t even want to know it’s there, because I want to look straight out at that view.”

That vision made Soluna Roller Shades the perfect choice for the large glass doors at the back of the home. With Norman’s wide range of customisable top treatments, roller shades can be kept hidden, neat, and tucked away. In this case, a square fascia was selected to achieve the streamlined look Rowntree  wanted. A room-darkening fabric in Bridget Cream was chosen for its subtle texture, blending seamlessly with the doorway while also adding insulation across the glass door.The shades were fitted with Norman’s SmartRelease operating system, a semi-automatic lift mechanism that lowers the shade smoothly with one pull of the cord. This delivered the clutter-free finish Rowntree  requested, while making everyday operation easy. 

Sustainability was front of mind when it came to choosing shutters. As Rowntree  recalls, “I knew I wanted Shutters and Norman suggested the Brightwood Shutters to be used. Something that was a huge tick for my husband and I is that they are sustainably sourced timber. We want to leave our property in a better state than when we arrived, we plant trees constantly and we just felt very aligned with Norman on that particular point.”

Brightwood Shutters were installed in the quaint guest cottage living room, cottage bedroom, and the children’s bedrooms in the main home. Finished in Silk White with 89mm louvres, they offered a timeless look that complemented the traditional architecture. In the cottage spaces, centre tilt rods were chosen as a nod to classic styling, while in the children’s bedroom, motorised EasyTiltShutters delivered modern convenience. 

In areas like bathrooms and laundries, where moisture is a constant factor, Woodlore Plus Waterproof Shutters delivered the durability needed while maintaining a consistent look with the rest of the home. Constructed from ABS and fitted with stainless steel hinges to prevent rust, they offered long-lasting performance in the same Silk White finish and matching frame profile as the Brightwood Shutters, ensuring a unified aesthetic across every space.

Every space in Rowntree’s 160-year-old home received a tailored solution, from honeycomb shades providing insulation to roller shades framing views and shutters bringing timeless style. Together, these choices created a home that honours its heritage while offering the comfort and convenience of modern living.

As Rowntree puts it, “Something that I love about Norman is the amount of options they had on offer. I never thought they would have been able to colour match to the paint colour I have in my house, I thought I would have to do a uniform look. I can have shutters here, motorisation there, any challenge that you have, they can easily meet it.”

“Projects like this show how Norman’s breadth of range helps partners deliver the right solution for every customer, whatever the style, space, or situation.”