Have a Window With a Terrible View? Try These Design-Expert Fixes.

If you live in a city, gazing out your window at a brick wall or weed-clogged vacant lot is not uncommon. Suburbanites, too, deal with ugly views—of car-strewn driveways or masonry walls. Anyone can, however, mitigate even the lousiest vistas, say experts such as Agustina Gentili. “Focus on enhancing a window’s other qualities, the entry of light and air,” advised the Mexico City–based designer. Here, how top design experts reframe a dreary outlook to do just that.

Practice shelf love

A woeful view over a kitchen sink can truly sink your spirits, given how much time you spend there. Faced with such a situation in a house in Mission Hills, Kan., architect Chris Fein built cabinets with integrated shelving that spanned the window (above). This lets light infuse the kitchen but provides a view of objects and plants instead of the homeowners’ own driveway and the lot next door, says Fein, founding principal of Forward Design, in Kansas City, Mo.

Play with shades

Regan Baker relies on fabric blinds to distract from nasty views. The San Francisco designer hung a Roman shade that covers the top third of a home-office window. Its charming scenic pattern draws the eye away from a neighbour’s wall and, she said, “relates to the home’s hillside neighbourhood.” In another project, Baker used sheer, minimal shades in a light, neutral tone to block a dining room’s unlovely views while letting natural light filter in. What’s more, the shades’ hue so nearly matches the wall paint that they almost blend right in, says Baker, keeping the focus on a nearby landscape painting.

Erect a shield of green

When faced with a bleak view, Gentili cultivates a “domesticated jungle,” attaching window boxes to the building’s exterior, if possible, and filling them with flora. Alternatively, the designer loads window sills with lush plants to create a filter of verdure and distract from the ugliness beyond. “This also generates green-tinted shadows that dance and change with the movement of the sun,” she said.

Change the pane

A stained-glass window will, of course, blur a chain-link fence or some equally unwelcome vista. Frosted glass, too. A less costly and disruptive solution: window film. The vinyl material, available in many patterns and textures, affixes without adhesive. Choose from ribbed designs that look like reeded glass to vintage-inspired motifs like Old English (below), a leaded-glass look-alike from Portland, Ore., company Artscape ($25 for a 2-feet-by-3-feet panel). In a garden-level New York apartment, designer Nathanael Tito Gonzalez applied abstract vinyl graphics to the top of a window to diffuse the sight of foot traffic up on the sidewalk.

Meet it half way

Cafe curtains, which shield only a window’s lower half, were once out of fashion, shunted aside by contemporary top-down, bottom-up shades. Now they’re back. For a powder room in Southern California that’s tiled in sea green and floored in a checkerboard pattern, Baker executed the old-school fix to block out a rudely confrontational concrete fence. Now light streams in over the drapes’ bright geometric patterns, and the retro decor embraces the client’s love of “grandma chic,” said Baker.

There’s a famous scene in Love Actually where actor Rowan Atkinson goes through a convoluted exercise to gift wrap a piece of jewellery for fellow actor Alan Rickman. Quite the performance, Atkinson’s embellishments have become the benchmark of experiential Christmas shopping by which all others are judged.

And for good reason.

Jewellery is a deeply personal gift meant to last a lifetime, whether the someone special you’re buying for is a significant other, or even yourself. And the experience of purchasing is all part of the enjoyment. The Swarovski range is designed to elevate the everyday to the extraordinary with an enviable array of earrings, necklaces, rings and wrist wear perfect for a day with friends, the office or even an extravagant night out. Whether in store or online, skilled sales consultants are on hand, ready to assist every step of the way, from selecting the perfect pieces for you through to the final flourishes of gifting. It’s all part of a commitment to quality and service that brings lovers of beautiful jewellery back year after year.

While others have tried to emulate them, Swarovski crystals are unmatched. Since founder Daniel Swarovski opened for business in Austria in 1895, they have become known for their exceptional cut and brilliance, literally outshining the competition. Known as the masters of light, Swarovski crystals are still crafted in Wattens, Austria, although the range has expanded to Christmas ornaments, decorations and figurines, spreading the sparkle at this festive time of year.

Here are our favourites from the latest Swarovski releases:

The Una Angelic Set

What can we say about this classic necklace, bracelet and earring set? This timeless trio moves effortlessly from office and client meetings to after work celebrations. Finished in classic white crystals and Rhodium plated it’s the set you’ll return to again and again. If you’re looking for the failsafe gift, this is it.

Swarovski Advent Calendar

Don’t want to wait to embrace the Christmas season? Treat yourself, a loved one or even the whole family to something special leading up to the big day. The Swarovski Advent Calendar features a sparkling crystal Christmas decoration behind each of its 25 doors, ensuring your tree becomes a glittering centrepiece. Count down the days with style.

2024 Christmas Ornament

Swarovski aficionados will already be on the hunt for this year’s official ornament but it’s never too late to start your own tradition. The beautiful snowflake creation has been designed with 133 facets and is available in clear or gold tone finish. It is complete with a gold tone metal tag engraved with the year. Ideal for hanging on the tree, it also looks stunning hanging on a door or in the window.

The Angelic range

When too much sparkle is never enough, this beautiful range of earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more offers a glittering array of choice. The delicate collection is an easy wear range, perfect for casual Christmas lunches, work outfits or any event where the desired look is sophisticated, stylish and completely put together. With a range of colours and finishes available, the greatest challenge with the Angelic range is deciding on your favourite — and knowing when to stop.

Don’t miss out on our Holiday Styling promotion. Choose TWO items to style your look and receive a THIRD to complete. Shop Now

Includes Jewellery, Watches, and Home products only. Gift can be chosen from a defined product selection.

Plus, receive a pouch when you spend $280 and treasure all your new favourites. Shop Now.

Offer ends 16th December 2024.

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