Two of the most prominent companies within their own, opposite, fields of expertise have found that by joining forces, they can make plain sailing of the economic downturn.  The Poles Company, as the name suggests, are one of the leading online retailers of curtain poles on the internet; combine this with Amber boats who are the largest direct sales boat manufacturers in the UK and you have a winning combination that would delight the crowds at any regatta.

The history is simple – Amber boats contacted the poles company in 2009 when the firm that had been originally supplying them went into administration.  They decided to use The Poles Company as their new supplier when it was found that they were flexible, and prepared to go that extra mile by sourcing poles to their exact requirements for what are highly competitive prices.

Quotes from Steve Smith, owner of Amber Boats, included recently “The Poles Company have always given us exemplary service” and “Many thanks should be given for their valiant efforts regarding the supply of our poles!!

This all sounds great, but so that you can get an example of what all the fuss is about, here is a little taster of exactly what The Poles Company have done to deserve such high praise.  The buying team at Amber normally choose poles with a finish of chrome, satin silver, or even antique brass all available in Integra Zorb 19mm.  These are the poles that most fit in with the rest of the interior design and décor of their boats, and to prove it you can view their superb quality narrow boats online at www.amberboats.eu. We have also sneaked a quick picture in below just to give you a taster.

Amber Boats interior showing Integra 19mm Zorb Chrome supplied by The Poles Company

This partnership with companies that offer the outstanding supply of their raw boat building materials has served Amber boats well over the years.  Originally solely based at Evesham marina on the river Avon, they have recently expanded and have a second successful sales centre at Sawley Marina, Nottingham – British Waterway’s flagship marina.

With Amber Boat’s business going from strength to strength it looks like The Poles Company will be their curtain poles supplier for some time to come, so for them and the other suppliers associated with Amber Boats, there is no need to be thinking of disembarking anytime soon as they enjoy the winds of success in the sails of this particular ship.

The recent prolonged cold weather admittedly brought pain and misery to millions across the country but for one business, The Poles Company, it brought a ray of sunshine through the doom and gloom of the recent economic downturn.
With the country coming to a virtual standstill, many people were forced to stay at home and many clearly became fed up with the enduring cold spell the country thought would never end. They felt the draughts in all the nooks and crannies of their houses none more so than the biggest culprit in most homes – The Front Door!
With the escalating cost over recent years of heating our homes, householders are looking at more ingenious ways of keeping the heat in and the cold out and, ironically, it has been an old favourite that has seen sales booming.  The demand for Portiere Door Rods has been so high that The Poles Company have reported sales peaks that have never been seen before.
One new product in particular was introduced during the cold spell and proved to be an instant hit. The longer door rod (up to 150cm) from Cameron Fuller, although available in a selection of four colours, proved there was no particular favourite as customers sought to insulate their homes as quickly as they could, choosing comfort and warmth over aesthetics.
Michael Phillips, Director of  The Poles Company commented:
“I have never seen such a peak for a product in more than 22 years that I’ve worked in the curtain poles industry.  They were literally flying off the shelves, which just goes to show that the old favourites are the best, and you don’t have to spend a fortune insulating your home.”
“In January 2009 The Guardian published a piece about door rods and drapery arms in which The Poles Company featured. During the high demand this year we found that The Guardian article was still being referred to as to how they found us more than a year after it had first been published, which illustrates the popularity of searches for this particular item.”
It just goes to show, that as a successful modern business, if you have your finger on the pulse and the foresight to see an opportunity arising, which in this instance was the change in the weather, then you will reap the rewards, irrespective of what the ‘economic climate’ might be.

Customer Service under the microscope: The Poles Company

It is probably true to say that many businesses in the past have succeeded or failed, not just on the perceived value being provided by their service or products and in some cases their reliability, but also the customer service they provide to their customers.

Questions about how easy they are to contact, how they react to a problem and the level of satisfaction you receive as a customer when the issue is resolved, one way or the other, have always been important, especially with the advent of the internet and an increasingly faceless shopping experience.

With more and more businesses doing the majority of their trade on the internet, window shopping has taken on a whole new meaning, if you pardon the deliberate pun on a certain operating system.  An apparently glossy website, with lots of streaming media and fancy gizmos should not be used as a benchmark for how a company treats its customers once the sale has been made.

This led me to do a review on one particular company that I had dealt with recently, and as it turned out I received excellent service, so I don’t think they will mind me using them as a case study.

Not so long ago I moved, with my partner, to a new terraced house near the town centre of where I live.  Because the house is on a busy road, with lots of passers by during the day, we wanted to ensure that we had a good thick pair of curtains to ensure our privacy.  The only problem was that a good pair of thick curtains needs quality curtain poles to hold them – and the front of the house has a bay window, which makes measuring tricky.

To be honest I wasn’t sure where to start, so naturally I wandered down to my local DIY store, only to become quite frustrated at the lack of choice on offer and the unhelpfulness of the attendant about how to consider the correct measurements.  My next port of call was the internet and thankfully after some considered search queries I came across the site in question, a company called The Designer poles Company Ltd.

On their website, thepolescompany.co.uk, they have a bay windows curtain pole measuring guide which was just what I needed.  I was able to quickly and easily work out the measurements I needed, so now it was just down choosing the right ones.  Naturally I thought it would be fair to search this site first and was amazed at the huge selection of curtain poles, rails and tracks as well as other accessories such as finials, on offer.

One thing was at the back of my mind though.  I am not too experienced in buying things online and when I have done it has tended to be a book or a CD, easy to deliver, and usually from a well known site.  How would this company size up and what were the logistics of sending customised poles through the post.

Well, the testimonials from other satisfied customers did a little bit to ease my fears, although to be fair how was I to truly know, so I decided to call them myself and see firsthand what they were like.  I am pleased to say that not only was the phone number a ‘normal’ one, ie not premium rate, but that someone answered the phone straight away.  When I made my enquiries they were very friendly and happy to discuss the options thoroughly, as well as advising me even further on the types of curtain pole that would be best for my requirements.

Even better was what happened after the phone was put down and the items had been purchased.  I was given a unique track and trace consignment number, sent to my email, that allowed me to track my order online.  All this took place during the recent bad weather caused by the snow, and of course due to this there were some hiccups with the delivery process, but I am happy to say that the owners of the company very much appear to see the world through the eyes of their customers and were very quick to try and keep me informed of any progress.

So all in all the conclusion was that, in my opinion and experience, and seemingly of others due to the testimonials, The Poles Company are a great company to do business with.  As for other companies on the internet, try not to take them at face value.  Do a bit of research and see what other people are saying about them and, if need be, pick the phone up.

Variety is the spice of a curtain poles website.

The selection on offer in the curtain pole industry has grown so much since the advent of the internet, and in particular e-commerce websites that taking a trip down to your local DIY store really doesn’t do justice to the huge range of options and choices that are now available.

Undoubtedly the best way to go about your modern interior design decisions, especially when considering what type of curtain fastenings, poles or rails to opt for is to search online, as only a good curtain poles website can really do the full range any justice.  Online you will find not only the core products of curtain poles in many different materials such as wooden, metal, silver and chrome (to name only a handful), but also many peripherals such as decorative finials and motorised curtain rails.

Because of this huge choice online, it also allows you to pick and choose how to decorate the different rooms of your home to give each of them that individual look.  Just like the many characteristics that make up humans, your house should also have a character of its own, and those different levels should be highlighted and shown proudly to the world.  Whereas one style of décor may suit a particular room, chrome or silver in a modern bathroom for example, other styles may be more appropriate in places such as the kitchen or living room.  Whereas a simple finial will suffice in the first example, a more grandeur designer one could be called for in the main living space.

Fortunately, as mentioned above, for those of us who do want to take advantage of the increased range of products on offer, there are plenty of good curtain poles websites out there on the internet and the best ones will clearly partition there products into clear categories and offer lots of additional advice and information, such as interior design tips, articles and measuring guides.So, what are you waiting for?  There is no excuse to have a home with no character anymore.

Why not give your guests an experience that leaves them coming back for more, because the one thing your house certainly shouldn’t lack is variation, especially when they enjoy the journey from one room to the next.

Praising the foot soldiers of the interior design world: The Humble Curtain Pole.
Imagine a life without curtains. Okay, if you’ve previously lived in a small African village, to choose a rather simplistic example, it probably isn’t that hard to do, but to us pampered westerners we would be lost without the privacy that well hung curtains ‘furnish’ us with.
It is not only the aspect of privacy that is afforded to us either by a good set of curtains. They have the following, admirable qualities
• They keep the sun from shining in our eyes when we try to watch sports or old movies in the middle of the afternoon
• We can pretend the outside world doesn’t exist for a few hours while we snuggle up to our loved ones in the evening after work
• Curtains work as a good insulator, keeping the draught from around the windows on cold or windy winter days.
• Spending a little time, money and effort in choosing the right curtains can allow us to create a great centrepiece in our living rooms as part of an interior design project.
Now, there are probably quite a few more practical advantages to having curtains than the ones I have mentioned here, and if you have thought of any that aren’t listed above, then well done. The point of this article though, you may be surprised to hear, is not to lauder the wonderful benefits of curtains, but to praise a much overlooked, yet essential, feature of the interior curtain design market.
Curtain poles and curtain rails are often taken for granted when it comes to hanging our curtains, but where would the curtain be without these sturdy ambassadors of interior deign – well, lying in a heap on the floor as it happens. Like many famous military leaders of the past, curtains would not have achieved their fame without the foot soldiers that are the curtain poles.
Just like any modern army has to do, the curtain pole industry has also diversified and now offers a massive range of weapons in its arsenal. From wooden curtain poles, brass, silver, chrome, black and wrought iron poles (the choice is seemingly endless), to a massive selection of peripherals such as decorative finials and motorised curtain tracks, the curtain pole industry really has come of age.
One such example of how the industry has evolved is the surge of new companies springing up on the internet specialising solely in curtain pole products. In the past the humble curtain pole would be limited to half an aisle at the local DIY retail outlet, if they were lucky.

Nowadays we are swamped with choice, some of it maybe better than others. However, if you devote a small amount of time to searching online, you will undoubtedly find a good curtain poles company on the internet – one that offers not just great prices but good customer service and advice too.

So the next time you are drawing back your curtains in the morning, whether they be ones that you searched high and low for, which came with a large price tag to match, or are maybe simpler ones that nevertheless do their jobs, take a moment to glance slightly upwards and to view the glue that holds the very framework of the window together, and join with me to salute our humble curtain poles.

Quite often when homeowners are embarking on a new interior design project they will want to choose all the materials they intend to use before starting the work.  This, of course, makes it easier to price up the project and get an idea of what type of look or overall style they wish to achieve.

Unfortunately the reality of what happens can sometimes be a muddled mix of contrasting shapes and patterns that all looked good ‘on paper’ during the design phase but, once finished, ‘doesn’t quite look right’ despite each element being nice in itself.

This is true for every aspect of the design process, from the furniture, the wallpaper or paint, the curtains and of course the curtain poles.  Buying the right curtain poles may be quite a bit down the list when it comes to choosing materials for the project, but nevertheless choosing the right ones should be given as much careful consideration as the rest of the décor.  After all, it would be a shame to get everything else right, just for something that will ultimately sit above one of the main focal points of the room, wrong.

One of the first things to establish is whether to opt for wood curtain poles or metal ones.  If there are a lot of wooden features within the room, for example wood panelling in an old cottage or a prominent oak door, then wood may be the way to go, to compliment these features.  If this is the case then you also need to consider whether a dark wood curtain pole would fit in best with the other features or if a lighter coloured wood is better, like light oak.

The finials will also be something to consider, as the shape of them can also be co-ordinated to fit in with the age and style of the building.  Rounded ones may suit a more modern building while more decoratively carved ones will undoubtedly suit an older style of room.

Another example of how you can use a curtain pole to suit the older feel of a property, without having to choose wooden ones, is to consider wrought iron poles.  Although technically metal, the have a more rustic, ‘olde worlde’, feel to them and would suit any room which has an old fire or cooking stove as a decorative feature, making them ideal for the country kitchen type look.

If your interior design is likely to be much more modern and up to date, maybe even within a house that is a new build; metal curtain poles may well be the way to go.  Unlike the wrought iron ones mentioned above, these have a much cleaner and polished feel to them, coming in many different varieties such as burnished brass, silver, chrome, and steel. You can even choose from lots of different metallic finishes and effects, such as gold.

As previously mentioned, choosing the finials for these is as important as ever, because with the huge range of curtain poles on offer within this category, as you can imagine the selection of finials matches that too.

So, when embarking on your next interior design project make sure that even the seemingly small choices, such as the curtain poles and finials, are given as much consideration as the big design ones, so that you end up with a room that co-ordinates itself perfectly and looks like a well engineered jigsaw puzzle that has fallen nicely into place.

When we think about decorating our homes, it is not only a matter of choosing some amazing home furnishings or curtains, it is important to remember that curtain poles can be equally as important. In recent years, they have come into their own and to the forefront of interior design simply because they can add their own unique charm and beauty to a room. Now they are not just a functional piece of equipment, but an integral part of the design process.
Curtain poles can help you create a stunning frame for your curtains. This is especially important for our décor as we spend an enormous amount of time choosing the right curtains for our windows. After all, a decorative curtain pole can be the perfect way to enhance the beauty of the room and the curtains.
Curtain poles are available in a huge range of shapes, sizes and of course, styles. They come in a variety of materials including wood, brass, iron, and stainless steel. Curtain poles can be purchased for different home styles, from traditional to modern and for a range of curtains including tabbed, eyelet and hooked.
When it comes to curtain pole types, each has their own particular selling points but it is important to remember that personal choice plays a large part too. Wooden curtain poles for instance, are great when hanging curtains that are made from heavier material due to their sturdy construction. Wooden curtain poles come in many different woods, and can be coloured or stained making them incredibly versatile. Perfect for both traditional and modern, wooden curtain poles can be a great choice for your windows.
Metal curtain poles too, can be versatile and will be equally at home in both modern and traditional homes. Available in many finishes including steel, iron, brass and more, metal poles add a bit of class to our windows and can seriously enhance a home’s style. Metal curtain poles are manufactured to be hard wearing which is why they are so popular.
When making the final choice about which curtain pole to buy for your home, there are is a wealth of options to choose from. Everything from a traditional pole to door rods, swing arms and even curtain tracks can be bought to hang our curtains. We have to make sure that we choose the right one for our tastes and our homes.
Where can you buy such stunning curtain poles? Well, why not try the Poles Company. Here you will find a large number of curtain poles in all shapes and sizes so why not give them a look today.

Bay windows – where to start when choosing the right curtain poles

Bay windows are a beautiful design feature, and typical of the Victorian style of architecture and as such are also found in many new build homes.  But when it comes to choosing the right decoration to go with them, it can often be a difficult and frustrating task. Many people are daunted by getting the right hardware for bay windows.

Typically, a common option is to use one long curtain pole that follows the line across the top of wall on the outside edge of the actual bay.  This inevitably means floor length curtains but on the flip side would make the room easier and quicker to heat in the evenings, therefore saving money. It is also a much simpler solution to the problem of fitting curtains to the usually very individually shaped bay windows.

These days however, there are many other bay window curtain pole options, which can allow you to use some creative design, add warmth to the room when the curtains are closed and add an illusion of space when they are open.

So get the design juices flowing with the curtain fabric of your choice, matching tassel tiebacks and select a bay window curtain pole to finish off the look of your dreams. There are made to measure bay window curtain poles and bay pole kits all designed to give you the look you want and to meet your budget.

Of course, there are bay windows that may not have enough space from the ceiling to the window to accommodate a curtain pole. In this instance Roman Blinds work very well around the bay. You can still have the option of the pole across the front of the bay and maybe have non-working or “dress” curtains for that really luxurious feeling.

Even so, if you do not want Roman Blinds, do not despair, as all is not totally lost.

With a myriad of curtain rails and rods to choose from there is bound to be something along these lines to meet your specification and provide the look, and function of the curtains you choose and will spend a long time admiring. Many curtain rails will fit tightly up and onto the bay ceiling. In fact, with the help of a good bay window curtain pole measuring guide the options need only be limited by your own imagination.

When fitting curtains around any kind of window, remember the options and styles available to you are much greater nowadays thanks to the existence of good curtain poles websites.

Five things to consider when buying curtain poles.

Well, to be fair, the title isn’t strictly accurate, because we will not just be focusing on curtain poles in this article.  We will also be looking at the other ways you can hold your curtains above the window, such as curtain tracks and rails.  We look at each of them individually and highlight their features and benefits when looking to make a purchase.

Curtain Poles

Curtain poles are incredibly diverse nowadays and would be the natural choice for anyone not just looking to keep the outside world at bay but who would also want to make a statement within an interior design project.  There is an almost limitless choice on offer and browsing through the many that are available is almost as exciting as seeing the final product stand proudly above your windows, holding your fancy new curtains in place.

Wooden curtain poles, burnished brass, silver, wrought iron – these are just a sample of the huge selection you can find from a good curtain poles retailer.  And don’t forget that you also have options such as double curtain poles to add that little extra bit of privacy too.

Bay window curtain poles and tracks.

Trying to decide on what to do best when faced with bay windows can prove a real headache to some householders.  One of the very things that attracted the homeowner to the property in the first place can then be the cause of much indecision on how best to decorate the bay windows.

The good news is that there are not only many options available with curtain poles that are specially designed for the very purpose of sitting above bay windows, but curtain tracks and rails can also be bent or custom made to fit perfectly into place.  A handy bay window curtain poles measuring guide is available here.

Curtain rails

It is fair to say that not everyone wants to have a curtain pole.  Sometimes the right thing for the job is something that is both reliable and built to last.  The options on offer here are not lacking either.

You can choose between metal curtain tracks or plastic ones with a number of different manufacturers doing the gliders such as Swish.  You can also enjoy the diversity of choice that curtain pole owners enjoy too with curtain rails being produced in such materials as antique brass and black as well as many other contemporary finishes.

Motorised curtain rails

Your initial thought might be that motorised curtain rails are simply there to pamper the more affluent members of the curtain buying public, but there are more serious points to consider here as well, like the comfort and help they can give to people who are disabled or elderly and find it difficult to move around.

Companies like Silent Gliss are world leaders in the manufacture of motorised curtain rails and are renowned for their affordable prices, production standards and reliability and are well worth considering when looking at what type of curtain holder you would like.

And finally – the Finials.

Buying curtain poles should not just be about the poles themselves.  When browsing through the many ranges on offer don’t forget the accessories that come with the curtain poles, like the finials.  The choices in this area far outstrip the number of poles and rightly so.  Quite often they can be the very thing that finishes off the curtain pole nicely and will be the thing that half the time, during the periods when the curtains are closed, will be the one thing that guests to the house will see, so best to get this bit right and spend some time looking and considering which ones would best suit the pole you have chosen and indeed the décor of the room itself.

So, there is no need to think that when choosing your curtain poles, rails or tracks it should be a thankless or difficult task.  With the amount of curtain poles and accessories on offer at the moment, especially on the internet, you could turn it into an engaging and worthwhile shopping experience.

Cultivating the way our homes look is part of our psyche and helps put our own stamp on a property. Whether we own or rent we want to make sure that our individual style shines through, which is why as a nation, we have a fascination with DIY and interior design.

For many, it is simply a case of painting and wallpapering or buying some new accessories or curtains but interior design is much more than that, it encompasses every aspect of the look and feel of our homes.

Take windows for instance. If we think about our living area, the windows provide not only the main light source but are also one of the main focal points of the room. Whether it is a large bay window, patio doors or just a traditional style window, they deserve our attention in terms of interior design.

With this in mind, our thoughts usually turn to which colour and style curtains to buy, but wait a minute…hold that thought. I think we may have forgotten something.

Many of us, including myself, have been quite happy using plastic curtain tracks to hang our curtains upon but why settle for white plastic tracks when there are so many other options available to us. Curtain poles after all, are available in many fantastic materials and designs that suit the plethora of home styles and individual tastes of us consumers.

As far as interior design is concerned, the lines have been blurred. Whereas once our homes would have been classical, traditional or modern, it is often the case nowadays that they are more likely to be an eclectic mix of old and new rather than one distinct ‘look’.

With a host of wood and metal finishes available, curtain poles provide the perfect way to frame our windows. Another great feature of buying a curtain pole is the fact that new finials can often be purchased. A finial is the decorative end piece that fits on the end of the pole and comes in a huge range of styles making them a ‘feature’ in their own right. Curtain poles and finials add a touch of je ne sais quoi that can really make all the difference when it comes to achieving interior design nirvana.

So, now that we have got that covered we can get back to choosing our curtains. However, if you want to know more about curtain pole styles and designs why not pay a visit to The Poles Company and take a look for yourself today.

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