About us
Founded in 2012 by Jonathan & Nick Pelly-Fry, Grand Design Blinds has specialised in providing shading for any problematic areas of glazing for over a decade. Being so focused on this aspect of the industry has allowed us to develop unparalleled technology for shaped windows and we have not yet been unable to provide a solution for a tricky project.
We provide fully tailored proposals for private clients, interior designers, architects, and commercial clients, and have completed installations as far away as Paris , the Scottish Islands, and the Italian Alps. We are also able to provide our products supply-only for further afield projects, and our blinds have been delivered to locations including Canada and Gibraltar.
Jonathan Pelly-Fry
Chairman
After gaining his Mechanical Engineering degree at Imperial College, London, Jonathan has been a director of several companies making innovative products for buildings. In 1989 he became a founding director of Appeal Blinds Ltd, specialising in conservatory shading and has personally supervised shading installations across the world, from California to the UK to Turkey. Jonathan’s knowledge is unparalleled after 35 years in the blinds industry.
Nick Pelly-Fry
Director
With a degree from Oxford Brookes University in Real Estate Management, Nick brings experience of the UK property market having previously worked in property development. His strong aesthetic sense, allied with a practical knowledge of building projects, ensures that our solutions are delivered successfully. Nick sat on the committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association for a number of years and is currently studying for a Certificate in Residential Interior Design at KLC School of Design
Claire Pelly-Fry
Director
Claire (Nick’s sister) joined the family company after having run her own successful landscaping business for many years. She brings with her valuable experience of customer service and company administration, and an honest approach to sales. Claire also manages our social media accounts and ensures our processes operate smoothly, allowing our team to work efficiently.
Adam Riches
Installations
Adam has worked in the blinds industry since leaving school, with experience of installing a wide range of systems, his knowledge is extensive and his ability to solve problems is unparalleled. Adam manages our team of freelance fitters and provides our technical support.
Mathew Siemaszko
Installations
Mat joined Grand Design Blinds in 2021 after spending 3 years at John Lewis in their blinds and soft furnishings department. He brings valuable sales knowledge, having also worked at Mercedes-Benz, as well as excellent personal skills and attention to detail, fostered in his time as a British Army Reservist.
Clare McKeown
Operations
Clare’s background in teaching gives her outstanding organisation skills, ideally placing her to manage the operations side of the business. A common problem in the blinds industry is errors of communication between the surveyor and the factory, but Clare runs this process efficiently and accurately.
Rachel White
Finance
Rachel brings many years of experience in managing company accounts to Grand Design Blinds, ensuring we are on the straight and narrow, and maintaining our ethos of straightforward and honest finances.
Enquiry Pathway
As one of our valued customers, you will be guided through the following process to ensure your project is handled efficiently and with great care, at each stage dealing with an expert, rather than a salesperson, who will give the best possible advice.
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Claire Pelly-Fry will handle the initial stages of your enquiry, ensuring we have the correct information to be able to put together an estimate for you.
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Nick Pelly-Fry prepares all of our estimates, along with detailed information on the pros and cons to different solutions. This may be followed up by a phone call to discuss in more detail.
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For complex projects, or those in the early stages, Nick Pelly-Fry will visit site for an initial design meeting to finalise the specification and ensure the site teams are aware of any work that needs to be done to integrate the blinds into the building.
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The design visit maybe combined with the survey if the project is complete and ready to measure up. One of our surveyors, Adam Riches or Mathew Siemaszko, will visit to take the accurate dimensions ready for manufacturing the blinds. Fabrics and colours can also be picked at this meeting, as our teams carry samples with them.
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Clare McKeown prepares our orders and liaises with the factory to keep on top of the manufacturing timescales, booking installation appointments once the blinds are ready.
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Adam Riches and Mathew Siemaszko will deliver the blinds and install them, ensuring they are programmed and ready to go, as well as giving guidance on their operation and care.
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Clare McKeown is the point of contact for queries, maintenance, or remedial work once the blinds have been installed. We are able to repair and maintain blinds to keep them going for many years.
