Magic Made-to-Measure at Peregian Curtains and Blinds
From cruise ships and grand hotels to Coolum’s industrial estate, Melanie Moore has stitched together a Sunshine Coast success story that proves skilled craftsmanship and collaboration will always be in style, writes Deb Caruso.
Step through the doors of Peregian Curtains and Blinds and you’re greeted by the possibility of what could be to the soundtrack of a soft rustle of fabric, the hum of sewing machines and the low murmur of ideas being brought to life. Bolts of fabrics and textiles line the walls, rug designs beckon and sample books brim with prints and textures sourced from around the world. This is where window dressings and soft furnishings stop being an afterthought and start to shape how a space looks, feels and functions.
At the centre is Creative Director Melanie Moore, who still measures, designs and – when needed – jumps on the workroom floor to demonstrate the kind of meticulous stitching she learned decades ago in London.
“There’s no formal training for soft furnishings anymore,” she said. “I’ve had to train my own team from scratch because what we do is a dying trade – but the demand for handmade, long-lasting curtains and blinds has never been stronger.”
Melanie’s introduction to high-end textiles came via a British company that specialised in refits for cruise ships and iconic London hotels such as The Savoy and The Ritz. There, she mastered interlined silk curtains, hand-stitched hems and the sort of invisible detail that makes fabric fall just so. Those skills travelled with her as family life and her husband’s work took them from England to Holland, Belgium, New Zealand and Melbourne before finally landing on the Sunshine Coast.
“Wherever we went, I found ways to keep sewing, keep learning and keep creating,” she said.
Today, Peregian Curtains and Blinds is very much a family affair. Melanie’s husband Steve lends entrepreneurial flair behind the scenes and two of their four daughters have learned the craft, with one forging her own path as an interior designer whose award submissions proudly feature pieces made in the Coolum workroom.
If there’s a common thread through Melanie’s story, it’s a refusal to compromise on craftsmanship. While many window furnishings are now churned out overseas, every curtain, blind and cushion that bears the Peregian Curtains and Blinds name is cut, sewn and finished in-house by a tight-knit team of seamstresses.
“We’re not pressing a button on a robot machine,” she said. “We’re working with our hands, one stitch at a time, so our clients know exactly who made their pieces and how.”
That focus on quality doesn’t mean the showroom is only for those with limitless budgets. Melanie is adamant that good design should be accessible, so alongside artisan wallpapers and hand-carved Armadillo rugs in silk and wool, you’ll find reliable, well-priced sheers and Warwick’s Weave rug collection to help deliver the look without blowing the budget. Sometimes a client will invest in a hero rug or statement fabric, then build the rest of the scheme around more affordable options that still look and feel beautiful.
The product range is broad: custom curtains; Roman and roller blinds; plantation shutters; awnings; and marine-grade outdoor solutions that can stand up to Sunshine Coast sun and salt, plus cushions, bespoke upholstery, wallpapers and rugs. The team can even help you design and order sun umbrellas from coastal brand Three Beaches, choosing everything from fabric and trim to scallop detail for a personalised poolside moment.
Where the experience really comes alive is in the way clients are guided through the process. You can book an in-home visit where Melanie or a team member will assess your space, check fabric options against your walls and lighting, and take the time to understand how you live – pets, kids, privacy needs, room orientation, all of it.
“I’m always thinking about practicality,” Melanie said. “Washable fabrics for busy families, wipe-down wallpapers for high-traffic areas, insulated curtains or UV blockout blinds if energy efficiency is a priority.”
Those who love to see and touch everything can make an appointment at the Coolum showroom – a design playground where interior designers, builders and homeowners alike can spread samples across large workbenches to build their schemes from the ground up. Collaboration is strong with tiles and stone samples from neighbouring businesses, kitchen finishes, carpet swatches and paint chips all laid out alongside fabric and wallpaper options so that it all works together from day one.
Behind the scenes, Melanie keeps a close eye on international trends, particularly the annual Déco Off design event in Paris, which she describes as an art trail for interiors. Right now, the future looks richly textured and warmly coloured, with bold patterns, large-scale prints and wallpapers that double as artwork; decorative trims, frills and tassels; and deep shades of brown and mulberry emerging alongside neutrals.
“People are moving away from flat, all-white spaces and embracing layers – pattern, texture, depth,” she says.
Sustainability is another focus. Beyond choosing durable, high-performance fabrics that stand the test of time, the workroom avoids single-use plastic; instead, offcuts are sewn into sturdy fabric bags and wraps used to transport curtains, tracks and other pieces, which are then reused.
On the energy front, clients can choose motorised blinds and curtain tracks that link to a smart hub and sync with voice assistants to automate daily routines – opening in winter to welcome the morning sun, closing in summer before the heat hits, or lowering at dusk when no one is home.
For Melanie, teaching is as important as making. She has formal training and assessment qualifications and brings a structured approach into the workroom. New staff start with the basics, gradually building their skills and responsibilities under her watchful eye, keeping traditional techniques alive while giving the next generation of makers a future in the industry.
From a single room refresh to a whole-house fitout or a commercial project with serious design credentials, Peregian Curtains and Blinds offers a rare combination of old-school skill, contemporary design smarts and genuine care for how people live in their spaces.
As Melanie puts it: “If you can dream it, we can make it – beautifully, thoughtfully and built to last.”
PATTERNS, TEXTURES, TECH: WHAT’S IN FOR 2026
• Patterns are back: From statement wallpapers to patterned sheers, large-scale prints and mural-style designs are turning walls and windows into artwork.
• Deep, earthy colour: Think browns and mulberry teamed with greens, stone and marble-inspired neutrals for depth without overwhelming the room.
• Details that delight: Frills, trims and tassels on cushions, curtains and upholstery, adding personality and movement.
• Tactile textiles: Heavy embossing, textured weaves and hand-carved rugs create layers you can see and feel – ideal for relaxed living zones and bedrooms.
• Smart shade solutions: Motorised blinds, linked to a smart hub and your phone, make it easy to manage light, privacy and temperature with a tap or voice command.
Email Melanie at info@peregiancurtainsandblinds.com.au or call 0430 127 944 to book a showroom appointment!
Discover more locally designed and made window furnishings…
