Do you have more glitter and sparkle in your interior decorating tool kit than a fairy godmother or does the idea of shimmer and shine in your shrine turn you into a wicked stepmother? Whether you are the diva of dazzle or the damsel of dull, the secret to creating a home fit for a prince and princess lies in the magic of moderation.

Successfully incorporating strong décor elements such as crushed velvet, satin, sequence, crystal, mirror, glass, shimmering metals and bejewelled accessories into an interior decor scheme requires a skilful sense of design.  “Ironically the best rule to follow when designing a glam, glitzy space is ‘less is more’,” says Karina Palmer, interior designer and marketing manager of AMERICAN shutters. “Choosing only a few star-quality items and setting them against a more subdued backdrop creates more drama than a cluttered collection of sparkle, reflection and shine.”

Whether it’s a gem-encrusted sunburst mirror, a grouping of luxurious cushions in metallic fabric, a crystal chandelier or embroidered and embellished upholstery, allow it to bask in, rather than compete for the spotlight.  The best way to achieve this drama is to create a tastefully and resolute décor theme and palette to serve as the canvas upon which to adorn a sparkly work of art. Choose to paint walls and upholster your big expensive pieces of furniture in neutral tones, then dress the room with just the right amount of bling.

“When it comes to window treatments keep in mind that curtaining in rich luxurious textures and colours may look stylish when opened and gracefully held back with ornate tiebacks but when drawn the effect is completely altered; a lady with class becomes the crass lady of the night,” says Karina.

An ideal solution, one that does not require you forego the pleasure of opulent draping yet allows you to meter its impact on the space, is combining fabric curtaining and superior quality shutters. “By installing stylish versatile shutters and simply framing the window with mock curtains, you get the best of both,” advises Karina. “Curtaining can be very expensive, especially if you are wanting the type of fabric that is needed to create a glamorous glitzy interior design. By using the much lesser quantity of fabric required for mock curtains, a huge expense is saved.”

Shutters are considered fixtures, so they add real value to the home and the decorating scheme.

With more than 50 stain and colour finishes to choose from, a choice of slat sizes and a range of valances, wooden blinds can themselves be the belle of the ball. “We also offer some bling, with the option of fabric or decorative tape running down the face of the blinds to cover the ladders,” says Karina.

Perhaps the best reason to install shutters in a room designed to sparkle is their unrivalled versatility.  After all, what good is it if there is no light to spark the purpose of all that glitters? By opening the louvres or shutters completely, maximum light is allowed indoors, perfect to reflect off chandeliers, crystal glasses and mirrors.

So when next you dig into your tool kit of sparkle and glitter, be sure to take the advice herein and prevent your carriage from morphing into a pumpkin.