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October 21, 2011
Looking at blinds today, with the materials used and the wealth of designs, fabrics, patterns and colours available, it is easy to think that they are a recent type of window covering. You would be mistaken, however, as the first blinds go right back the ancient Egyptians and the Romans.
In ancient Egypt, people fashioned window coverings from reeds, while in Rome, rags or clothing was used to protect homes from heat, dust, sunlight and prying eyes. While the blinds were used initially for purely practical reasons, it didn’t take long for people to start trying to make them aesthetically pleasing too.
We tend to associate Venetian blinds with commercial buildings and offices, a thoroughly modern window covering, and yet the first related patents were taken out in England in 1760 and 1769. The original design goes back even further, and the French were responsible for bringing the idea back from Persia, where these blinds were already widely used.
Vertical blinds are relatively new when compared with the other types of blinds, and were invented in Kansas. The patent was sold in the 1960s, allowing other manufacturers to produce this type of blind.
Now in the 21st century, blinds are still based on the original ideas and simple designs, while the technology and fabrics used are becoming ever more complex and effective. And just as the Romans tried to embellish their blinds to make them an element of decoration, so do we now use them for decorative as well as practical purposes.
October 20, 2011
No-one likes feeling like they are on display to the outside world when they are in the privacy of their own home. Even if passers-by take a quick glance at your windows as they pass by, it can leave you feeling rather exposed.
In the past, the problem was solved with the use of net curtains, which block the view but still allow a certain amount of light to filter through. Some net curtains would cover just the bottom half of the window to prevent people from looking in while allowing a maximum amount of light into the house.
Unfortunately, net curtains are not particularly stylish and have rather old-fashioned associations. They also need to be taken down regularly for cleaning, which can be an inconvenience. And yet, for those who have curtains at their windows, they are the only way to achieve complete privacy without sitting in the dark or relying entirely on artificial light.
Luckily there is a stylish alternative to net curtains. Blinds can offer both privacy and excellent light control, while providing an attractive window covering. Different styles can create different looks, from the sleek minimalism of vertical or Venetian blinds to the softer more luxurious look of fabric roman blinds.
The wide range of fabrics, colours and patterns available means you are sure to find the window covering that is both beautifully suited to your home and effective at letting light in and keeping prying eyes out.
October 19, 2011
Natural materials such as suede and leather are currently very popular when it comes to interior design. They offer great texture, and look fantastic when used to create roman blinds.
Leather and suede blinds can be used to complement various styles of decoration, which makes these blinds a versatile design choice. Whether you have a traditional home, with solid wooden furniture with leather upholstery, or a minimalist contemporary décor, roman blinds made from leather or suede can complement the look.
Roman blinds made from leather or suede are available in a range of colours. If you want your blinds to withstand the test of future decorative changes, then play it safe and go for the more neutral shades and tones. The Bedrock Stone, Tan and Valentino Ice are all light but warm tones that will fit in with many styles of home decoration.
If you want something a little more striking, then take a look at the powder blue and Wild West Tan. The latter is a strong, warm, autumnal colour, although both are sure to make a strong style statement. The striped fabrics provide added interest and will also accentuate the vertical lines in the room – a great idea if you are trying to emphasise the height of the ceiling.
October 18, 2011
Coloured blinds can make a real impact on the design of your home and the feel of a room. If, however, you want your new blinds to last for as long as possible, it may sometimes be a better idea to opt for neutral colours that will easily adapt to future changes to your home decoration.
This doesn’t mean that your blinds have to be dull. The simple and elegant designs of different types of blinds can themselves have a significant effect on the way a room looks, emphasising dimensions and manipulating the light.
If you still want to create interesting contrasts, think about the texture of the fabric you choose for your new blinds:
• Vertical blinds – choose slats from the cream and natural colours range, including the bark, bamboo and beech slats for interesting texture. The beckett straw, linen and even subtle patterns can all add subtle contrasts while still making the blinds a versatile style choice.
• Roller and roman blinds can be made from a wide range of fabrics, from the natural look of sulu rattan and biscuit, to the softer textures of macey coffee or sand.
• Even Venetian blinds can have a bit of added interest provided by perforated slats, as well as allowing extra light to filter through!
October 17, 2011
Unless you are lucky enough to have huge windows and masses of natural lighting in your home, you are bound to have certain rooms that never quite manage to shrug off that shadowy feel. The problem is intensified during the winter months as the days get shorter and the weather is far from being bright and sunny.
This can make certain rooms feel cold, gloomy and uninviting, and yet a few changes to the décor could inject a bit of warmth and light. Vertical blinds offer the best of both worlds in terms of light control and privacy, letting in a lot of natural light without exposing your home to the outside world.
They also accentuate the vertical lines within the room, and can make the ceiling feel higher and the windows taller. This can help to counter the closed-in feel that can come with a lack of natural light.
Take the time to choose the colour of your vertical blinds. Lighter, brighter colours can help to create a sense of space, although they can also be rather cold. Warm, autumnal colours will bring warmth to the room and make it cosy and intimate.
October 15, 2011
Regardless of the style of your bedroom, you will find blinds that will complement the décor perfectly. Blinds also offer another major advantage: they can be ordered in blackout material, meaning that you are guaranteed not to be disturbed at night or in the early morning.
When choosing your blinds, think carefully about which type will work best in the room. Roller blinds are simply designed, making them very versatile. The wealth of fabrics available, in a vast range of colours and patterns, means that you are sure to find the right choice. If you like to redecorate on a regular basis, go for neutral colours that will be easily adaptable. Roller blinds look particularly good in contemporary settings.
If you prefer a more traditional style of bedroom, then take a look at roman blinds, which offer a softer look. These blinds form soft folds when raised, and recreate the softer feel of curtains while providing the superior light control typical of blinds. Again, the wide variety of fabrics available provides the choice between different colours and different types of pattern.
You can decide whether you want the blinds to provide interest and texture, creating a focal point in the room, by going for bold or colourful patterns. Alternatively, go for simple neutral colours for blinds that will look great with any future colour scheme changes.
October 14, 2011
Wooden blinds are a very versatile choice that works well in any style of home design. The choice of colours and tones available means that you can match your blinds to your existing décor. Lighter woods will help make your home feel light and contemporary; while the darker colours can be used to create a more traditional or formal feel.
You can choose between Vertical or Venetian blinds using real wood slats, depending on the size of windows you want to dress. The clean simple lines of the slats will emphasize the dimensions of the windows and of the room itself.
Vertical blinds in walnut will lend a sophisticated touch to any room, while Venetian blinds can be created in firenut or flashwood. Make sure that the wood you choose for your blinds matches that used in furniture, and if you want to create a more formal or traditional look, go for furniture with leather upholstery.
Wooden blinds are always a great choice for any room, bringing warmth and simple elegance. They also remain neutral enough to complement many different styles of decoration.
October 13, 2011
The hallway is often an area in the home that can be forgotten when it comes to decoration. It is often a passageway, subject to heavy use and prone to becoming a bit of a dumping ground for shoes, coats, keys and post.
Hanging up curtains in the hallway can add to a sense of clutter it is important to avoid, particularly if a hallway is narrow or small. Curtains can be bulky, making the area feel smaller than it actually is. Blinds, on the other hand, take up less room, and their simple design will help the hallway look tidier. They can also be hung inside the window recess, again, saving space.
If you have storage areas in the hallway that need covering up, consider using roller blinds rather than doors. They can neatly cover open alcoves or cupboards, and can add a splash of colour to brighten up the space.
Blinds are also easier to keep clean, which may prove useful in the hallway. Venetian and vertical blinds, in particular, only need dusting, although any dirt can also be easily removed without having to take the blinds down.
October 12, 2011
We can all get tired of the way a room looks, and yet it can be hard to give an interior a new lease of life without needing to spend a fortune. Redecorating can be expensive, but by playing around with the room layout and adding a few changes, you can transform the space without having to raid the piggy bank.
See if you can change the feel of the room by redesigning the layout of furniture, as you can dramatically change the space by simply moving things around.
Then think about your use of colour. Look for a new colour that will complement the existing dominant colour, but is quite different from previous combinations.
Changing you blinds is an easy way to inject some new colour into a room. Your windows are a major element of any décor, and changing the blinds is an effective way to introduce a new feel. Roller blinds can be found either in block colours, which are ideal for making a new colour statement, or in patterns, for a more subtle use of new colour.
Make sure your new colour is picked up throughout the room in the form of accessories, whether it be a new rug or cushions, or even just a new throw over the sofa…
October 11, 2011
Working from home is becoming a more frequent occurrence, and creating a comfortable and functional work space is important. While working on the kitchen table may seem like a pleasant change, it is essential to create an area or an office that will allow you to work efficiently from home.
You will need to make sure that you have sufficient natural light, so choose an area that doesn’t rely too heavily on electric lighting. You will need to find the balance between too much and too little light when working, so think carefully about the type of window covering will work best.
The disadvantage with curtains is that light control is fairly limited: your curtains are either open or closed, unless you choose net curtains, which can look rather old-fashioned. The option that offers the best light control and privacy are slatted blinds.
Slats can be oriented in order to direct the light when it enters the room, meaning that you can adjust the light depending on your needs. If you work with a computer, you will need to make sure that you can prevent glare, or you may find you suffer from fatigue easily.
Venetian and vertical blinds provide the perfect practical solution for creating a comfortable, functional and stylish home office.
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