I have a confession to make. I’ve missed out on one or two great design opportunities by failing to pay attention to some of the details of window blinds. Like this:
I’ve put in lots of blinds over the years that had these fabric strips holding them together (anybody know what those are called, technically?). I’ve often included a solid color on that strip to enhance the design, but never a pattern like this. I like it.
I’ve always been too busy thinking about window casing, window sills, and other trim. But the blinds themselves are a really important design element.
The picture to the right shows yet another great design opportunity.
These wider strips of fabric are kind of cool looking and the way it’s worked-in with the pillows is a great touch.
When I really look close at this picture, I can see that there are some wooden shutters or doors showing. I can’t tell which. That might be a little angled storage cabinet on either side of the window, which, if it is that, is an uber-cool idea.
I’ve always been partial to real wood plantation shutters myself. It’s probably something to do with the way those shutters remind me of trips to the islands, where the shutters are all they need, no glass.
It’s interesting how times change though, because when I look at the plantation shutters in this picture, as awesome as they are, they seem a little dated to me.
No offense to anyone who just spent $20K on a house full.
Venetian Blinds
You can get venetian blinds from wooden blinds direct among other sources online or local. One of the great things about this classic style is cost.
I’ve seen whole houses done for a few hundred bucks with some of the least expensive blinds available. Even lower cost options can look good.
(this is where I have to remember to stay on-topic and not go off talking about how I think upper cabinets with doors that open vertically are the coolest thing since sliced-bread…)
We’ve still got a few of the aluminum mini-blinds, you know the ones. I’m thinking I’ll keep that top picture around and remember to go for a little blind decor detail when we finally get around to replacing those!
Who would’ve thunk it! I like!!
I have to say there is a ‘timeless’ quality to the plantation shutter style. Those in the old Southern plantation homes are still as gorgeous as ever!
Bonuses with the new faux wood blinds – 1) they don’t warp and 2) are actually easier to clean than real wood ones!
(Off subj. – RG, how often do you check your emails?)
@Marla,
No sooner did I make that comment yesterday than I found a picture of plantation shutters that literally took my breath away! I’ll be posting a withdrawal of my previous comment, along with the photo that brought me back to reality, soon.
As for my emails, it depends on two things, 1) where they go… the questions@remodelingguy.net isn’t checked as often because of the limit of the number of email accounts you can check with one gmail account. I have to log-in to that account and I often forget. Emails to tim@remodelingguy.net are checked about every twelve seconds, 24 hours a day, I’m sad to report.
2) And this isn’t a “how often do you check” as much of a “how often to you reply” kind of answer. I sometimes fail to reply to emails that pose complex questions. I don’t do this on purpose, it’s more a “wow, that will take some time to answer, let me get back to it… whilst 100 more emails show up.”
I try, and if I missed one of yours, please send me another, or better yet, ask your question in the comments.
FYI – those “little fabric strips” on wood blinds are called “tapes”